A new chapter, An empty nest, Drama school & Last year of Uni

Spendless

Friday, Ive just been paid   and Ive moved money over to my alternative universe account.  Theres now £65 in extra rent. By the skin of my teeth. I had £50 left from last month's wages (being paid early helped with that) so last night transferred it and with todays money I now have £70 sat in Jabberwocky.  That means I have £100 left till that pot is full. I will meet this by the end of the year  because Mum owes me £55 and I have to submit a healthcare plan for dental work to get almost £50 reimbursed. 

I went with a friend earlier this week to a large shopping centre in another city and though I didnt buy much, I could see why where I live (and work) they struggle in comparison for sales. It wasnt just the wider range of shops they had, it was the wider range of stock.  We had something to eat too and then were discussing train times home when Mr S rang on his way back from working elsewhere in the country, he was nearby and could pick us up. The weather was horrible, so very appreciative of the door to door service home.

Nan's death cert has been issued and collected with a few copies bought. The tell us once code issued, though Ive told Dad not to touch it till we can come and go through it with him  (just worried he'll miss something not understanding). The funeral directors have been given all relevant documents, parents didnt continue on to bank with funeral invoice due to weather. It was very dark and gloomy and raining heavily yesterday so I think a wise decision.

I have work today and Sunday (so unfortunately wont be home when DD arrives back). Then just 2 shifts between then and Jan, which ironically is more time off than some of the admin jobs Ive had where you get all weekends and BH off. 

Have a good weekend everyone. 

Honeysucklelou2

So sorry to hear of your loss. 

Spendless

DD is home. Yesterday we went to watch A Christmas Carol at the theatre. Play was good, not so much the people who sat behind us. A young child constantly asking questions over what was happening - to the point I did think had this been the most suitable thing they had booked and wouldn't a panto that has audience interaction have been better. I could cope with the child's questions but not the parent's constant answers with no 'but you can't keep talking in a theatre and need to watch' along with the families decision to eat a box of heroes of course all individually wrapped!

Today I've paid DD's London rent. Though this has been a struggle for the time she's been abroad and I've questioned more than once if I did the right thing in continuing the tenancy, I am glad that there has been no last minute stress of having to find somewhere new for her to live for the remainder of her degree especially not with everything that has been going on for the last few months.

Before the play we were able to wander the streets looking in shops that DD has missed and some Christmas market stalls, shared pie, mash and peas before going in and had a Nandos before returning home. 

DH has gone to get the turkey this morning. There's not a reat deal of money left in our joint current account as his payday remains the same in December and he doesn't get paid until NYE. It can make this time of year tough with a higher groecery bill and last minute items, usually we've covered it either with my wages or by putting away  earlier in the year, but the double whammy of me losing my job earlier in the year combined with additional costs associated with DD studying overseas meant this happened. We will just pull the money from our savings if needed and repay back in the new year. 

I went through my wardrobe and couldn't see anything suitable for Nan's funeral in Jan even though parents have said 'everyone can wear whatever they want, they are not applying a dress code as there's nothing in Nan's final wishes to say she wanted one'  I was still leaning towards something more formal. Anyway at work there was a dress that I thought appropriate, reduced in a sale plus I got my staff discount off making it £6. 


This morning I'm having my oven professionally cleaned. I gave in and decided to give myself one less thing to think about. After oven cleaner has gone I am joining DH and DD at a relative's house and we are going to give one of his rooms a 'refresh' as part of their Christmas present

cbsexec

Spendless 

This morning I'm having my oven professionally cleaned. I gave in and decided to give myself one less thing to think about. After oven cleaner has gone I am joining DH and DD at a relative's house and we are going to give one of his rooms a 'refresh' as part of their Christmas present

What a lovely idea for a Christmas present.  

Spendless

Morning everyone. Happy Boxing day and hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

We had dinner for 6, with both our adult children and my parents and enjoyed it very much.

I received some lovely gifts and the shocker was receiving a money wallet with cash in from beyond the grave from my late Nan. 

Once I thought about it and  it was explained it made sense because my parents start their Christmas shopping in August (I cant say anything I start mine this time of year - lol), so had already  bought the money wallets on Nan's behalf and withdrawn the cash with her knowledge and permission before she went into hospital (Dad had financial POA as she was mostly housebound). What they forgot to do was to get her to sign the cards, Mum said each time they thought about it Nan was ill and her best time in the assessment centre they kept forgetting to takr the wallets,  they were also expecting her to be here at Christmas as we all were. Usually part of her gift would be something wrapped by her  frequently toiletries or often a bottle of prosecco for me, because she left us before that part of her giving  could be done, parents decided that they wouldnt guess on her behalf, what she wanted to get us and instead they would just give us it as all cash

So touched, DH received the same and both kids were also given something from their last Great Grandma. I will talk to Mr S later about plans for mine and his money. 

I am working today - boo that's retail for you, but I cant really complain as I got a run of 4 days off, didnt have to work Xmas Eve, am not working this weekend and get another 4 day run off including NYE off. Im also only in for a 4 hour shift.

As today is Friday £10 has been moved into alternative savings. £5 into extra rent now totals £70. £5 into Jabberwocky now £75. I want Jabberwocky completely gone before NYD. Ive ear marked Tues 30th as the day we go thru our finances for this month. We're both feeling the pinch in our pay packets currently. Too late we remembered that for the past few years weve converted some of DHs hotel loyalty points into a retail gift card and used that to help with expenses - hey ho, we had too much happening to think straight the last couple of months.

Right best get ready for work. Have a lovely boxing day. 

Sarahwithlove

That's lovely that you got a gift from your nan, even if it's money. I hope you buy yourself something nice with it. 

Spendless

Thank you. Im swaying towards putting my Christmas money together and buying a piece of jewellery whilst the sales are still on.

Its New Years Eve. Mr S has just been paid - thankfully. Weve had to do a lot of juggling of bank accounts over the last 2 weeks and ended the month with just over £5 left in the account. Worst Ive known it since we paid off the overdraft nearly 3 years ago. For 2026 a strategy is being put in place so we dont struggle towards the end of the year.

Yesterday I paid DD's london rent and with not enough in my bank account to cover it (was waiting for various payments back into it due to the juggling) paid from the back up savings we put aside for this. Not an issue to do this, Ive just adjusted the spreadsheet that I record where each week's student rent is coming from. 

However my best news. Jabberwocky  is FULLY PAID OFF.

 Mum paying me back some money she owed me for getting the kids presents, gave me the final amount I needed to fully pay it back. Its now in my Isa. So glad this category has gone and I met my personal deadline of it going by the end of 2025.  It was full of nonsensical (hence the jabberwocky term) stuff that should never have happened and in my alternative universe didnt. 

Now the focus for next year is to pay both lost and stolen back. Both have a target of £500. I think there's currently £40 in each. Ideally Id like them both gone by 31st Aug. After that will be a few years long slog whilst we slay thru the higher educational costs we incurred over the years. 

Happy New Year everyone. 

lucielle

Well done on hitting your target. 

L

Wanna_Bee_Free

Well done on juggling the tight funds and slaying the jaberwocky! Good luck in the new year with everything. 

Honeysucklelou2

Well done for clearing Jabberwocky…best of luck with the higher education  costs.