The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Yay day 1 back to school done.  Got lots done but forgot about 1 thing until almost too late, so will need to start that again first thing.  Not much on my to do list yet though - no doubt that will soon change.  Just seen text saying that DS has also arrived home so should walk through the door any minute.  Waiting for the next torrential rain as it has got very dark again.

Got home and booked both mine and DD1's car MOTs.  Hopefully they will both pass but if not, both have a few days to get sorted before they become unusable.  It is only at the garage across the road so nice and easy to get to.

Got band later so need to work out what is for dinner and get that cooking early so DD2 has time to eat before she goes.  I need to nip to the shops to get the cat food as forgot it yesterday.  I even thought what am I missing, while staring at the pet food aisle!  Oh well I will try again.

slm6002

Only a short day for me today as work all caught up with.  I know at some point soon it is all going to suddenly appear but for now I will enjoy the quiet days at work.

I totally forgot about it being my first pay day (benefits).  I have just shuffled the money around into the correct pots and will update signature as that is another £50 off the debts. Topped up the vets a little more as it was used this month, and made personal spends pot up to £200 as slightly less needed.  I haven't spent any of it recently so think that is plenty to have there for now.  Maybe I should look for some craft workshops, as that is what I used to spend it on.

Remembered to get the mince out of the freezer this morning for tonights dinner - not sure if it will be burritos or spag bolognaise, but all ingredients are there and ready.

Washing machine and dishwasher both running.  The sun is out (at the moment) so hopefully partly free electric.  I am looking forward to the solar starting to generate more as summer gets closer.

slm6002

Just received my gas and electricity bill for the past 3 months,  £213 in total (£7 less than the same bill last year) and still leaves me around £300 in credit on the account.  I don't think it is that bad for 3 winter months, although we were without heating for a good amount of  time over Christmas.  There is no mention of reducing the monthly amount, although I do have it set slightly higher so I can put the heating on when it is needed and not worry.

Looking at the tariffs I have just changed over to Octopus as they are who I sell my spare solar to, and their rates were better than the current one I'm on.  Once I get the balance back from BG, I will forward it to the new account so I can still have a buffer to fall back on.

Been looking at how to make the most of our kitchen this afternoon.  It is probably the next major DIY project, unless something is needed for the parking situation.  Been looking at the sales and trying to imagine what would look nice, and how I overcome so many corner cupboards.  Like the bathroom I need something that will last over many years and not go out of style in 5 years time.  I will need lots of clever storage and all for a decent price.  

debtfreewannabe321

I've done three kitchens in the last few years and I found Pinterest invaluable for ideas! I put the size in and let it inspire me. One of the kitchens was only 6ftx9ft but it was lovely when we were done. Although I did find space in a cupboard to make it into my pantry and space for the TD (albeit we had to come out the kitchen, through the living room and out into the front hall to get to it but it was a tiny house so I was still grateful haha). One kitchen we did was also bought on fleabay ....that was the largest kitchen and we managed to get a beautiful real hard wood kitchen for £300 in great condition that fitted with a few cupboards to spare ( cooker and hob included too!). So depending on the size you could do it up in a number of ways I love the planning stage!

slm6002

I think I am a bit overwhelmed and not really sure where to start.  I've never designed a kitchen before.  I know some of the things that I would like but it's fitting it all together in the right places so that it looks good and not crammed in.  I'd like to move some things but I'm aware it is a large chunk of money that will be spent so I don't want to get it wrong. 

dawnybabes

When I did my kitchen I visited a few showrooms with measurements and let them show me what they’d do then I took the bits I liked from each and put it together 

LadyWithAPlan

How exciting planning a kitchen 

great news re the cat only having a cyst 

all sounds very focused on your diary and good on your utility spend 

debtfreewannabe321

We did the same as dawny too! And then we put it together. My friend who's not very good at diy also did the same then bought it from the one she liked best but got a local guy to fit it which was cheaper than the one who worked for the kitchen company. So lots of options.

joedenise

I was going to suggest going to a few different places to get their designs.  Have to say we didn't actually use any of the designs in the end as I'd told them I didn't want wall cupboards (I've got a decent size kitchen and doesn't include white goods which are in a utility area).  My main food cupboard is a large corner larder cupboard which needed 1m x 1 m floor space.  I chose drawer units rather than cupboard which I've found much easier to organise.  The only cupboards are the ones under the sink and one for the water softener which is needed as we live in a very hard water area.

slm6002

I like the idea of drawers but with 3 corner cupboards in quite a small space I am not sure that will work.  I also  like the suggestion of getting people to draw up their designs for me and pick what I like from them.  Will get onto that this afternoon as I think I am having a half day today.  Got monthly meeting with manager today but they are more of a catch up that anything too serious, just to make sure I'm coping