No longer in use

MeandO

Thank you hun, virtual cake and hugs much appreciated! I hope things are going well for you now xx

MeandO

I’ve just applied to transfer DS’s junior isa to a higher interest rate account after seeing ML discuss it on the money saving programme. DS is richer than me but I’d really like to at least double what he has in there by the time he’s 18. Not sure how I’ll achieve it but I’ll certainly do my best. It will mean doubling the money I currently pay into his account every month which, once I’ve got the mortgage down and savings up to a reasonable level, is doable. It’s just those first two hurdles that are the difficult bit.

MeandO

I’ve also just opted in for the ‘save the change’ option on my main bank account. Purchases will be rounded up to the nearest £1 and the difference transferred into a savings pot. I’ve renamed one of my savings pots ‘rainy day fun fund’ and will see how it goes, I’ll decide what to spend the money on at the end of the month. Knowing me it will be a mortgage overpayment, but it will also be nice to have a dedicated little bit of money for DS and I to do some fun things together without worrying about allocating funds for it from the budget.

MeandO

A little bit of postitive finanical news for a change - I've just checked my Gas & Electricity bills and my electricity DD is going down by £10 a month to £23 and the gas down £12 a month, also to £23, so I'll be £22 a month better off from next month. Plus, I've vasty overpaid the gas, so they are refunding me £153.03. That will really help this month as I was worried about how I was going to pay for DS's birthday party (nothing flashy, a few friends to a local attraction & a cheap meal after), and that will more than cover it. There should be around £50 - £70 leftover to pay off the CC bill and/or top up some savings pots.
I'll amend a SO to sweep the extra £22 a month to the savings or the mortgage too.

MeandO

I don’t like this, I can’t find anything. It’s taken me ages to find out how to change my signature and it’s definitely not user friendly to do so!

MeandO

I’ve received the refund back from the utilities company and so money has been transferred to various places. £19.90 has gone to the mortgage to round it down nicely, another £25 premium bond has been purchased and £80 ish has gone in a pot towards DS’s birthday party this week. 

That’s enough posting from me until I can figure this new forum out...

Sarahwithlove

That’s great news about the payout from the gas company. Sounds like it came at the ideal time for you. I’ve also signed up for the save the change on my bank accounts as well, it’s only a small amo7nt but it’s better than nothing and you don’t notice the difference. 

MeandO

Thanks for stopping by Sarahwithlove, the gas refund did indeed come at the right time!

MeandO

Morning all,
DS and I were up early this morning so I’ve had a chance to sit, have a cuppa and do a bit of money shuffling. 

£65.84 has been paid off the credit card, a refund of £30+ will also be paid off it once I’ve returned the items to the shop on Thursday. A further £30-£40 will be paid off it when I’ve been able to get to a bank to pay some money in that my Mum paid me for DS’s birthday gifts I picked up on their behalf. 

DS had a lovely party with his friends this week. It consisted of McDonald’s for all (cheap, easy option but they were happy!) and a few hours at a local activity place. It came to £80 almost on the dot which the gas refund paid for. There was no offer from his father to pay half, despite him showing up, but I pre-empted that anyway... 

I still have £79 still left in the ‘gifts’ pot which I am pleased about as it means I’ll be able to take OH out for a meal for his birthday too. 

MeandO

Brrrr, it's chilly... I hope everyone's warm and cosy and 'Dennis' doesn't cause anyone any problems this weekend.
This morning I've cancelled my existing home insurance as the renewal was extortionate. I managed to get cover this year for almost half the price of the renewal and £20+ less than I paid last year.
I've also just switched my gas & electric for the next two years which should save me around £50 a year, but also with £125 cashback via TCB. The cashback I'll stash into savings or pit between a mortgage OP and savings pots.
DS and I went to the cinema this week which only cost me £5.75 for both of us with Mr Meerkat's 2 for 1 deal. We also had a cheap meal out in Morrison's Cafe - DS's choice - so had a nice after school treat.

Lots of running round for me today after work - a couple of things to take back for refunds, DS's prescription needs ordering, some money banked, a parcel to collect from the P.O. and I need to pick up some shopping. It will be good to get some jobs ticked off the list.