Courgette resets her sights

Courgette

Hi BB! :wave: My witterings are fascinating, you're in for a good time! :rotfl:

Was hoping to be posting that the kitchen is finished.....but it isn't! Waaaaaahhhhh!!!!

We do have a totally gorgeous undermount ceramic sink all fitted and plumbed in though. It's just stunning! Really lifts the whole room and after almost 3 months without running water downstairs I can't stop turning the tap on and off! Simple things, eh!

The joiner also 'offered' to do the tiling for us too (obviously not for free!) Am very tempted to go for this because even though we can do it ourselves we won't have time realistically until November and I think I'd just rather have it all finished now. No one can say I haven't been patient with this kitchen!

He's also said there's no rush to pay the invoice which is good considering our current cash flow issue and austerity measures.

DS3 starts school tomorrow. I think we're all very ready for this, I certainly am. New kitchen, new era!

Courgette

All the children now at school - whoop! :j DS3 has taken to it like a duck to water, DS2 still having wobbles though as he finds transitions and change very difficult.

Money situation is improving slightly - we are on track to be able to pay our mortgage at the end of the month which is a relief but we still have a long way to go to get back on an even keel.

After my big wobble about spending before the summer I've got a bit more spendy and my usual defence of extreme frugality has crumbled because, well, I've been spending! We really couldn't afford the holiday but I am so glad we went because it's really stopped us looking so inward I guess. I've been thinking more about the children too and I've realised that, despite my training, I really want to have money to spend on them and the money I have spent has brought ME an awful lot of joy as well as them (who knew DS3 was as big a nail varnish fan as me!).

I'm struggling with DS2's birthday party though. Most kids in his class seem to have these big venue type parties, LazerZ0ne kind of thing. DS2 is also desperate to have this but I simply cannot bring myself to spend so much on so little. A two hour party is around £150 in most places and needs a minimum of 10 kids. In my opinion 10 kids is far too many plus the quality of the food is rubbish. That kind of money isn't a million miles away from a weekend in London or something else a bit longer-lasting. However, I'd like him to feel I guess equal amongst his peers. We may be reaching a compromise with bowling then home in a taxi for supermarket home cooked pizza but even that is looking around £60. The trouble is I think that the weather isn't that reliable for a park party - he had originally asked for a football game in the park with his friends which appeals to me from a financial sense but I'm not sure the British weather would cooperate. Plus, if I'm honest, I'm slightly scared of being responsible for a load of 7 and 8 year olds. Ho hum. Need to get organised on this one though.

Been very busy getting life up and running again now the kids are back at school and haven't been sleeping that well so feeling pretty tired. I completed my tax return though this week as part of my promise to myself to get more on top of things financially. It's a good job I did as the tax owed amount is higher than it has been so I'll need to budget for this (it's about £950). This is positive as it shows that income is starting to increase.

Right, jobs this week:

Health: actually do some exercise!

Wealth: continue to push eBBBay sales - we won't cover our essential bills at the end of the month without this

Also - find the checklist Martin has somewhere about cutting costs on outgoings. I know what I mean! ETA: I *think* this is it! https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/money-help/

Cosy home: continue sorting out the kitchen. Take some stuff to the charity shop

Courgette

Some money-saving things done today:

• Transferred ISA from CSD to Vanguard
• We've both opened the new Help to Save accounts but no money to put in yet
• moved gas/elec providers
• added a bolt-on to our phone/broad band account so we don't get charged for evening calls. - DH has added £15 to this month's bill calling his Grandma! Disgraceful!
• Been to Aldi rather than Sains

Some money-earning things done today:

• booked a new student in for a one-off lesson
• updated a listing - sold 3 £40 dresses off it because of my changes - whoop!

edinburgher

Well done on switching the ISA - I was a fan of CSD in the past - but their fee increase was a joke. Vanguard are also introducing a SIPP from later this year (hopefully) - looking forward to using this as well.

Brodiebobs

Will have to look into the Vanguard switch...

Parties are a nightmare, my DS has got to 10 before requesting one, which is in a week as we usually do at home. He went to a place with a child he barely knows at school which was £22 per child and they invited the class. Madness.

Weve got away with a church hall type skate do, providing own food and music for about £120.. still redic though!

jodles16

Hi Courgette!

Lovely to 'see' you back! I think finding the balance is a never ending task, but it sounds like pushing your way to the edge with the holiday has shown you that even when there is nothing left you have survived and even had a great time! Amazing results for DS1!

I have started to not always say yes or no straight away, I will say let me get back to you, that way you can weigh everything up including cost/enjoyment factors before making a decision.

I also have several imaginary pots, including holidays, as I think it is so important to enjoy things on the journey! Also, something I like to remind myself, is what would I say to a friend in the same situation, you would never be hard on them like yourself, so treat yourself like a friend!

Jodles