The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Well this agent had a broad valuation covering 30k from lowest to highest bid.  The highest value though was much more what I was expecting.  It would still be cutting things fine.  She was very aware of the builder who owns the road out the back of the house.

I am enjoying the clean and tidy house though, with all the clutter gone from the house.  I really need to work on the bits that I have 'hidden' but will wait until the weekend for that.

I'm off to bed shortly as its been a long day

slm6002

I've been encouraged to take my afternoons back at work while it is slightly quieter, so am enjoying an afternoon at home.  Last valuation in about an hour,  I need to quickly make DD2's bed as we rushed out of the house this morning, and then a quick wipe down of kitchen surfaces as the kids have made lunch since.  DD1 is in her room and DS in his.  Both have been instructed to make them look clean and tidy - not much needing to be done, as surprisingly it has stayed nice.

No money spent so far today and no plans to do so either as not heading outside for the rest of the day.  Once the agent has gone I will be making enchiladas or shepherds pie.  Not sure which as yet.  

Jessy103

So what are you thinking from the valuations so far, slm? I know you said about staying and enjoying it now that you have made it how you want it, but are you thinking of putting it on the market and seeing what sort of response you get? 

slm6002

Well the last and final valuation was similar to yesterdays and is slightly higher than the first 2.  I am still not completely sure the figures will work, as it is lower than my original guestimate and the fact stamp duty is going up likely before I could sign the paperwork.  I wonder if I pop it on at the highest price and see what happens.  Give it a few months and if nothing happens then I haven't lost anything.  There are very few suitable houses to move on to though.

I then wonder if I just stay and enjoy not having a mortgage and looking at other options for parking.  It doesn't look like DD1 will be going to uni, so her next option is to save and move out.  In fact she is currently sending me rental properties in the area.  Maybe we struggle / figure out the parking until then?  I can save, do up the kitchen, garage doors and windows and maybe the drop curb if it comes to it.  If I move the funds for doing the house up will be reduced.

Sensible head says stay put and save the money and not struggle any more with money.  Heart wants out of here.

Jessy103

No harm in popping it on the market and seeing what happens 🙂

slm6002

Thank you Jessy.  I have thought long and hard and really not much point as to be comfortable with the mortgage payments and to be able to afford the new stamp duty that is increasing, we would need above asking price which is not going to happen.  Not ideal but sensible head has won.  Providing we don't leave the house it is lovely - kitchen almost and will be when redone.  It is only when we go outside and see neighbours or builders lol.  Now I need to ring round the agents and break the news.

I also want to call the debt people about my benefits repayments to get the bank details for over payments.  The sooner that debt is gone the better.

DD2 is home from school today feeling grotty with a cold.  She seems better than this morning so will get her to complete some of the homework set so at least it isn't a completely wasted day.  No clubs afterschool though.  DS and I still need to go and run the one club - 2 new players this week too.

As I never managed an online shop the other day I am trying to do one for tomorrow.  We still have some bits left but I may not get the time after today.

With all of the house move visits etc my mind has been focused on other things.  I hadn't registered that there is only a week and 1 day left of this term.  Time is flying by

slm6002

Last day of the week at work - it has flown by but might be the fact that I've only done half days this week.  I don't think next week will be early finishes as normally quite busy on the last week of term.

Taking my porridge to work has been working really well.  The batch that I made up has lasted really well.  I will be making more that is for sure.  Cheap and fills me up for the morning.  Not once this week has my tummy rumbled, and I could have easily missed lunch.  That is unheard of for me.

Food shop will arrive this evening.  Not sure we have much planned for this weekend.  Some bits need to come back into the house from the garage and will give the house a quick clean round to keep it looking nice.  

Right time to get DD2 out the door and to school.

slm6002

The working week is done and as expected the work has started to pick up again,  so next week I will be taking my lunches with me as I expect to do full days.

It looks so gloomy outside and I wouldn't be surprised if it rains or we have the wintery showers they keep mentioning.  DD2 is keen to walk home but I will keep phone nearby as I expect she may change her mind.  I reminded her to bring her coat home from her locker as she will need it over the weekend if we go anywhere.  I don't think we have any plans but you never know.

Just finished telling all the agents that we wont be going on the market.  Plan B now to be worked on, when I figure out what plan B is.

slm6002

I have that niggly feeling that I am supposed to be somewhere today / this morning and that I needed to be up and awake early.  Nothing is in the calendar so I don't think I need to be anywhere but just have that feeling.

DD2 is off to town with her friend shopping.  She has a list of things to get but is terrible for bargains in charity shops.  She comes home with items that really do not fit or work with her shape.  She is aware of this but it still happens, so who knows what she will come home with.

DD1 had her uni interview yesterday.  This is the one that is about an hour away, so not really suitable for traveling to each day.  She isn't keen as she doesn't want to move away because of BF, but if she gets an offer I think she realises that she needs to take it.  No idea how we will afford it but she is desperate for the job and the only way to get in is with the uni course.  There are a lot of people so limited chance to get an offer but she thinks it went well.

DD1 also heard some good news, that from next week she is working 8-8 rather than 12-12 and will no longer be with the younger girl.  While fun and I expect is a good laugh on a night out, she is no good to work with and it has been quite stressful / scary for DD1 over the past few weeks with her.  Hopefully the shift change will allow her to see people outside of work and get a little bit of life back.

I am meeting up with some work people to have a coffee and a chat away from work later today which will be nice.  Not sure how many will appear but will have done my bit as I am on the committee for that organises it.  Plenty of money in my treats pot as I haven't spent anything for ages really.

The other day I got the details for how to overpay my debt.  I will be making an over payment in the next week or so, once I know for sure how much I have in my current account.  I don't want to do it quite yet, just in case anything goes wrong between now and then.  My aim is to get the debt gone asap.

I have done a few surveys over the last few days and am up to £18 and a few pence.  I tend to cash out at £20 and then turn it into a voucher for Christmas.

Right I better go and get dressed , put some washing on and have a quick clear up before everyone else starts getting going.

slm6002

Another cold day here at home.  I've just added another layer on so will hopefully warm up soon.  Also had some soup for lunch so that will help.

Dropped DS off at work, then filled up the car as the light had been on for a few days.  Stopped off at lidl on the way home to buy pepperoni as it is national pizza day today, so that is our dinner sorted.  My next stop was the library to return some books and puzzles at the same time as collecting another book that I had ordered in.  Then off to b&m to pick up some cat toys and a bed for them.  The girl cat has been caught twice this week spraying in the hall and landing.  After some reading it is probably stress related so some catnip and cosy spaces where she can hide and feel safe has been bought.  Hopefully this will help as I really do not want to have to keep clearing this up as well as I would like happy cats.  I have taken this money from the cat vet pot.

Also been speaking to DS's driving instructor this morning.  DS just isn't getting it. and finding it very hard to multitask.  This has always been a problem of his but eventually we get there if he is keen to master it.  The problem is that he is not keen and doesn't seem to feel the need to carry on.  He has no intention on getting a car  so what is the point.  Not sure if it's worth carrying on now when not keen or wait until he feels he would like to learn.  Will it reduce his job chances if he hasn't passed?  Now that he has experienced the bus to college and worked out the trains around here, this is sufficient for him and he doesn't socialise with friends out of college so has no need to go see them.  His gym is the next road along.  I just feel it is normal for teens to learn, but then DS is far from normal lol.  Might as well save the money until it is needed.

I need to get the washing going and the pizza dough sorted for tonight.  The bread maker is still in the garage as we needed clean work surfaces for the valuations.  Will dig it out next. I also need to make some more porridge mix up ready for this week at work.  The fridge is overflowing so it should be easy enough to keep fed this week.

Must get off the sofa as I am starting to snooze