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

museumworker

Ok, own up guys! Who put the (slightly broken) chair in the skip up my road? Am now scrubbing it with a magic sponge and hoping it can be fixed up to go with DS desk.

I still need the free desk though :rotfl:

museumworker

The chair was unsalvageable - it made its way back to the skip sharpish :rotfl:!

The bed has been collected and is in fantastic condition. DS is so excited! We will use existing mattress, and buy DD2 a new one when she inherits his old bed (actually DD1's old bed, still going strong after 12 years!)

Miracle morning achieved yesterday, which was lovely. We got some camping furniture out from under the loft so had a sun canopy up, as well as some really comfy chairs we won and just hung out in the garden, really relaxing. Last night had date night with OH, tried local burger joint for first time which really enjoyed, and used a few of my free beer vouchers after. Total cost £36 (£4 under budget) and it was a really fun evening. However very late to bed so no miracle morning today!

I've cashed out £16 in @mazon vouchers from TCB, and ordered five free carpet samples.

Mr T shop delivered, another £100 shop :eek:! Online shops are definitely busting our budget, but taking the young ones with us shopping was just getting too challenging. Does anyone have any tips for grocery budgeting, particularly online? Otherwise we are on for a £500 month _pale_. I'm not eating carbs which does push the cost up, but even still!

This afternoon we are having friends over for dinner, will do BBQ style food (but on the cooker) - youghurt marinated lamb skewers, beetroot yoghurt and tahini dip, honey and mustard sausages, hummus, salad and fresh Turkish bread.

After much consideration I've bought a new camera and smartphone, using a significant amount of my pocket money savings. Whilst we were away in Finland I was using a camera OH has, but it was really glitchy, slow, and frustrating to have to ask to borrow it all the time. It meant I couldn't capture quite a few pictures, which are special to me and I use on social media to support my blogging. I have bought a S0ny A5100 as I take a lot of inside (museum) shots, and the light sensor on it is enormous. And after dumb phoning since November, I finally chose an Hon0r P9 lite, great reviews and a lot of handset for £159. With all the accessories - accidental damage protection, case, bag, lens cap bungee, screen protectors - I've spent around £530 :eek: The money was saved but not used to such big spends, so just getting used to the feelings it has provoked!

museumworker

Argh, just found out discount not applied and now it's £50 off the camera... May be buying another one and returning at the old price at this rate, will be worth the near £100 saving :eek:

museumworker

Just made a (long) call and £92 now on it's way back to our account. Very happy
Can I just say thank goodness for YNAB, it's really getting me to scrutinise our accounts.

museumworker

We had a wonderful bank holiday weekend at home, felt like we were on holiday!

I've had a 'miracle morning' almost every day and they've really made me feel focussed and positive. I had a busy week too, with a day training on SEN law, a work evening do I got home at 1am from, and an exhibition opening yesterday. However I'm now coming down with something - probably a cold, also have a huge amount of cold sores, aches and a sore throat, so not feeling well at all today. I think DD2 might end up with quite a bit of telly today! I've asked OH if he can come home a bit earlier today and will take kids over to park after school pickup to make up for the overload on CBeebies!

Potty train going ok, some successes but still some misses too.

What with illness and potty training we've decided to have another at home weekend.

Other news this week:
* return of expensive necklace which looked rubbish IRL, still have a £70 voucher to use up!
* Sweatshirt retired as grease stains wouldn't come out despite several attempts at stain removal. Picked up another for £3 from charity shop.
* DS passport application submitted
* DD1 passport photos done
* Reading free books on the library app, definitely reducing my book spend whilst enjoying new releases. Currently reading Three Things About Elsie.
* Signed up for Unmartyr yourself challenge next week by Mindful Mama, free and really useful self care checklist
* Spends: £26 on two t shirts I absolutely love from Uniqlo ; £7 on sunglasses to replace lost ones (pocket money), £15 pocket money on night out.
* Booked my Mother's Day gift: a mindfulness retreat in September :j! Train tickets booked immediately, saving 50%
* Booked a camping weekend for the family at end of June
* Firmed up plans for weekend away at end of month
* Found suitable childcare for DS, trialling 1 day in May. Met with staff and discussed his condition. Booked and paid for.
* Contacted healthcare specialist to book follow up meeting after DS diagnosis
* DD1 had first brace fitting appointment

pinkypig

Sounds like life's good MW . Have a great weekend xx

museumworker

Thanks PP, life in general is going very well. Apart from today, when I'm all crusty in cold sores, and am feeling dizzy and achy all over. Darn virus!

Am very proud for my latest online food shop, meal planned properly around freezer contents and had to add extra food for DS party to get it over the £40 mark! Plus used £3 off voucher, so a £39 shop, and have bagged one large joint of pork + BBQ sauce ready for DS party next month. This should help us keep our food budget down, it was ridiculous last month.

Carpet measuring appointment booked as we have now picked our carpet :j! It's polypropylene, so moth resistant and bleach cleanable. Cannot wait to not worry about moths anymore! Ordered different colourways in it to double check which we like the most but would be happy with the sample colour we have already. A bit concerned that fitting costs might be high, so have contacted 2x local retailers too to try and book an appointment. Just need to work out how we are going to pay for it :think:!

Planning to do little but read library books for the rest of the day, and hoping will feel better tomorrow.

wishingthemortgaheaway

Hope you feel much better after your rest.

museumworker

Thanks wish, OH taken kids out to softplay so I have a quiet house at last. Shop came and didn't deliver one item so have sent an email, plus claimed for £1.50 back on Shopm!um. Just about to do a mindfulness session to tr6 and clear my rather overactive mind.

Second carpet fitting appointment booked. I may have to temper my ambition regarding timeframe for fitting the carpet, until we have saved the money. Let's see what quotes come in at.

museumworker

Just dashing round the house, getting it tidy enough for the carpet measurers today.

We've used our MrT vouchers to book our summer holiday Eurotunnel:j! All it will cost us in terms of travel is petrol and any parking. Well, and the £4 difference between the vouchers and the price . We also have enough points left for one more trip, so October will be free too. We're not getting as many points lately so unlikely to have a repeat performance next year, but means we are definitely on for a sub-£1k holiday year, despite three foreign holidays.

Time to finish tidying!