The Best Is Yet To Come

FtbDreaming

Ooh will the internal bathroom work out cheaper than the extension then? At least it’s good news and you don’t have to wind the neighbours up. I hope the builder for the bedroom gets back o you this week. The power is in their hands at the minute isn’t it as all trades are so busy xxx

slm6002

Yes as much as i am keen to get the rooms done i am very aware that they are so busy so dont hassle him too much.  Although I havent had quotes yet for the extension from what i have read and the guestimate when we looked at adding a single story kitchen extension (neighbour would have had a fit at that point lol) it will be much cheaper.  I got the impression it would be around 10k at least but don't know for sure.  Under stairs bathroom we were quoted 2k ish but it was back a year and a bit ago.  I expect prices have gone up a little.  It would mean I could possibly stretch to doing the solar panels as well but would need extra storage somewhere as 2 cupboards going

slm6002

OK the car came to £486 so quite a bit better than originally thought.  Only problem is it still needs work, and is booked in for 19th Nov.  I am a bit worried about how long away that is as i've looked it up and the belt could go at any time and would cause a lot more damage.  I am hoping they have given me that day as they think it needs replacing but not that bad that it didn't need to be done today.  I would have been happy to leave it with them until tomorrow if all done at once.  Anyway will minimise the trips out until then i guess.  She did say it wont cost that much but will get back to me with a price.  Good job i have been saving up ready for all of these bills.  Will soon be just emergency fund to fall back on

slm6002

Payday today and they have given the tax back that they took in error so an extra £200+ back on top of normal wages (still waiting to see what that actually is).  Will transfer money into pots and then will need to be careful with this months spending money as it seems to just be ripping through my fingers currently 

slm6002

Happy Halloween to you all.  Kids sweet containers sitting on fire place ready to be handed out.  It's miserable weather here today so glad we are not planning on going anywhere.  Today will be watching films eating sweets and tidying up a bit plus a philosophy project my DS should have started earlier in the holidays (I did nag and say not to leave the 2 projects until this weekend - yesterday we did history!).  Their school have done so little homework that he has no idea where to start on a project.  His attempt was a power point with quotes he had been given and a few sentences.  Told him that did not take 4 hours and to try again (with me guiding and asking questions to prompt thoughts).  History finished after several hours and I think he was secretly pleased with it.
I have been trying to sort my bedroom as bed is currently pushed against one wall.  I hate not being able to get out both sides of the bed.  If the bed is turned the other way round there is about 40cm gap to walk though.  I didn't like this as i was side stepping past the end of the bed to get through.  I have considered getting a double rather than the king sized bed that i have but that only gives me an extra 10cm in theory.  Seems a lot of money unless I find one on freecycle to spend for an extra 10cm. I also need to replace the wardrobe which will be happening when the children get theirs to save on delivery.  The one I would like I need to see if it will fit if room is rejigged, because with the current layout of the room it wont.  I recently bought a large cube unit but I may have to resell and buy some smaller ones.  I've spent so long sorting the kids rooms and ignored my own that now its getting time to order bits I'm not sure what to do.

slm6002

A lazyish but enjoyable day has been had.  Homework has been completed and the only thing to get ready for tomorrow are the PE kits.  We have watched films and eaten sweets.  Our friend has also been round for a chat after suffering with a cold all week.  She bought us all some Halloween goodies to enjoy - she is such a lovely person and is one of the few real life friends that has helped me through the past few years.
Back to normal tomorrow - my main focus after work this week and at the weekend after getting house ready for renovations just incase it starts soon, will be seeing what I have and what else I need for Christmas.  I feel very behind this year.  Money is all allocated to each person, I just need to work out what to get everyone

slm6002

Happy November.  Back to work yesterday and after an hour or so I was back into the swing of things.  The children were their usual selves and teachers were already looking forward to the end of term.

Yesterday I signed up for the councils scheme for discounted solar panels.  I have always thought that they were a good idea and with the discounted prices I thought it was now or never.  They need to survey my roof but if all goes well i will have solar panels by the end of April 2022.  It may be as soon as this month but we will wait and see.  I may not save a fortune and get my money back very quickly but with the world turning greener and the probability we will need to have an electric car before too long, I hope it will work out well.  I have gone for a battery so any energy not used will be stored.  Once the battery is full and ready for night time, any extra will be sold to the power companies.  I need to look into this side of it to see which is the best company to go through.  I will need to postpone the downstairs toilet but as the wait for a builder is due to be quite long I though hey why not. 

I remembered (after last nights frost) to put the winter cover over the outside tap today after work, as well as taking in the rest of the bits in the back garden that didn't need to be left outside.  The hedge could use a trim before winter fully arrives so maybe a job for the weekend. 

slm6002

I'm glad I sorted the garden tap out yesterday as this mornings frost was even worse.
I heard from the garage about the few bits left to sort on the car. One bit is £114 but the other part if £660.  As the cheaper part is the most urgent I will get this done, but will need to budget for the next little while to get the more expensive but less urgent part done.  Its worn but not broken so ok to leave for now.
I needed to pop into the supermarket for a few bits and DD1 came with me.  She noticed that the meat had security tags on and I told her it was because it was an expensive item and people might try to nick it.  She looked at the price and the penny dropped.  She had no idea meat (beef) cost so much.  Since she has started working her money awareness is much better.  She noticed potatoes where cheap in comparison.  My reply was why do you think we eat so many.

slm6002

The heating is on.  It got to the point where house started to feel damp so had it on for just over an hour.  It's comfortable now so worth it.
I'm not used to these dark nights and I feel that I am ready for bed by about 7pm but then the children tell me I have many more hours to go.  Off for shower and then bed very soon I think.
Met with a friend today and she cooked me lunch while we put the world to rights.  It was lovely and money saving, as we would normally go out and buy lunch at the local cafe.  Now I have allocated my savings to several building projects I need to take care of the day to day money as I wont have savings to fall back on.  Still no news on a start date for either project as yet but you never know what might happen tomorrow

slm6002

Well it's a daddy day today so I have the house to myself for a few hours.  I need to look at Christmas bits that I have and work out what else is needed (quite a bit I think).  It is DD2's bday on Tuesday so she is supposed to be being treated today.  She wanted to go ice skating and then to the waffle place for lunch.  Daddy agreed 2 weeks ago, but from the text I just got he forgot to book it.  It would appear he forgets a lot of things to do with his own children at the moment, but finds time to remember his other family (woman he left us for and her kids).  DD1 is noticing it too (I very rarely say anything to her as I don't want my feelings to get in the way of their relationship, but she is not stupid and can see what I think).  She refused to speak to him this week as he has planned to spend fireworks night out with them and was making a big fuss about it.  She feels as if she has been replaced.  We decided not to go to our local display as it was raining and windy and only 2 of us wanted to go.  It is one of the only family things that we did that he actually joined us for.  Kind of wished we had gone now just to prove we don't need him with us. I am keeping an eye on her as can see this feeling growing.  He is losing her for sure and unfortunately for him buying her gifts etc wont work much longer.  His loss.

Dinner is in the slow cooker and washing machine on, i'm working my way through the piles of washing.  Don't think I need to go out today so hopefully it will mean no money is spent today, although online shopping may happen for xmas bits