Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Thanks SW, SH and LW2G

Done my sad admin. Requested the money from mom's bank, apparently it will arrive within a few weeks. I'll get flowers sorted out and in theory I shouldn't be incurring any more costs after that and can relax again.

Got the estate accounts up and running; It's one less task to deal with towards the end and makes it easier for keeping probate figures together. 

Hotel is booked and it includes breakfast. I've booked us into one near amenities, but with an onsite restaurant and leisure centre.
- It leaves me with nearly £200 in the car pot, phew.

The float will pay for food, drink, charity shop trips and whatever else.  

We'll be back home for a few days and then heading up north for Christmas. Have to figure the petrol expense out as I've not budgeted for that.

I'm going to buy cat a different travel box and will look at the dog ones; she a voluptuous lady and the folding crate ones will suit her better.

Want to get family a token gift and card each, not budgeted but can find the money.

Ordered lat flows, TomBo has ordered his, and they'll arrive in a few days.

If you spot something I might have missed, please let me know!

savingholmes

So pleased the money is on its way back to you. It was ever such a lot to have to pay out. Makes me determined to ensure I leave £ in my accounts for my kids or easy access life insurance payments to get around that issue.

MovingForwards

Thanks SH

I'm not allowed to take it from the expected money and even if I was there's no point as I'd have to spend it on something else to do with the estate. It will come back to me next year.

If I waited until the money came in before arranging the funeral, I would have had to pay for everything afterwards until the house was dealt with and have the funeral hanging over me during the Christmas period. Sounds selfish I know.

Had lawyers been dealing with the whole thing, they could have given an undertaking to the funeral directors and I wouldn't have had to pay out anything, but it would have cost the estate a lot more.

In a way I've had it quite easy as it was one bank account, utilities, a l0tt0 company and the house. I also know how to deal with estates, most people don't.

Now I'm personally living through it, what I'd recommend is:

Looking up what each bank allows to be cashed in without probate and keep a couple under that level.
- Be aware it's based on the whole amount with that particular group therefore having £10k in cash with Abby, but £41k in an ISA with Sant would mean probate is required. Some banks have a lot lower limit.

Even a prepaid funeral plan would make things easier as it's all arranged and paid for.

Make a will and tell people what your funeral wishes are. Leaving them to guess and work to a tight budget is hard, it comes with a hefty dose of guilt.

Keep a file of all institutions, utilities and creditors, save someone scrambling around for info.

longway2go

Thank you for sharing MF. I hope you can relax today 

savingholmes

I plan to write some notes and leave everything organised together in a file. I have told a few people my computer password so they could get in if the worst happens.

MovingForwards

Thank you LW2G and SH

Had cat alarm this morning as she was sick.

I've managed a San Spa shower today, didn't shave my legs. Mainly I've been at one with the sofa.
- I remembered I didn't take food out the freezer for batch cooking and pulled mystery meat and spag bol out.

TomBo has done the washing, been to A1DI, cooked something and changed the bedding.

Work food is the same as last week; little sausages, scotch eggs, quiche, crisps and smoothie.

I seem to have hit a 'low' period as I've got ahead with everything and there's nothing much going on, not helped by it being winter when I don't / can't do anything outside.
- I'm contemplating starting a new painting next weekend and know I've got to do the snagging for the DIY I've done so far. 

2 days until payday, 11 days until TomBo gets paid, then I'll know if I'm really going to get through to the end of the year or if I've miscalculated somewhere.

savingwannabe

MF you are soooo brilliant. You have been sooo organised. I am so glad you are capable of doing all of this especially at this time, it will mean less stress later. Glad cat and Tombo are boing so supportive. Sending hugs, sooo v proud of you. 

Skint_yet_Again

Hope your cat is ok MF. Tombo is so great helping out so much. Painting next weekend sounds nice and relaxing. I bet you have wintery snow scenes at the moment? 

savingholmes

Making plans to do art is good. Perhaps you could also design out next year's plan for the garden(s). Might help a little. One with the sofa is a good plan for you at the moment. It sounds like you don't do enough resting.

MovingForwards

Thanks SW, Skinty and SH

I wanted to get the sad side out the way, then there's some form of normal life running too, especially with Christmas and cake day next month.

Cat is fine, she randomly pukes to shift a furball, usually at an inconsiderate time i.e the middle of the night.

There was a snow capped mountain photo taken today! That's why I thought about starting a new painting; I'm mooting a black and white one.

I planned the garden out a while back as I'm scaling back how many different items I sow, focusing on quantity of things we use a lot of.

You're right, I don't do anywhere near enough resting, I'm mentally always on the go and feel a bit 'empty' when I've figured it all out, until I find something else to work out.

I don't feel as run down as I would after a week at work, which isn't bad considering I'm also driving 60 miles a day.