Start at the very beginning.

Brindlebabe

Had an email today from the bank to say they’ve set a completion date for the re-mortgaging for the 30/3. Hopefully that means the interest rate will finally go down and I can start overpaying a bit more again! So relieved. Or will be once it’s done. I thought the paperwork would never end.
top tip: if you are planning to remortgage to get onto a better rate, start 6 months prior to the date you want to re-mortgage. I aimed for 3 months before, then got busy so started later than I should have, then Christmas got in the way, then slow with paperwork.. cost me about 2 months at the higher rate. 

Brindlebabe

So, financial micro-changes..
have finally remortgaged. The minimum monthly payments will go down by about £30 from what they were on the fixed rate, but had I left it they had gone up by about £100 so had to do it (although the paperwork was so painful!).
have increased my student loan repayments to £400 per month, which means it’ll be paid off in July - not because the interest rate is terrible or anything but just because I’m so nearly there! 

Changed broadband provider recently so that’s free for 3 months then a low(ish) rate for rest of 2 years. So overall feel like I’m on doing what I can. 

In money our news: husband has bought an iPad for himself so we don’t have to keep sharing our laptop and he can do some writing and bits and pieces. We’ve taken over paying for his counselling (a lovely family friend had generously paid for it until now) which, although reasonably costly, is a good step for him mental health wise - as in he feels like it’s  worth spending our money on and he’s not relying on others. Also we’ve booked 4 nights away in Pembrokeshire in May - £400 but will be so completely worth it I’m sure.

Brindlegirly was ill last week but although it was nasty we didn’t take her to the vet as it was something she’s had before and got over, so we just sat it out at home for a few days and she’s better now, so that was a good decision because she wouldn’t have enjoyed the visit and would have been another £100 (although of course would happily have spent if she needed).

Car going to garage today as dodgy brakes so will see how that goes.. 

Flat possibly going back on market in next 2 weeks but husband’s feelings about that are changing on an almost daily basis so watch this space... 

Hope you’re all doing well. Happy belated Easter 
Bb x

Brindlebabe

Forgot - also had a £100 speeding fine and spent about £200 on gig tickets (!!!!) the last few weeks. But if I’ve learnt nothing else from the last year it’s for goodness sake go see some bands!

Kittenkirst

Brindlebabe said:

Forgot - also had a £100 speeding fine and spent about £200 on gig tickets (!!!!) the last few weeks. But if I’ve learnt nothing else from the last year it’s for goodness sake go see some bands!

Speeding ticket sucks, but I’m totally with you on the gig tickets. Ive always felt a bit of guilt spending on gigs and festivals, but Ive missed them so much during this Pandemic (the feeling of the live music; the crowds, the ‘moment’ etc), Its definitely something I will prioritise more in the budget in future

ruby_eskimo

Yay for almost paying off the student loan - it's such a relief to know that you'll get the money back in your pocket soon.  I absolutely love Pembrokeshire and am determined to get DH to go there this year, just can't seem to find any accommodation where I want on the dates I want in September!  I'm sure you'll have a lovely time away.

Brindlebabe

Haven't overpaid the mortgage at all this year but concentrating on savings and finishing off the student loan.
I feel like now the re-mortgage has gone through and we're paying about £720 per month (albeit linked to the interest rate) I'm less stressed. I don't really believe the interest rate is going to take off in the next 2 years... So paying off the end of the student loan - have upped the payments to £400 since last month which will get it finished at the end of July. Also putting £600 into savings each months (although no real interest being gathered so not terribly rewarding - but getting a nice safety net), some months managing to save a bit more, and some a bit less but it's working ok. The savings has nearly £5000 in it which is more than ever before and it definitely makes me feel much calmer having that there. 
Just paid for another year of car insurance £380 (even with new speeding points still cheaper than ever), maybe because I have done it to start at the end of the month it's worked out cheaper than usual.. Also have the car tax to pay this month, but as I say, because we've got the savings account built up a bit it's not as stressful as usual. 

Holiday next week. 4 nights in Pembrokeshire.. can't actually wait. I'm also making plans to go camping soon and a trip to London to see my mate. Feels so good to be making plans again! Feel like the world has been very small this last year. 

Got some free tickets to see some cricket (NHS perk) which felt like it was going to be a lovely money saving day out, then realised I'm working that weekend and can't get out of it (NHS non-perk), but never mind. Hoping my husband can go anyway. 

In other, amazing, news; my husband has found a job! He's working for one of our mates on his business. 16h a week, he's really enjoying it so far. Will keep you posted.

Lots of love 
Bb x

Brindlebabe

Holiday was borderline disaster in the end. First 2 days were nice, did nice things in nature, like walk the coastal path around Dinas Island, a bit of wild swimming in Rosebush quarry (Gorgeous and freeeee). Also generally pottering about on a beach in the rain with El Doggington. Then, essentially, we got over-tired and husband and I started bickering, having not spent much time apart the last couple of weeks. He felt claustrophobic at the (absolutely beautiful) cottage and because I'm the one with the car he felt like he didn't have any independence. Also, the limitations on what we can do due to the doggy (never mind Covid...) had got to him. I was snappy and unhelpful and got generally upset that he didn't think we were having a lovely holiday, so I guess the edge was taken off. 
In the end, we went to Porthcawl on the way home (which he preferred to Pembrokeshire...) and then lunch in Cardiff, where we used to live and still adore. Then agreed I'd spend a day or two out with the dog once we got home so he could have a bit of space, which worked well I think. We've also agreed to nip over the bridge once a week (its not too far) to keep in touch with our Welsh side, so we don't feel so cooped up in future. So that's something to look forward to. Also to go on more mini-holidays so that we avoid the 'this is our first holiday in 3 years so it has to be a good one' feeling.. I will endeavour to keep you posted. 

Not looking at money this month... Didn't spend much really on holiday, but a few takeaways here and there (and quite a few pub trips) which are adding up. In addition to car tax/insurance... But it's ok. Will try not to spend any more unnecessarily for the next 2 weeks then get back on it after payday. 

On the plus side husband's job seems to be going well (he's finding it exhausting at present but I suspect that will settle after a little while), he's enjoying the company of the guy he works with and the work is manageable. He's thinking of it as a 'see what happens' job rather than a job for life, which is definitely more realistic, and I think he's finding the idea that his work life may turn out to be a series of short term interesting opportunistic options rather than a definitive 'career path' is working well for him. Can't wait for his first payday, I think it will do his self esteem the world of good. 

Flat still not back on market, but still planning on it. Trying not to rush or stress.. Will keep you updated.. 

Hope all is well 
Bb x