Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy mothers day, I was surprised with chocolates, cards and flowers this morning which was lovely and completely  unexpected as we have been isolating pending the dreaded test results. 

Having a nice day, done some cleaning, exercised and watched a couple of my accountancy study videos. However yesterday I got some not so good news. Found out my partner has a secret 4k debt which he is struggling to pay back. I only found out by chance. Words can't express how sad I feel about this. I thought we were heading in the right direction and able to seriously think about getting a mortgage in a couple of years. This is looking increasingly less likely because of our circumstances. Looking on the options for balance transfers it doesn't look good. His options are limited to the short term high interest cards for people with poor credit. He hasn't got a poor credit history just age and the current climate caused by covid has lenders scared. So I'll have to start off and make the best of what we can and get one of these cards, hoping we get a reasonable amount of credit limit. I also plan to use some of the extra in our bills account to tackle the debt too. 

Aspiration

Sorry to hear queen of the hive, hopefully though now you know it can be an opportunity to reset together and continue to be a strong force moving forward.

Still feels like a stigma having debt but hope you’re both ok and can keep moving forward. 

Aspiration 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Thanks @Aspiration for the words of wisdom. You are right on that we will work on it together. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

On a brighter note, yesterday was monthly finances review. I have now paid off 45.85% of my debts and monthly overspend was only £128.70. I am working towards reversing this and actually saving for a home to live in. This month I have increased payments into my pension and started tracking pension which I wasn't doing before and increased payments into my s&s isa. So my individual financial position is getting stronger each month.  Debt chart for fun. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Having one of those PTM days which I wish would do one! Won't gripe - just wishing I had a few more £££ to be able to buy a little home to live in where I live. By current calculations I need to save another 126k to be within a cats whisper of this so yeah not happening anytime soon. 

On the positive - the letting agents are booked to take photos, measurements etc for investment property so this should be going on the market this week (I hope!). This is major step forward, next is getting paying tenants. When this happens I can finally start saving for this 126k deposit. Baby steps Queenie, baby steps... todays mantra. 

Yesterday I took delivery of headphone adapter for my phone (last one I lost) so at least when I go on my daily walks I can now listen to music again. Speaking of walks, I better get going! 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its Friday, the kids are at school and its payday and !!!!!! like that its all gone on paying bills and stuff. I've paid off another regular chunk to my balance transfer card - 15 more payments to go!! 

Since my last diary entry I have been really busy with work - this week was crazy. We've also been tackling my partners hidden credit card debt. I owed him nearly £700 which he leant me when I was swimming in debt but now happy to have given him back and its gone straight into his debt. We've also got a balance transfer card and transferred a manageable amount of the debt on the card and going to use the bills account to pay this so all positive stuff. My partner will continue to make payments on his remaining balance & chip away at the debt. 

Last week the investment property went on the rental market, there was a lot of interest and viewings are now taking place with prospective tenants. Hoping to have secured tenants next week (hopefully!)  

I'm still having to take some money from savings to cover all my outgoings. Having paying tenants will make a difference.  

Queen_of_the_Hive

Today has been all about getting out into the garden - kids had a good play about and I was planting seed trays. Have all sorts of vegetable seeds left over from last year and now April is round the corner its time to get the veggie plot going. A couple of weeks ago I bought raised beds and today ordered lots of multi purpose compost to fill it. Cost £55 inc delivery after shopping around for best prices and quality. I've also been measuring up the garden for new turf - this is a bit of a luxury spend given that we are renting our current home but the current 'lawn' is moss and little else and has constantly bothered me since moving in two years ago. Initial quotes suggest its going to be in the ball park of £170 for turf and then will lay it ourselves. I've considered seeding it but prefer the easy and rapidity of turf. Anyway a bit of food for thought. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Not sleeping very well at the moment - it could be stress or the changing seasons or more likely a combination of the two. 

Kids are enjoying a movie so taking most of the quiet time and a quick diary update. No plans as such for today, trying to get the kids out the house for some fresh air but they don't want to budge! I could do with doing some food shopping but now wondering if we can hold fire till Weds. Kids are back with dad tonight so its just me and OH to cater for and we have enough stuff in to keep us going. 

Out of curiosity checked my works pension balance online- this is a new pension just set up. Last time I checked it wasn't showing any payments - now it is and yay its gained a whole 47 pence! So its good to know in my retirement I might be able to buy one small chocolate bar (excluding rates of inflation  ). In all seriousness though I'm an advocate for everyone to get some kind of pension set up, no matter how small the contributions as over time this will almost certainly grow. I started paying into one when I started working after uni and no regrets. Started with £20 and made sure I paid something into it every month since even when I couldn't really afford to. 

Think I'll do some Easter crafting while watching the film. Currently sewing a bunny for a bit of relaxation project. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy Good Friday! 

I've woken up craving cake!! Having started this year by giving up junk food and making a conscious decision to be off the diet reins on celebration weekends I have been looking forward to cake for days now! Is it bad to have it for breakfast?

No big plans for this weekend - just enjoying not having to work & a bit of family time with the kids. Yesterday spent £74.50 in Lidl. This was a much needed big shop, best bargain was a £8.09 half side of salmon which was split into 5 portions and frozen at home. Learnt this trick late last year. 

It looks like we have tenants wanting to move into investment property which is thumbs up -  they are currently going through the checks stage so just waiting to hear from letting agent of checks pass and moving in date. I've also received a mini inheritance so being incredibly grateful for this I've added this to house deposit saving pot. 

One of my favourite programs is 'Homes under the Hammer' and would love to buy a 'hammer home'. So signed myself up for alerts for one of the main auction houses in my area for inspiration and hopefully once restrictions are eased we can start viewing properties in person again. My partner thinks I'm a bit bonkers but hey that's his girl  

Today I'm thinking of working in the garden - I have the veg plot to set up. Had a big delivery of mud this week and seeds are sprouting in seed trays. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Being in a gardening mode this weekend, toddled off to the garden section at the big orange. Bought big plant canes that I needed last year but couldn't source, a couple of different flower seeds and a raspberry cane. This is first time I've tried to grow my own raspberries. Spent £20.43 on gardening stuff. With the frosts due on monday I am going to wait until after Easter holidays to plant outside. 

Yesterday I cut the grass in the garden, dug over the compost heap and chucked the soil in the vegetable beds.