Moving forward and upwards

savingwannabe

That is so good. What a difference that will make to you both! I hope you can take the weekend off. 

MovingForwards

Good grief SW I'm happy with my little sub £1k runabouts where other people have felt the financial effects of depreciation!

Also, seeing the state of the car I previously purchased TomBo and mine because of him using it, there's no way we could have a brand new car. I would be gutted seeing a scratch, dent, ripped seat, damaged interior having 'spent' £15k+ on it.

Mine was a really nice little car when I first got it and then TomBo started taking the key 🙈 

I have thought about replacing it next year, for one a couple of years newer, but will see what happens MOT day. I usually get 3 - 5 years out my car before I scrap them.

MIL said if ever we need anything, just to ask as the money is in the bank doing nothing but increasing.

She liked the flat, the views and location.
- Said the bedrooms are a bit small, which is true as they're galley style, but they are just a place to sleep.
- I also showed the 'before' photos of the lounge and hall, could see why I was determined to change them. 
- She absolutely loved the garden and we sat outside for a bit, before it got too much for all of us. Impressed with the produce I'm growing.

TomBo is back after dropping MIL off at SIL and said, we've got the option to fall back on with his mom helping out.

Tomorrow we are going to uncle and aunt-in-law, having a family gathering. We will be picking up a few gifts and it will be like a summer Christmas.
- I've been treated like family ever since I first started dating TomBo, as time goes on it's easy to see there's genuine care and kindness as I'm welcomed with open arms and tight hugs.

Having t-bone steak tonight 😃

Skint_yet_Again

What a lovely gesture from MIL and lovely that she felt able to pass on to tombo his gift from his late father. It’s so moving when you are not expecting it 😭

MovingForwards

Thanks Skinty
His mom had that gift for over 25 years waiting for the right moment. He actually went really quiet when told the envelope was handwritten to him from his dad. 
- Sadly his dad died before getting a gift for SIL.

MIL told him to sell it and use the money for a holiday, but doesn't know if it has any value.  
- as much as the holiday suggestion was appreciated, a fjord cruise or weekend away would be nice, all I will do is ask TomBo if he wants it put with his other keepsakes as it's small, won't take up space and is priceless in my opinion.

I know my last few posts are 'me, me me', but his mom would say a few words to both of us, then direct the conversation to me.
- TomBo shuts down when it's serious conversations.

savingwannabe

The posts are not me, me, me at all. You are an amazing team and it is so good that you have been appreciated. What a lovely thing to do. It is boiling here i hope you are all ok up North. 

doingitanyway

So lovely to read your last few posts. Your MiL sounds so thoughtful. 
So pleased your MiL could appreciate the life you both have and want to contribute.
Reading between the lines it is clear she thinks TomBo is happy and settled with you.

MovingForwards

Thanks you SW and DIA

Oddly enough I was saying something similar to SIL about him settling down now we've got the flat and wondering if his mom would see him as being a responsible adult. We both laughed about the latter part.

We had a whirlwind romance, I left everything I came up with on our first date, got engaged very quickly and I relocated not long after; less than 12 weeks after the first date and nearly 5 years later we laugh and giggle as much as the first date.

The gift was safely put away with the other items.

I put some water in the fridge overnight, that way I can have frappe this morning and embrace the holiday vibe I've got going on.

It's absolutely boiling up here. I was up at 4am and had to open the lounge windows. TomBo was up at 6am and all the windows were opened. There's a gentle breeze round the flat.

The family BBQ is this afternoon and I'm just going to relax until it's time to attend.

Skint_yet_Again

Have a lovely time at the bbq. It’s going to be a scorcher today 🥵 Maybe take a brolly in case you need some shade. Last time I went to a bbq I used mine & lashings of sun cream & everyone else got sunburned. 

savingwannabe

Enjoy the day. I am so glad summer is finally here. 

MovingForwards

Thanks Skinty and SW

I don't own an umbrella, which is probably odd for someone living up here!

We've had heat and sun for months now, TomBo started to get a tan after the frosts in February.

Yesterday I did say to MIL we have savings and put money away each month. That's when she said about helping while she's around and can see it's being put to good use, even though it's going to us (TomBo / SIL) in the future. 

We have been discussing the car and will see how mine gets on when I'm back in work. TomBo wants me to have something more reliable as it's m-ways and fast roads for my commute; my car doesn't like the rain being one of the first of that model years ago and the faults should be ironed out with ones a few years newer. 
- Potentially we may upgrade her this year to a newer one, if not it will be next year; which was always the plan anyway.
- I've told him he can't do his hobby sideline pocket money if we spend more than £1k on it as I can't watch another car get damaged. He agreed and told me to get looking at cars, I showed him the ones I was looking at as I had already been seeing what's about for a while for a slightly larger budget 🤣 

He has said he wants a new cooker and washing machine and will ask MIL. Can't disagree with him on this as they came with the flat and are not fully functional. 
- explained we do have the money for these things and he should have said he wanted them replaced sooner!

Feels very strange knowing we have this financial support, as it's open to anything we need.
- I'm in two minds as I've got all these carefully planned saving pots on the go to cover future outgoings / replacements, but at the same time there's now no pressure or worry as they will be covered by us or MIL. 

In a way I'm feeling the same as when I had the PPI refunds. They helped me become debt free and buy this flat. MIL is helping free up money occasionally, which will clear the mortgage and provide a very stable future.

TomBo suggested we pop to the ice cream shop and buy a selection for everyone at the BBQ. I agreed on condition we get to sit in eating some before buying the rest 😃

I had better start to get ready!