Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Apologies Atrixa, I didn't see you had posted as it took me about an hour to think and type up.
Every month on the run up to payday I start moving a £1 or so from my current account to savings. It's a deliberate thing and not because I've spent all my money.

Thank you Skinty. I would have only done that one if I started, there's not much to it as it's the window wall.

TomBo is working late shift again today, therefore it's operation paint in the evening again!

MovingForwards

November financial round-up:

Saved £604.36!

Savings:

Communal Fund 1 = £1200.00

Communal Fund 2 = £150.00

EF (Mortgage EF Payments) = £853.52

Home Repairs = £700.00

Garden / ERCs / Updating = £320.04

Car Everything / Home Insurance = £150.12

Float (for utilities) = £118.81

General Savings = £150.27

Total Savings = £3642.76

Mortgage:

Mortgage O/P = £100.00

- Balance O/S = £64,750 ish

Pension / Early Retirement:

SIPP* = £100.00 (DD on Monday)

S&S ISA* = £15.00
PBs* = £25.00

*I won't be monitoring my balances here, only what I pay in each month. 

CC:

Paid £29.00, Balance O/S - £500.00

Plans for December:

- Save £400.00

- Pocket money (cash) £50.00

Miscellaneous Information:
I now have just over 2 months mortgage payments in that dedicated EF pot, aiming to have another 2 by the end of 2021.

Once I reach £995.00 in the home repairs pot, I can divert the spare money into the other pots; it only pays interest on £1k.

TomBo sent money today, which is why the savings have jumped up a lot more than planned, had next to nothing last time as he forgot; this is why I only budget using my income.
I contemplated hanging on until next month before 'using' it, but the sooner it's distributed, the quicker it starts earning interest.

I've got two pay packets to come before the end of this year.

Irenadler

I think that's impressive progress, well done on the savings and DIY, I have every confidence you will get that unit done before Xmas!

MovingForwards

Thank you Ren.

Got all my bits from Scr3wf1x today.
- I've masked up one section floor by the skirting I painted this week, need to do the other sections then get stuck into the painting.
- Masked up the one side of the lounge door, need to do the otherside, then I can get the special paint on it. I'm contemplating getting some frosting film for the bevelled glass parts on the door as we both like the effect with the masking tape (job for next year!)
- need to caulk the unit I started then I can add a coat of the special paint, before moving on to the gloss.
- need to special paint the third unit and the door frame, then gloss them.

After all of that, I can then paint the walls / ceiling 😳

I want a nice antique / art deco uplighter / floor lamp, a new shade for the ceiling light and a few more paintings; I don't paint / photograph what I've already got hanging up otherwise I would do them, just have to keep looking in the charity shops.
-- I'm using 'accessories' to inject colour into the lounge and should go down to the antique shop to see what they have.

I've got two days booked off next month, but am carrying a lot into next year.

TomBo has finished the tree stump off! Next step is to create ash for the garden from it all. He's also taking the old sofa to the tip tomorrow.

Skint_yet_Again

Your room will be lovely and you can take your time and do it right. Deco lamp sounds fab. Have you seen one you like ? 

I have visions of you both 💃🕺dancing round a big tree stump bonfire in the garden 😆

Irenadler

Ha! Brilliant - no dancing with the chainsaw or axe though....  

Art Deco style is lovely, and there should be something you can ferret out soon, I have seen reasonable one's in junk shops and charity shops, but I would bet the cheaper places like Wilco could have some nice styles too....

MovingForwards

Thank you Skinty and Ren, sadly no dancing round the fire as it's next to my salad!

I like the T1ffany style shades, but after spending hours on 3bay last night I'm torn. I've seen tulip and uplighter shades, but not the colour(s) I'm after, I fell for the bowl type with chains to secure it to the ceiling 🙈 the compromise will probably be the former for the lounge, latter for the bedrooms. Although, I also like newer ones where there are a few lights coming off the standard lamp, which can be angled to target light.

I also spent ages looking for some more art. Found a great 3 piece for the bit of wall between my windows, but it wasn't framed. I've yet to find the right huge one for the wall behind the sofa. 

Just have to keep looking, have money in the bank and be ready to buy when I see the exact right thing!

Finishing my coffee off then it's time to get on with masking, filling and painting. Think TomBo is seeing a hidden, determined side to me while I'm doing this and can he hear my brain thinking.

Today, I feel like I can get this room done before I break up!

doingitanyway

Tracked you down to this part of the forum. I am in the debt free diaries and you have posted helpfully on my diary so I sought you out. I've spent a while reading your diaries, mainly the one where you leave the lovely rented flat and buy your current abode. What a story! I read it like a novel, cheering you on. I also dipped into the other diaries so know you got divorced, cleared debts and with massive resilience got where you are. I now know you have mobility issues too. As you know I am currently going through the process of selling and have had a few hiccups. Reading your diaries gave me the confidence to know I will be in your position too at some stage (hopefully not too long now)

Your positivity in the face of difficulties is an inspiration. You don't moan and groan whilst not shying away from difficulties,  instead you look for a way forward even if it means entertaining a Plan B.

Thank you and have a lovely weekend.

I have subscribed so I can follow the next part of your journey.

MovingForwards

Thank you @doingitanyway and welcome to my little hide out.
I try and keep my diaries real, say enough for people reading to see there's ups and downs, but the light is waiting at the end of the tunnel. Even little tips are slipped in.

Reading diaries are empowering and instill confidence that things can be changed, whatever people are working with in their daily lives 🤗

MovingForwards

Everywhere has masking tape and I've filled the unit gaps with caulk, before working my way round the lounge with it; parts of the skirting were fixed on oddly, leaving a gap at the top between the wall and skirting 🤨

Another order has gone into Scr3wf1x, TomBo is collecting it tomorrow and I will get it when he returns from work.
-- I ordered brushes, a load of caulk, draft excluder foam tape and ladders = spent my tax relief refund.

Tasks for over the next 3 weeks:
1. Remove and replace old window caulk in lounge;
2. Finish skirting caulk
3. Use special paint on all lounge woodwork
4. Gloss paint all woodwork I'm keeping, see how much paint I've got left for everything else

5. Paint walls

6. Paint ceiling

7. Buy door handles for whole flat

8. Buy new window vents for whole flat

I just have to pace myself and keep taking loads of breaks.

TomBo has delegated all DIY to me, although he is happy to have a go at the plastering when the actual renovation takes place. He will do all the traditional 'female' tasks in return. Garden is shared responsibility as before, me the planting and growing, him the heavy stuff.

We are having Christmas at home this year, MIL has arranged to spend the day with a neighbour. Over the holidays we will be going up for the day, SIL is going up just before.