Pay off mortgage and start having even more fun 😁

newgirly

😂 maybe Ladygnome, we used to do that years ago for dh and I when we didn’t have much money! 

Sounds good try harder, at some point if you are lucky enough to have spare money surely it should be spent on things you love rather than just saving for savings sake. 

It’s energy statement day today 😩 I’ve been dreading this as martin has put the frighteners on us all - with good reason of course! So it’s cold here, mildly chilly nearly all of the time I would say. We have old double glazing, a very big living room with conservatory one end, energy saving bulbs everywhere, no tumble dryer (or iron 😂) and I try to use the sc as much as possible. We are fighting a losing battle really as a household of five adults, so the last months bill was £303.08 and our recently adjusted (upwards by £32) is £182 pm, so I’ve decided to up it a bit to £219 pm for the moment, but I’m sore this will be nowhere near enough if things do go crazy! 

I’ve also been through the bills fully as I should have done in new year. Basically things have gone up, plus I’ve realised dh paid for the bmw tax and insurance last year which is due in may again. So I’ve rejigged everything and had to ditch the home renovation pot for the next year or maybe two perhaps. Things like that will have to be squeezed from the daily living budget or extra earnings selling stuff. 

I’m sure everything is covered now and although tight it should be ok, we are lucky we do have the luxury to cut back on ops or travel budget if we really need to but I’d rather not unless things get tricky. 

try_harder

Ah no ,i meant in four years time i will see what i have saved from the next four years up until i pay off my mortgage ,im hoping that i will have some savings then so i can move if i wish ,i may decide to downsize but will need some money up front for all the costs

Arkers

Hi NG - yankee candle deal, what site is that?
Like you say, never too early for Christmas shopping!

newgirly

Oh I see try harder 🙂

Hi Arkers, it was on Yankee bundles, they do free postage which helps! 

Off to see my aunt on the Essex/Suffolk borders today for an afternmoon tea, taking mum, and meeting her friend who I’ve not seen for years so I’m quite looking forward to it, also taking my boots so Aunt and I can go for a walk along the river behind her house. But before that I’ve a video call with my friend who moved back to Thailand just before Xmas, I don’t think things are working out well there.

newgirly

We had a nice afternoon tea at Aunts and a quick walk as it started raining, nice to drive out there though, she had four baby muntjac deer in her garden while we were there, she’s put a deer “cat flap” in the fence as there are so many that like hanging out in her garden 😆 
I’m a bit fed up as one of the kids is not doing well right now and is taking it out on us which is out of character really, when does the worry of being a parent stop, I guess never is the real answer to that 🤔

Dh has just taken on a huge private job which will take weekends and nights on top of work, some I can help with but most I can’t really, so much for cutting down work and doing more stuff, I might have to take a leaf out of Killerpeaty’s book and do it on my own! All the money will go to the business account to pay for a new machine he bought to cut work times down on one element, hopefully it will help save time in the future, plus any machines he buys are always ancient so can be sold on for no great loss.

The beetle MOT is due, I might do it tomorrow as it’s while you wait near my old work, I’m divided over whether to sell her or not as she’s only driven in the summer but probably costs £55 a month I think (with no major repairs needing) she’s not worth much probably £1200 or so, however she’s fantastic to drive, looks very pretty and there’s nothing compares to driving out with the roof down singing to old songs with the kids in the car (dh wouldn’t join in 😂) so I’m torn still, I’ll keep her until after dds wedding incase she wants to arrive in her, they have booked a vintage double decker for guests so she will get the bus back. Decisions decisions! 

LadyGnome

NG I once sat down with my Dad and he said to me he was a bit worried about my older brother and was going to keep an eye on him.  My older brother was in his late 50's and had just become a grandfather!  So no, I don't think it ever stops.

The visit to your aunt sounds lovely.  You don't need to make a decision on the Beetle yet (and you clearly love it).

badmemory

As LadyGnome says it never stops.  Mine is 40, I worry more now than I did when he was 10.  I knew there was a reason I didn't want children.

Mrs_Money_Penny

Sending you hugs. I also worry about mine. Today my daughter 27 has skidded on mud and damaged her car. No other cars involved went into a bank. Car being toed to garage. Her boyfriend is taking her to A&E nothing too serious but I’ve done nothing this morning other than worry and direct everyone from here with phone numbers and insurance numbers etc. When will it get easier? Never I’m inclined to think xx

killerpeaty

I'm nearly at the end of day 2 out of 3 and I have to say there is something wonderful about not worrying if someone else is enjoying themselves. So do it!

I don't think you ever stop worrying about your kids, my mum worries about my brother despite him living with his in laws. However taking out stress on you is not okay, assuming it's not the odd rant. You need to look after yourself as well as the kids. 

Alchemilla

Hey NG I might be in the market for a beetle if you decide to part with her, how old is she?

Did you get the heart shaped casserole from Aldi?