Mortgage free and finally in a forever home

Tahlullah.H

Cats are indeed cute!

Sorry to hear about the hip pain.  Hope you can get it sorted.

TallGirl

Morning sitting in bed the house to myself and dg went to see her friends yesterday spending 4 hours getting there instead of 2.5 so glad I didn't go. 

Been spending quite a bit of money but got DGs xmas present sorted and got bits that was needed for the house. Well needed more Xmas lights but it's so dark it was needed. 

Also a trip to IKEA but went by train so limited what could be bought. Did do a bit of money saving needed two teddy bear pillow cases for spare room as the cats love to lie on that bed and wanted them on top of the clean cases. You had to buy a whole set to get two and didn't need the duvet set so bought a blanket and made two looks better any way I think. 

Starting full time work next week but got the Friday off as it's the golf club xmas do. Dg doesn't want to go so handy she'll pick me up afterwards. Speaking of golf I played in a pairs match on Thursday and we won £15 each first time in a long long time. Did play ok not as good as my partner but ok.

Also booked a holiday to Gambia well paid the deposit for late Feb. Going with upgraded seats as dg hates the flight and wouldn't go otherwise. Not very mse as they are £325 more but you get lounges each way and once you are out there it's so so cheap. 

We're due to see a drag show locally our friends were coming down and we were dressing up having our make up done by a make up student. It only got cancelled. Well I'm going to be in London and the show is also in London so going on a Weds now staying over with friends taking a day off but also working from their house. So first two weeks of being full time I'm actually not which I don't mind. Not sure how much leave I've got left as nothing has been taken off with my new manager due to an error. Annoying as I did not get a picture before they changed systems. Hopefully it can all be worked out. 

Have signed up to do pump at 10.30 at the gym. Not feeling it but need to get back into it as not been since September and it's a real waste just doing PT. Put on 1 stone since last October before bootcamp so that really needs to go.  

Virgin customers now have access to O2 priority I love that. Won £5 Greggs voucher and you get 1 free Nero mon to thurs and 1 free Greggs fri or Sat. Happy days even if I have to go into town to get them. Yesterday I had a free Nero on my points and free sausage roll then hoped to have an M&S Good to go back but they cancelled it. Still saved the calories. Maybe I should go to the gym lol. 

Hope you all enjoy your weekend. 

TallGirl

I did make the gym feels good even if it was an hour session instead of 45min as is during the week. 

Forgot to list more spending. Bought a new pan set.

Tefal Ingenio Pots and Pans Set, Stainless Steel, 13-Piece, Induction & Ingenio Removable Handle with Stainless Steel Insert - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07V5QCCHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PKDWGQS82H521E0JHM8C?psc=1
 
Needed all new when got induction so bought cheap or had some or given some new. Dg wanted a pan without handles to go in oven and I wanted a small frying pan. Got this set on Amazon it’s really nice and take up so little space. 

also bought my secret Santa present ready for the 7/12 wrapped it too. I’m so going to miss my two days off. 

Finance wise I’ve got £6k in Zopa ISA but not too keen on peer to peer so slowly taken it out moved £2k this morning to go in Premium bonds. Plan is to get saving all of the increased wages for the next 5 months at least. 

Thank that is it getting out of the bath to start making lunch and my cereal for the week. 

TallGirl

Been told my full time hours is until March 23 which is just great. Also going to be working with my manager next level up on setting the business case for the team which is quite a responsibility plus work on some peer to peer support with our network so all good.  

Moved The Gambia holiday so I could do an away day with work actually a bit cheaper and now going in March in stead. Dg is happy as when she wanted to go originally. 

Not yet put the £2k into premium bond from Zopa didnt win anything this month and it's now a whole month before they can win anyway so no rush. 

Still really hope we get to go to Denmark annoying if we have to have pcr tests again they are so expensive. Also hope Norwegian doesn't cancel our flights they have been booked for so long now. Cats have been booked in with cleaner for being looked after but still need parking and obviously xmas present. Today dg has hair but I'm going with her so I can get my driving license renewed has to be at a main post office as I do not have a British passport. I'll also get my free Greggs, pick up my clock from repairs and grab a free coffee with points. 

Tonight we're meeting friends at the pub then one of them is staying over. Need a few bits from the shops too. Not done any xmas shopping need to get a move on.  

Tahlullah.H

Hope the Gambia holiday is not compromised by Covid TG.  And glad work is going well for you.

TallGirl

Sorry for the absence all good. Been doing exercise every day which feels good diet still not great but DG hasn't been helping. It's the 3rd anniversary of her mums death today so for the last week she's been really struggling. She's now better but it got so bad she didn't want to go to Denmark and was so anxious. Nice to have her back and her counselling starts Tuesday which is also good. 

Saw IFA Zopa ISA will be moved to S&S ISA and all other money is now in one place. My pension has increased by £20k in a year which is nice. 

Work is still good not been that busy so caught up with training and got a new project which is nice. Only working Monday and Tuesday then off Weds. need to book extra suitcase on plane as has too much stuff to bring. Also need to book train it will be so much better than taking the car and cheaper plus less hassle I think. As long as all goes well obviously. Still need to work out if we can get a lift to the station or if we just walk down after driving the cases down. 

Stil need to do xmas cards and some more presents. We have DGs aunt her for dinner so need a present for her too. 

Also need to order pcr test doe coming back. Let's hope they don't change their mind and want one coming out too no time to get that. 

Well I best get up then so much to do 

TallGirl

So it's been Christmas and I did make it to Denmark which has been lovely. I'm going back Weds so just waiting for my pcr test. Dg didn't go she just felt something was going to go wrong and wanted some time on her own. Considering we spent 24/7 together it was ok with it. She was meant to go and see her friend today but she's got a cold so it's now cancelled but hopefully they will both be down for new year. 

Been lovely just chilling with the family and not doing a lot. Got loads of lovely Christmas presents so booked an extra suitcase travelling back too. Got a round of golf with a PGA golf pro at St Andrew's so we're off to Scotland in August. Can't wait. 

So 2022 is going to busy with travel let's hope I have enough leave and COVID behaves. March will be Gambia, April Ireland, May Denmark for a confirmation, July my niece Coe s over and hopefully we get a trip to a summerhouse and then Scotland in August, Benidorm in September and then away for Christmas. Mad yes I think so might have got cut it down a bit. Nothing is booked other than Gambia. 

Take Away pizza on its way so I'll sign off now. When I get back I'll take look at my list for what I wanted to do for 2021

Mrs_Money_Penny

Glad you had a lovely Christmas and got to see your family. Happy New Year to you x

TallGirl

So best start looking at my goals for 2021 while I'm sat on the plane back home. 

Here is the list:

• Save £12k in 2021 joined the challenge so need to up my savings by £500 as only saving £500 a month currently. I did do this until August when I got my part time job. After that I only saved £500 a month and I think I've spent the excess on holidays so let's say £6k saved. 
• Get ex dh business premised put in my name exBIL said he was fine so now is the time to tell him I'm actually doing it. This has not been done so that's 2022 I think. 
• Sort the front and side garden out so I can grow my own veg again and potter in an actual garden will cost to get it done by budgeted for already £8k max. Got quote to get paving done but then builder and friend needed knee and hip replacement. He's still off sick but wants to do small jobs so we shall see. I did manage to grown fruit and veg and will double my growing space next year with cheap raised  beds. Also got a potting bench with a cold frame so over wintered bedding plant so will be cheaper next year plus can start earlier. 
• Move cash savings into Premium Bonds and try to reach £50k again would be so nice if I can. Ill have to check but I think I'm on £28K it did help I took out some money from Denmark and also got money out of Zopa. 
• Play more golf with the ladies comps even if DG does not want to play. This I achieved as I went part time and got to play thursdays plus dg had a break for a couple of months. 
• Keep fitness levels up min 2 a week classes (ideally 4) plus fast walk and run at lunchtime. We found a fab personal trainer in March been doing 2 a week since but need to up it with pump twice a week.  so there you have it many achievements and here's a list of things I am grateful for might not remember everything but let's try

1. Got an extension on my job from March to August which enabled me to get a new part time role on a years contract.  I started in August and was offered full time from December. Contract ends July but looks likely to continue full time and might extend to March 23. Lovely colleagues and just so much ,ore suited to my skill set plus a nice wage increase. Very grateful to have found my niche and finally can use my brain. 
2. Dg quit her job and went self employed she lost all her confidence due to being constantly checked by supervisor. They also wanted her back in london so felt great last Christmas to finally give up flat and be permanently back down south. Do not miss it one bit and I'm permanently homework in now. Dg has got clients but not made much money yet. Hopefully will come.
3. Adopted two cute kitties in May. Love them to bits even if one rips the carpets up and the other has been in yet another fight and needed vet treatment. So glad we got pets again. 
4. Enjoyed growing fruit veg and flowers again. Really so fab even if the weather wasn't great. Also got to enjoy hottub and pool plus of course the pool bar. 
5. Finally got to see the family after COVID in July 20. Been over 3 times now which has been amazing and has helped me reconnect against especially with my niece. She's hopefully coming over this summer and my mum will be over in May. 
6. Holidays booked and planned for 22 let's see how that goes no other travel in 2021 as so many others. 
7. Not getting COVID and being allowed to work from home. 

I think that's it I'll be back with a list of goals another day.  

TallGirl

Happy belated new year we had a great time with friends so all good. Danish New Years decorations we a hit and can be used again next year so all is good. All decs how packed away so house tidy.

Been to the gym today for a 10.30 class got slightly delayed at the door due to DGs finger print not working. Jumped into the class as it was only 1 min late only to find out it had started at 10am and no one had changed the schedule we signed up for. So 15 min done then stayed for Pilates which I used to do and it was fab. Then off to hit some golf balls on the range and we've now cancelled pump class this evening. Dg is going to BodyBalance tomorrow and I'm back doing pump and Pilates Weds. If we stick with gym might save some money and cut down to 1 PT session. Don't feel I really progress on those anyway at the moment. 

Cooked 16 meals for the freezer yesterday and just done 4 chicken breast for lunches etc. Weighed myself and it was horrible so feel very motivated to change things. Long May it last need to fit back into my clothes. 

Work tomorrow will be nice to see everyone again got some big projects coming up so will be busy but that's only good. 

Think that's it can think of any goals for this year other than loose weight and get fitter.