Money-shuffling towards mortgage freedom

MeandO

Thank you Mrs_Money_Penny and HSL2 xx

Another sunny day here and another load of washing is drying outside on the line. I think it's supposed to rain for the rest of the week so I'm trying to make the most of line-drying weather. 

It's been an up and down few weeks. DS had a birthday which he and I celebrated mainly together, just the two of us. On the whole it was a lovely day and the cake I made him turned out well which I was pleased about. We were meant to be going to see my family for the weekend near his birthday but unfortunately covid finally caught up with my parents and they both came down with it. My sister and I managed to get antiviral medication for them after several frantic phonecalls and I firmly believe this kept them out of hospital or worse, so I'm very grateful to the NHS for the swift action they took in getting these to them.

The not-so-EASY-to-deal-with JET company have caused a huge amount of stress this past week. They cancelled our flight for our little break away next week and didn't bother to inform me. I only found out by accident when I tried to check DS and I in online. I spent a really stressful day trying to cancel Disney tickets for a day, changing airport transfers, airport parking etc. I am now also stuck with a non-refundable airport hotel we don't need as we've been put on an evening flight instead of the early morning flight which I paid extra for. We have also lost a day of our holiday and a day at DLP and no sign of a refund from the difficult jet company. Fuming doesn't quite cover it. I have requested compensation 3 times now and they keep turning it down saying they cancelled the flight more than 14 days before the departure date. They failed to notify me though so all legal advice online says they are still liable to pay compensation. I am still fighting them and have asked them to provide evidence that they notified me (they didn't, so they won't have any) - am awaiting their reply. They tried to change their tactics and say they don't have to pay compensation if the cancellation was out of their control due to extraordinary circumstances. I have asked them to explain these circumstances - they can't - but still they should have notified me of the cancellation which they didn't. Their attitude is disgusting too to be honest, they haven't even apologised.

I've done a little bit more DIY in the house and have painted part of the kitchen with paint I bought on offer saving me quite a few £'s. Last weekend I bought a scaffolding plank and have cut this down to make some chunky shelves instead of paying £30+ for each shelf online. I've got 3 shelves out of one plank so has come in at under a third of the cost compared to buying them ready made. I've sanded them today, now just to stain them and put them up when the brackets arrive from ebay.

The craft business is not doing very well and I've only made one sale so far. I definitely need to develop some more products for the shop but I don't want to spend any more money on materials at the moment so it's a bit of a vicious circle. I'll have to think of plan B if this remains unsuccessful.

I sorted out my food cupboard today and gave a bag full of things we didn't need or have lots of multiples of to the local food bank. There's been a tragic incident in our local community today which has left me feeling quite upset and has really highlighted how lucky we are. It's been so lovely to see the community pulling together to help the people affected though, I shall be donating physical items or money when a fund is set up to help imminently.

I'm still continuing with the counselling although I don't feel like I'm getting a lot out of it now to be honest. The counsellor is not really engaging with me much at all and just sits there waiting for me to speak. I have said everything I need to so there are just periods of silence which I find myself anxious to fill. I'm not enjoying it at all. In fact, I think I will text her and ask to cease the sessions now. I know she is being funded by a local charity in blocks of sessions and it very much feels like she is just trying to stretch them out to get the maximum funding. It's really just highlighted the fact that I need to get on with making myself feel better.

My student loan deferral arrived and has been filled in and ready to return. I have never earnt enough to start repayments (old style loan, pre 2000). I think it gets cancelled in 3 years or so if I continue to earn less than the repayment threshold.

Not much else to report, I need to pop to the shops to pick up a few things, will do my best to stick to the list...

Mrs_Money_Penny

That’s so annoying with the airline to just cancel and not tell you. Honestly companies try and get away with anything these days. Hopefully the holiday will do you good. It will be nice to get away.Glad your parents got some meds to help them. It’s still rampant around our area. Take care xx
 

Moneyfordreams

I'd be furious too at the airline - I hope you get it resolved. 

MeandO

Thank you Mrs_Money_Penny and Moneyfordreams, there's still been no reply from the airline at my request for evidence that they notified me of the cancellation - funny that - so today I've referred my complaint to the aviation authority complaints department. 

We are back from our little holiday and are both utterly exhausted. Unfortunately we didn't have the trip I hoped it would be and it was all rather stressful at times, but I hope DS will look back at it with at least some fond memories. I cashed in some unused currency yesterday and received £130 back which I've paid straight off the credit card as I used it once or twice on holiday. I think there's around £30 to pay off to clear it now but will wait until all the transactions and payments are showing and then pay it off. 

I was paid last week so have sent money to various savings pots and allocated the rest in YNAB. 
The ex hasn't implemented the latest increase to the CM he is supposed to pay - no surprise there - so will have to contact him about that. Just the CB to be paid in this month and then that's all the income in, hopefully I'll be able to pay a token amount off the mortgage to round it down and send another little bit to the savings.

My little shop had another order just before I went away which I sent off before we went. It's still not doing well at all but I have no energy to develop new ideas yet. Maybe down the line a little.

I spoke to my counsellor this morning and she reinforced the issue of needing to make time and spend money on myself sometimes - something I struggle to do. She spoke about self care and also the difficult feelings of parenting a tween who suddenly doesn't need you as much anymore and withdraws from you - something I'm really finding difficult - so on the whole it was a helpful session today.

MeandO

£28.96 sent to the credit card today to clear it. Any surplus in the bank account now will go towards savings and a small token mortgage OP. 

I'm not feeling the love today. The mundane daily routine of WFH with no one to talk to is creeping up on me already again after just two days back in work. Today I've tried looking into courses I can do to broaden my skills and knowledge for when my job could potentially be gone in a few years but I really don't know what to do. Everything that excites me is of a creative discipline which is the industry I'm in now and I know that's basically flogging a dead horse as far as jobs go around here so there's very little point. I really feel at a loss as to what to do next. 
I'm feeling like a cr&p Mum today too after a difficult morning with DS which I didn't handle very well. 
Not a good day.

MeandO

I've decided to go back over to the DFD board as OPing the mortgage needs to take a back seat for a while.

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MeandO's money-shuffling — MoneySavingExpert Forum