Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

savingholmes

Love fresh bread. I made a banana loaf tonight for me and my friend... 

Have fun crossing the creative stuff off your to list... 

debtfreeoneday

Great news on the furniture sale. 

SandyShores

Thanks debtfree.  Ooh banana bread, sounds lovely.  Yes, I rarely buy bread now.  I didn't start it in lockdown, it was something I started doing before Christmas and now there's no turning back.  It feels good to make a delicious loaf from a few ingredients.  Otherwise I'm having a creative slump at the moment, although I'm being loads more active and really enjoying that for the moment.  Once I've recovered from using muscles I haven't used for a long time I'm sure I'll be more motivated on my creativities again.  I had a dream last night that I was in the fabric shop buying material for my PJs but I hadn't taken the measurements - it must be a sign!

I was just reading the comments about smart meters.  When we moved into our new home we found there was a smart meter with British Gas for the electricity but no smart meter for the Gas part.  And no display screen for inside the house - I thought that was supposed to be the whole point?  I did call BG when me first moved in, but it was right after the first lockdown so I need to call them again.  I would be interested in knowing how much electricity certain appliances are using - but its not something I can see myself keeping track of long-term.  Just checked the account and we are apparently okay for gas (about £25 in credit), but as its not a smart meter we really won't know until we do the final meter reading of the year.  The electric is apparently £75 over - 'would we like to pay a lump sum?' - well no not really.  Lets just up the direct debit and pay it over the next 12 months - I know the direct debit will be going up quite a lot so no point taking £75 out of the savings.  Just added another item to the todo list - 'get a smart meter display for inside'.  We will be okay with the rises, not ideal but once its back to just the two of us in the house that should balance things out -  there'll just be fewer mortgage OPs and/or a bit less spending on food and other things.  

SandyShores

A lovely busy bee Saturday today.  Exercising, shopping, cleaning and cooking with DD.  Then a night in front of the tv with pudding.  More exercising tomorrow, a bit more cleaning upstairs, plan some meals, maybe a bit of work and a lot of relaxing.  Can't remember when I had such a productive, happy, relaxing weekend for a long long long long time.

Oh and I won the lottery too - only £3.50, but a win is a win

savingholmes

Sounds positive. I do want to clear my bill upfront if I can as don't want huge monthly bills later.

Good luck with the PJs

debtfreeoneday

Good lottery win. Every little is a bonus. 

SandyShores

Thanks @debtfreeoneday - its my wager plus £1

I know @savingholmes, that's definitely the way to go.  I'm getting a little relaxed about paying everything off at the moment. 

SandyShores

I'm feeling 'mid-month slump' money-wise - you know where last pay day is a distant memory, but there's no sign of the next one.  Been quiet posting in the week as we went and spent almost our whole emergency fund on some new furniture!  The good news is we put down a small deposit on the card - which isn't due for payment until March - and then the balance isn't due for another month again - so we haven't had to lay out any actual cash money yet.

Feels very extravagant, but this is furniture to last us, so although spending no longer comes naturally to me, I'm happy with the purchase.  Personally I would have held off a few more weeks, until the Covid returners had actually left, but DH is like a toddler needing a wee when it comes to spending money.  The good thing is this time around we are NOT spending what we DON'T have.

I've just been reading the MSE email about energy rises,  our gas/elec is likely to rise (at least £50 p/mth) in April and then another potential 20% in October according to Martin MSE.  We're in the fortunate position of it only affecting our savings at the moment thank goodness.  But, thinking back to our debt-filled days, I remember sitting at the kitchen table with tears at the absolute overwhelmingness of bills and the like.  Its horrible for people, and a good reminder for me to not lose sight of where we need to be.

Will be out exercising today, and I've got some work to finish off.  Then it will be relaxing in front of the TV tonight - lottery ticket purchased with last weeks winnings.  More exercising tomorrow and then I'll be painting my nails tomorrow evening - not exactly art but very relaxing and costs nothing as I've got a bag of polishes, removers and cotton pads.

savingholmes

Have fun with the nail polish. Hope you don't have to wait too long for the furniture and can replenish your EF quickly. It is lovely being able to buy cash 

SandyShores

Thanks @savingholmes, it does feel a little creative and relaxing too.  I love being able to buy with £££s - even better to delay paying out those ££s by using the card for a few weeks (I know the interest in the bank isn't great but it feels better).

I don't think I updated everyone on my i-phone battery change a few weeks ago too.  Its not the latest i-phone - around 5+ years old, but I managed to get the battery changed at the genius bar a few weeks ago for less that £50.  It may not be the most up-to-date but it does me just fine, and I'm hoping the battery will extend the life a few more years.