Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks all of you 🙂. Thursday morning without the tricky boy was pleasant because I was available to support the other children in the class with their work, they really lose out most days. There was a bit of a kerfuffle though as a child stole another child's keyring and the HT had to be summoned 😱.! We had another staff meeting after school so I was late home but I came home to a glorious sunset at the bottom of my road  🙂. I nipped into the Cwop Shop (as my Grandma used to call it in her Devon accent🤣) on my way home to get some emergency fruit.

Today I had a good day in the nice class and because the children were doing assessments I spent half the morning tidying the art cupboard 😁 (which badly needed it). I was on playground duty in the morning but it was dry and not too manic. The HT was assembling a large Christmas tree in the hall when I left 🎄. I had to go to Mr M to do a top up shop as we're not having a good delivery until next weekend so I was home a bit late again. I've done 12,577 steps today 🚶‍♀️.

I feel really tired as I always do on a Friday, but I'm relaxing and making plans for the weekend. We're still in credit with Npw£er 🎉🎉🎉 (probably because prices have gone down due to lockdown) so I want to change to a cheaper dual fuel provider this weekend. I haven't done it for 17 years and it was a right hassle last time, so I hope it's got easier. I'll look at Martin's energy club for recommendations. I also want to finish putting up the Christmas decorations and order a few presents 🎄🎁.

I hope everyone in Diaryland is having a congenial Friday 🙂.

HairyHandofDartmoor

teafor2 said:

Morning HHD Hope you enjoy the quieter morning and the boy is more engaged when he comes in. I'm honestly never sure about certain pupils being in main stream school. Some I've come across would definitely have benefitted from smaller classes, more routine and a calmer atmosphere. The whole thing can be equally frustrating for the child, other pupils and teachers.

Love that you've got your EF and a good amount in it too. Are you  still putting £50 away every month into Premium Bonds as well? Has DS planned his return home yet? I think the mass travel plan starts next week but DD will be staying in the house until 18th December so just 3 weeks before we go and get her. xx

Thanks TF2 . The tricky boy does struggle in mainstream school, he's going to go home for lunch for a while as lunchtimes have been so problematic with him hitting other children, being disruptive, etc, I expect the noise in the canteen and the playground stresses him out.

I haven't bought any premium bonds for ages which is a pity, but DH and I have £600 worth between us which I try to pretend don't exist so we aren't tempted to spend them.

We're going to collect DS3 the day after I break up for Christmas which will be 19th December, similar to DD. I'm looking forward to seeing him .

beanielou

Heard really good reports about Occtopussss.

milann

Lol you brought back some memories there of my mum calling the co-op ‘quorrrrpp’ - I’m not sure when it magically changed to co-op. I remember sticking stamps in a divi book for her. Then my memory meandered to Embassy coupons from my dads cigarettes and green Sheild stamps. I remember them saving eneough for electric gardening tools....a lawnmower and hedge cutter 😂😂😂😂 we were the envy of the neighbours 😂😂😂😂 see what you started Hairy.....I’ve gone and gone off on a tangent 😂😂😂😂😂
School sounds lovely- I love Christmas at school. Art cupboards have a life of there own..😳😂😳😂 I swear all the papers come to life and shuffle themselves when nobody is watching as NOBODY is ever responsible for messing the paper or paints - they all put it back in the right places.....yeah course they do 🤔🤔😂😂

Willowtree222

I change via the energy club and it's been so easy for the last few years. Hope yours is too. X

Sun_Addict

I changed to 🐙 a couple of days ago via the MSE energy club. Was super easy.

foxgloves

I'm with the 8-tentacled provider already mentioned, HHoD. I don't know how they rate in terms of prices, as they took over another smaller provider I was with. However, something I definitely like about how they do business is this : Every month, they email me a reminder (& link) to upload my meter readings. On receipt of these, they automatically send a statement, so each month, I can see exactly how much money I have spent on gas & electricity, what I've paid in (i. e my monthly DD) & importantly, the balance on our account. This means I can keep much better tabs on whether I'm paying enough & not gwtting stuck in minus numbers. Also, seeing a credit balance is motivating, as it means funds are building towards winter bills. I definitely feel I have better knowledge of how our account is looking.
F x

Paspatur

Thanks so much Milann for bringing back memories I have not thought about for years. Coop divi - I still remember my mums Coop number and I am 60. I come from a large family, one of 6 kids, and any hobby had to be stuck to for a year before any money could be spent on equipment. I spent a tortuous year ice skating on rented boots which were so old they had no support. Ever tried skating on your ankles? I got a brand new pair of figure skates off the Cop divi, cost £11. after 5 years of excellent service I sold them for £10 and insisted on giving my mum the money back. Lovely memories. Thank you xx

elizabethhull

I love the thought of you squirreling money away for future contingencies - very ML !

I'm sure you will be very relieved to see the back of Np££er and find a more reasonable provider.

I assume it was thought your tricky pupil could cope in a mainstream school, but it does make a lot of extra work for everyone. One can only hope that time and effort will help him 'normalise' or he may find the other pupils becoming less tolerant . I am sure you are doing as well as anyone could expect, and every positive interaction with him is helping.

DH and I, DD1 & DSIL, and DD2 are all spending Xmas separately. What with high tiers and uncertainty it seemed best. I had a little weep about it all this morning (probably not the last time!), but it is what it is. We are taking a Xmas Eve box round to DD2 on the pretext of exercising the car to prevent the battery failing yet again, so she will have Xmas pyjamas and a basket of nice fruits. We all intend to photograph our Xmas lunches to share, and open presents via Zoom., making the best of what has been a dismal year for families not living together. 

Sun_Addict

I can remember the co-op stamps. My first ever job after leaving school was a Junior Management Trainee with the Co-op. As part of the course I had to learn every aspect of the job from filling shelves to doing the accounts. I remember giving out the stamps when I was on till training. Also remember my parents having the green shield stamps 🤣 God I feel so old now 😩