Pay for the future and not the past

MissRikkiC

Tiredness strikes again today and I’m in a bad mood as a result. 

I’ve got a busy week after today and so really need to find some motivation but struggling to find my mojo. 

It still surprises me how much I struggle these days vs before to find my drive but try to remember that most of my umph goes into protecting the children from my grumps rather than actually turning it around. 

I noticed yesterday that the fridge was a little bear except for potatoes, olio shallots and a garden cucumber. I also realised that the entire top draw of the dishwasher was just Tupperware so makes sense that we’d used up all remaining leftovers which is a good sign. 

Nursery costs have been really high this month and last so I am really looking forward to Julys pay and it not being swallowed up by costs. My daughters free hours come in to play also from end of Augusts pay for September so that should see the first payment to the credit card instead of to the nursery. I had an expectation that we would use some of the surplus money from Julys pay to pay a big chunk off the CC too however it’s all dependent on how much the utility costs. 

It’s my best mate who does the work for us and whilst he’d give up any weekend to work on our house if I asked, I don’t want to. As a result he’s not really had the time to squeeze us in as it’s likely 2 days work so instead I’ve offered to pay his daily rate and instead book him in so that the work can be done. I don’t think it will cost me his daily rate but what I save on that will be swallowed up by the additional cost for the units etc that we need. He managed to save a couple of expensive panels from another job he was on but as a result means we need to get the rest of the units from the manufacturer of the panels which are more expensive than the likes of bee and Que for example. 

The work is scheduled for July prior to the children being off which means in the next 3 weeks it will be done and I’ll have a fancy looking utility room. 

A learning from having designed the kitchen from scratch is that next time I’ll not have the washer and dryer in the kitchen and instead will ensure it’s considered for somewhere else. It’s been really frustrating having washing all over the kitchen all year so shall not make the same mistake again. 

I hope that of what we can save in July, the utility will cost less than all of it 😂 and the rest can go to the credit card. I’m hoping for a couple of hundred but I’d originally planned to throw £500 at the CC so we shall have to see. 

MissRikkiC

Feeling better today and less tired, i think achieved by going to bed earlier rather than having any better sleep!

We got the quote in from the expensive kitchen manufacturer, who we have the panels from and needless to say, we wont be able to use the freebie panels we got! The quote overall was more than i was even able to put aside this month and wouldnt have covered me paying for the labour so its a no. I have now priced up the units etc from Bee&Que and think its likely to cost approx £600 for the materials. With a few hundred for labour and a new sink, i think it will likely cost everything ill have available however, that said, it should add 3 times its cost too in value to our house too so im still really keen. Most importantly, it will provide space to manage the household laundry, as well as somewhere to deal with the garden produce and keep other aspects of the house tidy and in check which will bring so much more than just additional value, but actual peace of mind and happiness so ill be so glad once its done. 

My OH got his switching bonus this week paid in to his account so his target of £300 before the end of this year is 2/3s met. I'm not sure where he will get the other £100 from and i know to earn it and pay it over and not be able to keep it for himself will be challenging for him, but its a small amount and its necessary. Especially since it will be the first additional contribution he has made, i want to set a precedent and for him to feel how important the extra income is to our finances. 

I went on my lunch for a charity shop haul today, on account of wanting to make certain areas of our home feel more homely. I think because weve always wanted to improve areas of the house, weve neglected them until we get around to making the bigger changes. As a result we dont have many pictures on the walls, or nice pots or vases so i spent £12 today on picture frames of various sizes and a couple of pots and vases. I obviously dont have any pictures yet, but im already more excited about how the hall way will look. 

I darent start thinking about the living room yet, as its going to be the last big house job on the list and will be done after the utility, but essentially after the utility is finished we should throw all extra cash at the credit card between August and December. 

The santander card which is 0% runs out on 4th January 24 and currently has a £4k balance so the plan is to use what was otherwise the cost of my daughters nursery fees and instead OP the credit card each month. I just know it will be painful to see such big amounts going out of our pay and getting nothing in return for it, but it as to be done. The sad thing is that when that is done, we need to apply the same tact to the next card due to finish its 0% and essentially do that for 12 months. It will mean that by September next year, we will be debt free (except my OHs car which i technically dont count) and that will release £360 a month back to us, as we wont have MP to make any more. 

The debt free date is something i think i need to focus on, see a road map to it, not just on a spreadsheet when i open my laptop and check but something i see more regularly so that i feel the value of what that actually means. My husband and i are 33, we will be debt free before we are 35 and have just our mortgage to consider. I have to keep reminding myself of that and how hard we both have worked to be in that position. 

MissRikkiC

Utility update. Work hard starting Tuesday, Bee&Que are delivering most of the bits I’ve ordered Monday and my friend will collect the base units from store as and when he needs them. Plus the sink from out of storage at another friends. Although I might yet change my mind on the sink on account of having another option which is a freebie under counter sink! I like the look of them for sure but don’t want the extra work for my friend really. 

In the end he hunted through his stores and saved me purchasing 3 end panels, plinth and cornice which will save me close to £200. The sink he has (if I use that instead of the one I have (left over from my kitchen when I was sent 3?!)) was over £400 so whilst not saved, it will be a nice addition. Total cost of the utility without Labour so far has been £349… I will share before and after pictures but watch this space. 

In other news we’ve all been sleeping better, thankfully because my work has been bloody awful this last fortnight and we’ve been spending less. 

My husbands car passed its MOT (on account of the village garage turning off the engine management light for us due to a fix which isn’t immediately necessary) and cost less than we’d budgeted. That said, the air on that cost close to £150 has ceased to work and now needs to go back in! 

We’ve been spending less on food, but I have been to the shops 7 times since I got paid. We’ve also not had veg box deliveries because there are now courgettes and broad beans coming from the garden in addition to park Choi and spring onions. We (my children) have eaten the strawberries and are pinching the raspberries daily, which means once they’re done the blueberries are next. We’ve had 3 huge courgettes off 2 plants in the last week and I can see another 2 on each already so feel the veg box can stay paused for some time. 

2 items purchased about 3 months ago from Amazon are not working anymore so I’ve applied and been agreed refunds on both. That’s about £90 on its way back! 

It all helps and will support in clearing those CCs by next summer! 

MissRikkiC

Work is a-go on the utility now. It’s nice to see it taking shape. 

Garden
The rain has been watering the plants which I’m pleased about, we’ve had 4 courgettes total, at honestly about 500g each and tonight’s dinner is a stir fry with Pak Choi, spring onions, Rainbow Chard and courgette all from the garden. It’s great! 

Must get out and check the blueberries and raspberries too. 

I spotted heads on the broccoli forming on Sunday, lovely round heads so hoping the purple sprouting into too far behind! 

Money wise- refunds have been processed by Amazon and we’re only just half way through the groceries budget so I’m happy with where we’re at. 

I may be able to eat oats again too which is a big deal for me. I miss them so much for my breakfast however only 1 bowl in yet so unsure as to if it’s good to go. We shall test another night this week and see if my boy reacts in any way! Fingers crossed. 

jokono

Lovely to see the utility plans finally becoming reality. Sounds like you have a great friend there to do the work!

We enjoyed the rain too, never said that before having an allotment 😆
Our 2 courgette plants are rebelling this year, only one courgette growing so far, and only the top half of it. I'll try feeding them some tomato feed.

I'll cross my fingers for the oats to go well! How do you normally have it? If porridge, you could try other grains, maybe millet, quinoa or buckwheat? 

KajiKita

jokono said:

We enjoyed the rain too, never said that before having an allotment 😆
Our 2 courgette plants are rebelling this year, only one courgette growing so far, and only the top half of it. I'll try feeding them some tomato feed.

Soooo glad you said this! Mine too! 😳🙄😂

KK

MissRikkiC

He really is a star @jokono he worked out the other day there is only the lounge and stairs he hasn’t actually done anything in. The comment irked me a bit actually as I’d never go to anyone else for the work, but it was said in the company of others like a little brag which actually made me consider if it’d been a good idea. He’s a best mate so I’ll tell me his comment irritated me a bit and apologise if he feels over the years I’ve taken too much for granted. 

But. The utility isn’t finished hence no pictures but it will be done by Monday so I’m told. There is already a sink and tap in there with running water but I’m not using it yet until it’s all done. 

My courgettes have gone mad, we’ve had another 4 off now and they’re all 700g each 🤪 i saw a lady purchase one in Sainsbury’s today and it looked like a pencil! I was indeed, very grateful! 

I hope yours perk up a bit guys 😍 

My Amazon refund was paid today, £55 vs the £90 I expected. Seems the cost of the product I purchased now costs more! But it’s gone straight off to the OP pot. OH just made his remaining £100 to meet his target for this year which I was once again very surprised about. Mileage payment through travelling for work. I’m not complaining about it but he’s literally done what he would have done anyway! 🤪Very typical of him! 

But alas there is now £350 for the pot, along with the £125 I sent last month in addition to the £160 I pay every month anyway. This pay cheque in July will probably have a bit left to send to the OP pot and then all other months this year, will see large £800+ payments made to the cards 😞 so depressing but I’ve the benefit already. I cannot wait till they’re done with.  

MissRikkiC

A touch of gardening this week but only less than an hour in all. With the rain I’ve hardly been out this week other than to collect courgettes and raspberries. I’ve a few things to sort that’s for sure! 

This weekend we’ve been at the shops again twice which is terrible but after today we have enough to last us until the weekend at least. Even then we will be able to fashion some bits together so we don’t have to visit again however that said, it’s my daughters 3rd birthday party this weekend so we’re going to have to get supplies for that anyway. Anyone got any ideas how to sit 8 little people down food wise when I haven’t actually got a table?! The weather isn’t looking too promising which is worrying me as there will be alot of people in my house okys a lot of children to keep occupied but given the weather ordering a bouncy castle may be out of the Qn. 

We bought her a little party skirt this weekend and called her whilst we were out to pick it over video. OH and I had 2.5 hours to ourselves and we went shopping for the children’s clothes. Daft.  

Anyway, she was made up with her outfit which melted my heart. This weekend her manners have been impeccable, she’s thanked dad and I for cooking meals for her, been so kind to her brother if he’s fallen or been sad and generally has just been such a sweet little girl. She’s often so quiet and holds back around other children of her age so I hope her party being at home in her environment will help her be the confident charming little thing she is. 

Utility to be (hopefully) finished tomorrow. I paid for a new drivers license last week on account of losing mine (it will of course show up this week) and a few real admit bits dealt with over banking and the garden that I’ve been meaning to do so all in all productive. A roast dinner today to finish off the weekend but now I am already hungry again! I might need a big sandwich before bed!! 

Lastly, we failed on the oats test. My boy reacted badly the 2nd time to them (and on reflection did react the first time we just couldn’t confirm it until it happened again) so I’ll now get into looking for millet to try. I have tried quinoa and really like it but it just doesn’t hit the spot the same. 

I also attempted homemade dairy free yogurt this weekend and it didn’t work so will try again maybe this week. 

joedenise

How about an indoor picnic?  Put a large plastic tablecloth on the floor and let the kids all sit on it and eat finger foods.  Probably the easiest thing to do and all kids love a picnic!  If the weather's OK could just have an outdoor picnic.

Kids that age don't really like sitting at a table anyway.

WinterWarrior

I was also thinking indoor picnic @joedenise 😁 Even a normal blanket on the floor would do fine and you could add some teddy bears for a teddy bears picnic. 

I hope the utility room is finished soon 🌟