Twinklie returns to the property ladder

twinklie

Had another lovely day down at the allotment yesterday. FIL brought the boys cousin down to play with them so they were running round chatting, playing hide and seek and just generally being kids. It was so so cute. 

The funeral went well. Was lovely to see everyone. Just a minor bump when the Spanish lady called whilst we were in Wales to say nobody had come to collect DS1 after his Spanish lesson. FIL was meant to be picking him up, but misread the clock so didn't. We called everyone we could think of but everyone was at work and so not answering - it was a nightmare. Anyway, we managed to get hold of a friend to get him. But it was very much added stress we didn't need. 

twinklie

April update

SAVINGS
Aim to save £400 per month to build emergency fund and for rainy day expenses (car, house maintenance etc.).  DONE

 

MORTGAGE 

Current daily interest - £13.06

We now own 28.91% of the house - current rough valuation actually puts us as 40.95% (slightly down on what it was due to drop in house prices).

4 rooms owned (6 if I go with the higher valuation).

Paid off 20.59% of the mortgage. 

Current MF date - Oct Sept August JULY 2037.

Thanks another month off the mortgage! 

twinklie

I've been reading through some diaries to try and give me some inspiration/pump me up a bit so I feel a bit more umph about me. 

I just feel like everything's stagnating a bit at the minute. I feel like we need something to come along and give us a bit of a boost. I feel a bit stuck in a rut and like nothings happening/moving. That said, I know lots of people would love to be in our position. So I also feel a bit guilty for being ungrateful. 

How do you deal with things when you get like this? How can I feel less, meh? How can I make myself feel like we are making progress with things? I think I need to get a grip. Maybe it's just with everything happening the way it has lately, I'm just feeling overwhelmed. 

I need to put a list together of things to accomplish maybe and just work through ticking those off. 

SandyShores

I felt a bit like that recently twinklie, not sure why.  We had some really frugal times a few years ago and now we are in a good place, with work to do but more steadily now - it almost feels like the slump after a sugar rush.  I've tried to keep us on track, but we have definitely spent more £s lately - although the difference is that now we are spending on things that have some residual value and/or on the house, not just splashing on meals out and hols.  I feel like we are coming out of the slump and have started enjoying seeing the results of the gardening etc.  Perhaps its just a step change, and major life changes and funerals certainly make you stop and rethink things.  Be kind to yourself and give yourself time.  I definitely think lists have got me through - I even bought myself a book of 'To Do' lists and am enjoying ticking things off / looking back at what I've achieved.

twinklie

I managed to get going. I mowed the lawns, did some major weeding. Cooked an epic evening meal and did some washing. 

I’ll take that. I also managed to fit in my 15 minute hula hoop (I’m doing 15 mins everyday in May to raise money for a lung disease charity). 

twinklie

What a difference a week makes. This weekend has been wonderful. Relaxing, hard work and just generally brilliant. 

We were at the allotment yesterday and today I am ACHING! We l my managed to put 3 rows of potatoes in due to all the prep work we ended up having to do. But hey, something is in and it’s growing! Woo hoo. 

twinklie

Well busy few weeks and more family drama's but I won't go into it here. 

We've been on a mini break with the boys for 2 days and had the best time. Happy to be home though, all feeling a bit fatigued (and skint). To make matters worse, I'm also significantly poorer for paying off our summer holiday today. The online booking system was down though so I got it £80 cheaper than it should have been. Which is on top of the £189 discount we got at the time of booking last year. 

So some good news. Works still pretty pants and there's no news re: the job I went for. I don't think they've even shortlisted yet according to the online portal. I start exam marking over half term though, so some additional money coming in to pay back al the money I've just laid out on holidays. 

Need to get down to the allotment this weekend as we've neglected it for a little bit due to everything that's been going on. But still, this weekend is a weekend to get on it and sort things out. 

twinklie

Exam marking has begun. Procrastination is in full force. 
I've done my practice scripts but I'll leave standardisation for a bit and enjoy some sunshine instead. 

twinklie

Managed to submit my standardisation scripts. I always get really stressed about it in case I mess it up. I've genuinely no idea with this bunch. 

I want but don't need the money and I've had a lot on so I'm just going with the flow I think. If I get blocked so be it. I'll be done quicker. 

twinklie

Doh! My markings ok, so 400+ scripts marking it is!