Crunchy pays off the loan early, and other stories

crunchy_time

Evening all!
Wow what a two weeks!  We are now very much back to school and with both of us working full time, I have had very little time to come on here and update money stuff.  Not there is much to report on the day to day but lots to report on how I feel about money.
I have decided to forgive myself for all my past money mistakes and accept that this is where we are and there is no wherer else I would rather be.  If I were to wish away all £10k of debt that would take away all the life that I have lead and I want to keep that.  There is no point regretting it and at least I had the means (i.e. credit rating) to pay those bills during that year that everything cost way more than we anticipated.
So here we are, mid September.  I get paid this Friday, husband the next and then its October!  Where has this year gone?  Oh yeah - lock down.
Speaking of lockdown, I'm considering this 'rule of 6' to be another mini sort of lockdown only this time the kids get to go to school and I, work.  I'm gutted that some social functions planned won't be able to happen in the same way this autumn but relieved in the same way (extended family issues).  This gives me even more time to come to terms with where things are at and adjust my mental outlook.
Husband has now officially, finished tiling the bathrooms.  All the tools are back in the shed and its all tidy and clean.  We just need to finish painting the walls, ceilings and all the wood.  I have also used up half of my tin of fence paint on the fence.  I'm going to finish one more panel and the gate but then I do need another tin of paint and another two for the office.  It will be wonderful to get it done, especially and b and q were making noise about the colours not being available.  Perhaps I should just suck it up and actually finish a job.  Or at least buy the paint so I can finish it next year.  We also need some sand to fix the block weave for our drive.  And the house painter should finally arrive to do the house a week on Monday - what a relief that will be.
After that we have decided to turn our attention to inside.
My goal for this week is to keep on top of the house work so I can finish some painting/spend some time with my children at the weekend.  I must say it is very lovely coming into work at 8.30am and leaving at 4pm.  It's making such a difference to my life!  I have completed two runs this week and two HIIT work outs.  Next week I am to complete 2 runs and 3 HIIt work outs.  Today I did a run and then a HIIt work out and felt amazing and energised all day!
Hope every one has a lovely week!
Crunchy xx

crunchy_time

Hi all
Gosh it's so busy being back at work!  I like it very much although my house does look a bit tired.  A few things to share.
 - horrible incident at school that involved a knife, the police and me as a witness.  THANK GOD it didn't end up with anyone hurt.  I was shaken but I don't think I've really come to terms with it.  I kept thinking about what could have happened which doesn't even bear thinking about.
- work is just soooooo busy.  It's definitely more than a 8.30 - 4pm.
- Unfortunately, we have mice in the house again.  It happened last winter and we put traps down and it did work.  We filled in where we thought they were getting in from but they must be getting in somewhere else so it's time to call in the professionals - £250.
- I'm still awaiting my tax refund and according to my employer have to ring up HMRC again.  Lord knows when I will be able to do that.
- I also have started a course at work and have 4 assignments totaling about 3500 to 4000 words to write in a month.
I vaguely remember being bored a few weeks ago and agonising over money a lot.  What a difference a few weeks makes!
I have however, managed to keep up my exercise routine.  I went for a run tonight after kids swimming lessons.  Won't be able to do that in a few weeks time as it will be too dark.  The great thing is I keep smashing my PBs on strava so I am making progress even though I'm still running 10.32 minute miles.  My aim is to run under 10 minute miles.  I shaved a whole second off my PB today so thats progress!
Anyway, off to bed to read.  Husbands pay day on Friday to look forward too!
Crunchy xx

crunchy_time

Pinch, punch, first of the month!
Signature updated.  Not much to report other than the consumer debt is now nearly £10k which great!
Both of us working full time is hard work especially as the husband is bearing the brunt of childcare in the afternoon.  But it is saving us a fortune.
crunchy xx

Sarahwithlove

Do you have a personal tax account in hmrc online. I manage mine there and it makes getting money back from them so much easier 

crunchy_time

Evening all!
I'm just having a break from doing my first assignment for my course by coming on here.
Sarah - yes I do have an account - I need to log on and ask the question.
Well winter is truly here for me!  The ankle boots are out and the heating is on.  I usually wait until I absolutely have to have it on and tonight was the night.  I was wearing a jumper and was still cold. 
My exercise is still going well.  I have sorted out a schedule so that husband and I are clear on our house/children responsibilities and nothing clashes.  I'm fitting in one run a week until the clocks change and one at the weekend.  The one at the weekend I have been doing first thing in the morning which is always a challenge for me.  My strava app says that I am improving each time I run which is a massive boost to my confidence.  I also fit in two HIIT sessions for half an hour on the same days that I run and then a body combat session at the weekend.  I haven't lost any of the stone of weight I want to lose yet but I feel much stronger and my posture is better so that is a start.
I had a little money in my account and it's not like I am doing lots socialising at the moment so I decided to round down my loan - so its an even £9800 (£5000 I am not counting at the moment as it's for house debt). So this is £16 shaved off the vet fees bringing it to £69.  I won't miss that money.  I'm learning that when I do things like this I am really mindful about my spending.
I am only drinking alcohol once a week from now on and this week it will be a quiet shandy in the pub with a kids school friend.  Looking forward to it already.  if only we can find somewhere to go!
Husband's birthday is in a matter of weeks and I'm still very undecided about his birthday present.  I know what I want to do - buy him a watch.  I could use some of my savings and have a budget of about £300.  Its a special birthday and there is not much else we can do to celebrate.  I really want him to have a momento.  I stopped typing for a minute to look at Tag Heuer watches (as there a swiss brand that he likes and had to stifle my giggles - they look lovely but the price tag is at least £1000 for the cheapest.  The other thing he would quite like is a track day - but its more like a track 5 seconds and I don't know if I want to spend my money on that.  Is £300 enough to spend on a watch for a birthday present for 40?  He doesn't wear a wedding ring as he lost it and we never bothered replacing it so this is his piece of special jewellery.  
I'm in a dilemna. I don't want to do it and he be disapoointed.
Crunchy x

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I'd have thought £300 would be enough to get a nice watch, although I'm not up on brands etc.  Check when you're buying it that they'd be happy to exchange/refund, that way if your husband likes a watch, but not that particular one he can exchange it for something he prefers.  I agree, a track day sounds fun, but for a big Birthday it's nice to have a momento.  For my 30th, my husband bought me a watch and for my 40th he got me an eternity ring.... they're both my favourite pieces of jewellery

crunchy_time

Big row with the husband last night about money. I was cross referencing everything on my spreadsheet to statements and he has forgotten his PIN numbers to monzo so using his credit card and bank account and then not transferring things over. Things are in disarray and again it’s ME that is putting the pieces back together again. What annoyed me was that he refused to get off the PlayStation to do anything about it and wouldn’t till I talked to him like a ‘normal person.’

We went to bed last night and work this morning without speaking to each other. He has said sorry now but we haven’t spoken about money yet.

Why does he have to be such a child sometimes? Urrgh!!

crunchy c

shoppingobsessed2020

How frustrating, no advice but I’ll lend you a nerf gun if you want to take out some frustration  

remote_control

Urgh, sorry to hear that, it's such a pain, I hate arguments and also hate feeling like you're 'in charge' and then have to 'tell them off'
Good luck!

crunchy_time

Thanks guys! It’s all ok now but I felt !!!!!! about myself all day. Like I’m not allowed to be mad at someone’s behaviour affecting my future or something. I brainstormed ways today to be less reliant on him but I don’t think I can at the moment. 

In brighter news the childcare bill for Sept  cost £12 less than I budgeted for so I have slushed that onto my loan - the vet bill. Now we have finished the bathrooms pretty much, I want the husband to think we have less money than we actually do so I’m being quiet about the slushing. 

Crunchy xx