The mindful MFW: A healthy, happy journey to a mortgage free life!

themadvix

Thanks MW, I'll have a look then - if nothing else, for the cornettos! I'll use your code, obviously!

newgirly

Hi MW, thanks for he heads up re the fortnums sale, do you mind me asking how you see the best before dates on the sale preserves as I can't find them. I'm thinking of doing a hamper for my very fussy fil who will no doubt notice if they are out of date, thanks

museumworker

themadvix wrote: »

Thanks MW, I'll have a look then - if nothing else, for the cornettos! I'll use your code, obviously!

Oh brilliant, thanks Vix! The sun is out so it's a good day for a Cornetto

newgirly wrote: »

Hi MW, thanks for he heads up re the fortnums sale, do you mind me asking how you see the best before dates on the sale preserves as I can't find them. I'm thinking of doing a hamper for my very fussy fil who will no doubt notice if they are out of date, thanks

Hi newgirly we pick up our selection later so I can confirm then but I read on hotukdeals that the preserves were generally Aug 2018. The curd is a lot sooner, this year sometime so maybe avoid those. Thread is here:

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/50-off-preserves-at-fornum-mason-in-store-and-online-2775249

newgirly

Many thanks for that

museumworker

Had a good day at the office yesterday. The work I did at the weekend was enough for everyone else on the project to get on with, I had training with free lunch and a work do in the evening. It was a lovely event with a fast free boat ride down the river, and fresh paella with plentiful wine. I had two glasses and a fun evening with me colleague, but when I got home I think the alcohol set off my IBS so I ended up feeling rough and not getting to bed until 1am :eek:! (I was home by 1030pm)

So feeling very rough today which is not good, and I need someone to tell me off about the late night and breaking my no booze rule.

Good news is my hours are almost where they need to be for the week so can just do some light touch stuff whilst looking after DS.

Plan for next day or two:
* [STRIKE]work telecon [/STRIKE]
* find recipes for our browning bananas
* speak to BT about engineers visit tomorrow
* [STRIKE]cancel day out tomorrow[/STRIKE]
* confirm night out with friend
* collect dress
* OH to collect F&M order
* [STRIKE]plan budget for Sep[/STRIKE]
* research possible house swaps for 2018
* free up space on phone for new app for extra Mr T CC points
* [STRIKE]order gift for nephew[/STRIKE]
* agree childcare plan for DS Mon/Tues next week
* claim £1 cashback on DD1 maths set

museumworker

Had to make the difficult decision to walk away from the house swap we were hoping to do to Denmark next Easter. We have been negotiating for 7 months so was very much looking forward to it but last week they wanted to shorten dates, and suggested we get a hotel for 2 nights, and also whilst we still could use a car we would need to get a train and taxi to their house to use their second car rather than collect from the airport.

We've set a budget of £1000 for holidays for the whole of next year, and these changes would have taken it from a £350 holiday (flights only) to more like £800 with the additional costs.

So we very politely said these changes wouldn't work for us and have now updated listing. This gives us more flexibility about where we can go - I would really like a swap we can drive to as we have enough Mr T CC points already to pay for one tunnel crossing, and am hoping to build up enough for another one later in the year . Then our holidays would only cost petrol (and spending money).

museumworker

Just noticed Shopm!um has a free low sugar granola on it for the next few days from Mr T, worth £3. I imagine it will be in larger stores so will try and swing by one soon.

To save people hunting through my waffle, my Shopm!um referral code is 9h4w3. You get a box of Cornettos and I get £4 off their offers. Winner winner ice cream dinner :rotfl:

museumworker

OK, September expenses done and it is looking tight!

Whether bargains or not, I've spent a few hundred pounds the last week and now we have to keep a tight lid on our spending until the end of September.

September expenses

£623.15 Mortgage (set aside)

Incoming:
£1350 salary
£500 left from OH salary
£208.43 child benefit
£164.40 child benefit back payment
£150 child maintenance
£100 refund from DD2 nursery

Total: £2472.83
( Aim: £300 from make £10 a day challenge)

Outgoings: £2,269.45

Fixed monthly £1,154.45
£137 council tax
£43 Broadband / telephone - awaiting install to reduce costs
£35 Mobiles (three contracts). Need to check these
£141 utilities (!) gone up but switch due this month which should halve monthly DD
£27.37 water
£9.72 + £12.89 Life insurance me/OH
£12.37 TV licence
£6.50 DD1 travelcard
£150 DD2 music school (first month this month!)
£250 DS childcare
£143 DD2 childcare (after childcare vouchers) - guesstimated as haven't had costs yet
£159 cleaner (need to look into reducing)
£20.60 DS swimming lessons
£7 window cleaner

Termly costs £40
£30 music club DD2
£10 load DD1 lunch money (planning packed lunches but this will be for emergencies)

Exceptional £270
£100 (?) DD2 deposit new nursery - another guesstimate as not given exact figure
£130 flute backdated fees DD2 - termly, but will now be paying for lessons as part of her Sat music school
£40 family gathering food costs

Discretionary costs £805
£250 groceries inc my lunches - down from £450! Have a stocked freezer and cupboards, so this should be doable.
£10 local sat group
£35 cycle helmet for me
£25 wedding gift
£100 Christmas fund - books for DC, last hamper bits for siblings/parents
£10 DD1 pocket money (reduced for 9 months due to taking my things)
£8 monthly magazine for DS/DD2 (half previous cost!)
£10 babysitting fees
£40 night out
£20 OH lunches (down from £50!)
£30 greetings cards (2x birthday, 2x new home, 4 x thank you)
£100 gifts (can I make/buy with vouchers?)
£15 dress
£12 boots reheeled
£110 Amazon top ups (to earn £15 in vouchers)
£30 school clothes DD1

Deleted costs:
**£20 music grade pieces DD2 (will use vouchers already have)
**£7.99 Netflix - will cancel

Downshifterella

Shame on the Denmark House swap but hopefully something else will come up that is more hassle free.
Well done on Sept budgeting, need to do something similar but may do it with a clearer head tmrw !

Remind me I've been a bit lax with headspace this week must get back into it!
X

wishingthemortgaheaway

Busy month there MW. September will fly by.
Good luck.