We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

vampirotoothus said:

Hi, I can highly recommend the John Lewis basic straighteners at £35.00. Variable heat settings which is good. I think they are better than my GHDs! V x

Will have a look, thanks for recommendation

badmemory

As for the water meters well what can I say.  We are stuck using them & paying for their total incompetence.  At least with energy we have a choice of sorts.  After all why should they care if they fit the wrong meters we have to pay for them anyway.

Makingabobor2

So the 2nd new water meter was fitted yesterday, but so far when I log into the website, I can't find anything about the tracker we are supposed to be able to log into to see our useage.  Probably another thing that they spent money on and then won't work properly.  

Lovely day today, and 2 loads of washing done on 30c and dried in the sunshine.  Plants watered this morning from the water butts and a couple of bowlfuls of water caught from waiting for it to be the correct temperature etc, and added to the watering can. 
Just spent a couple of hours on some long overdue budgeting stuff, trying to rejig where money goes, as I am wanting to get these debts paid off quicker.  Had a bit of a disagreement with DH over it, but he is on board with it now.  He says it doesn't matter how long it takes to pay them, and he wanted to concentrate on saving towards new car ( not new, but having money there in case we need another 2nd hand one), and saving for house stuff.  Whilst I agreed that these things are important, I stick to my guns that the debts need to be gone ASAP.  We managed to OP the mortgage, so I'm sure we can get these debts done quickly if we really try.  That's not to say I am not onboard with other savings and yes, I do think we should have cheap holidays and actually live a life, as no one knows what is round the corner.   So yes we are saving for all sorts of things, but the debts MUST take priority in my opinion.  He's agreed he won't buy me a birthday present and will put money towards our holiday, and any birthday/Christmas  money we get this year will go towards things rather than be put in our own personal accounts.  He has sold quite a few items lately, so has a fair bit stashed away I think.  So we'll see how things go now.  New budget period starts on Monday (although I will probably get my pension Friday as its a BH), DH's wages are finally sorted out for the new tax year, he still gets paid weekly. 
We are well in credit with Gas/Elec. It is the first year we have not gone into the red over the winter. So very pleased about that, the way its going we should go into next winter with a really big credit.   Tariff ends in August, so we'll see what they offer then.  
Water is now in credit after they messed up the meter fitting. So I am putting money by in the Annual Bills pot, so cover that. More than we will need to start with, until I get an idea of what we are actually using. 

P/fc decided to start being productive again today and I have had loads of studies.  Got over £15 to cash out in a bit, which will be good as we have DGKs 3 & 4 staying the night on Saturday, so I can buy a few things that they like to eat...both picky eaters. 

So that's about it for now.  Off to get the washing in and get dinner ready.  Jacket potato and sausage today....lovely ones from the butcher that are so big we only need one each.  Will see what veg we have to go with it. 
Tomorrow is line dancing (already paid for with my 10 class pass to get them cheaper) and then Friday I have an extra hearing aid appt, as the latest tweaks she did are really not working and everything sounds so tinny and bad.  I am tempted to just tell her now that I want to give them back for refund and wait till next year, but not sure if I should give them a bit longer.   

Today has been another NSD

Have a good evening all

Makingabobor2

Good day today. Had line dancing this morning and then popped into L*d!  Got some good orange stickered bread rolls and a free bottle of BBQ sauce from the last threshold spend.  BBQ is not normally one I spend money on, but we do love it and thought as it was free I'd get it. I'm sure the DGKs will like it on Sunday on their hot dogs and chips. 

Not had any surveys/studies today, but yesterday was an excellent day, so I can't complain. Listed a couple more bits on V*nt*d as well. 

Tonight's dinner is left over  HM chicken soup, which I might mix some pasta into to make it a bit more interesting.

That's about it really today.  Need to go and get the bits out for DH to make up the little bed for DGS4, other one will sleep in the spare bed.  Want to get it done, as I am busy tomorrow with this silly hearing aid appointment and need to get petrol while I am there as it is 4p a litre cheaper than it is over our way.  I have to go to a local retail park, 8 miles away, which I wouldn't normally go to if it wasn't for having to go to B00ts.  It always amazes me to see so many people walking around there with loads of carrier bags, having spent a fortune.  I would much rather have a morning round the CS's or a good car boot sale. Shopping is my least favourite past time.  Even when we need something, half the time I can't be bothered to actually go and look for whatever it is.  We are still in need of a splash back for behind the new basin, and a shelf in the corner, but I just keep putting off going to look for something....lol

Hope everyone has a good evening. 

Makingabobor2

Just sat waiting for my HA appt. Shall I just give in now? In the hope she can tweak them to sound better.  Or perservere for another week or 2? Wish I could decide. 

Sun_Addict

What did you decide in the end? 

Sarahwithlove

Hope it works out whatever decision you make with the hearing aids 

Makingabobor2

Back after a weekend of having DGKs 3&4 for a sleepover. They were very well behaved, and slept and ate well, so can't complain really. With such a big age gap between DGKs 1&2....almost 16 year old twins, and then number 3&4 being only almost 9, and 3 1/2, I am obviously a lot older than when we used to look after the twins, and I really do notice it now....bad knees and getting on the floor to play is not so easy, need my sleep more now, even the exta cooking tires me out.  But we survived, and I wouldn't swap it for the world, I just need to be organised and make sure DH helps out.  As luck would have it, the Scalextric that DH found in the attic last week, was on the landing, as we were thinking of selling it.  DGKs spotted it and youngest one, who had no idea what it actually was, said "I like F1 cars"...lol.  So DH was persuaded to get it out and put it all together, luckily it fitted in the bedroom, so we didn't need it all over the lounge floor. They then spent hours racing and really enjoyed it.  Little one said it was better than playing XBox, as the cars were "real".  Think that sums it all up nicely really. 
So they went home about 4pm yesterday, and I then ran a bath, and told DH that he would have to get in after  me, as I wasn't wasting water on 2 baths, or even 1 bath and a shower.  I rarely have a bath, always shower normally, but just fancied a nice soak.  I did however notice how much harder it is getting now, for me to get out.....dodgy knees etc.   Think if we are going to keep a bath, then we need to look into a grab rail thing on the side. 

So today DH had to work until 12, so I washed all the towels and managed to get them 99% dry, before this afternoon's shower. Just the edges damp still, so they are fine on the airer in spare room for an hour.  Not a heated airer, so not costing anything.  Cut DH's hair when he got in.  Must have saved so much money in the last 5 years since I bought him clippers.  Originally we only got them to use during lockdown, but once I realised I'm not too bad at it, we just kept  at it.  Maybe I should make him pay me.....lol. 

We used up some left overs for lunch, and then walked down to the local Pr*mi*r shop, which houses our local PO, so I could post a bag I just sold on V*nt*d.  That's 2 items sold in the last week, so more ££ to add to the pots. 

So now I have just logged in looking for surveys and studies, but none so far. 

Today is the start of our 4 week budget period, although my pensions actually arrived on Friday with it being a BH.  All looking ok and I have decided to go to Ic*!and tomorrow, as its 10% discount day for over 60s, and I haven't had a browse round there for ages. So I will check the freezer, write a list/rough meal plan and see what I can find.  DD is supposed to be sending me a list as well, so i can get the discount off her items as well. 

No chance of getting anything  done in garden today, just started raining again. Shouldn't complain really, as the ground does need it. Water butts are just about to the top again now, as well. 

So think I will finish my current puzzle....just a few horrible green bits left to do, and then maybe I'll do some more family tree stuff. Haven't done much on that lately, and I've now signed up to another site, one that is free, so need to make the most of it.  DH, is doing some stuff on his computer and planning on getting his guitar out to play.  

Hope you are all enjoying your BH

Makingabobor2

Well I thought I should update as its the end of the week already, where did it go?  I did write a post yesterday, but somehow I managed to delete it and just couldn't be bothered to re do it. 
Not a very exciting week, but here are the highlights
Had a dental checkup and all was well, so no extra money had to be spent there.   Just a couple of things I was made aware of to keep an eye on....as he said, at our age its all about keeping our teeth as long as we can....lol.  Not that I have that many of my own at the back to keep hold of.....a few gaps and a few crowns. But it is what it is. 

Managed quite a few yellow stickered items when I went shopping on Wednesday, stir fry veg, bread and crumpets. We are on a mission to not spend as much this month, so trying to use whatever we have before I get any more shopping, even if it means eating not so healthy for a few days.  The freezer and fridge are quite full and the cupboard is full of condiments, baking stuff, nuts, cereal, etc. So think we should be ok. going to do meal plan in a bit and that should take us until at least the end of next week. 

Sold a couple of things on V*nt*d and just waiting for the money to come through

Seems I qualify for the NW £100, and looks as though DH may as well, although I need to log in as him to double check.  He never uses online banking so has no idea. We have said that as this would be unexpected and extra, it will get put towards the holiday pot. 

I finished my puzzle and then met up with a friend to pass them on and also some book swaps.  Have started another puzzle...all from either CS or from friend. DD normally buys me one at Christmas and sometimes birthdays, but other than that, I never had brand new ones, such a waste of money IMHO.  
My latest book is going a bit slow, I have been tired the last few nights and not read much, so must get back into it tonight.  

No line dancing this week as the venue is used for kids in the school holidays, so I have tried to do more online classes and really trying to up my steps and also do more weights and resistance training.  I'm considering trying the dance fitness class next week as well as the line dancing, but we'll see, 

On the garden front, I spotted a courgette the other day, not sure if it will grow or what, but very surprised to see it. Also stawberries are starting to ripen, although not many of them yet, and signs of growth on the raspberries and signs of carrots appearing and potatoes flowering.  Need to get some more stuff in and spend more time out there.  Also the £3 rhubarb plant I bought the other week, is really coming on well. 

Posted my friend's birthday present today, using a box that DH had something delivered in the other day. He was going to break it up and put it in the recycle bin, but luckily I spotted it first. She lives up north, so have no choice but to post it. 
Counting the days down to my birthday now, 2 weeks today.  Can't possible believe it...how can I nearly be 68?? 

anyway, need to get off and get that meal plan done.  Have a good evening. 

Makingabobor2

Happy Sunday.  I do like Sundays now I am retired. Used to dread them when I worked.  
We've had a good weekend.  Yesterday I started some more serious decluttering to try and add to my number of decluttered items this year, now up to 702, still a long way off the 2025 and maybe that is a bit ambitious, but we'll see.  Still got a lot of old photos and stuff like that to go through and DH has yet to start on the shed and garage, Also need to go through clothes again and the kitchen cupboards, so I should get quite a few more items added.  I now have a big pile for CS and some more bits listed to sell, but if they don't sell quickly I will CS them, as don't want stuff hanging around. 

This morning DH cleaned the pond and cut the lawn and I tidied up some plants. Its all looking good out there now, first 2 courgettes are showing, and quite a few strawberries, and 3 raspberries so far. Carrots are starting to show as well, and potatoes flowering well. The rhubarb is doing well also, first time growing that, so hoping for good things.  I fancied planting some more carrots and some salad stuff, but no compost left and can't decide if its a false economy to buy some more. 

Did 2 loads of washing on 30c and managed to get them dry outside before the quick shower this afternoon. 

Had an email from STW, they have now decided that they will be collecting payment by DD, starting on July 1st at £44 a month, and the £123 that we were in credit, is being refunded to us.  So that is all good.  Still making sure we try and save water where we can, as I have no intention of using £44 a month on water. 

Surveys ended up on £58 for May, so not too shabby. Aim to do better this month and spend more time on them if I can. Got quite a bit waiting to approve that will get June off to a good start.  Also hope to find more stuff to sell on FBMP and V*nt*d.  

Think that's about it for now. Dinner is cooking, its shepherds pie today, with lots of veg. Then we'll se what's on TV.  Have a good evening all.