Looking after the pennies

Lookafterthepennies2020

So the kids 1st day at school didn't quite go to plan, the snow was so heavy here my office shut so I WFH, the kids stayed with me which is good as the school closed at 1pm anyway.
I have had a busy day but managed to get quite a lot done, the kids haven't done loads today as the schools had closed and everyone took a snow day.  DS2 teacher is doing a zoom at 11am tommorow so that's something to look forward to! I have meetings arranged for the afternoon as there dad finishes at 1PM so will be keeping them busy then.

Our cat has just gone to the vet, she was sick 4 times in the night and has sounded really wheezy so wanted to get her checked, hopefully it will be nothing.  

Today has been a NSD (by force not choice lol) 1, we haven't been anywhere and 2, I have very little to spend.  Meatballs for tea, then playing some switch with the boys and a bit of reading etc.  I then will likely log back onto work as I have so much that needs doing ATM.  I had a little play around with my SS yesterday and I'm looking forward to see how much extra can go on debts this month! x

Lookafterthepennies2020

The Vet thinks the cat has some sort of an infection, they are not sure what though as everything seems clear (ears,eyes,throat etc) Apparently if they eat grass it can get lodged in there throat but would need to put her under anaesthetic and do an endoscopy which is quite invasive and costly, so they opted for some jabs to hopefully clear the infection and she is back in on Saturday.  My pockets are now £50 lighter, didn't go through the insurance as my excess is £100 but I am going to give them a call today as she does seem worse this morning though so if the follow up is required i don't want any come back on them not being informed of the first visit.  (not really sure how it works with pet insurance as her 1st op we paid )  I am going to set up a YNAB pot for Vet excess too!

WFH again today, the snow is still bad and the schools are all closed as there is lots of ice on the ground, going to plan half an hour break in for a walk in the snow with the boys today though as yesterday we stayed in all day.  Money news is pretty much the same, this is when I tend to struggle as when I have money in and out etc it gives me something to focus on as I am updating my YNAB etc.  Food shop needs collecting at 4PM, I wish it was earlier now but my crystal ball failed to tell me on Monday we would be practically snowed in LOL.

ceremony

Just catching up on your diary. Yes, emergency funds would be great! I had to hit mine this week because our printer conked out but I guess that's what it's for!

I couldn't help but notice the comment about WWE on the bed. If they're actually WWE fans, I'm curious... are fans allowed in stadiums yet or are they still airing episodes in empty stadiums? I watch Wrestlemania every year for old times sake and it was WEIRD them performing with no audience.

I hope the cat's on the mend. 

Lookafterthepennies2020

ceremony said:

Just catching up on your diary. Yes, emergency funds would be great! I had to hit mine this week because our printer conked out but I guess that's what it's for!

I couldn't help but notice the comment about WWE on the bed. If they're actually WWE fans, I'm curious... are fans allowed in stadiums yet or are they still airing episodes in empty stadiums? I watch Wrestlemania every year for old times sake and it was WEIRD them performing with no audience.

I hope the cat's on the mend. 

Hi @ceremony
My EF are in a HMRC savings account I opened a few years ago, it takes 2-3 days for me to draw out and I'll lose a bonus if I do as it pays 50% on my highest balance after a year I think it is. I'm planning on starting a little pot in my usual savings account for real ASAP Emergencies lol but will probably be £50pm.

Yes they are fans, we took my eldest to a show a few years ago and were waiting for them to tour again so we can take them both. They are watching re runs atm on YouTube usually as the empty crowds loses the atmosphere, apparently wwe need a new venue so are looking at outdoor with a view of then getting the fans back over the next month or so x 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Morning all,
I had a super productive night last night and went through the boys bedroom, dexluttered loads, found new places for ds2s birthday toys and organised all the old ones. I've also managed to remove a table ds1 was using as a desk get his new desk and get him all set up. The result is fab the boys were both really pleased and I have 4 bin bags and a table for the tip, and three large bags one to sell, the other for the charity shop and one for our clothes bank.

Im waking up at about 4.30am every morning lately, no idea why then I struggle to sleep in so I've been up early. Currently enjoying a coffee and vikings in bed before the tip run and today should be a NSD.

I've applied for a CC this morning, it has a 0% rate on BT for 9 months so I'm hoping to transfer my highest value card over depending on the limit I am given. I never thought I would be in a position to even have a chance at one as historically my credit has been shocking since my teens, but it's said I'm 90% likely so fingers crossed, I'm not going to count my chickens yet though.

Hoping to get some of my selling bag on ebay today and I'm even going to give marketplace a shot, other than that washing to put away and one load wash today and I'm done.

My tutor asked my permission to try and get my dissertation published which I agreed, she did some work on it also and we have had feedback form the journal that it's passed the first review but there's quite a bit of further info they need so I'll be on with that today x 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Good afternoon everyone,
I spent a few hours looking and completely re-doing my budget yesterday, long and short is I will still be using YNAB but have looked at different sinking funds etc to pay into throughout the year and used the Budget per pay check method for the money I have coming in and out.  I still have £50 p/w which I am going to try and get tighter with, but have budget £50 for the boys too, this should cover Muay thai, football, dinners etc...at the moment it will just be dinners when they are actually in so the leftover is going into a sinking fund for them and I've added a savings acc for each which will hopefully build up from the spill over.

I had a win at Sainsburys today, my mum called yesterday to say I still had a large present hid under the spare bedroom bed LOL,  I took it back to Sainsburys today, explained I had completely forgot about it and was refunded £50.00 onto a gift card.  - I bought my niece some pyjama's for her birthday (early Feb, £16) and some bits we needed, cat littler, bin bags etc and still have around £10.00 left.  I don't shop at Sainsburys so my mum transferred me £10 for the card.

Exciting news on the CC and debt busting, I haven't heard anything on the 0% card yet, but made a payment of £34.68 today to my CC and have officially cleared one of my cards It was a £200 limit so small progress, but the first time in a long time its been at £0...on to the next!! 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Morning all, 
I am in the office today so a NSD planned for me, I have some crumpets in my draw so had 2 for breakfast and will very probably have the same for lunch.  Not much planned for today, I hit a really low point yesterday night and was quite teary then woke up really anxious today so hoping this passes.

I have good MS news, £65.00 cashback has been confirmed (finallllyyyy) on quidco which I am putting towards DS1's birthday in April.  After the success of the switch for DS2 he would also like the same, so I am leaving it in the Qco account for now as if I get it from argoose then I can top-up my voucher to around £69.00

Budget set for the week, my c&c is ordered for Friday, a little more than our £75 budget but does contain some wine for OH mums birthday, we also bought her a vegan handbag from New Look in the sale so I will be getting the £20.00 transferred over today for that.  The boys £50.00 weekly budget is there, DS2 will need dinners on 2 days this week I think (£4.40) other than that their activities have all been cancelled so will be a good start to the boys sinking fund.  

My £50.00 is already £10 lighter as I took out some insurance at £10.00 p/m which went out today.  Not much planned for this week though and can't see me needing to buy anything as of yet.  Other than that, £20.00 has been added to an car sinking fund as we have pushed our luck the last year or so with the service so it really needs doing at some point. x 

Sarahwithlove

I love using my YNAB and have recently switched back to individual sinking funds rather than one big one and its nice seeing that goal turn green for the month 🤣

Lookafterthepennies2020

@Sarahwithlove yeah I'm hoping it's going to keep me motivated I get paid Friday can't wait to get it all moved around 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Good news today, 
Recieved my approval yesterday for the 0% cc and the account info has come through today with a £900 limit, the balance on my highest card is £1950 so not enough to transfer it all but I will get £800 sent across once I receive my card and then plough away at the remainder.  Its a 4% transfer fee but will still save me on interest as my other card is high interest, I then need to get the £800 cleared in 9 months which is doable x
WFH again today so NSD planned, I ordered ds1 a nimble card yesterday, does anyone have any experience with these? x