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We had a quiet day at home yesterday, didn't mingle with anyone. Hit 3 sales for some kiddies clothes/birthday/mothers day gifts - I've got nicer stuff for the money I've set aside for these occasions in my 2021 budget. Didn't go mad, but am pleased with the bits I did get.
Merry Christmas xx
We had lots going on over the Xmas break, the LO's had a lovely time and we enjoyed seeing their little faces, especially with it being DS 1st Christmas and DD2's first year of really understanding the festivities. DD1 was asking a lot of Father Christmas questions, but it seems like we eeked the magic out for 1 more year
The paired back Christmas giving worked well and took the pressure off I think. It wasn't popular with everyone but that's how it goes I suppose. The kids are happy so that's the main thing. We spent £40 on each child and they had a mix of toys or experiences and bath stuff/books/clothes. We've already started removing some of the toys they no longer play with and they will be going onto ebay/shpock over the next few days. Two bits sold already, so they will be taken off to the post office tomorrow.
There has been lots going on with the house, not all good unfortunately ... we had the offer fall through before xmas and then a flurry of viewings. On 23rd Dec we had 4 offers on the table that were being financially qualified. Fast forward to 28th Dec and 1 had dropped out, 1 couples finances were not adding up, 1 stopped answering the phone to the agents and the 4th has requested a second viewing before we consider the offer ... I have no idea what is going on! Second viewing has been agreed for Tuesday but to be honest I am not even getting excited given all of the messing about. We'll see what Tuesday brings and then go from there.
You're doing well on decluttering. Good start to the year. Good to have a tight budget for xmas too. All too easy to over-spend.
Anyway, I hope everyone is well, safe and managing given the constant change afoot xxx
There has been so much going on here, keeping the diary up to date just hasn't been on my radar. We've sold the house subject to contract and have had an offer accepted on the house we want to buy. We've spent the last 3 weeks negotiating, getting mortgage application, life insurance, buildings insurance and new school application for new house in motion. Loads of paperwork has been completed and the surveyor has been to our house on behalf of the buyer to conduct the relevant checks.
We're trying to take it one step at a time as we've had disappointment on this front before (let's hope offer number 7 sticks!). We're doing all the bits that we can be proactive with (paperwork/mortgage/finances/following things up) and then we have to just let the rest unfold.
Belts have been tightened and mortgage OP's are only token gestures at the moment as we save for fees/possible stamp duty costs if we go over 31/03 completion date. I'm finding that moving to using cash has helped me 'see' what I'm spending (I was getting a bit swipe happy at the end of 2020). I have utilised sales to buy some next size clothes for the kids and keep within budgets.
DD1 has now outgrown most of her school uniform (skirts, polo shirts and PE pumps). I'm glad I made some of last years uniform stretch instead of buying all new now. When she goes back I'll send her in summer dresses (already have, worn once hand me downs as family friends DD had outgrown them by the time they went back to school last year) and cardigans. That way if I need to buy another new uniform for a new school, we're keeping costs down.
Mortgage end date Dec 2045 - NOT!!!!
Mortgage balance end of July 2021 - $28,550.00
Hope to be mortgage-free by 2023
Firstly, I hope you're well wherever you are x
So to summarise the longer post I lost, things are ticking along on the house sale/purchase front. Contracts have been sent between solicitors for review and searches/surveys are underway. We can do little other than chase at the moment. House & contents Insurance ready for move we'll just need to activate it when we have a move date. Life Insurance application being reviewed and awaiting response. Once we have reduced the mortgage in the next few years, we can go back and review whether we have too much cover (it's a decreasing policy to cover mortgage in event of death or critical illness).
Can't really set anything else up (utilities etc) until we have a move date.
I've also set myself a couple of smaller goals, one for February 2021 and one for the year;
1. Using the 1p savings challenge as a base for a mortgage OP
I've decided that as we have no plans (at present) to make any big OP's this year, I wanted to keep some momentum, even if it is small, to keep OPing. So I have decided to use the 1p savings challenge (1p on 1st Jan, 2p on 2nd Jan etc), but almost in a bingo card form. When I can round down my account/earn additional income, I check of the box with the corresponding amount in.
Amount OP'd to date: £12.44
2. Flog it and Fling it February
In preparation for the move, we will come across things that we won't need to take with us, such as broken items, outgrown clothes etc. So this February, I will try to find as many items as I can to flog or fling (includes a donation bag for when CS's reopen). So far I have donated an unopened pack of girls underwear to the local nursery for spares.
Number of items Flogged or Flung to Date: 1