Our MFW Adventure!

Needhelpsaving

Pinch, punch first of the month ... almost half way through 2020, which sounds ridiculous to say aloud. 

We've not been doing a great deal here, as we're trying to leave the house as little as possible other than for food shopping. OH is still working from home, and is likely to be here until after I've had baby number 3 in the autumn, as his company are trying to be very mindful of household situations outside of the office, which is much appreciated. We'll see how it all unfolds as we go. 

The vast majority of direct debits have now gone out and we will have switched to our new gas and electric tariff as of midnight last night, so I need to put updated meter readings in to take into account the reduction in the use of heating and appliances given the warm weather. OH haggled with BT yesterday as we're at the end of our contract (not essential, but it's more cost effective than him going to the pub with his mates to watch footie/rugby matches  ).

As our mortgage DD has now gone out, the balance is down to £43,922.03, which is a reduction of £7,871.52 since January. 

This months aims are to continue towards annual goals and earning additional income to reduce the deficit in the Xmas sinking fund. OH thought I'd lost the plot when he found out I have bought 2 more xmas presents (I was making use of vouchers earned through survey sites/sales and reductions) 

I hope everyone is keeping well where ever you are x

savingholmes

Good your OH company is being supportive

Needhelpsaving

Thought I would drop in with a quick post, although there isn't much to report other than grocery spends of £68.

I've cashed out £6.70 from a survey site and this will go over to savings. Had my first socially distanced back garden outing yesterday and came back wound up after listening to the antics of other family members - this is something I need to work on, as I can't change their behaviour, so it is what it is. I might give this socialising a miss for a while longer 

savingholmes

I know there was a cartoon going round last week of a guy staring at the TV screen praying - open the pub x 3. Instead BJ said - you can visit your MIL and the guy just stared transfixed in horror at the screen LOL

Needhelpsaving

Good morning!

I hope you're well. I had a few days away again, as with lockdown there is very little to report.

We have had some spends this week which have included DIY bits and pieces, a new washer dryer (our washing machine went kaput, so we took the opportunity to get a combined washer/drier with another person on the way) and the weekly shop. The washer/drier was a planned spend that we moved forward form later in the year, as I was having trouble keeping on top of the washing in the winter or having to tumble dry loads at the local launderette. The DIY spends were also in line with this years goals of improving the house (for better quality of life/sale, depending on what happens post Covid-19). 

Next week will have much fewer outgoings, as we will only need a top up shop of milk/bread/nappies etc. 

savingholmes

Glad you got a washer/dryer sorted. We are all doing fine. Collected the last of DS's stuff from uni. Tasked DD with painting the utility. My leg's improving and our debts are going down. 

Needhelpsaving

I'm glad to hear that you're doing okay SH. It's always nice when the kids pitch in with getting stuff done, it seems we've all got the decorating bug with being stuck at home    You're making great head way on your 2020 goals!

savingholmes

Thanks NHS. - I think we all want to improve our homes given we are spending more time in them than ever. 

Needhelpsaving

Yesterday I read some of one of Earthgirls earlier MFW threads, and have taken inspiration from a list of 5 things she chose to do daily to move her towards money saving/MF. So in that vain, I'm shamelessly copying the idea 

5 things to do today to save money/MF; 
1. Complete any new surveys that come in - 2 done already for a total of £1.20 

2. Look for coupons that I could use towards next months shop (not sure if there are any about, but worth a quick scout) - Nothing, as predicted, but I have signed up Baby no 3 for the Boots Parenting club to get more points/discounts that I can save towards xmas present purchases.

3. List some bits on Ebay.

4. Enter 25 competitions - Entered 27

5. Get OH to print some letters re name change while he is in the office. 

Needhelpsaving

I'm back this morning to post todays 5 money saving/MF aims; 
1. List the Ebay bits I didn't do yesterday. 
2. Complete surveys - completed 1 so far for £1.88 
3. Enter 25 more competitions - entered 27
4. Get DD's to make Fathers Day pictures/cards at home instead of buying. 
5. Apply for min 3 focus groups. 


Money Wins yesterday; 
1. Cashed out £5.60 yesterday, with another £4.09 pending - not all were completed yesterday, it's just the money hit the account then. 
2. I won two competitions yesterday, with prizes was worth nearly £800, so we're really chuffed.