We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

Blackcats said:

Sounds like you had a busy PJ day.   Let us know what your DH gets you for Valentines.

It was my favourite, a bar of 85% dark chocolate & a box of dark truffles! I was very pleased. 

Makingabobor2

Just a quick update today, not much to report really, but a few useful bits done on the MSE front. 
Had to order DH a new shirt for a special occasion later in the year, and had a £2 voucher from M*S, so ordered online through TCB to get cash back as well. Although I know their shirts aren't the cheapest, it will last for years as really good quality, so I don't mind. Also I wanted another thermal top as I am wearing them a lot in order to keep the heating low. So that was added to the order, to get free delivery
Also went through his old shirts in the wardrobe and found one that is perfectly good to put on V*nt*d to sell, just doesn't fit him anymore....he has put on a bit of weight I fear. But says now he is swimming again, it will turn to muscle....we can only hope.

Closed an old N*tW*st acc that I haven't used for about 2years and they hadn't even sent me a new debit card as I don't use it. So that is a bit of virtual decluttering done as I have deleted the app from my phone as well as cutting up the old card for recycling....(luckily our local refill shop takes old plastic cards to recycle)

Had a decent P/fc study as well, which is always a bonus on a Saturday. 

Been wearing my thermal top today with a chunky jumper over the top, so the heating hasn't clicked in much. Also I have been dancing around to stay warm.  I am thinking of starting a line dancing class locally that I discovered, and have always wanted to do it.  I thought it will come from my personal spends and is only £5.50 a week, so I think money well spent to keep me fit and socialising.  I am starting on 27th, so in the mean time, she has some recorded classes online that you can practice. I really found it fun, so am sure it will be even better in a room full of laughing women as well.  Think its good for the brain as well, having to learn the steps and remember routines. 


Time to get dinner now before some TV

Sun_Addict

I think the line dancing class is a great idea. I’m thinking of re-joining the gym when I retire and going to some face to face classes. I enjoy the live virtual sessions I do at the moment as they fit in well with my work schedule but I’m thinking about the social aspect once I’m no longer working. 

Makingabobor2

Sun_Addict said:

I think the line dancing class is a great idea. I’m thinking of re-joining the gym when I retire and going to some face to face classes. I enjoy the live virtual sessions I do at the moment as they fit in well with my work schedule but I’m thinking about the social aspect once I’m no longer working. 

Yes, I agree. I do a lot of online exercise sessions, but feel that spending a bit from my personal spends will be well worth it.  Will be different when DH retires, we will probably be out a lot then, but while he's working, I think this will be good for me. After Covid I was reluctant to mix with too many people, but think I'll give it a go...if they are all full of cold in the winter, I won't go...lol

Makingabobor2

Just realised its been quite a few days since I posted.  Not sure there is much excitement to report, things are going along fine, and everything heading in the right way....savings up and debt pot is increasing to get these debts paid off quicker.  

Still dithering about the hearing aids. After a 2nd test at B00t*, which was, I have to admit, so much more extensive than the first one at the opticians and a million times better than the NHS one.  I think it is definitely worth trying them, and they will probably benefit me a lot. You get 90 days warranty, so if I decided I didn't like them, I can get the deposit and any payments back. It still seems like such a lot of money, when we still have debts we are trying to pay off, but what price can you put on your health?  The audiologist there explained that the ones they give at the NHS are about 3 or 4 years behind private ones, so not as technically advanced and therefor not so good. Also you don't have the option to go back every couple of weeks for checking how you are getting on with them or just popping in if you have a problem.  With NHS you would always have to contact them to get an appointment and they don't tend to keep an eye on you so much....more like, "here you go, get on with it"....lol.  Which is basically what my friend confirmed as she was given hers and just put on full volume and left to get on with it, she doesn't even know how to speak to them if she has a problem.  B00t* say they start you off on 65% volume as otherwise it is soooo loud. She let me try them and walk around the shop for 10 mins and its very odd....lol.  When I had them in, they re-did the speech test and it made such a difference.  Then you have to go back every 2 weeks for the first couple of months so they can tweak them and see how you get on.  Then check up once a year, but you can pop in at any time, or even ring them and there are certain tweaks they can do online as it is all controlled from phone/bluetooth. I must admit I have one fear of them....actually having to put them in my ear and the thought of the end piece coming off and getting stuck in my ear...which apparently can happen, although not very likely, but has been known.    Anyway, I am still thinking, but there is 10% off until end of March, so best think quickly.  What I want to do I think, is put down as big a deposit as I can, so as not to take up much on the 10 months interest free. and then pay off over payments when I can to get it paid off even quicker. I think this is why I am dithering.....the thought of having to have credit, even though it is interest free. But if I wait till I can afford them all in one go, the 10% offer will be gone and will cost me more.  

Anyway, what else has been happening in MSE land?  Just the normal things of trying  not to use the heating too much; drying washing outside; sticking to meal plans and things like that. 
Next week is the start of the new budget period, and so far this last 4 weeks has gone well, still got money left in the petrol pot, in the buffer pot and although I have spent up on housekeeping pot, we have enough to last until Monday. Think I may increase the housekeeping budget slightly next time, as prices seem to be rising still and I would rather have too much in there and move it elsewhere if not spent, than not enough. I currently put £240 for 4 weeks, 2 adults with no pets. I'll try and work harder at meal planning and get back to batch cooking which I haven't really done much of since Christmas. 

Studies/surveys seem a bit thin on the ground this week, hoping it picks up a bit.  I am just about to list a pair of trainers that I don't really wear on V*nt*d, so that might bring in a few ££ extra.  I am a trainer gal, but these are ones I never really found comfortable so will get some more of the ones I like better. Have got a few "favourited" on V*nt*d and watching on the Bay of E....but hoping I might see a cheap brand new pair in a sale somewhere as well.  Saw a lovely pair in CS this morning, but not my size....typical.  

Decluttering is still going well, and another bag taken to CS this morning.  Also finished my latest book, a brilliant novel by Kristin Hannah, called The Four Winds.  DD gave me 5 of hers that she has just read and its a brilliant read, can highly recommend it.  If you like a memorable, moving, but tough and gritty novel about strong women, then this is one you should read. 

Well that's about it. Need to get on with tidying up and start thinking about dinner...jacket potato tonight. 

Have a good evening. 

Sun_Addict

I think you’ve decided on the best option for you. I know you’re not keen on the credit but if it’s interest free and you can pay it off quicker then go for it, especially if it will save you money in the long run. 

I’ve read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and really enjoyed it. 

Makingabobor2

Yes I think I have really, @Sun_Addict. Think I'm just trying to talk myself out of it, as don't want to spend the money & would rather not have to have them at all.  But having just watched TV, where a chap with a deep voice & Iclandic accent was talking, I can see how much I need them...I couldn't make out what he was saying....lol

Makingabobor2

Just posting to say I have been feeling really fed up & tired lately and can't out my finger on why....

*Wondering if its the stressing about having to spend money on hearing aids, which I really don't want to do

*Also I am really wanting to get these debts paid off quickly now the mortgage is paid, but things keep popping up ( like hearing aids...lol), and I just don't seem to be doing as well as I thought we would.  But we are only 2 months into the year, so I suppose I should not be in too much of a rush

* Also I hurt my leg the about 10 days ago, just tripped in the kitchen and stumbled, but I seem to have done something to the muscle/tendon/ligament....I don't know.  I have had massage, I have been using heatpacks, I have done stretching and it is getting me down now.  I suffer with bad back/hips quite a bit anyway and not sure if the pain is coming down from there, or if its the knee, as it hurts quite a bit there and in calf.  Also I think my posture is poor and my trainers I tend to wear all day indoors, have no support. Think I could do with some more arch fit ones.  

*Maybe its just the weather getting me down

Anyway, whatever it is, moaning about it won't help so I have decided I am going to get more organised....
Get more sleep
Get up earlier
Eat better ( we are basically healthy, but I think there is too much sugar creeping in)
Incorporate yoga and pilates into my exercise
Actually do the things on my To Do list, by not making it too long each day and maybe taking one item a day from my "to do in the future" list...what @foxgloves refers to as an "annoying jobs list".  
And the main thing I want to do is spend less time online, especially FB. Problem is that so many things we need these days, are done online.  

Anyway, enough of my moaning. I need to get ready and walk down to get my hair cut for 9.30

Will report back later on if I have had a productive day.  

Blackcats

Sorry that you are feeling fed up - it's probably a combination of things and sounds like you are putting plans in place to perk ourself up.

As far as the hearing aids are concerned I would treat them as a need not a want.  It's not a flippant purchase of a designer handbag (which I've done in the past) but a quality of life and well-being essential.  They will be paid for over the course of your finance agreement and you can ring fence this and not feel like it's increasing your past life debt.

my 97 year old dad just upgraded his hearing aids and the difference for him is apparently amazing.  Makes my life easier too as I'm not having to talk so loudly and slowly.

did you go to line dancing?

Makingabobor2

Good afternoon all. 
 Sorry for being AWOL for a while.  Had a few real lift things going on and needed some time away from MSE, FB and all things online.  We went away for the weekend, cheap SC, only 2 hour drive away and it has done us both the world of good. We walked, connected with nature, talked, took photos, ate fish & chips and cakes, wandered round CSs  and played Scrabble.
Now we are back and I am hopefully back on it all again and raring to go.  I am still trying to keep off line a lot more, but I won't be giving up MSE, as the forums really help me. I have come off some of the challenges though and just going to plod along in my own sweet way, taking advice and tips from you all and sharing my advice if I can.  You are like my virtual friends.  I am going to try and not read the news so much and only use FB VERY occasionally. 

I have still been keeping the faith though and even though we had fish and chips and cake at the weekend, it came from the new Fun Pot I had created, and the rest of our food we took with us and self catered.  We took our flask for coffee and I made sausage sandwiches for on the journey up on Friday morning.   
This morning I started on getting the washing done, and 2 loads on 30c and hanging on the line to dry. 
I've been through the freezer to see what is in there and started on a new meal plan. Today is lambs' liver with veg in a nice gravy, which may do 2 meals by the look of it...fingers crossed. 

The debt total has decreased quite a bit, as we paid off a few hundred £££ this week, and just looking at which to pay next. 

Water rates bill arrived, which was outstandingly horrifying.....going up from £637 a year, to £800!!!!  So I did a quick check on the calculator thingy and it seems we may be better off on a meter, even with the fact that DH uses the hosepipe a lot to clean bike and car, and cleans out the pond.  Anyway, I applied for one to be fitted, coming on 21st, and it says they will start us off on £41 a month, so only £492 a year, and if we are not happy, we have the option to change back within the first 12 months. So already coming up with lots of ways to save money, and DH will be doing the annual pond clean and refill, this weekend before they fit the meter.   Also I am on the look out for a cheap water butt, so I don't have to use the hosepipe for watering garden. I've told DH not to keep rinsing plates under running tap when washing up as well, he is a b*gger for doing that. Also he needs to have shorter showers, he spends ages in there.    So we'll see what happens, but I am quietly confident we can save some money here.  I'm certainly not going to be paying them £800 a year, when we aren't using that much. 

In not so good "having to spend money" news, our downstairs loo has started playing up again and leaking.  Its very old, and has been fixed many times over the years....what is it with us and water??  It was the kitchen tap not long ago.  Anyway, seeing as how much money we have already spent on it over the last few years, DH says we might as well have a new one, and also new ones tend to have smaller cisterns, so we'll be saving money in the long run as won't use so much water when we flush it....although I might be doing the old "if its yellow......" thing...lol.   So anyway, then DH said, as the current suite is grey...told you it was old, we might as well replace the basin to match as well, otherwise it will look awful.  I was horrified at having to spend money, but can see his point.  So we have researched and found a cheap, but nice suite, and just waiting for DH's 2nd cousin.....our plumber and gas engineer, to get back to us and quote us a price. He is very good and always does it cheap. 

Decluttering is still continuing, although has slowed down lately, but I intend to get back on it now.  DH has managed to sell a few bits, motorbike and camera stuff, so a bit of money made there.  As MR T says....every little helps.  

Still not done anything about my hearing aids, as still can't bring myself to spend the money....and if I'm totally honest, I'm not sure I like the idea of having to stick something right in my ear!   

Today was not an NSD, had to get some fresh veggies from the stall that comes to the village on a Tuesday. 

Had quite a few studies already today on P/fc and got quite a bit to cash out later, so that's all positive. Will do a quick browse of a couple of the other survey sites I'm on as well. 

Tomorrow I have a physio appointment for my knee, although it does feel quite a bit better now, I do feel like I am not quite walking properly, so probably worth going still. 

So off to check for surveys, get the washing in and work out a bit more financial stuff.  Need to make a note in my diary to sit down soon and do the spreadsheets ready for April with all the new amounts going out.