Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Baileys_Babe

Do you plan to use any of your divorce settlement to reduce your debts or finance the work on the investment property?

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi @Baileys_Babe yes will be using some of the divorce settlement to avoid borrowing money. I can just about manage it with wise choices on what work is carried out. Will rope in family to help where I can too. My ultimate goal is to be debt free and with a home of my own. This is going to be a slog as what I cant afford something in my area so might have to wait until the kids are bigger to move to a more affordable area. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy 3rd August - 8 years ago I became a mum! and what a rollercoaster its been! Kids are with dad today but will be picking up the kids for a surprise picnic in the park with one of birthday boys best friends. They havent seen much of each other so it will be great and I get to chat to my friend too which I am really excited about! Of course I am completely disorganised so quickly wrapping gifts, hunting for happy birthday banner and going to head off to the shops shortly for snacks and birthday balloon. 

Last night I made the courgette cakes (into muffins), really nice. Used a recipe with orange and carrot in them and have turned out gorgeous. Going to freeze the muffins to make them last. Was enjoying a bit more work on the cross stitch as well. 

Now kids are with dad its time to crack on with some important tasks which are difficult to do with kids around. For house purchase I have some paperwork to complete and aim to get appointments booked in with three window companies. The recommended plumber and electrician need to be called too. With this weeks camping trip I need to get organised for this, in preparation for next weeks driving lesson I am going to read a bit of the highway code and need to tackle a bit more of the accountancy studies oh and cleaning & couch to 10k traning...eeek!. thats actually a scary list. 

Izzy wizzy lets get busy! 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello sunny Tuesday, 

Yesterday was a knackering day - over 25k walking steps and was birthday boys big day. Was a bit worried about it tbh as there was nothing grand planned but I needn't have because he had a brilliant day. So in the morning I went out for planned morning jog, home shower and off walking to the next town to buy helium balloon, card etc and long story short picked the kids up. Surprised kid with a picnic with one of his best friends and they played for a solid 3 hours. Kids were happy, I was happy and a lot of fun. Silly me though was that tired that I fell asleep in front of the tv last night so am really tired now from poor quality sleep! grrrr!! 

Today I am kid free and need to get a shifty on with the mini camping trip packing. I have house administration, forms to fill in etc so better get cracking on with it. Have a nice day everyone

Baileys_Babe

One year when we were having major renovations in the house, which meant we had nowhere safe at home to host ds birthday party nor the money to go elsewhere.
We arranged to meet ds's little friends and families in the park. Each family bought their own picnic and I made a birthday cake to share. The weather was kind and the children all enjoyed themselves. Ds and his friends still reminisce about that party over 10 years later.
It cost us nothing except a simple cake and time at the park, why didn't I make all their parties that simple.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Had a bit of a domestic with my partner yesterday so a bit grrrr. 

Today is mini camping trip and I am very disorganised...so after writing my post I'll get a jiggy on to pack! Thankfully its only around the corner from where we live so can pop home if needed but thats not the plan. 

Yesterday I cracked on with paperwork for solicitors, paying fees etc so the ball has well and truly started! Took me 4 hrs to complete and check initial forms, thought it would have taken 1 hr tops! eek!! But just glad first part is done, now waiting for next steps.

Last night I was looking for my current book club book and cant't find it anywhere!! Hopefully I have luck and find it otherwise its going to have to be replaced which I don't really want to do.  

Have a good day everyone

Queen_of_the_Hive

We survived the camping trip and actually didnt forget anything which is amazing considering no packing list was used! We benefited from the cut in Vat for the campsite fees - which was £6 saving and we made the most of the eating out scheme as well. Went for pizza and saved £18 on that bill too. Little one wasnt happy as he wanted pasta but we couldnt get him pasta. Feeling very tired so going to write off and head to bed. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Oh crumbs I wrote a post yesterday but must not have posted it... doah!! 

So since last diary I have been cracking on with physical exercise and pleased with how its going. I'm aiming for a minimum 10,000 steps per day and following the couch to 10k program but part way through as I was already running. This is going well so far but  the heat is a hinder. Not really loosing weight which isnt great but hopefully this will start to come off. 

I've booked another trip upto the property which I am buying. Kids are going away with their dad next week so making the most of the situation and booked to go back to the property for a mini break with my partner. We are going to be stripping wallpaper and getting various tradespeople in to quote for the work with the intention to be all ready for it being legally mine - not yet sure on timescales but I have mid October as a guesstimate. I am very fortunate that buying the property from family and with it being empty I can do this. Obviously this is a very different kind of house sale. Being in the bungalow will be a good distraction as the kids are away for 10 days I do miss them but know they will be having a great time. 

Work wise I am still unemployed and being honest to myself this does bother me a lot but I am trying to stay on the positive and fill my day with lots of things. I have however now got to the point with September closely on the horizon and schools starting back (hopefully [fingers crossed]!!) that I need to put away the holiday head and put on the work mode. So my plan is to use the time while the kids are at school to focus on job hunt, CV etc and to also knuckle down with my accounts study. I have been deliberately relaxed about it all since loosing the job but always set September as the time to get back into work focus. I just knew with lack of childcare it would be a challenge and tbh I wanted to enjoy the time with the kids. So from now till the end of August and in between the driving lessons, kids and house buying project  I am focusing a bit of time on creating a time planner etc. Admittedly not the most exciting task but think this will pay off in the long run. 

Spending wise - this month is a train crash as I have had to pay half of the fees for the solicitors, replace broken mobile phone, camping trip and other bits and pieces. This is coming out of my savings though so it won't increase my credit card debt. I'm determined to carry on and pay off my debt and not increase it. 

Kids come back tonight so last few hours of peace until chaos descends again! That's ok, i'm ready for a bit of noise! 

missymoo81

Hey Clarissa, well done on all of the running and walking! I too have set September as a time to get more organised. It’s so hard when everyone has been off school for so long isn’t it? Have you got all school uniforms sorted etc? 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi @missymoo81 luckily my kids school dont wear uniform which is a blessing and a curse. I do need to get the eldest some more trousers for school. Jogging pants seem a bit junior for an 8 year old so trying to find something a bit more grown up but comfortable. 

Its the 13th of August which means monthly review of spending and savings. I am pleased to report I have paid off another 3% off my debt which equates to 24.41% paid off and an outstanding balance of £7989.15. Debit dropping to below 8k feels like a real achievement and a relief. Still don't have a job so living on savings, so savings are taking a hit. I'm still logging gains on my stocks and shares isa but any other interest earned on savings this months has gone into the divorce money pot which is my source of funds. 

This month I have also taken the big leap and committed to buying an investment property from my relative. This will eat up most of my divorce money so a job will be become ever so more important but the investment is a big move in the right direction towards longer term financial stability, pension etc. 

As is usual - debt reduction chart is posted for motivation and fun.