Money-shuffling towards mortgage freedom

MeandO

And just when I think finances are improving slightly, our department gets hit with the threat of redundancy - again - within the next few months. Marvellous. I knew a pay rise was too good to be true...

Chrystal

Hopefully it won't affect you (fingers crossed)  Do you have redundancy insurance?   XX

MeandO

Thanks Chrystal xx No redundancy insurance, never knew it existed tbh.
I’m trying not to think about it all too much tbh, will just drive myself mad and make myself ill for the next few months if I do. Will just be extra careful with the pennies, even more so. 

MeandO

£12 made from another fb sale today and some bulky items out of the house. It annoys me when people come to the door for a pre-arranged collection and expect me to have loads of change though. 

Whilst I was at my parents house last week I did some work to their property for them, the materials for which cost me around £60. I told a little white lie and said I had the materials cheap via work and it was my gift to them, but they didn’t fall for it and today announced they’ve put money in my account to cover it plus some extra. I tried to argue with them as I really wanted to do this for them, but they insisted. So, I have paid that off the mortgage tonight as an overpayment, I didn’t want to use their money to pay off the CC. That takes the mortgage down to £74,700 now. 

It’s been a difficult day and DS wasn’t in a particularly easy mood after school either which always makes me feel a bit  Hopefully tomorrow is a better day for everyone. 

Chrystal

Sounds as though DS has reached the age when hormones, body and brain are all fighting against each other, and it really screws up their thinking!  Try to ignore it as it comes in fits and starts.  (((hugs))) X

MeandO

Yes, I think you're right Chrystal, I just wasn't expecting it so early! xx

MeandO

The car passed its MOT today, but needed two new tyres - I was expecting one but not the other. Total cost with MOT is £241.64. They've said the work needed on the suspension can wait and is not essential yet, but when it does need doing it's going to cost around £1000 at current prices. They also reminded me that the car is getting old now and to decide whether it's worth doing - there's no way I can afford a new car so it's going to have to be done! Better start saving like mad in the car pot then.  

I've been mulling over a purchase for a new business idea over the past few days and still don't know what to do about it...
A few years back I had a very successful Etsy shop which brought in a brilliant amount of money. I closed the shop for various reasons, the main one being plagiarism by wholesale companies who stole every design I produced and mass produced them. There wasn't a thing I could do about it.  However, I've had a new business idea which shouldn't be affected so much by this and, whilst I don't think it will generate as much income as my last shop, I think it will make a reasonable amount of sales and allow me to be creative and have a little business of my own again which I absolutely loved. If things go pear shaped with my job too it will hopefully provide a little bit of extra income.The cost to set it up would be between £300 - £500 max, but I am reluctant to spend anything at the moment. If it fails, then I've lost more money which I can't afford to lose. I will think it over for a few more days and do some more research and try and work out a cost vs profit on the products and see if I think it will be viable. I really would love to do it though.

£13.31 is on the way from topcashback today, no more sales on vinted although lots of people 'favouriting' items so hopefully some will lead to sales. 

savingholmes

Great news on the sales and the money from your parents. 

Ouch to the MOT bill but good your car is staying on the road. 

Good about the top cashback paying for DS xmas - it all helps. 

Good news about the backpay. Even on redundancy - a lot of organisations seek volunteers first so hopefully you will be okay.

MeandO

Thank you savingholmes, I hope you're feeling better today too xx

MeandO

I finally managed to drop the last vinted parcel off at a locker last night so hopefully those funds will be payable in a few days. The lockers were outside a M0rrisons so OH and I popped in there to see if there were any YS bargains. I came out with a tray of 30 free range eggs for £1.13 so I was pleased with that as we use a lot of eggs. I also bought a couple of treats for some colleagues that I'll see briefly today and all of whom are having a rubbish time of things, only £2 spent but hopefully it brightens their day a bit.

OH and I went out to the pub for food last night as we both felt like we needed to get out of the house and have a little down time. I paid as OH paid last time, it was under £20 for food and drinks for us both which isn't at all bad once in a blue moon. I think the last time I bought food out was in August so not worried about overspending in that category. 

Next week I need to start getting some quotes for car insurance. I did a quick search last week which suggested it will come in at around £220. There's £500 left in the car pot after yesterday so plenty top cover it but I do need to then keep up with the £150 at least in there to cover repairs which will be needed next year. I also pay the house insurance out of that pot too but that's not due for renewal until June thankfully.

I'm still mulling over the business idea. I'd really like to do it but perhaps wait until I get the backpay before making any purchases. 

Not much else to report at the moment. I'm conscious that I am really putting up a fight to keep going and try and be positive about things presently but it is really hard at the moment. Physically I feel ok as I've lost a bit of weight, but mentally I am feeling completely despondent about life. I know I'll pull myself through it as I always do but it's rubbish when you're in the middle of it.