Keeping our options open

savingholmes

Sorry things are tough. Is there no way to see your parents? Are they very high risk? I've seen my parents outside once - and then this weekend in the lounge but it is quite a decent size lounge so we were generally 2m apart.

Moneyfordreams

We've just had trees cut down too... it all looks a bit bare. That's next springs job for me. I want a bit off a patio and pergola, but likely 'll plant another tree.  

becky170

savingholmes said:

Sorry things are tough. Is there no way to see your parents? Are they very high risk? I've seen my parents outside once - and then this weekend in the lounge but it is quite a decent size lounge so we were generally 2m apart.

Hi Savingholmes, now the DS is back at school we've made the decision not to see my parents as he'll be in a bubble of over 60, plus DD mixes with lots of other children at nursery so we're mixing with quite a few other households. Hopefully we'll see them at Christmas when we can self isolate for a bit before seeing them. Well that's if we're not all in a local lockdown by then! If the kids were older we could just see them outside but as they are quite young it's hard for them to social distance, plus as they are quite a drive away we do need to pop in the house to use the toilet etc

becky170

I've managed to overpay £232 this month. £200 was our normal overpayment, £25 was from our MSE energy switch cashback, and £7 was from a Quidc0 payout. Our current account is now looking very lean after our holiday and taking unpaid leave so I think we're going to have to have a low spend September. We've got an 0cado delivery booked for next week to stock up on M+S food for a treat but that may have been a mistake after checking the bank account!

savingholmes

Well done on the OPs. 
On seeing family - best to stay safe as you say.

becky170

Well our spending in September definitely hasn't been lean but most of it has come out of our savings. So far this month we have ordered a summerhouse and a boiler, so it's turned out to be a very expensive month. We've been debating buying both for the past few years so they weren't impulse spends but it's still hard to part with that amount of money. Our savings are hardly gaining much interest so now seemed like as good as time as any and besides the boiler is very old and breaks down most winters. 
The shopping budget isn't going well. I've managed to spend a shocking £523 already and we have another shop being delivered at the weekend. I suppose it's a 5 week shopping month but still! I'll try and keep a better eye on it next month and try and reduce it a bit. 
Anyway hope everyone is keeping well, I'll try and read other people's diaries this weekend. Life seems to be quite hectic at the moment now I'm back in the office 2 days a week, the kids are at school and nursery and I've got DS' home work to do....well he has to do it but needs a lot of guidance and encouragement. We're also meant to get him to read daily which is like pulling hen's teeth....some nights I feel like crying from frustration, hence why I decided to order another box of wine too 

Hettyhound

I feel your pain!  We are trying to complete homework on an iPad mini as no paper allowed in school.  Daily reading is like pulling teeth 😬

savingholmes

Summer house and boiler sound good investments. My kids are passed the reading stage - now it's job applications LOL

becky170

Hettyhound said:

I feel your pain!  We are trying to complete homework on an iPad mini as no paper allowed in school.  Daily reading is like pulling teeth 😬

I'm glad it's not only me 

becky170

savingholmes said:

Summer house and boiler sound good investments. My kids are passed the reading stage - now it's job applications LOL

Good luck with that one. I remember my mum giving me feedback on my CV and getting a bit shirty with her.... it's such a thankless task being a parent!