The second hurdle - Nichelette v the huge mortgage

Nichelette

Up early again. Spending hasn't been going too badly but I have had to buy DS2 new shoes. He was complaining that his hurt his foot. They're the right size but where his ankle is still a bit wonky I think he needs extra wide fit (he has been wearing sandals over summer so he has been fine in those). We tried clarks but they don't stock that width so had to get some online, but I found some in their ebay outlet so they were £20 which isn't too bad.

A couple more regular payments have gone and we had the nursery bill yesterday so have paid that.

DS1 is off school for 2 weeks now which isn't the best because he needs the routine. He was also refusing to go to the holiday club though it's only running for one of the weeks. Think summer was overkill. Only positive is I don't have to work at 7.30 because I'm not going out to collect him in the afternoon.

There are a few things that will cost before we get paid again:

Taking kids to pumpkins, though tickets already bought and we'll only spend about £10-£12ish on pumpkins as they're not that expensive.

We're taking kids to local fireworks (booked ages ago before school ones) but again tickets bought and low spend.

Am going to an exhibition in London with my mum but most of that cost will be train ticket.

Total remaining £2651

Nichelette

Posting for accountability. Few small spends on bread, milk etc. I have a 0% card with about £700 on it from DH's 40th (bought him an expensive watch). I've been paying it off with prolific money/things I've sold so it will be done with 'extra' before the 0% expires and not impact budget, but I forgot I have a DD set as a backup just so I don't get late fees because >> my brain 🫠. Anyway, minimum went for that which was £35 and accounts for most of the spending. 0% ends in March, I have an as yet undisclosed handbag problem. Am selling a lot which will pay the rest off. Have actually sold 6 or so recently but am listing slowly so not overkill.

Got a £25 Sainsbury's gift card from mistplay which I'll put towards the food shopping. Not a huge earner but I've had a few gift cards from them. I do the boosted offers to rack up easy points then move on to next one. Figure if I'm not doing anything in the evening might as well be paid to play games herr and there.

Offered to make DH chicken soup yesterday to take to work which he declined. Had the audacity to try and take the shared card to try and buy a meal deal (and it's always bl**dy waitrose as not much choice where we work). I declined so now he's having to use his own money 😆. Anyway, onwards...

£2614 remaining

Nichelette

DS2 has kindly given me a virus. Could barely speak yesterday morning so moved two morning meetings. Was a bit better by afternoon so did that one but still sound pretty awful 🙈. I hate getting viruses because they always make me so tired. Went to bed early but the wind was disturbing me. DS1 was up at 5.30 so just got up but am already tired again 🤦🏻‍♀️. Pumpkins tomorrow so hopefully feel a bit better (started coming on Weds afternoon). Maybe being outside will keep me awake lol

We have the two week half term here. Have done one week. DH has two days off next week so he's going to take DS1 out for a couple of days. Looking like a farm and natural history museum so those will cost, but it's only the two of them so minimises it a bit. Think train to London is only £1 or similar for DS and museum is donation plus will do him a packed lunch. They seem to love packed lunches 😅 . Think it's novel because they don't usually get them.

Most of our compulsory bills have gone bar mortgage (1067) and Internet/sky sports (27/22) know that's a luxury but we always have football on in this house so it's cheap entertainment.

DH has failed to quit vaping again (didn't have high hopes there anyway).

Got the free sky VIP thing yesterday which was a free pizza express pizza so quite good. Also got 4 free strongbow dark fruit to put away for BIL. Think it's still here if anyone wants Link. You upload receipt and they refund. Takes up to 30 days but I've always had the money back. Often get Higgidy bits through same thing too. So anyway, that will show as a deduction but will get it back.

I also use checkoutsmart. Not so much now but I've had £700 worth from it (granted had it a long time but hardly use now). They keep doing free little bags of love corn snacks that DS1 loves. Always waitrose so I grab those when I'm in the office too. Sometimes you can offer stack on there which can be good.

So anyway, tomorrow is a third of a way through the pay month and £2569 left which am pretty happy with considering I've already overpaid £700. £1453ish left after compulsory bills accounted for. I'm really trying to be more mindful with the spending. Hopefully will remain good going forward 🤞🏻

Nichelette

Passed my illness to DH now and think DS2 might be on the way down too 🤦🏻‍♀️. Also still sound terrible 🙈.

Ended up spending about £35 yesterday at pumpkins (2 drinks, £9.50 on 6 pumpkins - only buy the small exciting ones, will get a couple of bigger ones for carving cheap from a supermarket as pumpkin place price by diameter, and bought McDonald's after which was £18, partly as a treat for kids but mostly because I feel rubbish and couldn't face cooking too). Actually being outside made me feel a bit better but crashed when we got back 😅. Had a short nap then tried to wash clothes, clean kitchen and mop downstairs. In fairness I keep going to bed early and DH has done a lot but obviously he's not great now either. Wanted to get some bits on vinted but didn't have the energy. Will hold off to next weekend as payday for a lot of people anyway.

Was chatting to DH yesterday and we are optimistic we can make the £1400 OP. We did actually get excited at thought that in a post nursery fee world we could possibly manage 2.5k a month. Imagine if we could do 10k in 4 months 😮 . Bit like the old pre kid days! Think we did 30k in 2 years back then? I think he's more on board now which is half the battle. I'm happy to be frugal where his attitude is more we work all the time so we should be allowed nice things (which we do have). I mostly manage the money but I never really decline anything he actually wants within reason.

Oh, I am also getting odd xmas bits. Got this on Saturday as genuinely couldn't find it this chesp anywhere else: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/little-tikes-story-dream/little-tikes-story-dream-machine-projector-with-peppa-pig-books/p/260252

Onwards!

Nichelette

So I'm still full of cold and sound horrendous 🙈. Suppose the positive is I'm not really going anywhere or eating much so positive for the no spend 😂. DH filled up his car yesterday. We're just buying odd top up food at the moment as not really eating properly.

£2373 remaining. Had to contribute to a couple of work collections too. I did forget that my spreadsheet factors in child benefit which won't arrive until near the end of the pay month so that is still to come. I have bought a few more Christmas bits so aside from petrol that is the other big chunk. Also forgot that we put away £200 for kids and £500 in moving fund on payday so we've already saved £700. I think if we can pull this off it will be a decent effort. We're paid on the 13th so 16 days to go...

Edited to say I know we're very lucky to be able to do this. Reading it back it looks a bit like I'm boasting which isn't my intention. We both grew up on council estates and what we have now is miles from what we had growing up. We're both incredibly grateful for what we have, but equally we do work hard for it.

debtfreewannabe321

It's not boastful, you work hard for what you have. I hope you're feeling better soon ❤️‍🩹😊.