The 'scenic route' to mortgage freedom...

PiggyBankShaker

DH has booked the electrician for the 4th of October. Operation Kitchen is officially underway.

I REALLY need to try and do some selling before the end of the month to make up for lost wages from my 2nd job. Once I get started it'll be fine but its a hassle doing the photos, especially when I am so low on energy.

Its my friends funeral today, then I have a workshop this evening and DD has pony club. There's no left over dinner either so I'll have to think about that, push comes to shove we can have oven food.

DH applied for a new job yesterday. He meets all the criteria and if he gets it it would be a huge pay rise so all finger crossed for him as he is quite unhappy where he is at the moment.

That's all for now I think.

savingholmes

Hope today goes as well as possible 

PiggyBankShaker

Good morning, world.

Well, yesterday was a day. The funeral was so sad and the feeling stayed with me most of the day, I can't believe she's gone and it's such a tragedy because she was so young and such a wonderful person. It made me conscious of what little time we have and how the future is never certain. I have to work out how to keep the lessons of that with me, but let go of the grief and the fear.

I had another nap when I got home, 1hr50mins. Couldn't stay awake again.

Then I had the workshop in the evening, which was really good gave me some renewed motivation and enthusiasm for sending my book out into the world. Just need to have some energy and carve some time. We had oven food for tea because of time.

DH made some progress, via the electrician, about getting a kitchen fitter. He's coming on the weekend to measure and price up. So we'll see.

The kids are going to a sleepover on Saturday night and DH and I have 2 free cinema tickets, so that'll be nice.

We need a few bits today, washing up liquid, bread, fruit, shampoo and shower gel and we also need to fuel the car. 

I think that's all for now. 

savingholmes

Tragic about your friend.

Not surprising that you are feeling low and exhausted.

Be kind to you 

LadyWithAPlan

So sorry to hear about your friend. Look after yourself, you will be feeling fragile for a few months probably.

I had my friends memorial last week- 45 years of age- but largely due to alcohol abuse so I have been feeling angry as more details have unravelled. So I have had to let the anger go as I cant change anything and remember the fun we did all have.  As you say we have to focus on the blessings of each day as its too easy to forget how lucky we are to be healthy and have food on the table. 

PiggyBankShaker

Thanks @savingholmes and @LadyWithAPlan, your kind comments are very much appreciate, and @LadyWithAPlan
I'm sorry to hear about your friend also.

Did the small bit of shopping we needed and it somehow came to £30. Not sure how that happened, there were a few substitutions as normal brands / sizes weren't available, but it still feels like a lot. Did a quick run to the tip, got two more pallets to burn and also went to the doctor about a pain in my hip. She referred me for an x-ray. Picked up DS's library book as well. Oh, and organised DD's requested activity for her birthday.

I called my mobile provider and negotiated £2 a month off my phone bill lol

We had an email to say that DH has passed his drum exam with a distinction, which is wonderful news. He's really happy.

The mini-budget is depressing indeed, it really feels like the T0ries are trying to shaft the country as much as possible by lining the pockets of themselves, their family, friends and donors and leave a huge mess for someone else to clean up after the next election. I don't want to get into politics, but just to say the who thing makes me feel so bleak.

DH and I are going to do some meal planning tonight and try and work out what meals we can cook from our store cupboards to cut down on our grocery spend but also empty some of the cupboards before the work in the kitchen starts in earnest.

Think that's all for now. Film night tonight with the kids, which I'm looking forward too. Enjoy your weekend everyone.

PiggyBankShaker

Its a beautiful day here at the moment and I have a load of washing all ready to hang out and another one about to be washed. Hopefully they can both be line dried.

Plans for the day are get on top of all the small jobs. The kitchen needs tidying. The two pallets we got yesterday need chopping for firewood. I *might* clean the car if we finish indoors.

There's leftovers for lunch, which feels like a win.

DH has texted the kitchen fitter to ask what time to expect him, but no answer yet. My Dad will be around later and the kids have both got horseriding this afternoon. We're doing our best to eek out our money until the end of the month, we have £234, which should be okay, but we have to fuel the car and buy stuff for the kids packed lunches all next week. Think that's everything.

PiggyBankShaker

Had a lovely chill date night with DH last night. Two free cinema tickets and we ended up eating in MacDonalds because everywhere else was full. The kids enjoyed their sleepover as well so everyone is happy.

Yesterday we booked a summer 2023 cruise with my Dad. It's *relatively* good value for 5 people full board and we have until April to pay off the balance. We also arranged his travel insurance straight away, but he paid for that himself.

DH sorted and processed the entire wood pile, splitting and chopping everything fit the woodburner. Not all of it is usable this year, but at least it is all ready now. No plans to use the heating before November 4th, when we get back from holiday.

No sign of the kitchen fitter either yesterday or today. DH has got another number for someone, but I honestly think we'll end up doing it ourselves. I don't mind at least then we will be in control.

We're off to Birmingham tonight as the kids have got an inset day at school tomorrow. 

Think that's all folks. Stay safe.



 

PiggyBankShaker

Lovely day in Birmingham today, although I'm knackered now. DH is cooking tea and I'm sat in front of the fire. We're watching last week's GBBO later, then an early night.

Nothing financial to report, just counting down until payday. Occasionally DH gets paid early, so we'll see if that's the case this month.

I have the job interview in the morning. I haven't prepped nor have I a clue where to start. I'll give it a pop though and see how I get on.

PiggyBankShaker

I had the job interview this morning, it went as well as can be expected I think. They said they'll let me know as soon as possible. I'm not 100% confident, but I gave it my best shot, so if they don't want me at least it won't be down to something I did 'wrong' but simply that I'm not a good fit. If I got it, it would replace the lost income from my previous 2nd job.

It's cold here today so we have the woodburner going and the front room is nice and toasty.

DH is a bit stressed as the jobs he is applying for are rejecting him without interview. I'm not so worried about it. I know he is excellent and something will come along at the right time.

Pay day can't come soon enough. We've overspent on the credit card again this month and we're really going to have to get to grips with that as I don't want it to be a regular issue, plus it affects how much we can add to savings.

Extra spaces have been released for the school skiing trip and I'm waiting to hear of DS decides he wants to go, if he does that'll be £1200 we have to find by the end of November.

That's all for now. Stay warm moneysavers.