Tightening the belts for unpaid leave

Blackcats

Flat sale is sounding far more positive.  That will really be a great step forward!  

You can re-set your spending after Easter - don't pile too much stress on yourself at the moment.    Just at the moment you can enjoy your Easter and budget again in a couple of days.  

Sarahwithlove

It's stressful house sales but at least the end is in sight. The right place for you will turn up and you're be in a great position in terms of chain etc so don't pressure yourself to make a decision on something you don't like. But it is good to look round odd house just to keep yourself in the minds of estate agents and then you can tell them what you do or don't like about places as well 

[Deleted User]

Had an ok easter weekend.  Back to reality now.  Told we are exchanging today but will believe it only when it happens!  But there now doesn't appear to be any reason why we can't - unless the solicitors just don't get their backsides in gear.  So waiting to hear.

Nothing new on housing front - the one we walked past at weekend is a no I think.  Hoping some more will come on this week.  Saw a friend yesterday and they bought last year in a not great location but 3 acre plot (which is lovely) and are planning to build a house from scratch if they get planning (and knock down current house) - interestingly they had similar budget to us and found it depressing that you just can't get what you want for your money these days, whereas 5 years ago.....

Not up to much today as weather not great.  DC1 at nursery, DC2 to doctors this arvo.  Veggie stuff for dinner from stores.  DC2 really needs to sleep but just will not.  He's also now waking in the night (145 this morning) and then again at 530 and taking bottles both times.  Which is unusual.  I think we might have to start weaning him, as maybe milk is no longer enough.  I will ask doctor today as we are seeing the baby doctor.

[Deleted User]

DC1 been sent home from nursery (help!) with suspected hand, foot and mouth.  So have changed DC2's appointment so DC1 can have it.  Hoping and wishing it is not as nursery is such a lifesaver for me as on own with both of them otherwise as DH back at work.  Have re-booked DC2 in for thursday.

joedenise

@[Deleted User] if DC2 keeps waking during the night it could be thirst rather than hunger; my eldest used to regularly wake in the night.  My health visitor suggested giving her a bottle of water first as it was possibly thirst and if she still. wouldn't settle then to offer milk.  It definitely helped as after about 5 nights of water she no longer woke in the night on a regular basis.  Certainly worth a try.

[Deleted User]

Thanks @joedenise might try that one

So, we finally exchanged yesterday!!!  I do have to pay for the indemnity policy at £225 and because they have delayed I am now having to have the electric safety check done tomorrow at a cost of £180, but both are tax deductible, and if there is anything which needs doing I won't have to pay for it because we are completing next Tuesday so it then becomes the buyer's issue (and only if the tenant stays past 28th when she said she's leaving).  SUCH a relief to finally exchange as it is 99.9% likely to complete now, otherwise we get to keep the 10% deposit.

Yesterday wasn't a NSD but only £2.10 for some tablets I needed so not too bad.

Today will need to be a spending day as have to send the TR1 by recorded delivery and then get some milk and poss diet coke and cat litter.  But shouldn't be too bad.  Don't yet know if DH has been spending from his own current account (they take turns at work to buy rounds of coffees from a coffee van) but, we have less than 2 weeks until next monthly budget starts and still a fair amount in the kitty.  That said, I have to get decent wine to go to my friend's on friday (the one I was meant to go to last week but couldn't due to a cold) and DH is on about going to his mum's on friday night and treating her to fish and chips even though he has a ready meal in the freezer.  DH is also out next friday with his friends so that might be £££.  And there are 2 more "big shops" to do.

So, apart from going to Post Office to send the TR1, I am stuck at home today with both DC.  Which is tough at times (but also lovely at times too).  Hoping for another early night and we have done 3 nights with no alcohol now which is really good.  Going to try to hold out with the not drinking until friday.

Blackcats

Hooray!  So pleased for you.  I skipped to your last post to see if you had exchanged and I'm delighted for you 🥳

enthusiasticsaver

Glad you have finally exchanged on your London flat. Buying and selling property is so stressful which is why we haven't moved in more than 30 years 🤣🤣. Hope you find somewhere to move to soon. 

[Deleted User]

@Blackcats thank you!!!  It is honestly such a relief.  Just got to hang in there until Tuesday now when we complete and it's bye bye flat!

So, post office was £8.70 including envelope but it is tax deductible so that's fine.  Then £11.30 in WR on cat litter, diet coke, milk x2, and I may have also sneaked some chocolate and sweets in there.....

Today I am taking DC out for a walk on my own in the double buggy for the first time.  DH brought it up to the flat to show me how it works and check DC2 is ok in it as he is under 6 months but he's almost 6 months now and is a big chunk so whilst he's not lying completely flat, I'm not concerned by the very slight tilt.  Going to go to our wine man to get a couple of naice bottles to go to friend's with tomorrow night so not a NSD, but friend is paying for chinese and always spoils me so feel I ought to get "decent" bottles (as he is also a bit of a wine snob!).  Buggy now back down at bottom of stairs so will leave DC2 in car seat at top of stairs and take DC1 down and get him strapped in, then pop back for DC2 and the reverse on the way up (though DH might come home for lunch at that time if I time it right which would be easier!).

We had a very rough night as DC1 kept waking screaming.  We think it's because he doesn't know how to pull his duvet back onto him so wakes up cold and then screaming.  So we have been awake mainly since 330am.  Also not helped by having a couple of drinks last night (we did 3 days but caved last night - though will have tonight booze free).

Don't think we need anything else today though might order DC1 another duvet and duvet set as of course, didn't factor in what happens if he wets or soils it and we don't have spare!  So might have to do that.  But at least DC2 will get use out of it later on, so will be used lots!

DC2 to doctors at 430 just to get a couple of things checked out.  Also need to sweep kitchen and hall floors and clean surfaces, put away clean laundry and get some more on! 

Oh and DC2 has rolled over for the first time!  SO cute!!!!

Buffythedebtslayer

Really pleased to read the flat sale is cracking on. YAY! 

Good luck with the double buggy! XXXXXX