My journey to health, wealth (well, saving for works to house, so not really!) and hobbies

[Deleted User]

So quite a bit of up and down last 2 days(!)

Yesterday took youngest to a toddler sports thing (pre-paid for a number of weeks as only way to secure spot) and he was a complete nightmare, had to leave halfway through!! He had woken up v early and not in a good mood as he had already bitten his brother by 815am leaving a horrible mark. So we left as I was just so embarrassed by how out of control and destructive he was. Had to pop to shop for milk(!) but Aldo ended up buying DH and I a pudding as felt I needed something nice after that plus chocolate. Some yoghurts for the kids (all on offer bar milk) and came to £12.46.

DC2’s bad behaviour continued for most of the day and I felt like a useless mother. I was glad it carried on when DH got home so he could see first hand what I do have to contend with on my own sometimes. A bottle of wine was also shared between us (but we still have 10 left in stores - it’s only cheap stuff but we like it).

Today we went to see the architect again as builder had come up with an idea which might save us loads both in cash and disruption. Talked it through with her and she thinks a good idea so is going to re-work which will cost us but not much.  We also now have our drains survey which means she can get it exactly right. So that is good as solves quite a few issues - short version, the original plans  were pretty much forcing us to get everything done now which was a huge worry for me. Now, if this plan works (they have to double check measurements on the computer generated model), we can (I hope!) go back to doing it in stages as and when we have the cash.

Filled car up with petrol (78.42) but knew that was coming and had accounted for it in our monthly budget.  I’m hoping you’re proud of me for this next one. Was really craving a sourdough baguette filled with beef and horseradish from a well know supermarket which is just shy of £5. I’m driving along thinking you know what to it and at last minute I thought of you guys and decided no, I’ll go home and make cheese on toast. So that’s what I did!!!

Not sure if this next one is as sensible but have cancelled the cats insurance. He does have one pre-existing condition which was covered but they’d added over £10 a month to the premium so it was almost £35. And have to pay excess plus 20% of each claim due to his age. They tried to flog me a lower premium lower cover policy but by time you take off excess, premiums paid and 20% it’s just not worth it. Think might just save the equivalent of the old premiums in an account for that eventuality. Discussed with DH last night and sadly we do think that he is coming to the end of his days anyway (now sometimes wees in house) and that we’re not convinced that a vet would recommend putting him through an operation as he does have a heart murmur (excluded from cover).  So only time will tell if that is correct decision! 

[Deleted User]

Oh and have also had to pay £350 for drains survey and same for asbestos survey (no asbestos luckily!). We haven’t budgeted for it as such (as in, to come out of this months spending, which is good as otherwise we’d be screwed!) but our renovation/project cash is sitting there (some in fixed bonds) so we take out of that. Does mean total goes down until we can save again but it’s ultimately been “budgeted for” in the cost of what we think we might need for the renos.

Blackcats

Well done on avoiding the spend on the beef and horseradish baguette which does sound delicious though.  We cooked a filet of beef for Boxing Day and the leftovers were fab for sandwiches.  I like cheese on toast too!

easy to smile from a distance at DC2's antics.  A bite of a brother by 8.15 doesn't signal a good day ahead.  My youngest was an occasional biter - not an endearing trait.  

Sounds good about house plans - very exciting.

[Deleted User]

Mmmmm I really do love beef. We don’t have it too often these days. We did same as you at Christmas blackcats. DC1 wouldn’t eat it (even though he likes burgers), DC2 had a bit. But DH had smothered it in bourbon and mustard which even I found a bit much tbh.

Today I have both DC though MIL taking DC2 for just under 4 hours to give me some time with DC1. Not sure what we will do as very windy and rainy so anything outside is out. Might take him to library and for a treat. Asked him what he wants to do but he’s just not interested!

We had No pudding last night, ordinarily I’d just buy one but instead, remembered we had meringue, Christmas curd and yoghurt but DH also remembered we had some puff pastry in freezer and a mix of apples and blackberries from our garden which he’d cooked and frozen. So he made a blackberry and apple pie. Had half last night and will have rest tonight, both with leftover cream.

Friend who was picking up clothes has put off until weekend/next week, hope she’s not having second thoughts! Hopefully person collecting 2 other items will show tomorrow so will be £10.

Can anyone recommend a good series to watch? We’ve just finished Jack Ryan and Reacher on Prime so something like that?

joedenise

Have you seen Bosche?  (think that's how it's spelt!). We enjoyed that series and are now watching the follow on series.

[Deleted User]

Not seen that one but will look for it!

the less said about the shopping yesterday the better. In fairness we did need large items like loo roll and I always buy a 24 pack as better value. But I am SO ashamed that I bought one of the baguettes for lunch yesterday! I hang my head in shame.

We are still on track budget wise but may not fill the other car up this month.

Architect has sent plans back and the stair idea works! This is great as means all we have to do for now to 2nd and 3rd floor is get the new stairs in and get the drainage fitted for the 3rd floor bathroom (as otherwise they’ll have to dig up the new works whenever we want it done so she advised putting it in and capping it now. This is great news as should save us loads plus we don’t have to worry about doing everything now which was a major worry for me.

went to a kitchen co this morning which was good but SO many options it makes my head spin!

MSE wise, we’ve not spent anything today and think we are staying in as weather rotten. Soft play tomorrow so 14.90 if we avoid coffee and sausage roll.

DH has made a huge batch of pea soup to freeze for his lunches, he’s made 12 portions! He is doing home made pizzas last night so v cheap and fun for the DC.

CL21

Also recommend Bosch - I loved third series of Jack Ryan and Reacher as well. Hope they’re making a second Reacher series! Anyway there is about 5 series of Bosch so if you like it it should keep you going for a while! 

Re the cats, I would definitely set up a direct debit to a savings pot for this especially if they already have a pre existing condition. 

Humdinger1

All sounds good re your building work @[Deleted User]! Exciting times ahead love Humdinger xx 

[Deleted User]

@CL21 thank you. We have started it and really like it! And will continue to put the premiums aside just in case.

thanks @Humdinger1!

Well, we did soft play Sunday morning and got charged £1 less than normal which was good (seems to happen depending who is on shift). We did have coffee and sausage roll but shared one.

Took DC2 to toddler play this morning - was better than last week but I still couldn’t wait for it to come to an end! He has decided he will not go down for a sleep at all today so no break for me at all. Got to collect DC1 at 3 and then might make some chocolate cupcakes (we already have ingredients for this).

Tonight is leftover sausage and chestnut pasta from freezer. 

Friend picked up clothes. The person collecting the other stuff didn’t show despite my sending 2 messages. I just think that’s the height of rudeness! 

However, have today sold 2 more items £6. So have a bit to pay into the bank tomorrow.

payday Friday and start of new months budget. Not expecting to have as good a month budget wise this coming one as I’m away for a girls weekend (no accommodation as staying at friends, some travel already paid for but will be more) plus expensive meals out (unavoidable with this group) then we have a dinner at a friends so wine to take and cab home, plus visitors for a long weekend so feeding, watering snd a meal out! Plus all the usual expenses. I have come to the conclusion it is expensive to live! 

Blackcats

It's a balance and having fun can cost next to nothing or lots of money.  We had a lovely lunch out with friends and it came to £100 per couple 🤦‍♀️.  One of our friends had a whole bottle of quite pricey wine and drank it all.  OH was driving and had a Diet Coke.  Seemed too petty to try to apportion the bill other than 50:50 hence the £100 cost.  Not much left in the eating out pot for January and we have one more planned meal out at the end of the month.