Mortgage free and finally in a forever home

Mrs_Money_Penny

Love the flowers very pretty. Chucking it down with rain here xx

TallGirl

Warning not so money saving content coming up now lots of spends lately. 

So just as we got the work underway for the wardrobe and smartening our little hard stand up the pump stopped working on the pool. That cost just shy of £1000 to fix but new pump would have been needed anyway in a few years and it's nice and quiet at least. Can't have a broken pool just as the weather is finally right for a dip.

Wardropes then had to be painted and it was a big job so go painter in  they are done now and the final draws will be delivered from IKEA next week. Here they are before and after so much more room now and so much better use of space inside. 

After 

This was also just shy of £1000 all in but the carpenter also fitted a banister in the hallway and made the lid for the pool pump much easier to manage. 

Final spend was on the handstand around the side total luxury but now looks really nice I think shame the real grass has died. Cost from a lady we know it was made with off cuts £500. 

TallGirl

Had to save the post in case I loads it. Weight and exercise going really well lost 10 kilo about 7 to go so progress. Loving the gym even in the heat and lots of golf. Dg still having total meltdowns threw her driver and it broke £60 to repair but £600 plus for a new one. Played a different course yesterday paid £10 for the whole day incl afternoon tea. Lovely it was but hot. 

Dg is seeing clients in London and Hertfordshire so staying with friends until tomorrow night. I've spent the day painting the latest upcycle project the cabinet with the pull down desk. Paid £40 for the unit, £75 for the fronts to be stripped, I'm about £60 on materials so not cheap but hopefully look good. Still need another coat of paint then varnish and I was to add wall paper at the back. Then fit it all back together but need screws for the handles. 

Dg can't stand mess and my niece arrives Wednesday so need to get a bit more done tomorrow so it can be tidied up even if not complete. Dg can help wit it too. Oh and finally bought two Garmin Vivosmart5 fitness trackers great fun and competition between us. Been having a Starbucks good to go back to day which was great and a hArvester chicken and salad one yesterday and tonight a M&S one so saving a few pennies. 

Right need to get the golf on no idea of the results watching on catch up at 8pm.  

Take care all. 

TallGirl

Waves it's been a while I know. Nieces visit was lovely did Thorpe Park, shopping and chilling by the pool she missed the July heatwave but still good. 

Trip to Denmark was short but very nice to see everyone and spend time at my sisters with my mum there too. Nephew is so lovely he took us wine tasting and Park Golf where he works. Only 18 but very sensible with a stunning sensible girlfriend too. 

Back home and lots of work on. Also my friends who house sat seemed to manage to break a lot of stuff. But then again might not as some of it fixed it self again. Odd I know. 

Garden looking good but difficult to keep up with the watering. The veg is fab but the flowers I've had to move into the share just too much. 

Had friend stay this weekend and another pop in yesterday for a swim. She's now gone back so it meant no golf comp this weekend. Also managed to royally mess up our long weekend in Devon next weekend by telling the friends we were going with the wrong dates aka a week early. Only found out on the morning they were due to set off. One got covid so the other ended up taking her sister but still sad we're now going on our own next weekend. Will still be nice I've been before and on the Monday we have the hot air balloon trip I swapped my golf playing lesson in St Andrew's for.  

Work is busy but good. I'm learning a lot but also some tricky cases which is not easy but getting support so that's good. 

Gym and fitness going well diet less so. Not lost any more but feel better and still enjoying the regime. 

Savings ok I'm on track for my £12k in 12 months but garden fund is down to £2500 as we had the drive done and the wardropes etc all done. Upcycling on charity shop desk cabinet all done too so can move all my sewing stuff in.  

Just wish I had more time at home without friends etc taking time as nice as it is things are hectic.  

TallGirl

Here is the after so much better and matches the bedside cabinet we did a while ago but which looked the same as that unit

LadyWithAPlan

Loving your restoration pics and your garden looks fabulous!!

I have been swimming most days in my gym after doing weights in the heat - feeling much healthier.

TallGirl

LadyWithAPlan said:

Loving your restoration pics and your garden looks fabulous!!

I have been swimming most days in my gym after doing weights in the heat - feeling much healthier.

Thanks for popping in I have just found your diary and is trying to get up to date but there are a lot of pages. Sounds like you're very determined which I love. I really lost my way when I paid off my mortgage but I feel I'm back on track and the £12k challenge has definitely helped me. 

Tonight we were so bad went to McD instead of the gym but I've been three times this week already and I m playing golf tomorrow. 

I'm actually off now until Tuesday as we're off to Devon to play golf and do the hot air ballon ride.  We should have gone with our two friends but unfortunately I messed up the dates and they were booked to go last weekend and that was my fault. Annoying but we will still have a good time I am sure I've not been there for at least 15 years but it's a place very dear to me. 

Booked to go on a 5 day trip to Spain in March just after we come back from Gambia. It's a trip with the golf clubs ladies and there is lessons too. It's quite pricey but it's a way to reconnect with those people and a good start for the season.  

I'm enjoying the rain for the garden and the drive has been completed it looks great I'll stick some before and after pictures on in a minute. I've now only got £2500 left in my improvement pot so that's it no more work. Dg is terrible and so I'm I next biggie would be bathroom but that had to wait. 

Didn't win on Premium Bonds this month but I'm still sticking in £500 a month so it's building up. I'm still on track with the savings I still into my Monzo account towards £12k in 12 and I'm actually getting excited about the interest rates going up just for me as I've got no debts and no mortgage obviously. 

Work is fine learning a lot and really enjoying the projects I have got. I've got quite a few now and my colleague who is new like me is now staying which is so nice.

Don't think there is anything else interesting for tonight I I'll try to post more often so  I can keep on track.  

TallGirl

Before very old drive that was ruined by a huge motor home by previous owners of the house. 

It cost me £1250 to get it fixed it would have been £6000 at least to have new one. 

Sorry not the greatest photo as the cars are on the drive. The guy I got to do it is just very special I think. 

stoplurking

Your drive looks great TG.  Definitely better to repair than replace the whole thing. Kitty looks like a good little guard. 

Have a good time in Devon. X

TallGirl

Thanks Stoplurking he’s so lazy he’d just fall asleep on the job. 

We got to Devon yesterday traffic added an extra 1 1/2 hours on a 3 1/2 hour journey. We did get 16 holes in on an empty golf course. I enjoyed it dg her usual up and down. Lovely to be back here so many memories shame our friends aren’t with us. Playing today at 2pm we’re going to do the activities but would rather play golf. 

Should be a low spend weekend as the drinks are cheap and I’m not wanting to play golf with a hangover. 

Going back to bed now breakfast done lunch at 12 all incl.