Doing up the House (and me) while doing away with the Debt

supersaver1000

So this weekend was supposed to be about sewing, but I haven't really started yet.  Yesterday was grocery shopping and then we had an unexpected guest so plans got put on hold.  But I have ended up with a bottle of wine, chocolates and some smellies, so a good weekend!!  Today has been productive so far - all the stuff gone to the CS (nice to see the floor again) and more shopping done.  Coffee maker is set on descale and meters read.  Just got to pop to the corner shop, then finish up cleaning the coffee machine, and it will be time for sewing.

supersaver1000

Dropped off the bags to charity yesterday - yay.  So pleased to have the room back again.  Will definitely keep on top of this in future and make sure I make regular drop offs every time i buy something.  Will be a good opportunity to have a looksie too.  Sewing plans were scuppered due to more visitors - which was lovely - and the sewing will have to wait until next weekend.  I also need to get started on the moving checklists, but chats with DH about it and we are getting on the same page.  I'm confident that with selling stuff, we will have plenty of money to buy the items we want to buy and some left over to top up the emergency fund.  DH wants to do the garden asap, but I want to take time to make sure we don't regret putting in any hard landscaping.  I don't mind buying plants as they can be moved - or even kept in pots until they get their permanent positioning.  

The nerves about the move are going and excitement is starting to creep in.  I will be slightly nervous until completion, but any thoughts about whether it is the right thing to do are completely negligible now.  I'm trying to be a bit more positive about making decisions.  I was reading something the other day that there really were no wrong decisions - not when you've considered the options.  Apparently if you are left with choices that you can't decide you should just opt for one and follow it through.  That's good advice as inertia about decision making has held me back a bit I think - or sometimes making decisions without considering them has had the same effect.  

supersaver1000

My to do list is a bit smaller now:

• Make pillowcase - this is an exciting one as I have found some beautiful fabric in the CS
• Finish making the sewing alterations/repairs to skirts, trousers, cards
• Create a moving checklist/schedule
• Have another facemask/soak in tub (very important and free!)
• Gather up books for another Ziffit parcel

There are more things for the list but I find a huge list overtakes me and I'm better just concentrating on a few things.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Although I do need to get a move on as moving day is edging closer 

ps I'm always wishing time away as payday nears.  I just want to get on with moving the money around, paying bills and ticking them off.

supersaver1000

Yay, payday.  Already squirrelled away another £800 to the moving fund and £240 put by for food (4 x £60) for March.  It means we are financially ready for moving.  So now I can concentrate on the practicalities of being ready for moving.  Phew.

As well as my list above, I need to call Student Loans and ask them to stop payments now that the loan is paid off - yes paid off!!  Well the balance was £87.82 and deduction from wage taken is £88!!  Not sure if I'm in credit or if there will be some final interest to settle.  I'm also going to contact the council to change payments to 12 rather than 10 months.  Saving for Xmas 2020 is much better than relying on the Feb/Mar no pay months.  Excited to see the Xmas fund building up slowly and pleased for the starter emergency fund.  We are fleabaying lots of stuff before we move and the plan is that anything we make, but not spent on the move, will go to the 'proper' emergency fund.  Its all happening.

I'm getting so excited about the prospect of owning our own home again.  Well done to all of you who are already in that position.  I'm not sure why I didn't appreciate that before, but I do now.  We will probably only own the downstairs loo to start with, but we'll start adding to that.  Looking forward to getting started and to joining the mortgage-free wannabes.

Right, must try and get another hours sleep before work, otherwise I will be no good for anything tomorrow

supersaver1000

I've just read the student loan information online again and it seems I should have set up a direct debit in the last year of payments to make sure I don't overpay.  However, it also says they will contact you about this - but I can't remember seeing anything.  It says they will let my employer know when I have finished paying the loan but it can take 4 weeks to do this.  So it looks like at least another payment will be deducted.  But they will refund the overpayment and I have to contact them if they don't.  Bit of a palaver but I guess these things take time to work through the system and I have the telephone number now to call them when the time comes.  (0300 100 0611 and they are open Saturdays 9-4 which is a plus).  No point in calling now, sounds like I should give them a call after we've moved if it hasn't all sorted itself by then. 

I messaged the council asking them to change my direct debit to 12 payments rather than 10.  I'm doing the Saving for Xmas 2020 challenge which works out roughly the same amount as my direct debit reduces by.  It will be better to have that money just before Xmas rather than March/April and I'm actually saving other bits of money/vouchers for the challenge, so the council tax money will go to the Emergency Fund/Mortgage overpayments.  I've already got £109 saved towards Xmas and its building up fairly easily at the moment, without being missed.

I had a really good month on the Feb grocery challenge.  It helps we are eating almost no meat, but we are eating really well.  Mostly cooking from scratch, although we did have a few things with frozen chips this week - vegan sausage rolls, pizzas, fishcakes.  It was just one of those weeks when I wasn't feeling great.  Still, for the other days we had homemade veggie meals so I think it sort of makes up for it.  

Have started meal planning for the week and just need to finalise that today.  I am in awe of people who manage on a lot less than £60/week, although I do include all the household stuff e.g. loo rolls, washing stuff, cat food etc.  But I do think we are incredibly lucky to be in the position we are in, although I know there are lots in better positions who have been much better with their money.

This weekend I need to:

• Make pillowcase - this is an exciting one as I have found some beautiful fabric in the CS
• Finish making the sewing alterations/repairs to skirts, trousers, cards
• Create a moving checklist/schedule
• Have another facemask (and combine with a soak in the tub regularly - very important and free!)
• Gather up books for another Ziffit parcel
• Start Job Application - another couple of posts have been advertised and you have to be in it to win it
• Meal Plan and Shop for the week completed

Things to be grateful for are:
A £2.50 lottery win - so I have bought another ticket (in it to win it )
A family who are currently safe under one roof for a bit
A good job with reasonable security and pay
Food, warmth, shelter and a relatively good life
Time to reflect and do the things I enjoy

supersaver1000

Managed to get the sewing machine out at last and have had a really satisfying day sewing.  I am following the fashion on the ration thread and its really focussing me on making sure any new purchases are truly needed and are long lasting.  Second hand clothes are 'free of vouchers', hence the alterations today, but I am still working towards a capsule wardrobe, so will make sure that any new CS purchases are definitely going to be worn.

My to do list is slowly getting there, it was good to get the sewing done today:

• Create a moving checklist/schedule
• Have another facemask (and combine with a soak in the tub regularly - very important and free!)
• Gather up books for another Ziffit parcel
• Start Job Application - another couple of posts have been advertised and you have to be in it to win it

Chrystal

All sounding very positive (you may even have inspired me to get MY sewing machine out!)

Good luck with the job applications.  

supersaver1000

Thank you @Chrystal.  Its really good to finally have all (well almost all) the sewing done.  I told myself that I either had to do the repairs/adjustments or send the clothes back to the charity shop before we move.  I work so much better with a deadline ⏱️

Msmoneyspider

Hi supersaver1000, just read through your thread.  You have had a fabulous run and it sounds like you are in a very good place and about to start an exciting new project. Well done !!  Love the references to self care (capsule wardrobe, luxury baths and face masks).   Look forward to hearing how you transform your new abode and demolish the mortgage. Best Wishes.

supersaver1000

Thank you @Msmoneyspider for your lovely positive comments 🌸🌺 🌼