Constantly confused, often befuddled

Aimingforthegoodlife

Easter weekend has flown by! Had a very social time, got too drunk yesterday and was in bed by 8pm haha. Feeling a little rough today, but we still got most of the kennel up this am, it is super big and looks great. We aren't going to do the roof today, that is on hold until we can get some roof tacks, we have got rubber roofing stuff, it is more robust that felt and will help insulate it too. Can finish painting it then as well. Have lots of exciting leftover food to keep me going today and really enjoyed a chocolate egg for breakfast! 

I am thinking about doing a financial spring clean, really looking at all the spends and bills etc, seeing where we can cut back or get better deals etc. Especially as gas has now increased to £149 for two bottles, ouch. We have turned the heating off as it is so expensive. Thankfully it is quite sunny again so that helps heat the house up in the day. 

Guinea pigs are really settling outside now, they were weeking away this morning when I went over with their veg! So cute!

Aimingforthegoodlife

I have started to read the Millennial Revolution and loved this one post, which highlighted: Don't focus on what has been, focus on what you will do now. The post is based on a guy called Mario who was a fixer and his attitude came from living in a war zone, you either stand by and watch or grab a bucket and help when everything is on fire. 

I feel that this is sort of what I am doing about out current debt, though I do still find myself going- oh I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have done that, but I can't time travel so why ruin my energy levels? Yes I have debt due to holidays and other things, it is what it is, so what am I doing now? I am building up my savings, paying my debts and looking forward!

Aimingforthegoodlife

I have done a budget spring clean and the figures are a little scary given hubby is likely to be barely earning over the next few months, we had a really good chat yesterday and agreed that Florida is the big holiday drain. We actually have enough savings to cover the next three holidays, so without Florida can chill on that front. I spoke to the holiday people today, they have said that if I want to wait until April 2023, they can move the holiday to 2024, or I can still cancel for full refund (excluding £150 deposit), or I can book a totally different holiday and get the money back. We have agreed that that seems most sensible option at the moment, no pressure on finances and depending where we are at we can make do and change. The Disney tickets are completely refundable and changeable, so that is easy to manage. Won't pretend I am not disappointed, but it is all first world problems and not the end of the world! And there is a load off from trying to save so much just for a holiday. 

Rang up about the Kiev refund as well, was told they would ring me back and that hasn't happened! It has been a month and they said three weeks, I will ring them again tomorrow. They are a different travel agency and I have found them to be less helpful than the other agency. Won't be using them again! Do feel money worries quite heavily at the moment!

CCW007

Sounds like a sensible (if disappointing) decision re Florida.

Aimingforthegoodlife

Yup, sensible can feel disappointing but ultimately I am a sensible girl!haha. Have spoken to company re: refund, it has been ready for over a week, no one contacted me, I guess they are busy but also, I would like to have that money in my hands instead!haha. Will be donating some to the Ukraine, paying off remaining Disney (can cancel or change dates depending on what we do next year) and hubby and I are discussing what we may do with the rest. Initially it was going to the holiday pot as it would have to with Disney costing so much- which would have been affordable if hubby wasn't changing roles, but it is better that he changes roles and chases his dreams (and specific skill set!). So, I am now thinking about where we could pop the remainder. I think the credit card makes most sense, as it runs out late next year on 0%, though I have a card we can tart it to if needed. The loan is what it is, the interest is already paid off so it just trickles down slowly. I could also throw some at the mortgage which is the only debt costing right now, but don't think hubby will go for that!

Big dog was given the all clear at the vets, little dog needs a dangly thing removing from his elbow and when he is under they will biopsy his huge lump, the Vet is hoping that it is a fatty lump under the muscle, but isn't sure. Little dog hates the vets, he cries the whole time so this causes me to stress, ah well. He will have pre op bloods and then we will see if he can have the op once we are back from our holiday, wouldn't want to do it before in case he is poorly and I have another week off after! Vet has said there is no rush. We have our slowly growing emergency fund that should cover his op, I am also due a bonus for being a nurse in the pandemic in a care home, so that can go to his op if needed. Lots of things to choose from, lots of things to think about!

Aimingforthegoodlife

So, in a way befitting of my diary title, I have changed my mind, new plan: save all the money, put it all somewhere untouchable and then once hubby is up and running, decide on the best course of action!

Aimingforthegoodlife

£150 council tax money moved into savings!

debtfreeoneday

Oooh. Hopefully ours will land soon!

Aimingforthegoodlife

All bills have gone out again for this month, will do the money jiggle later, had a very busy time in work and am so tired I feel like a zombie! Ended up working late and got to the polling station with only 25mins to spare, but I made it so that was the main thing and I now have just over two weeks off work and am so glad! We fly to Kos next week and that will also be just what we both need! It is my birthday next week when we are away, so this is my at home birthday weekend! Woohoo! I am a big child and love my birthday!

Things have moved forward with hubby's work stuff and he is leaving full time employment at the end of May! Scary but exciting! 

Will look at the mortgage stats tomorrow, that always makes me happy! Another £50 OP was made, every little helps!

debtfreeoneday

How you have a lovely birthday and holiday.