The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Hello everyone.  Well today is my birthday.  I've not done anything very special as I've been to work, then sorted accounts out for AGM, then gone to AGM and had to do my yearly public speaking which I hate so much. Anyway it is all done and dusted for another year thankfully.  No one wanted to have the job of treasurer so I guess I will carry on for another year.

Yesterday my family members seemed to turn up one at a time and give me my card for today.  I've some money, a small pot for hair bobbles etc that I asked for and a set of saucepan / steamers again which I asked for.  A couple of bunches of flowers and some chocolates.  The money will go towards the understairs bathroom (still to decide on tiles even though I went looking this weekend).

We have put the heating on for an hour this evening once home as it is cold in the house. I have finally been able to get through to someone at my energy company  who after many attempts of explaining what I need, they have finally issued my account with a statement.  From 21 Nov to 2 Jan I used £71.21 (gas and electric) which includes the cold spell in Dec, I don't think that is too bad.  It is such a shame they closed my account and moved me to the new system as the old one was so much better and I could track the daily usage, and compare it to previous years.

We had our turkey crown for Sunday dinner and it was very nice.  I still have at least half of the joint left over in the fridge.  I need to either freeze it or use it in something tomorrow.  Maybe enchiladas.  Not sure yet.

Ok off to bed as we have visitors coming to inspect the school tomorrow.  Fingers crossed for us, as last time they were not very favourable!

slm6002

School inspection this morning and who knows how it is going but everyone is on their best behaviour.  I don't really see them but have been getting things ready for them.

This morning I cashed out another £10 from survey site and instantly swapped it for a voucher for my little stash.  I also got another bday card with some money in so a little more for my bathroom fund

slm6002

Inspectors came back for a second day so hopefully that is a positive sign.  Anyway I'm done for the day so can relax and we will just need to wait now for the results.  Fingers crossed please.

It was white when I woke up again this morning, although still no snow.  That car said -2 compared to -6 yesterday when we left for work.  It seemed just as cold.  I bought new gloves for DD2 and myself as ours have gone missing.  Hands were much warmer this morning thankfully.  The sun is now shining and its lovely.  My solar is generating and the battery is almost full - yay.  It doesn't happen as much in these  months so when it does it feels like a bonus.  No energy used from the grid today

I am out for my class tonight so will need to get dinner sorted before I go.  There is only a small window between picking up DD2 and then me going again.  It will be similar tomorrow too.  I'm going to see what is in the freezer and try to empty a little more.  I am aiming to clear one freezer by half term so that I can defrost it and transfer bits from the other freezer and then defrost that one, as they both need sorting.  By march one will need to live in the garage so we need to use more up and not buy replacements.

Jessy103

Belated birthday wishes 🎉🍰🍾

slm6002

Thank you Jessy103.

Another day at work done.  We ended up with pasta bake last night as a quick meal and still not sorted tonights dinner out as yet.  I need to sort it soon as tonight is my weak day for takeaway.

I have done a few more surveys and once agreed there will be another £6 or so on my account.  Would be nice to make £20 in the first month of the year, but we will have to see if there are any surveys going.

Solar batteries are powered up and washing machine is on.  DD2 tells me she only has 3 pairs of sock for school - I know she should have many more so tonight before club that is her job to find them.

Looking forward to snuggling up under duvet after club tonight.  Feeling tired today and its too cold to keep going out at night lol

slm6002

More surveys completed and as soon as the money has been agreed I have another £10 to cash out.  Today there have been several high paying ones rather than quick ones for a few pennies.

Burgers for dinner, half of us beef the other half chicken.  Will cook once home from club

slm6002

Last night I got reading a thread about how much money was needed once retired, and although I only touched on it, it got me thinking.  For the first time since XH left I actually thought about life further away than 6-12 months.  Most of the time it is today, this week, this month rather than life after the children have flown the nest.  What is even stranger is that it is much easier to imagine life on my own in old age, than it ever was as a couple in old age.  Anyway I got looking and I can imagine myself in a nice little 3 bed bungalow (currently a lovely one about to be built with solar panels) in the village that my Dad currently lives.  A decent garden with fruit trees and a small veg area. It is a large village and has so many things to do.  Lots of shops, a cafe, a pub, a vets, a hairdressers, a library, a travel agents, a few takeaways, the list goes on.  Just a lovely village with lots going on and great community spirit.  In my head I could see me there in my little house, with my little electric car rather than huge car I need to lug 3 teens around in lol.  Probably a dream but you never know and there is nothing wrong in dreaming. If nothing else it helps to focus on saving for retirement if I know what I am aiming for.

OK back to today.  Chicken and sauce has been in the slow cooker all morning.  Turned it off as it was done at lunchtime.  Will reheat and add noodles shortly.  I have also been doing more surveys.  At this rate I could easily make £30 this month, even if it has not all cleared by the end of the month. £22 ish so far.

Got the cats in early and closed all doors and curtains early and treating the house to some heat this evening.  It's been a long busy week.  I may see if I can find a good film to watch after dinner.  If not it will be the radio and more reading on here.

I am off to the DIY shop to meet my Dad tomorrow (I have a discount code) after dropping DD1 off at work.  I have written a few bits down that I would like to get.  Need to remember where the tape measure is first so I can get the right sized things.

Ok off now to reload the washing machine, so that while the heating is on we get the most out of it  

slm6002

With the theme of today being looking forward to my retirement, I have a look on the gov website and it says I am only 2 years away from reaching my NI contributions for state pension.  Who knows if it will even exist when I get there but it is nice to know I am fully paid up almost and not missed out on any years (fully paid for 30 years so far).  It is a good job as I have only recently received a work pension so that figure is very low.
I also think that the benefits I receive will stop in 6 years at the most as all children will be adults.  All money from XH and child benefit will stop then too.  I will hopefully however be able to increase my hours and maybe if the children are still living here they can contribute something from their own wages?  Who knows what will be.  Am determined to get the house repaired / refitted before then so it only takes upkeep of house rather than any major jobs

LeighofMar

Your village for retirement sounds heavenly and a nice dream to work towards. For fun sometimes I look at townhomes in different cities I may like to retire to. Dreaming is free. 

Good on you for getting your house done now to avoid higher repair costs down the road. I'm of the same mindset. While I'm here in this house, I want to get everything major done now so I don't have to worry about it as I get older. 

slm6002

Thank you @LeighofMar I really do like the village and as you say it costs nothing to dream. 

I am really concerned about when the children reach 18 as the difference in income really is huge.  My income will be reduced to a third of what we are on now, and this will cover bills, food and petrol and maybe £50 extra for savings or fun spending.  I would not be able to afford to fill my savings pots.  This is obviously based on figures now and assuming wages and bills rise at the same rate.  I plan to stick to doing up the house, but wondering if I can finish it all in the next 6-7 years.  To do this I will need to save more money that I do currently so its time to be even tougher with not spending.  Because we have money I have been a little more relaxed than perhaps I should be.   I need to practice for not having much.  DD1 turns 18 this year so before long it will be reduced by its first amount so bit by bit it will get tougher to save.  I have a bathroom, a kitchen and a garden fence / gate to sort.

Ok so today I have been catching up on the washing, cleaning.  We made pizza for dinner which is one of our favourites.  I met my dad in DIY shop.  I helped him with the discount code and at the same time bought a new pole for the door curtain so that it will allow the curtain to reach the entire way to the wall.  Hopefully this will help with the draft as it really is cold in the hallway.  I also bought some wood so I can add an extra shelf to a kitchen cupboard to help with finding space for the extra bits from under the stairs.  Dad is going to cut it to size.  All was from the budget and had been planned for a while.

Typically there have been very few surveys today after I mentioned there had been lots yesterday lol.  I am sure I can still make £30 by the end of the month which will be a good start to the vouchers for Christmas