Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunday,

Having a half celebration here in the hive - nothing major but slept for an hour more than have been and sleep felt more restful than it has of late. Woke at 5.30am, but given that the clocks went back technically it was bloomin the dreaded 4.30am start. At least I can say i've benefitted from the hour gain!

The weekend has followed in the same vein as the week, quite casual laid back and quite cheap. I do find this quite dull but currently on a needs must!

Although I have to make a confession. I've bought my first house move item. It was half the marked price and I have been following the item for a while. Its a slow cooker type of device and will give us a bit more flex on meal cooking when staying away from home after we make the big move. This item was not in the budget and so will cost £50 from savings straight away.

Friday was payday and everything as usual was allocated for. Credit card #1 has reduced a bit and credit card #2 is going to be paid next week. Don't have enough to pay the balances in full this month though so will see a bit of interest. Working hard to get back on top of this! On the positive managed to allocate £100 to holiday fund as planned. I'd have rather put this into the debt but from the way we are saving we are struggling to end of the year but come January we will go back to £10 saving into this fund as per the save 1p a day savings challenge so can eek it out till then.

We bought the items needed for DS1 PE kit and also accounted for DS2 instrument lessons so the remaining budget is busted! 9 days and counting to new credit card month.

Regarding fun stuff - one of the pleasures of autumn is hot alcoholic drinks. One drink a night on the weekend is enough for us though. Currently been enjoying hot toddies using some cheap whiskey from a friend (she didn't want it). We have a bottle of Pimms in at home that needs to be used up so going to try making a hot mulled apple pimms drink next weekend when the kids are away. A bit of something to look forward to along with a good book.

Last bit to say - finally updated signature. Nearly completed holiday fund '1p a day challenge', Savings in Investment ISA - managed to reach my target of 10 earlier than expected, 6k savings challenge - completely tanked at the moment as my savings are basically stock market ISA and its horrific at the moment! And sadly I am in some debt but will be back to living in a mortgaged property instead of renting from the early part of next year, so I'd say this is progress.

Happy sunday.... off to fill the washing machine ready for the 11am British Gas half price energy thingy.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday,

Its been a week since my last post and tbh i've been in a bit of a fog but feeling brighter and back on to the diary.

Yesterday had quite a significant meeting with ex H & his partner along with my partner to discuss arrangements for the kids after the big move. To say I was nervous was an understatement but in all fairness it went much better than I think all parties thought it may go. Felt much lighter afterwards but still didn't sleep properly. A good friend of mine has suggested that I may need HRT or something similar. So need to look into getting a doctors appointment. Wish me luck on that!

This week spending has been fairly quiet. We did go food shopping and shared the cost which has put me behind a bit but hoping the money from the rental property will be enough to cover it. Not to worry today - sometimes we just got to let it go for some self care.

This week has been quiet on the survey front so no additions to the investment isa pot sadly but there have been some other good weeks so not all so bad. Caught up with a good friend on thursday for a catch up and managed to get some more out of date food from her, lots of soups which will be enjoyed the next coming weeks. Back to the fasting diet after being on a blip for the past couple of weeks.

Current debt sitting at:

Credit Card 1: £363.24 (monthly interest due)

Credit Card 2: £869.48 (monthly interest due)

Overdraft: £488.27

Family loan: £720.00

Total: £2440.99

A small increase from last check on 15th October which was as per below:

My outstanding debts are as follows:

Credit Card 1	£341.90
Credit Card 2	£950.04
Overdraft	£349.75
Family Loan	£720.00

Total: £2361.69

Planning to go for a walk today and do some studying but not much else.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunday,

Woke up with a bit more energy - sleep was better than the previous night! Having felt a need for inspiration i've enjoyed watching James Shack on YT. He is on of my fav financial planners that i've come across and then watched an investment fund AGM. This can be quite dull but I kinda found it interesting as I enjoy listenining about economics. So feeling a bit more motivated i've had a bit of a check of the Investment ISA & downloaded a couple of docs to read and checked how its doing. No significant changes but am a bit of a geek and enjoy looking at this kind of thing. Ask me about women's fashion and I'd be totally lost!

The main Xmas item for the kids this year is going to be table football. They are football mad and haven't asked for anything in particular but thinking this could be a good game for them to enjoy when we move so i've decided to go down this route. So this morning i've found on ebay some nice looking second hand ones for sale locally and hit them in the watchlist. 

Checked last months electricity usage - this was £88. This will be added to next months credit card bill in a few days time. 

Today is more study, Sunday washing day, a bit of cleaning and going to take myself to the local musuem for a bit of free culture. Note to self to make a flash up to enjoy a cuppa and snack in the gorgeous gardens. Today should be a NSD. 

lucielle

Could you look at the football tables that convert into air hockey?  Just give you a few more options.
L

Queen_of_the_Hive

lucielle said:

Could you look at the football tables that convert into air hockey?  Just give you a few more options.
L

Thanks Lucielle, thats something to consider

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Thursday, having quite a nice week.

The kids came back yesterday and caused carnage but its lovely to have them home from dads.

Credit card 1 moved on to new month yesterday and tbh today I was able to buy some Xmas 'open its' for the kids, a wreath wire frame & pinking shears costing £62, paid for coach travel for an upcoming trip costing £17.00 & paid for October's electricity at £88. 

Before the school run, I need to head to the supermarket to get some groceries for the next few days. In the Xmas gift order i've also bought a wreath hoop and crimping scissors and looking forward to making a rag wreath with some unused Christmas fabric.

Absolutely need to study today but haven't made it yet! eeek!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hey Friday,

Yesterday ended up being quite a fun day spending some money for items in virtual baskets.

I'd been after a halogen heater since i'd come across them last year. The one I wanted I was sold out last year but is available now. It cost £40 and has a running cost of 5p an hour on the cheapest setting so will do nicely to take the chill of downstairs. We tended not to use the heating last year and so far haven't this year too so can justify the spend.

Yesterday we also bought some Xmas chocolate, slippers for the kids to wrap up along with some groceries for this weekend. Total spend was £50 with an additional £40 for the heater. OH bought the heater though and I bought the £50 groceries.

Didn't go to volunteering today but will be studying instead.

Had a bit more luck on the surveys this week and added £8.98 to the investment ISA with £4.45 currently sitting pending in the pot. Kids are here this weekend and looking forward to the kids weekend sporting activities Sat morning followed by a visit to one of the major museums tomorrow afternoon.

Humdinger1

@Queen_of_the_Hive I so remember that feeling when discussing arrangements with DD's father! All fine now as she's 19 and ex and I are friendly but it was horrible for years.  Are you happy with the arrangements? I can't think now how far you're moving.  Love Humdinger xx 

LadyWithAPlan

Well done on all your focus. I bought a heated throw finally that I wanted last year but decided it was too expensive then it sold out. Then bo*ts had it in the sale.. keeps me toasty warm and I can also drag it to bed as well if it gets too cold. V low on hourly elect usage as well

Queen_of_the_Hive

Humdinger1 said:

@Queen_of_the_Hive I so remember that feeling when discussing arrangements with DD's father! All fine now as she's 19 and ex and I are friendly but it was horrible for years.  Are you happy with the arrangements? I can't think now how far you're moving.  Love Humdinger xx 

Hey @Humdinger1, the move is quite a big one, its going to be 3 & half hours from where we are currently. After searching the usual property websites for options 'closer' to home and finding absoultely nothing we decided to bite the bullet and move to an area when I have some connections already and just suck up the travel. So happy it worked out for you (and I need to hear the positive stories). The meeting with ex went better than expected and so far everyone is on the same page which is a big relief. I've also started to let a few close friends know about the move so feeling a bit more better than I have been.

Hope everything is good with you .