Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

savingholmes

Have a fab week. Painting the fence sounds very productive.

DancingInTheRain

Thanks for checking in on me everyone 😊 well the end is in sight in terms of work, I reckon I've got enough things to keep me occupied until the end of the month and then hopefully furlough beckons. Not sure how this will play out in the longer term, it's possible my role may simply not be needed for a while but best to wait and see how this chaos all plays out. In the meantime try to keep calm, carry on and think MSE in all we do! 
DH has been out for work the last 3 days but is working from home tomorrow and Friday so we can split childcare and work commitments.
I've got a shopping list made out in order of store layout for us, Mum and MIL and, all being well, will be heading to Mr A's tomorrow evening.
Over the weekend we need to renew our car insurances and breakdown cover, our renewal quotes are in and are fairly reasonable but always worth checking what else is out there and utilising cashback sites.
Talking of cashback, we had a call yesterday to confirm we're getting a full refund for the Grand National trip which didn't go ahead so that will help to boost savings.
I get paid Friday and DH next Thursday so we're going to act as if this is the last full pay for both of us for now.
We were due to go on our family holiday to Haven at the end of May but I very much doubt this will happen so hopefully that will be another refund heading towards the savings account 🤞
Trying to keep posting regularly as it really does keep me on track.
Love to all x

savingholmes

Good luck with the shopping trip and the insurance. I too need to do the insurance renewal thing - for pet and home insurance. I've been able to log in to see my home one but my pet one doesn't seem to be linked even though it is the same insurer so I will need to do some digging.

DancingInTheRain

I must share some good news with you all in these uncertain times - my cousin has just come home after being in intensive care and on a ventilator with the dreaded virus  over the last 2 weeks👏👏👏
I hadn't previously mentioned it as we've all been so desperately worried and it was touch and go at one stage (explains my absence as he was all I could think about). There wasn't any ICU beds available near us so he was taken 100 miles away, not that anyone could visit but it's felt worse knowing he was so far away.
I've seen his discharge from ICU video and burst into tears watching the pride & joy on the faces  of the wonderful hospital staff.
He arrived home earlier today - his whole neighborhood came out to cheer him and he was utterly overwhelmed, again I've seen the video and had a sob.
Clapped and cheered extra loud at 8pm today. Thank you isn't enough but THANK YOU to everyone in our wonderful NHS for our family's happy ending. He's 49 and no underlying health issues so although he has a few weeks recovery ahead of him, all the signs are positive for an excellent recovery 💙💙💙🌈🌈🌈
Stay safe xxx

DancingInTheRain

Me again, didn't want to add anything negative to my previous post but arrrrgggghhhh to the weekly shop at Mr A's - how difficult is it for people to understand the 2 metre rule, the fact it is not the place to go as a couple or as a family and that the arrows on the floor tell you which way round to walk??? - it's simple to me but seemingly rocket science to others (including one guy virtually moonwalking back down aisles on several occasions when he'd forgotten things). I'd normally laugh at such a sight but I felt like screaming at people 'Don't you understand what's happening at the moment, we need to take this seriously'!!!
I  got everyone's shopping in the end but left feeling very stressed by the utter ignorance on display 😠😠

beanielou

What an inspiring story of hope 

savingholmes

So pleased about your cousin. It's good to hear the positive stories. 

DancingInTheRain

Happy Sunday everyone. We've had a couple of relaxing days mainly spent in the garden eating & drinking 🙂 
Had a brief catch up with my cousin, he's exhausted and just feeling quite weak but just so grateful to have survived that he's more than happy to put up with not doing very much while he continues his recovery.
Mum is going s little stir crazy so have ordered her a few puzzle books and colouring books/pencils to cheer her up & keep her occupied.
We let DS1 stay up late last night for a treat, we stayed out in the garden until it was dark & lit the firepit which he loved. DS2 hasn't napped today so they're both really tired now, bath and bed early for them and then DH and I are going to sit down to sort the car insurances and breakdown cover.
Also had an email to say our energy deal is coming to an end so need to look into this too, although have a few more weeks to sort this.
Back to work tomorrow, still no mention of furlough but my workload is extremely light now so will see how the next few days go.
Have a 5 hour zoom meeting on Tuesday for the course I'm doing, not sure how I'll manage that with the boys, a lot of time on mute and keeping my fingers crossed that I don't miss anything important I think! 
DH gets paid Friday so only 5 more sleeps until the payday shuffle can commence.
Hope everyone else is well, stay safe xx

DancingInTheRain

Productive few hours - DH insurance, we're going to auto renew as this was the best deal we could find at £244; my renewal quote was £158 - went for another company £174 but £50 cashback so net cost £124, a saving of £34.
Breakdown cover renewal quote £60 - got 2 x single policies total cost £70 but £14 cashback so net cost £56, a saving of £4
. No massive savings but we're happy we have got the best value for money for our needs. This is the first year the comparison sites have provided quotes that came in higher than our existing policies so its been much harder to find a deal, we usually make a larger saving each year but £38 is better in our bank account than theirs .
We have managed to replenish our annual bills savings pots in recent weeks so thankfully were able to pay the annual cost today as opposed to monthly direct debit.
Gas/Electric also sorted, again it was better value to switch to a deal with our existing provider, this will save us £11 per month/ £132 over the fixed term.
Total savings for insurance/breakdown cover/energy = £170. Not bad for 2 hours work
Also sorted Mum's Gas/Electric as her fixed term is coming to an end - monthly savings also £11/£132 over the year plus £25 cashback as I utilised MSE energy club for her.
A productive Sunday evening

FootyFanDan

Fantastic news re cousin, it will probably take them a few weeks to get back to feeling normal again i would guess, but awesome to hear positive stuff around this horrible virus.

Well done on the savings too, every tiny amount matters right haha  

Keep safe x