Pay off mortgage and start having even more fun 😁

newgirly

Back from the cruise yesterday, mountains of washing I’m trying to dry as ds1 had been away for three weeks but came home and was ill, so even more than usual.
The cruise was ok, dd and partner enjoyed it (everyday in the spa 😆) my aunt who came alone (husband who refused to go on a cruise) was fine as dh and I took her out a lot, my parents are a lot more glass half empty than full so it was challenging at times! 

We missed one stop due to bad weather but getting up at 4am to watch us sail into the fjords is amazing, plus I managed to get a massive balcony for the price of a tiny one as
the map on the ship when booking made
it look bigger even though I was told
it was regular size which was a result 😁 we were on the new Iona shop which was big and modern but I wasn’t so keen. 

Anyway I need to check the finances today as well as get the washing finished! 

Jessy103

Good to hear from you NG. Shame the cruise was just ok but at least it was an adventure! Hope the weather is nice for you today, so you can get through all that washing nice and quick 🙂

CathT

Gosh your children are growing up quickly aren't they. In my head that are pretty much the same age as when I started reading your diary. We've just had our energy rebate from the council so I'm going to pay it into the energy account and hopefully it will help against any direct debit increases. Still scary to see how much we are using in the warmer/lighter months though. 

Are joint meals a possibility for all the celebrations or will everyone want to do their own thing? 

killerpeaty

Ng, your cruise sounds amazing! I'm not sure whether having to miss stops is a normal thing but it sounds like you got to most of them! Sorry your parents were a bit challenging but it sounded pretty amazing to me

skint_spice

I have just found you, have skimmed a bit but will catch up properly soon.  Well done on getting your mortgage down so much!

newgirly

Hi skint spice hope you are well 🙂

Hi Kp, it is a great experience 😊

Just been updating but he financials 😳 slightly terrifying with so much in and out! Dh chipped in with the cruise spending money (which I’m glad about as he has a habit of paying for everyone’s drinks !) so for anyone interested (I’m nosey when it comes to holiday costs 😂) 

Cruise cost £809 pp for a balcony cabin (food included except odd extra charging restaurant) it was on p&o Iona

£40 pp cabin credit received each 

petrol there approx £70 

lunch in Southampton for us and dd and partner £65 

Parking Southampton £95 

Our trip was cancelled but would have been a rib boat trip for a couple of hours at £80 pp each 

Approx £480 spent on drinks and restaurant supplements which weren’t  needed but was a treat and amazing food for the price, plus a cabaret evening with lee mead which was a bit random but enjoyable 😆 


Back with what this diary is supposed to be about soon, the mortgage! 

newgirly

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚MAY UPDATE💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

START BALANCE JAN 1ST £64,938.05

BALANCE 30TH APRIL £61,442.00

BALANCE 1ST JUNE £60,999.83 

TOTAL REDUCTION FOR MAY £442.17 

TOTAL REDUCTION FOR 2022 £3,938.22


As expected not a startling reduction again 🙄 

This month is dd’s wedding (we are not paying for it and have just given them money towards it so no unexpected bills) still to pay for is my nails and a haircut, bit of food and booze for the morning of the wedding while she gets ready, plus quite likely a small meal out type hen do as she’s been a bit busy and nothings planned, so I may end up paying I’m not sure yet. Also need to get myself a some jewellery to wear. 

We are off to York for a couple of nights in the morning with zero budget and are now taking dd and fiancée too, then Sunday for some unknown reason I thought it a good idea to throw a jubilee party with very limited time and money 😂 probably about 16 people coming, so need to think on sorting that if I’m away until Saturday. We also have a conservatory full of drink for the wedding as dd delegated it to her fiancée and his list resembled what I might buy for a dinner party not a wedding 😱 we delicately suggested a rethink on amounts and I needed up buying it all on about 6 seperate supermarket runs. Apart from a bad back it’s all good though as I worked off the cruise weight I put on and it was 25% off this week 😬 

newgirly

Oops it’s been a while again! Can’t believe I’m updating at 1am 😱 I think being busy and weddding stress is getting to me! Lots of spending done again this week, I can’t wait to get frugal again after the wedding and dh’s 50th. I’ve arranged a hen do for dd who has been quite down and wasn’t having one, so it’s drinks here (with dr who decorations 😬)  followed by a curry tomorrow night, and I’ve also just got us a pair of tickets to go and see 2.22 a ghost story for Sunday afternoon, hopefully she’s free as her fiancée is at a festival for his second stag do 😆 tickets were £95 each Saturday but weirdly it’s £30 for similar Sunday afternoon, hopefully there’s no sinister reason like a tube strike I don’t know about. 

I checked the energy account today and hooray we are in credit, only just and due to the £150 council tax rebate I think, but we are running at about £290 ish pm at the moment, that’s with minimal cooking and use of hoovers and irons if I’m brutally honest 😂 I dread to think what winter will bring and its terrifying for those with a fixed or very low income. 

themadvix

You sound *super* busy!


£290/month sounds an awful lot - how many of you are living there at the moment? (I lose track!) Is the hot tub back in commission?

newgirly

It has been a bit crazy busy here lately Vix! It’s five adults with one visiting girlfriend currently, the hot tub is on and running through the summer probably but then I’ll drain it, it used to cost £30pm ish to run all the time a few years ago so probably more like £80 ish now I guess, so a fair chunk of the bill right now. It is usually used a lot since it’s been repaired but that won’t last I’m sore so I’ll get more ruthless. 

The hen do went really well, dd enjoyed it and was surprised by everyone when she arrived 😊 she’s gone back to her flat with lots more drink and her two Sil to be’s and her nearly stepdaughter who is in charge of them all 😂 it’s great as they all get on well and even step daughter to be’s mum came to the hen do.