Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

We finally received a letter from our mortgage company advising our monthly direct debit has been amended as a result of the rate rises on December 16th - our payments are going down 🤣 only by £2.88 per month but I'll take that! This is as a result of the little as hoc overpayments we've been making (but doesn't take into account the £500 paid last week as the letter pre-dates this payment).

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when they recalculate our monthly payment following overpayments as we have rarely have any changes made despite overpaying even a little something each month and we've always been with the same provider. They won't change the term of the mortgage unless we request it but we're happy to stick with smaller monthly mortgage commitments and overpay as our budget allows, especially at the moment with being a 1 income household.

It's good to know that the overpayments are almost future proofing ourselves against any rate rises though, although I do appreciate we're very lucky that our mortgage balance is quite small which gives us more options at this stage of our lives.

Have had a small V!nted sale and TCB payout today so that'll be a couple of extra pounds to go in the free money pot once they arrive in our account. Hoping to make at least £100 this month.

Decorator friend is here putting the 2nd coat on the kitchen and utility, it looks so much brighter and fresher. We've gone for a light sage green in the kitchen & light grey in the utility and both look like they work quite well so really pleased with how it's turned out.

Still haven't seen much of DH this week, bless him. Will continue to keep him fed and watered with healthy food choices but planning on spoiling him with his favourite food and beers tomorrow and letting him have a lie in Saturdy morning

DancingInTheRain

Well after today's news I can say with some certainty the mortgage payment will be increasing soon along with everything else, bad time to have a career break 😐 

Bubblesmum

I appreciate with the economy
ad it is life is tough 

keep going as your small actions all add up to making a difference in your life and it’s going forwards in such a positive way 

savingholmes

Hi Dancing - sorry about the mortgage increases. At least you know going back to work even part time would be an option if it came to it - and you're also MSE enough to be able to do everything in your power to make that unnecessary for as long as it suits... 

DancingInTheRain

Thanks for the vote of confidence both, I felt very much overwhelmed by all the gloom and doom in the news that day. Have had a break from watching/listening to the news and feel all the better for it. We'll manage, we always do and yes, returning to work will certainly ease things if we can't make the budget work as is. Onwards...

Free money pot currently at £56.15 so target to met my goal of £100 this month.

Met a friend for coffee on Friday as it was her birthday, was good to have a catch up before returning home to put the utility and kitchen rooms back together after decorating, both rooms look SO much better so well worth the spend.

Also caught up with my brother to provide a bit of emotional support as he's finding things tough at the moment. All I can really do is listen but pleased he feels he can confide in me and speak honestly, still wish I could wave a magic wand and make it better for him though.

DS1 is currently poorly with what I hope is just a cold, he's had negative lateral flow tests since Friday but started with a persistent cough through night so have taken him for a PCR test today as a precaution. Managed to do a little home schooling with him today, hoping he makes it back into school before the half term break next week.

Haven't got round to listing items on V!nted but have the pile all ready, just need a bit of motivation to get them all uploaded. I have however had a fantastic result from a Faceb00k Marketplace buy - was looking for some joggers for DS1 as he's doing so many sports activities now and found a bundle including some t shirts for £10. When I went to pick them up the seller had added lots of other bits that she didn't want so ended up with around 30 items in a mix of ages from 4-6 so ideal for both boys. A couple of bits aren't to my taste so will add to the V!nted pile but an amazing result and the boys are happy with their new to them items.

savingholmes

Well done on taking a step back from the news. It is all scary at the moment but disproportionately so. Well done on sorting the utility and kitchen. That's how I get through - focusing on what I can control and stepping back from the rest. Sounds like a great FB win too. Hope DS feels better soon.

FootyFanDan

Taking a step back from news seems a good idea. All the talk of rising prices can be quite scary, but hopefully budget can adjust to lessen the impact. 

Hope little one feels better soon 

Bubblesmum

I agree stepping back from news really good idea

I have a small pile for Vinted - inspired by you - going on at the weekend - any tips ? 

DancingInTheRain

@Bubblesmum keep your description honest, plenty of photos including some of any flaws if appropriate (e.g. bobbling). It's much quicker to list on there than ebay in my opinion. Be prepared for people making offers below your listing price. Good luck!

DancingInTheRain

DS1's results came back negative and he's had a decent nights sleep so have given him some cough syrup and sent him back to school much to his annoyance as he was hoping to have at least 1 extra day off Got a top up shop from L!dl after dropping the boys off, £27.47 spent.

Received money from 2 of the book selling places(1 still pending) so free money pot now at £74.97. Receipt scanning apps are building up nicely, should be able to cashout on at least 2 of them before the end of the month. Prolific a bit slow at the moment but have just under £6 pending there so everything ticking over nicely.

Right I'm about to tackle Mount Laundry, I may be missing some time as I've massively failed to keep on top of it the last few days! Ta-ta for now x