Drawing a line under the debt. Take two.

Drawingaline

bd80s said:

your still as busy as ever sorting everything out, must be great to be in an doing things the way you want them though. All the big things will get done in time and you can just enjoy the space at the moment

The cats certainly are, one of them is acting like they are on drugs this evening, galavanting all over the place,picking fights with his brother and pouncing on anything and everyone 😂

Worked out a rough income and expenditure for my SE for 20/21. I am about 2k higher than I declared to tax credits. So frustrating, will have to go through my receipts carefully. I bought a new vacuum so that can be classed as an expense. I will still be under the income tax threshold but will have to pay NI, and probably more than last year due to my PAYE job. I will see how it looks after I have worked out my milage. I do my tax return very early (like before the end of April!) to make sure I declare the correct numbers for tax credits asap to ensure I don't get an overpayment. It makes budgeting frustrating. But we will probably see a drop of around £100 in April. 

I am taking on a voluntary role within my church. I am beginning to think I have bitten off more than I can chew with it. I will have to give it a go, the previous person was very detailed and good at the role, and I have a lot to live up to! Lots of prayer at the moment, I need to feel capable and sure it is right for me, but also aware that there is no one else to take it over. 

Applied for the girls provisional driving licence tonight 😱 she turns 17 next month. I know she can't actually take lessons right now, but she might as well get the licence and start researching for the theory test so she can sit that asap once test centres reopen. It feels strange to have a child old enough to drive!

Anyway I am off to bed now, full day at work tomorrow and Friday, the girl is going to have to get herself to work on Friday as she starts before I will get back. 

savingholmes

Hope the new role goes well

Drawingaline

I spoke to my dad and he doesn't want the 6k back 😱😁 he has gifted my sister a similar amount and will to my brother at some point. He did let slip that 'it was only 6k, I have managed to save more than that this past year' so I feel no guilt. Also I think the fact that we managed to cash flow the entire move (he offered to fund EA and solicitor fees for us if needed) impressed him. So that has freed up £250 from the budget which will really help going forward. 

So this month I will have some spare cash. Have arranged a plumber to visit this week to discuss replacing the toilet and basin in the downstairs shower room, I may see if he can quote to plaster if we remove the tiles. Unfortunately replacing the shower cubicle will probably be too much right now, a shame, but will chat to him to get an idea of cost. 

Also have the glazing/locksmith company coming over to replace the front door, back door and patio door locks. The back door lock sticks badly and is frustrating, so we may as well get them all done. Not sure who may still have a key! Also want to discuss a small internal window going into the girls room.

And then I will be attempting to save some cash for the summer. We may be able to actually start doing some things!!!

Wall bed arrives today, need to get some fittings for the bricks so we will build it at the weekend. The girls mattress comes on Thursday, so we will even have the mattress to put on it. Mil is already planning on visiting on 17th May if it all goes according to plan. Having a proper double bed in a separate room (even if it is full of hubby's hobby stuff) means fil is also more likely to come too. She is stupidly excited, haven't seen them since Dec '19!

Drawingaline

So just realised with dad writing off this 6k, we are debt free 😱😱😱

savingholmes

Congratulations Drawingaline. That's fab news. Well deserved. 

Sarahwithlove

That's great news well done you must be pleased. 

Drawingaline

Have been looking at the downstairs shower room. The tiles are pretty standard white ripple ones. I found a company that sends free samples so have ordered one to see if it's a close enough match. Typically there are spare tiles in the garage for the ensuite and bathroom (both of which are not to our taste at all and will get replaced at some point) but not for this one. I think the toilet I want will be slimmer so will need to cut some tiles to match. But will only need about 4-8! Will be worth it though. Going to chat to him about replacing the shower door too. The base is fine (ensuite one isn't great though) so a new door and shower hose with the toilet and sink will basically complete it. Although it may affect the flooring. But vinyl isn't expensive and it's a small space. 

Will get it all priced up and then decide.

savingholmes

Nice to be in a position to make your home your own.

enthusiasticsaver

Glad the move went well and nice of your dad to gift you the £6k. We like treating our DDs too and so much better to give you young families money when you need it rather than it being sat in a savings account earning zilch. Providing it is affordable. I am with your Dad though and like treating both our DDs the same even though they are in  different circumstances. The £250 you were going to repay your Dad could go towards saving for shower room? Congrats on being debt free and a nice new house. 

lucielle

Great news on being debt free, well done!
L