Money-shuffling towards mortgage freedom

MeandO

Thank you for checking in with me Mrs_Money_Penny xx 
I’m ok, but can’t seem to shake this virus still.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I’m shattered, but just logging in to update the mortgage totals with a little OP of £27.72 tonight to bring it down into the £76,000’s. 
I’ll write a proper update in the next couple of days. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely bank holiday weekend. xx

Chrystal

Sorry you're still feeling poorly..... hope things improve soon ((((hugs)))) XX

savingholmes

Hope you feel better soon 🙂

Mrs_Money_Penny

Hope you feel better soon xx

MeandO

Thank you for your kind wishes Mrs_Money_Penny, savingholmes and Chrystal. xx

I still have symptoms from this virus, but now have a bad back to add to the mix (on top of the painful knee and foot!) so I'm struggling to move without making involuntary yelping noises at the moment. I haven't injured my back, it just started hurting a week ago and doesn't seem to be relenting. 

It's been a little while since I updated, it's been quite a stressful few weeks tbh. We went to see my parents after constantly testing negative for any nasties. It was a lovely week but always busy as I look after them all when I'm there, but DS cried most of the way back as he didn't want to go home.  

My Mum was unfortunately rushed into hospital again this week and we've had several days this week thinking we were going to lose her. She is awaiting tests now. The doctors are suspecting it's cancer on top of everything else she deals with. She is in a lot of pain and can't currently eat.

On top of that, I've also been tipped off about the Ex being sneaky, underhand and lying to solicitors about several things. It's the last thing I need.

I've also been in discussion with DS's teacher about the ex's behaviour and DS's response to it and his lack of self esteem which she agreed is probably all linked. She was very supportive and has arranged some counselling for DS in school to work on coping strategies to deal with these issues and will refer externally if they think it's needed. She has also asked permission to discuss the issues with the pastoral team at DS's soon-to-be secondary school so that help can be picked up if needed. I was so grateful to her for her help, I got off the hone and cried with relief that someone has actually listened to my concerns, taken them seriously and offered help for DS.

In financial news, I've paid the landscaper now so that was a huge chunk of money gone, although they have to come back next week to rectify a couple of problems. 
I have a builder here today finishing off the last of the things that need doing. Once that's done and he's been paid, I only have £52 to pay the carpet fitters to carpet the hallway once it's been delivered and that is everything done for now. I can take stock and see what's left then and try and build my saving back up again. Oh, but my downstairs toilet just broke and won't flush, so am going to try and sort that myself with OH's help this weekend so I don't have to pay a plumber.

I have also fixed one sub account on my mortgage on a 10 year deal at a reasonable rate, just before the interest rate was raised. I know 10 years is a long time to be tied in, but I'm happy with the rate I'm paying on it and, realistically, I doubt I'll be able to pay it off before then.

I was planning on starting slimmingworld this week but looked at the prices and really can't afford it! So, I've downloaded a calorie counting/diet plan app that I've used before, costing £23.99 for the year. I can't say I've managed to stick to it the first day though. Need to get my head in the right place for it, too much other stuff filling it at the moment I think.

savingholmes

You sound like you have a lot on. Adding the pressure of dieting to the mix might not be the right thing right now. Keeping your head above water, looking after DS and trying to bring comfort to your parents at a difficult time sounds like plenty to be tackling... 

Be kind to you. Glad school were supportive.

Chrystal

Thinking of you and sending ((((hugs)))) XXX

MeandO

Thank you savingholmes and Chrystal xx

Last week was really tough and I really struggled, to the point of actually enrolling myself on a free 6 week online support programme for anxiety and depression with a mental health charity. The programme started with a phonecall from a support person to book an appointment to assess what level of help was needed. Unfortunately, the person who called me was quite rude and abrupt and had such a thick accent and terrible phone line that kept cutting out that I had to keep asking her to repeat herself which seemed to get her more agitated! After further issues with the phonecall this morning I have told her not to bother and withdrawn from it. The thought of having to speak with her for the next six weeks was causing me more stress! You really couldn't make it up.
I've been making a conscious effort to get much more exercise this weekend which has helped my mood a bit and although I'm still feeling low, I'm not as bad as I was last week. I'm trying to eat healthier too which I find difficult, but keep telling myself it's worth persevering.
DS was quite poorly last week too which was a real worry, thankfully he seems much better than he was now and has gone back to school today.

I am worried about money again and I know that's having a detrimental effect on me. I've asked the builder to confirm how much I owe him for the latest (and hopefully last) bit of work and I'll know where I am more once he comes back with that figure. It hasn't helped that payment for two accommodation bookings - a hotel room for a concert booked before covid and 4 nights of camping for OH and I in the summer - have come out of the bank today. OH will give me half, but I am still a bit panicky about how much is being paid out and how little is left. I also have the house insurance to pay this month and can't seem to find a quote cheaper than £170 which is a lot more than I thought it would be. I'll try and shop around for that again today.
I'm doing well on groceries this month though having spent around £90 since last payday, so averaging under £40 a week. We still have plenty in too, I just need to replenish a few things this week. 

I would still like to buy a few more bits for the house to finish it off but am aware this is a 'like' and not a 'need.' I have been looking for a cupboard to fit in one of the alcoves in our front room for a while after a re-jig of the furniture in there and a need for storage with space for a screen on top. I now have a desk that is surplus to requirements and, although I really like it, I will probably sell it on marketplace as there is no room for it and no need for it anymore. The alcove is quite narrow and space is limited because of a large plug that has to plug into the socket there so its proving a bit of a hunt to find something without spending £100+ which I really don't want to do. I went to a local second hand/salvage warehouse this weekend but there was nothing suitable and most of it was overpriced and ready for the tip to be honest, I shan't be going back! I looked in some charity shops and on FB but nothing suitable has come up so I shall keep looking. In the meantime, I'll advertise my lovely desk and, if sold, that can go towards a new cupboard. I also have a few more items to advertise on FB/ebay but am struggling to find the will to do so at the moment. I must force myself to do it this week though, I could do with the money and space it clears.

savingholmes

Could you do a free meditation app trIal?

Could you ask for CBT via GP?

Sorry things are hard

MeandO

Thank you savingholmes, unfortunately I don’t do too well with meditation, tried it before and am just completely unable to switch off. I’ve tried a few apps in the past but tend to forget about them and don’t go back to them. 

I think there is a long waiting list for CBT at the moment and again, didn’t find it helped in the past. I think I need to drag myself out of this as usual by finding more positive things to do. I’ve always done it before so guess I just have to roll up my sleeves and get on with it again.