The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Been shopping for food for the week - obviously didn't follow my list as spent too much.  Mainly using vouchers but some actual money.  I did find some bits that i had been looking for for weeks so crumbled and purchased them even though probably not completely necessary.  I really need to get to grips with food shopping as that's where my budget fails more often than not, plus with food prices going up i really need to find recipes that the kids will eat based on cheap ingredients.  I did however get everything for DS bday meal for tomorrow apart from a baguette which i will get tomorrow.  Boiler service is tomorrow so need to clean the kitchen by 10am tomorrow.  I also have a committee meeting in the evening so the whole house will need doing by them.  Cant wait to have bathroom downstairs so only lower half needs tidying lol

Kitten868

Food shopping is definitely the biggest challenge. My bill never seems to get smaller, only grows. I tried to pad out a chilli with loads of different beans like I like but the kids pick them all out. Plus it'll be from a spag bol the previous night that dh would have had seconds of so its not quite enough. Can't win xxx

slm6002

Well my lovely kind neighbours that are like grandparents to the kids have put in objections about every single detail of the extension.  No wonder they have been keeping out of sight. They begged us not to move and do up the house instead, but now that we are they are not liking it.  Im wondering if my architect that is handling the extension paperwork can put in a response answering her questions.  They even mentioned the fence and talked about it being on their land when in fact it is on mine.  Just wonder who looks at it and decides

slm6002

OK I have emailed the building regulations dept at the council to get a definite answer about under stairs bathroom leading directly into living room.  We scrapped the idea as a builder told us it was illegal and although he would build it for us when it came to selling it would need to be removed.  Having had previous builders come and say this was ok i am now double checking its not allowed (probably should have done it before spending money on an architect and application for planning, but lesson learnt).  It would be cheaper than an extension, but will wait for the response before looking any further.  I would probably be able to go ahead with solar panels as well as the toilet then.  It would also keep the neighbours happy maybe.

joedenise

Good idea to contact the council to get a definitive answer.  I don't think it's illegal but more to do with having to make sure the door is shut, even when not in use as no one wants to be looking into the bathroom from the living room while they're sitting there watching TV, enjoying a glass of wine etc etc!

slm6002

I agree its not ideal but cost / building wise much easier.  The builder used the words illegal in earshot of my uncle who does everything to the book so we ruled it out after that builder went.  There is a further 60cm worth of space we could nick from the living room due to its shape.  I wonder if we put in a second wall to make a very very thin extra room, whether that would allow it to happen.  Can keen our shoes in there maybe.  Would need sliding doors for this to happen

joedenise

That sounds a good idea and wouldn't take too much off the living room but also give you 2 doors between living room and bathroom.  I know that's what's necessary with a kitchen (or it used to be, don't know if things have changed).

slm6002

Yes the cupboards being converted could either open in the kitchen or in the living room.  Because I already knew about the double doors for the kitchen we knew it wouldn't work so went towards the living room instead.  Still waiting to hear back on regulations.  Next door are still hiding compared to normally being just around every corner lol.
Watched the budget and in theory I may get a few more pounds in benefits soon.  I don't drink so wont worry about that, but maybe some change on the petrol costs, we will see.
Dentist for the kids today done, and because we don't visit that town very often I discovered a lot of shops that I've not seen before.  I need to go without the children, that is for sure.
I also discovered a charity shop where you pay £1 to fill up a bag with food that has been donated from supermarkets as its either close to its use by date, or multipacks that can no longer be sold, or packaging damaged slightly.  They only ask for the donation to keep the building running and fuel for collections.  They obviously have different items each time but their aim is to keep lots of useful food out of landfill while keeping people fed.  We were all impressed and the kids enjoyed filling the bag with bits I might normally say no to.

slm6002

The car is at the garage today and already I have had a call from them with a list of bits that they need to do.  I was going for the full service as it has not had one since I bought it and with XH no longer here to keep things up to date I have no idea.  It was clonking during the summer and when I took it in they couldn't find anything.  About 2 weeks ago there was a really big clonk and then I haven't heard anything since.  They think they have now spotted the issue so I was obviously not imagining it (not that that is what they suggested and in fact they were very good and didn't charge me for looking at it for over half and hour).  Anyway its looking like its going to be £600 ish.  I have most of the money in my car pot and I will have to rejig a few other pots.  Looks like I wont be putting much into savings this month though.
As we aren't going anywhere today the kids are catching up and getting on with homework - well I am trying to get them working rather than spending time on the computer.  I am hoping to have all projects completed by tonight

slm6002

Had some good news from the architect.  I asked him about the under stairs toilet and he has checked with the official people and it is allowed.  No double door needed if going into the living room.  Admittedly not the ideal situation if we are all watching tv but looks like I need to work with what we have.  Only conditions are i need to have a basin for washing hands (well yes) and an extractor fan leading to outside that turns on with the light and stays on for 15 min after the light is turned off.  All these things were planned for by the builders that came round before.  I wish I had checked myself.  Never mind.  Will need to go back and get actual quotes and find a builder who has space in the next 2 years lol.  I heard back from the bedroom builder and he apologised he had not gotten back to me but things were manic at the moment.  He did again promise a date by the end of this week though - will wait and see