Money-shuffling towards mortgage freedom

MeandO

I’ve been trying to find something to wear for OH’s birthday as we’re going out with friends, but feeling overweight and lacking in self confidence as I am now, I am finding it hard to find anything that fits and looks ok. It’s causing me quite a bit of anxiety and stress tbh as daft as daft as that sounds. So many shops locally have closed down that there are hardly any places to actually go and try something on and those few that are open, we’ll, the ‘fashion’ now is just diabolical! So I’ve had to resort to ordering things online the past week but everything, bar a pair of wide (big feet) ballet pumps, and two casual tops which were in the sale for £6, has been returned hence the multiple refunds and returning of parcels lately. 

I’ve returned three parcels this morning so will be pleased when the refunds hit as I’d spent quite a bit of money ordering stuff. I only actually placed two orders - one with Debenhams and one with Very - but they split the orders into several parcels which is quite annoying when you have to wait in for them all and then return them separately. 

Anyway, I’d just about given hope of finding anything to wear when I remembered that a big charity shop warehouse type store has opened nearby this week. I popped in to have a browse and found 9 lovely tops for £26 and, believe it or not, they all fit and look lovely! I’m so pleased! I feel like I have an entire new wardrobe for the price of one of the tops I ordered online. This will definitely be my go to shop in the future. There was a large household, books and furniture section too which I didn’t look in today, but I will do another time for sure.

Aimingforthegoodlife

So, I have spent the last week reading your old diary, my goodness, you are an incredible woman! I know it is not by choice and life has been heck of a cruel to you, but I honestly am so impressed by how you stay focused and keep on. Oh I love when you find bargain clothes, and they look good! I am a big girl and I don't think people realise how much ill fitting clothes can knock confidence. Is there any way you could move within an hour or two of your folks? So not in the expensive area but closer to commute? From reading, it sounds to be like you need your family

MeandO

Wow, thank you for your kind words Aimingforthegoodlife and well done on getting through the old diary! I don’t feel very incredible tbh, barely muddling through mostly to be honest, but I guess I’ve just learnt to get up each time life sends another knock, dust myself off and carry on as best as I can. Like many, there’s no other choice unfortunately. 

Oh I totally agree about the ill fitting clothes, I have avoided some social occasions because of how bad I feel about myself. I’m planning on joining Slimming world with an old neighbour and a mum from school soon so I’m hoping that will be a success and help with my confidence. I need to get healthier too, I feel so tired and rough most of the time and I’m sure it’s down to my poor diet and weight. 

Unfortunately moving slightly closer wouldn’t be an option for us really, we’d be stuck not knowing anyone and still far from home. My family live in quite a remote location with poor transport links, so I wouldn’t really be achieving anything unless I’m ‘home’ or close by tbh. I’m hoping to drive to see them again next week so that’s something to look forward to.

I’ve sent another £10 to the mortgage again this morning from a saving I made on purchasing something yesterday. Every little helps as they say.  

Just waiting on DS coming back from his Dad’s - he’s late bringing him back again 🙄. We have a nice afternoon planned anyway, so can’t wait to see him. 

Have a lovely Sunday afternoon all xx

MeandO

Morning all, 

The last of the remaining parcels to return will be done so today so hopefully the refunds won’t take long to reach my account. I’ll decide then if I can afford another small overpayment to the mortgage.
I have a few things to list one bay or FB marketplace but am trying to summon the will to do so at the moment. I find it such a hassle selling stuff, especially on FB as people often seems to be so unreliable. 
Just over £30 spent in Asda this morning on some groceries, it still shocks me how much things have gone up by. I bought a whole chicken to roast for tea tonight so I should be able to make that last us for a few days. 

Not much else on the cards today, I should tackle a bit of housework I suppose… 

MeandO

I bought a lampshade from a shop today that was £5 cheaper than advertised when I got to the till, so have rounded it up to £10 and paid it off the mortgage.  

MeandO

Another top cash back payout is on the way to the account - around £6 - so I’ve rounded it up to £10 and paid it off the mortgage. New balance is now £78,860. That’s £923.07 extra paid off so far this year and a total of £4714.76 in just under 3 years. I’m really pleased with that considering I only work part time now and am on my own.  

Mrs_Money_Penny

Your doing so well. xx

Honeysucklelou2

That’s amazing MeandO! Nearly £5k in less than 3 years...wow!

MeandO

Thank you Mrs_Money_Penny and HSL2. xx

I've ordered some new bar stools for our kitchen today; the present ones were left by the previous owners and were filthy when I moved in (like everything else). I cleaned them up and repainted them but already the paint is starting to chip off and I don't find them very comfortable. I've given them another scrub and listed them on marketplace, along with a few more things I have sorted out to sell. The new ones weren't the cheapest but I had the money in my account and have bought them to last. I will be pleased if I can make back the cost of them by selling all of the other bits. I also went through TCB and should get around £12 back as there was a higher cashback offer on at the time.

I have printed all of the bumpf off needed to defer my student loan again. I have an old style loan (pre 2000) which had a higher earnings threshold before repayment as I studied in London, but I've never earned near enough to pay it back. I don't know if I should look at that as a good thing or bad tbh. It gets wiped in a few years too.

I didn't get to return the last parcel yesterday, I dropped a new baby present over to my friend and got distracted by 3 week old baby cuddles, so will drop it off today. One of the refunds has been paid already, just waiting on the others to filter back in now.

MeandO

I dropped the last parcel for return off yesterday and filled in the student loan deferral paperwork, just need to get it weighed and post it now.
I've hopefully sold the old bar stools on FB for £50, a lady is coming tomorrow, but with FB sales I never count on it until the cash is on my hand! Someone else had wanted another item, but when I went to reply with a time and pick up details, he'd left the conversation and blocked me. There's some strange people about. 
I've sorted two carrier bag fulls for the local food bank today. We have plenty and I am ever grateful I am currently in the fortunate position of being able to feed and clothe DS and I and keep a roof over our heads, but I never take that for granted. The food bank is crying out for donations, so I went through our cupboards and sorted lots of food and toiletries for them which we have multiples of. Yes, I should be saving my money and these things will help me on the grocery bill, but others need it more than us at the moment.
I need to make OH a birthday cake today or tomorrow, but have everything in for that in my cupboard, so no spend needed there. I do need to pick up a birthday card though - I mustn't forget!