Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Evening all

Hope everyone is safe and well.

I still haven't had my furlough officially confirmed although my manager has reassured me I'm fine not to complete any work, HR are just a bit swamped at the moment. Doesn't sit quite right with me but as it's something I have no control over I'm trying to not let it bother me.

Homeschooling tasks getting done and have got the boys out for some fresh air each day despite the weather being changeable, stuck close to home but good to be out and not too many other people out and about which made distancing easy. Also commenced potty training with DS2 and he's doing well with number 1's but needs to build confidence with number 2's but all things considered he's made a good start. He's still having a pull up on for naps and a nappy for bedtime but otherwise is doing well, not too many accidents and DS1 has enjoyed teaching him how to use the potty too

We've decided to use the unallocated 'free money' savings pot to buy DS1 a tablet for his homeschooling. It was something we'd been considering for later in the year anyway but with the amount of online tasks he's being set it will be beneficial for him to have his own device rather than using my phone or laptop. As the bulk of these savings are due to school being closed it's seems fair to use it on an educational related item. Bought via an ebay seller, open but never used for £78. Also got a screen protector and cover/stand so that's the 'spare savings' pot wiped out. Looking like we'll have £25 left from this weeks budget though so can sweep that across to there tomorrow night.

Our local healthcare services are doing well with rolling out the Covid vaccine, 10% of their patients received their first dose last week and they have more sessions booked later this week  - Mum and MIL both have appointments secured which is great news, feels like a glimmer of hope in these terrible times.

Take care all x

savingholmes

Well done on OP , self care and exercise. Is furlough resolved?

savingholmes

Great news on vaccinations too

DancingInTheRain

Week 2 of lockdown 3 completed 👏

Weight had plateaued as I haven't been able to get out for a walk as often and I've definitely been raiding the biscuit tub far too often 😳

10,000 steps achieved on 3/7 days.

Home schooling tasks achieved but taken a LOT more effort and persuasion than last week. DS1 is definitely missing the structure of being in school.with his friends, poor love.

Halted DS2's potty training as, after a great start, he became very disinterested and was getting quite upset. He has also been super tired this week, gone back to having an afternoon nap. I think he's having a development or growth spurt so we're going to revisit the potty training in a few weeks.

Mum and MIL both had their first Covid vaccination without any issues.

Finally had official furlough confirmed today until at least the end of January which takes a lot of pressure off but I'm really thankful to be in a position to make that work for us as a family, big hugs to everyone who is still juggling/struggling with work and remote learning 💞

So my pay will be at 80% for 2/3 of this month but, so far, we're managing to stick with living on DH's salary this month having used my wage to fill the Ef so we should be fine in February financially.

DH and I have had a chat about our goals for next month and decided to split my wage 50/50 between the S&S ISA and overpaying the mortgage. This seems to be the best compromise for both of us and gives a clear goal for each of our wages and achieves the net result of increasing our net worth.

Hope everyone reading is safe and well, take care xx

Lookafterthepennies2020

Well done on managing week 2, our home schooling has taken a massive hit this week so I'm aiming to get some done with the weekend with ds1.
I'm the same on the weight atm, with everything going on its just not a massive priority but I'm fine with that I haven't weighed in the last few weeks and felt like I've hardly moved.

How amazing your in a position to live off of one salary, my outgoings are so high atm but it's something I'm really aiming for x 

FootyFanDan

Its great that you have managed to get yourselves into a position of living of 1 salary, top work!

I also think we have hit a block with homeschool - midweek little one was very emotional and missing her friends. We have managed to plod along with the learning but it has defo been a more emotional week for her this week for sure. I really hope the end is in sight soon

Stay safe x

DancingInTheRain

Thanks @lookingafterthepennies & @FootyFanDan , it's such a huge proportion of the little ones lives it must be so confusing for them - really heartbreaking if you think about it too much. One day at a time is all we can do at the moment, big hugs to you and the little ones x

Lockdown & a relatively low mortgage is definitely helping us live on one wage at the moment, we're very lucky to be able to do so & don't take it for granted. The last 12 months have been a major life lesson in just how quickly life can change.

It's definitely more a plan for February rather than a plan forever IYSWIM but it gives us an area to focus on in the next few weeks.

sashybo

Glad to hear you've managed to get your furlough confirmed and can manage on DH's wage as well. It will make a big difference to you and your stress levels. 

I'm so glad I'm not in the position of having to homeschool as I don't think I could cope with it. DS is so much happier when he has the structure of attending nursery even if it's less than usual just now as we don't send him every day.

savingholmes

Glad you've had furlough confirmed and can manage the money side of things. Will be good to see long term benefits from your wage. Sounds a positive decision to split between isa and mortgage.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Good news about furlough and fab that your wage is surplus anyway, splitting it sounds like a good plan