We will get this debt down & the savings up

foxgloves

Got to love a new Money Book, @Makingabobor2. I'm exactly the same!
F

Sun_Addict

Great news the pension has started! I think 4 weekly is so much easier in terms of budgeting. 

Elisheba

Oh I was reading your post from today and it reminded me I needed to hang the washing out - so thank you for that timely reminder!

LittleMissDetermined

Just pegged my 2nd load of the day out already. It’s been very rainy here the last few days so I’ve not been on top of it.

Y-Live will do payments near the start of each month but make sure they have your bank details so they can send it. Or your address to send a cheque if you prefer. Mine just goes in my bank and I’ve never had a problem x

Congrats on the state pension kicking in, I agree a new money book is in order 😊

LMD x

Makingabobor2

Hello Sunday readers.  A bit windy & overcast today.  We got up early as we wanted to do a few bits in the garden and then DH stayed out there building me another veg trough...its a good job he enjoys DIY.  He had managed to get some free old decking wood that someone was getting rid of on FBMP. He has put legs on this one as the first one he made me was a bit low and not great for my back with lots of bending.  He hasn't quite finished it yet, but its coming on.  Then I am going to do a bit of a rearrange of this end of the garden where I am trying to create a "growing" section.  Then we have plans to make a better seating area a bit further down as well. It all seems like a slow job....lol . 
So while he was doing his DIY, I did an online cardio exercise class, quick shower and then a walk down to the local C0-o* to drop of some plastic recycling and hunt for any orange stickers...but sadly there were none this week.  Last week I had managed to get loads of stuff to put in freezer, but today it was back to its normal stupid price....£1.65 for 4 mini pork pies!!! How is that a reduction? Their prices are ridiculous sometimes. 

So I have purchased a nice new book to start my budget/saving/debt busting planning. I will hopefully get it all sorted ready in time for the July pension day on 24th.  I am doing "nanny duties" this week from Tues -Thurs, for my 4 GSs.....yes you read that right.....there are 4 of them!!  Its only 2 nights, so I'm sure it will be ok, but I may need a day of rest on Friday....lol.  They range from almost 14yrs, down to 20 months!  The older ones will be at school, so shouldn't be too hard. I'll let you know next week...lol. 

P/fc still very slow, so hoping for some improvement there. Still have over £7 waiting to approve. Hoping the Y-!*v*  money will hit the bank any day now, as it is showing as a -50 now, which I presume means they have paid out and it is lost in cyber space,.  Other survey sites seem to be slow as well at the moment, but anything is better than nothing even 50p a day all adds up. I actually feel like there is some progress now with the OPs on the mortgage, but I do want to try and balance the debt busting with a bit more saving as well. I'm sure once I sit down and actually think about it all and write it all down, it will become obvious which is the best way to do things. I just need to wait till I have a couple of days with nothing else to think about and when I am not tired, so I can concentrate on it all. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. 

Makingabobor2

So I'm back online after 3 days/2 nights of nanny duties. It all went well apart from the fact that I hurt my hip on Monday and have been in a lot of pain with it ever since. Not sure what I've done to it, but hoping I can solve it myself without having to resort to a trip to GP for xray.  I did wonder to start with if I had a stress fracture ( I suffer with Osteoporosis, so easier to get them), but then I thought it was more likely a torn ligament. Either way, I probably should have spent the first 48hrs resting it and not looking after 4 boys. Doesn't seem quite as bad as it was, but still in quite a bit of pain when I put weight on it or lay/sit in wrong position and now because I've been walking odd to compensate for the pain, I now have pain all up the left side from shoulder to ankle. Luckily I have a massage booked for next Thursday, wo hoping that will help. 

Anyway, enough of my whinging. Not much to report on money saving matters at the moment as been a bit busy to do too many surveys or anything. I do have over £14 waiting to approve in P/fc and still waiting on the £50 from Y!*ve. They have sent me a BACS invoice thing, so I know its on the way.  
Still not had time to sit down with the new budget book and plan things, but as pension not due till 24th, I still have time.

As I did so much food shopping last week in preparation for the GK's visit, I haven't had to break into this weeks food budget yet, so hoping all I will need is some fruit & veg in a day or 2, or maybe some more bread and we have enough in fridge/freezer & cupboards to make meals. I know there is enough, I just need to make meal plan from now till next Thursday/Friday

Sun is finally shining really warm, so even if my hip hurts too much to do gardening yet, I can at least sit out in the sun today for a rest. All I have planned today is washing all the bed linen and towels from the boys stay, first lot is already on the line. DH hoovered all through downstairs when he got in from work yesterday and then carried the hoover upstairs so I could do that today, but think I'll leave it till tomorrow and try and get my hip a bit better first. Also as its Saturday tomorrow, I can always try and talk DH into doing it for me.....lol

Not sure if I mentioned it but I signed up for a couple of free classes on Open University.  Never knew such a thing existed until I read another MSE'er had done it. Think it was @MrsPorridge, so thanks for the tip.  I have started one called Introduction to Aging, and another called The Science of Nutrition and Healthy Eating.  There are loads more on there that look interesting as well. 

Anyway enjoy your day everybody and hope the forecast thunderstorms are not too bad, at least the garden should get watered. 

~FlowerPot~

I do hope your hip improves soon. If its still bad in a couple of Day you should really try and see the gp. 
I love free courses! Just need a bit more time!! 

Blackcats

Sorry to hear about your bad hip- I hope it eases up soon.
yay to State Pension.  OH gets his next February but mine is a few years away yet.

Sun_Addict

I hope your hip feels better soon. 

Makingabobor2

Thanks for the good wishes re the hip. I have been resting, doing stretches and gentle walks and think it is definitely improving, although it does still hurt a bit. Have a massage appointment booked for Thursday, so we'll see how it is by then. Think maybe I just did something to the ligaments.

Ok, I have a question .....I know some of you are with the tentacled energy supplier and have the smart meters. We're with them, but at the moment do not have the smart meter.  Our fixed tariff ends in August and we are considering whether to get the meter installed or not?  I've read all the info on the website and their FAQs.  For those of you who have one.....what are the pros & cons?   Is it saving you money with the money saving hours things?   Did you get any problems getting them installed and set up?   Are they billing you accurately?   Is it best to still take your own photos/readings every month to make sure they are getting it right?  

Ok, off to do some more surveys now and then watch the British GP.  Have a good day everyone.