Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

savingholmes

Sounds a whirlwind. Nice you have a three day weekend to recuperate.

DancingInTheRain

Another week gone in the blink of an eye! I'm starting to take on more duties at work and some of the tasks are really absorbing so the days are going in quickly. Some things still feel overwhelming, I'm definitely still in a state of high alert while I get used to everything, but some things are coming more naturally to me and I work with a good team of people who don't seem to mind me asking questions (for now anyway  )

First pay day tomorrow and my payslip shows I'm being paid for full time rate rather than my reduced hours, raised with HR and it looks like they'll recoup the difference when I'm paid next month which isn't ideal, but I'll pop the extra in the $antander saver account and leave it there until next pay day.

DS loves his glasses, he's being very grown up in taking care of them and wearing them when he needs to. He really suits them and can't wait to show his friends at school next week. 
Both boys have enjoyed being off this week and spending more time with their Daddy who is also off. I must admit to feeling a bit jealous working away while they're all chilling.
The boys and I enjoyed the pumpkin picking on Sunday, DH took them to soft play on Tuesday and then swimming today so they've had a nice mix of activities and relaxing at home.
I'm taking them swimming again in the morning then they are going to have lunch and spend the afternoon with my Mum while I go to the hairdressers and DH does some practice as he has a gig on Saturday.

DancingInTheRain

End of month 'What We Owe The World' figures

Current scores on the doors are:

- Mortgage 31.12.21 was £46,415 now £43,200
- Credit Card 31.12.21 was £8,175 now £5,800
- DH Student Loan 31.12.21 was £5,285 now £4,395

WWOTW total 31.12.21 £59,875 now £53,395 (Total Reduction £6,480)

Total 'Free Money' 2022 = £3024.26 (October total £170.16)

beanielou

Great totals 

savingholmes

Fantastic totals.

Nice you have a day off with your kids still. Good for you and them hopefully.

DancingInTheRain

Another week and a bit gone in the blink of an eye...

Work continuing to go well, really busy but enjoyable work and a particular project I am involved in is showing early signs of positive results which is great.

Family life is busy but we're all getting used to the new routines. Had a couple of incidents this week - DH had a fall and did some tissue damage to his knee last weekend. This is the knee he had surgery on a few years ago so he was quite worried and spent most of last Saturday in A&E getting it checked out. It's starting to get better but he can't drive at the moment so I've had all the school runs/kids activities to do this week which has been a juggle. Thankfully both of us have been working from home all week so we've made it work.

DS2 has had a wheezy cough for the last few days so has been off colour and awake lots through night (therefore so have I), kept him off school on Friday so he could enjoy lots of Mummy cuddles. Also kept him off  swimming lessons yesterday. He was so wiped he ended up having a 2 hour nap yesterday afternoon and felt a bit better afterwards so we wrapped him and DS1 up and took them to the local fireworks display which we all enjoyed. The boys used their own money to go on a couple of fair rides and we got them some sweeties and a round of drinks so not too much spent for a lovely family evening.

Money - November free money pot currently stands at £50.05 largely due to using some Amaz%n gift cards earned from receipt scanning apps and transferring the associated £'s.

Spending - we barely spent anything all week due to time constraints and DH/DS not being 100% but I've had a big A$da grocery delivery on Friday to stock up. DS1 and I both needed new PJ's so got us a pair each and have also bought a new desk and office chair for me which was a big spend as I've bought from a range that matches our existing furniture, did manage to find it significantly discounted via an eBay retailers but still 😳 after being so careful with money in recent months. It is a considered purchase though as I've spent the last few weeks working from different rooms in our house to determine the best space and our smaller living room is definitely the right room so we've had to buy accordingly as this is the room we completely renovated last year so wanted to maintain the design look we have in there.

Think that's enough from me today, we're planning a lazyish one but are going to get on top of chores too but first I'm going to make a lovely cup of coffee before everyone wakes up! ☕

savingholmes

Wow you were up bright an early. I'm a night owl not a lark.

Sounds like a nice investment in the desk and chair. You use it a lot.

DancingInTheRain

Yet another busy week gone by. The boys have both been off school poorly this week so Mum came to the rescue to keep an eye on them while DH and I worked from home so a real team effort. Thankfully the boys went back to school yesterday as I had a 200 mile round trip for work yesterday so was out f the house 7-7. 

The most exciting news though is that DS1 has lost his first tooth, just waiting for him to wake up as he's had a visit from the tooth fairy last night 

Day off today, will be taken up by attending a Governors meeting at school and getting a few chores done.

Free money for November is up to £75.86 as have had a few more Vinted sales and spends are low as we are time poor so no time to spend!

The new desk and chair have arrived yesterday and are set up and are a really good fit in the room, looking forward to having a dedicated work space from Monday.

The children have their usual activities this evening and tomorrow morning and then in the afternoon we're taking them to a free show in our local town, not sure exactly what it entails but will fill a couple of hours in. DS1 is then having his first sleepover at his best friend's house to celebrate the friend's birthday, he's really excited about it, not sure much sleeping will be happening!

Take care all x

savingholmes

Well done on the free £.

Lovely to have support with childcare.

Lots of firsts too. Exciting 

beanielou

Great totals