Easter 2025 I’m coming to get you!

savingholmes

Great that you have more support at school for him. 

Ouch to the interest rate. I've paid worse but it's not fun.

Hettyhound

Oh great, another interest rate rise.  It just makes me more determined to get rid of the mortgage.  I went over to the allotment at lunch time, my cucumbers are starting to produce but the few decent sized ones felt a bit soft so I've left them on the plants.  I picked about half the broad beans which we have podded and I've blanched and got in the freezer this evening.  I also planted a row an a half of beetroot and half a row of chard; I didn't realise there was so little chard seed left.  I've got some onions drying in my cold frame and some more still in the ground.  Not as good as last year but the setts were different so I'll think I'll revert back to the original.  My elephant garlic is starting to die off so not long before that's out, how elephant it will be though I'm not sure.  I planted some courgette seeds direct into my raised bed at home tonight.  I have never struggled so much to get courgettes to germinate as I have this year.  I now need to clear out a bed at the lottie to get more stuff in and make space to get the squash planted out (they did germinate but took ages).  My first early potatoes are flowering so hopefully they might be ready and tastey in a few more weeks.  I have decided to switch one of my bank accounts from my rubbish bank to First Direct.  I have 2 current accounts, one that my salary goes into and I pay for shopping, petrol, treats, OP etc out of and another that all my monthly bills go out of.  I think I'll move the bills account across as from what I've read it meets the criteria.  It also said I would be able to access their regular monthly saver account which sounds a lot better than I've got.  I might investigate at the weekend and take the plunge.

savingholmes

I did the FD switch and was happy with it. I've switched 4 times / accounts now to various places. You can create extra dummy accounts and put two direct debits on - making sure you swish the minimum payment through - and voila extra money.

newgirly

So sorry to hear about you losing your cat Hetty xx

Hettyhound

Hello, well my mortgage has dipped below £29,000 and is now at £28,995.  I haven't made my overpayment yet this month as the car is going into the garage tomorrow so I'll wait until I know how much that will be.  My bank transfer should happen on Friday and I've set up my FD banking app on my phone.  I've been accepted for a M & S 0% credit card which should be here shortly.  My washer is on its last legs so when it finally gives up I'll get one on the card and pay it off in bits.  I found an old Co-Op bank account (£1.49 in it!!) so I've asked how to close it (couldn't do it online).  I ended up writing to my old credit card and the Halifax to tell them I want to close those accounts too.  I couldn't face wasting hours of my free time on the phone being asked millions of questions and someone trying to convince me I don't really want to close them (yes I do thanks).  I've got my migration letter about universal credit so I need to get that done too.  I need to set up regular savings and then I've got another current account to move and an account to set up for my son.  At least I now have a passport for him so that should be straight forward now.  Talking of children its time I was off to collect him from a laser tag party he's at.  No rest for me!!

beanielou

Great news on the mortgage.
You will get the money from FD soon for opening the account 

savingholmes

You're doing well on the mortgage.

Laser tag was fun - I last played in my twenties... a few decades ago now!

Good luck with resolving the washer.

Jessy103

Great news on the mortgage, well done x

Hettyhound

I've already paid in the required amount with FD so I'll await my payout.  I received an unexpected cheque in the post today for £1.05!  The Halifax account I shut sent me a cheque for the accrued interest.  I was able to pay it into FD whilst stood in my kitchen by just taking a photo.  Got a prolific payout of £22 which went towards the mortgage.  I've activated my new credit card which I'll be buying a hand held vac with later this evening.  I also closed my old cash ISA with NS&I which I haven't used for years.  It only had £21 in it but once I get it off to the mortgage it will go.

savingholmes

Always nice to have unexpected money whether big or small.