Money-shuffling towards mortgage freedom

Chrystal

Sending you lots of gentle (((((hugs))))) XXXX

MeandO

PiggyBankShaker said:

Wanted to drop by to say hi. I used to read your diary years ago, and have recently come back to the land of MSE. I read your recent posts and it does sound like isolation is taking its toll on you. Are there any online activities you could take part in? My writers circle have online meetings and I know the are book clubs online now too. Maybe a way of easing back into socialising?

Thank you PiggyBankShaker, I remember your name. Hope all is well with you.
I will take a look into the online clubs, thank you, I hadn't thought of that.

MeandO

Chrystal said:

Sending you lots of gentle (((((hugs))))) XXXX

Thank you Chrystal xx

MeandO

I wrote a long post yesterday but deleted it shortly after as there was probably too much detail about RL in it for an online forum. Yesterday wasn't a good day and I was upset for a large part of it, but a hot shower around lunchtime really helped me to feel better and ready to face the world again.

I'm feeling a bit better today and am trying very hard to remain positive about things and achieve little things each day. The sunny weather helps my mood although it's freezing cold outside today as it was yesterday. I even put my new plants in the shed overnight as we had a frost last night. I need to get them out shortly and give them some water.

Most of the DD's have gone out today including the mortgage. I've updated YNAB this morning and have rounded the mortgage down to exactly £77,500 with an overpayment. OPing always makes me feel more positive. I am saving a minimum of £375 a month into various savings pots at the moment too, although £25 of that goes to DS's ISA. 
My Help to Save account comes to an end this month as it will have been 4 years since opening it. Wow, that time has gone so quickly. I can remember thinking the help to save pot would be the fund for my a new kitchen - I've moved twice since then. Never thought I'd leave that house, we loved it so. How things change eh? There is only around £300 in that account now as I had to take a large chunk out to pay the builder last year. It also meant I lost £75 of the maximum bonus, but I had little choice as I needed the money and there is still a bonus of £525 coming my way so I'm thankful for that. I had the first £600 bonus two years ago. I'll put the money straight into the savings account, it won't be used for overpayments this time.

Today I'd like to get the house dusted through and perhaps clear out my wardrobe or put a few more pictures up. Little jobs that will keep me busy and make me feel better. yesterday I sat on my bed under a blanket as I was so cold and read a book with the sunshine streaming through the windows. It was a nice change, but when the sun shines I can see how dusty the place is! 

savingholmes

Sorry you've had a rough time. Sometimes life it just so hard... Hope that you manage to dust yourself off and get going again. You are doing well in difficult circumstances. Be kind to yourself.

Glad you have some savings that can bring a smile to your face.

MeandO

Thank you for your kind words savingholmes xx

MeandO

Something pretty awful happened at the weekend and I’m still struggling to come to terms with it and to figure out how best to protect DS from it happening again and to prevent him from any further upset. Nothing physical, but emotional and verbal abuse from someone who should protect him the most in life.    It’s been a tough week emotionally, but thankfully DS seems ok and is currently enjoying a school trip. I am seeking professional help to ensure I can do all I can to protect DS. 

Aside from dealing with that, I’ve been quite busy trying to get the house more organised. I had to purchase a tall ladder to be able to reach the attic and the high ceilings in this house. have been borrowing something similar, but returned it a couple of weeks ago. It cost £67 delivered, but today I have sold 3 items on fab which should total £70 when the third item is collected later, so I’m happy to have made that back. 

I had a bit of a listing frenzy yesterday and put around 10 items on fb. 2 were collected this morning, 1 is to be picked up this evening and there is interest on another 3 items. If they don’t sell locally I will try eBay, if that fails, the charity shop can have it.
I have also been ‘shopping from home’ and have repurposed some furniture from one room to another for a different use. I had ordered a new piece on Amazon, but spending the £30 wasn’t sitting comfortably with me so I cancelled it and decided to try and find a way to use what I had. I’m really glad I did as both rooms look better for it. It means I now have a dedicated junk-free work space and there is more room to move in DS’s playroom. 

Today I’ve exchanged something bought in January that stopped working, for a replacement, so no cost there.

I was lucky to find quite a few packs of YS chicken breasts, sausages, mince and smoked salmon in tesc0, so yesterday I portioned it all up and froze it all down. I’ve also made a list of what’s in the freezer so I can keep a track of what we actually need and what meals I can make. 

I also managed to pick quite a few bargains on shopping cash back apps yesterday and have already received the credit/cash, so that will help fill our cupboards a little.

I’ve also sorted another big bag of stuff for charity, lots of clothes too small for DS to pass on elsewhere and have started sorting through my clothes too (not that I have many that fit). I think it’s time to admit I’m never going to get back into some of the things I have.  

I’m off to clean the bathroom and Hoover through the house. Again. Trying to have a good spring clean whilst DS is away. 

Four_Seasons

you seem to be having an awful run at the moment. sending you love and hugs x

badmemory

Sometimes emotional & verbal is actually worse than physical, as physical unless it is ongoing is an "in passing" thing.  I'm not going to go into what my then husband said to our 7 yr old, but I still haven't recovered from the fact that I just sat there & let it happen & didn't say a word or more to the point kill him.  Over 30 yrs on & I still haven't forgiven myself & I have not dared tell anyone in real life because I don't see how they could forgive me either.  Please avoid having that to live with.

MeandO

badmemory said:

Sometimes emotional & verbal is actually worse than physical, as physical unless it is ongoing is an "in passing" thing.  I'm not going to go into what my then husband said to our 7 yr old, but I still haven't recovered from the fact that I just sat there & let it happen & didn't say a word or more to the point kill him.  Over 30 yrs on & I still haven't forgiven myself & I have not dared tell anyone in real life because I don't see how they could forgive me either.  Please avoid having that to live with.

I’m sorry to hear this badmemory xx

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