Climbing the Mortgage Mountain step by step

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Had a better day yesterday, still tired today but at least it's Friday.  As I didn't make the pasta bake on Wednesday that was due to feed us for two nights, I had a rummage in the freezer and found some nice sausages (YS 75p) and the last of the Christmas bubble n squeak so I served that with a couple of fried eggs each, it was yummy.  Tonight we are having fish n chips, OH's favourite treat to start the weekend.  I might make pizzas again on Saturday night as they were really lovely, if not it will be a chicken curry from stocks.  Sunday will be roast, we will just need some veggies to go with it and there will be enough for a pie on Monday.

I'm shocked at how much I dipped into my savings during January, however, having looked at my accounts I can see where it all went; £280 for my holiday, £115 for DDs Applecare, £140 car insurance paid in full and £65 for a wine deal which will give potentially 13 bottles of good wines to give as presents over the year; so at least it is all accounted for and budgeted for in some shape or form. 

February is set to be a frugal month apart from a weekend end away for Valentines which OH has booked, again all paid for, and we are really looking forward to some relaxing quality time, just the two of us.  March I have my holiday and a few family birthdays so need to keep to February's budget to build up funds for those.  Holiday wise I am going to a friend's timeshare for a girlie holiday, just to chill and relax, will take some of my toiletries stash for pampering sessions and buy some food and drinks for the apartment, I've dug out my old ereader to load up some books and don't need any new clothes as I already have plenty of summer gear so a holiday on a budget!  Travel insurance is bought and GHIC ordered.

have a good weekend

MvTMM

savingholmes

Sorry you had the work day from hell. Glad today was a bit better. Let's hope the weekend improves significantly for you.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Had a fairly relaxed weekend, despite being on call, DS and DGD paid a surprise visit.  We had our fish n chips on Friday and then DD and I had mussels in white wine on Saturday night with french stick, Sunday was a lovely big roast and I made my usual leftovers pie yesterday.

I had half a day off yesterday and met up with some friends for a late lunch and catch up.  Another half day today as OH and I have an appointment at the registry office to get our Marriage Licence

I must update my signature now as the mortgage has gone below £120k and my loan is now below £8k, always feels good to break through another barrier.

Have a great day 

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

I had a lovely afternoon on Tuesday with OH, went for some lunch and then got our Marriage Licences sorted at the local registry office so we are full steam ahead for June now.  OH had been to the GP for his MOT in the morning, as expected told to lose some weight and watch his sugar levels, we both want to lose weight before the wedding anyway so will work on improving our diet and increasing the amount of veggies etc we eat, oh and cut down on the snacking at night, that's the real issue!!  Because we had lunch out (half price deal at local pub) OH and I didn't need dinner on Tuesday so DD had some of the leftovers pie and the rest went in the freezer.  Last night she had a homemade pizza using up bits and bobs from the fridge and OH and I had aubergine dahl and mushroom curry with brown rice, both of which had been frozen leftovers from previous meals.

Savings etc all up to date, I think I've got about £100 in the 1p 365 challenge as I am not doing the days in order, I'm seeing what I have in my purse and trying to cross off some of the bigger numbers rather than leave them all til the end.  Toiletry use ups a bit slow at the moment so not much going in that pot and where have all of the £2 coins gone, I rarely get any these days?

I have some counselling sessions booked through work, it's due to a bereavement but I think I really need to off load a lot of other stuff that has happened over the last few years (Ex etc), I am in a really good place now but I think that is more by chance than anything and definitely due in a huge way to meeting OH.  I never really processed a lot of things, just put on my 'big girl pants' and got on with life for DD's sake.  It will be good to box everything off and have some closure before our wedding as I don't want to take any residual negativity into our marriage, I still have flashbacks and brace myself for an outburst (Ex's usual response to pretty much anything) and that's not fair on OH as he is not like that.  I'm a bit nervous as I have never had counselling before.

Anyway, have a great day all!

MvTMM

savingholmes

Good luck with the counselling. I would say - make sure you gel with the person as otherwise you'll struggle to share stuff. Don't be scared to try more than one (even if work are paying - they should be able to switch to someone else if needed). I have had counselling at various stages of my life - and when I have the right one it makes a huge difference. So much so I've been paying out of my own pocket for one since July but she's been really worth it.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

@savingholmes, thanks for the advice re the counselling.  I think it will be good for me, it should help draw a line and move on without all of that baggage!

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

I'm so glad it's Friday, I've had a short week really but so tired, I think I'm still catching up from being on call last week.

For dinner last night I made some ratatouille to use up a load of vegetables, courgette, aubergines, peppers etc, we had it on Jacket potatoes with a crumbling of Christmas stilton across the top, it was really lovely.  When DD asked what was for dinner I didn't give it a name, just said I was cooking some vegetables, in the past she's always maintained that she doesn't like ratatouille, despite eating it when little, last night she ate it all and said how nice it was, I replied so you DO like ratatouille then!  It just shows how our preconceived ideas hinder us!

We have another chilled weekend planned.  Friends are coming round for some drinks tonight so we will have our fish n chips before they arrive, it will be nice to have a catch-up.  OH and I are going away next Friday so I might pack my case this weekend, save doing it in the week, plus I really need to try on some of my dresses as I think they are going to be a bit snug!  Apart from that we have nothing planned.

Have a lovely weekend 

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Well best laid plans and all that, we cancelled the catch up with friends due to sickness, theirs not ours, so Friday night DD asked if we could have a kebab instead of fish n chips which we really enjoyed, our local place delivers and it is really good, not at all greasy, we all had a few drinks too so a nice relaxed evening.  Saturday we had DGD whilst DS went for a haircut and beard trim, she hadn't had breakfast so we had potato cakes, scrambled eggs and baked beans all from stores, Saturday night OH requested fajitas and the only thing we needed to buy was a packet of wraps.  Yesterday OH made a lovely cooked breakfast in bed and in the evening we had beef and stilton pies, triple cooked chips and veg, again all from stocks.  I'm going to make a big cottage pie tonight, got everything I need in the freezer, that will feed us for 2 nights.  

I did sort a bit of my wardrobe and started packing my case for the weekend but didn't get around to trying on my dresses, must do that tonight.  I need to dye my hair before we go away, I have the dye already, think I'll do it on Thursday night so that I have that lovely shiny just coloured look!  We have our 'mini bar' organised and will take a few nibbles with us, we are going to stop for a meal on the way down and I'm going to take tapas type things for in our room on Friday night and will make use of the cocktail bar.  We are hoping they still do breakfast in your room on Saturday and Sunday although with Covid that may have changed,  we have a table booked in the restaurant for Saturday night and will probably go to the cocktail bar again afterwards.  There is a spa and pool on site and lovely grounds and facilities, I'm really looking forward to it, it's 2 years since we last went and its the place where OH and I got together.

I sorted through my Next deliveries yesterday and sent loads back, most of the things I kept are for gifts (got landmark anniversaries, birthdays and births coming up) and a couple of things for DD when she heads to Uni.  I've bought a couple of nice wool jumpers but being really mindful of my clothing budget.  I only ever buy from the clearance section and find I can buy things for the same if not cheaper price than Primarni.

Have a good monday

MvTMM

savingholmes

All sounding very organised. Sorry the time with friends was cancelled.

I hate ratatouille - it's courgettes I can't stand... I like the rest of the sauce. 

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hi MvTMM,

Just read through your diary, you are doing so well! Good luck with the counselling, it can only help. I love the idea of your wedding ring, how sentimental and I bet it is beautiful! Best of luck!