Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

EssexHebridean

How lovely that DS loved the place too!

Are you best off holding back on sending money to savings when things are tight for that DD? You can always send the money later once the refund lands?

savingholmes

Thanks EH, Jwil, Blackcats, Dancing, Lucielle and Skint

Thankfully the refund landed today. Have now cleared my Mr T card. I still need to clear Am**** but it is still showing as pending so I can't but have made provision to pay it prior to next week's payday. I hadn't realised I hadn't cleared the conveyancing cost off my other card - but all done now. I am due to get to pay day with just under £200 float - even if I spend another £50 on food - so it was just an issue of juggling between accounts rather than not having enough for savings.

I'm really pleased as although I've spent over £1200 from savings on moving home, and shuffled some of my other savings to new homes, because I've cleared my CCs again and put £450 into AVCs - my net worth has only dropped around £500 compared with the end of my last pay period. That's despite DD owing me £200 - if I adjust for that - it only dropped £300 or so. I have been fortunate this month with DD repaying her previous month's loan (roll eyes), the water refund, the regular saver maturing etc. Other than while DS was home I've also tried to cut back on spends this month. It all helps. 

I've just done a mini xmas present and Nov-Jan birthday spreadsheet. A lot easier now I buy for less people. I will put together an art hamper for my cleaner. I have a themed mini jug as a token present for a friend. I need to find something for a different friend. I've bought DD's main presents. If I stay in budget I need around £260. Most of it I'll fund from November's pay, then I'm due to get the backpay in December so that will also help. We normally get a Xmas bonus/gift card but I don't know that we will this year as finances are tight. 

I'm really tired today - so taking an extended lunch. I was up until 1 or 2am painting!! Oops. I wouldn't mind but I don't even like what I produced that much. I was practicing painting an Italian mountain range before I do something on my big canvas. I learned that I need to choose a simpler one!! All good fun.

I've had a couple of quotes for moving north of £2.3K!! The one at £1.7K is looking attractive at this point. I have two surveys for removals tomorrow - one by phone, one in person. Will see what they come back with. I was hoping for £1.5K or less.

savingholmes

I reckon the new meds kept me awake until around 3.30am so really struggling currently. Luckily I'd booked this morning off.

My first appointment was at 10 - but he came late at 10.30am. He was my cheapest quote so far £1.5K including garden stuff. £1.2K excluding garden with some dismantling and reassembly. £1K if no dismantling or reassembly. My next was a video call at 12 but I'd written it down as 1 so was slightly late for him. I had a good feeling about the 10.30 guy - unless this latest appointment is way cheaper I'm likely to go with the earlier one assuming he's available when my dates come through.

My cleaner is here today - she loves all my new art especially the metallic bird painting I did last week and my self-portrait. I'm encouraging her to do more of her own art too as she is a really good at painting things like horses. She thinks I should get rid of my sofa before my move and just buy a new one at the new place rather than move something I don't really want to keep. I'll have a think.

I nipped to the shop last night and got a load of YS prepared veg as well as other essentials. I spent £21 altogether. I then did some batch cooking using mince from the freezer - I split it between chilli and bolognese sauce. I've put three portions in the freezer. I may add another couple to the freezer so I have variety. My main meal portion size has shrunk on these meds. Currently defrosting some chicken. Will use part with YS stir fry veg and then re-freeze some of the cooked chicken in portions.  I'm having bolognese sauce with some croquettes for lunch and will then need to start work.

savingholmes

I got sent £10 in reward vouchers from MnS which was nice. It was helped out a lot by paying for DD's holiday on my card! Nice little bonus.

savingholmes

Recent pen drawing of Alps

Blackcats

I like that sentiment - it works well with your art 

Merlin's_Beard

Lovely picture.

I think your cleaner has a point about the sofa - paying to move something you don't actually want vs just buying the thing you do actually want and will happen anyway...

beanielou

savingholmes said:

Recent pen drawing of Alps

Love this.  

jwil

I love the drawing.  

Glad you got a reasonable moving cost.  As long as you have something to sit on, the cleaner's advice re: the sofa makes sense if you are likely to replace fairly quickly.  

Honeysucklelou2

Finally caught up on your diary. Wow, wow, wow…congratulations on finding a buyer and then finding a new place for yourself. Such exciting news!  I’m so pleased for you. 

Lovely to read that you have been able to go to the Art classes and  that you are enjoying creating your art. Love the mountain picture! 

Hope that the conveyancing goes through smoothly and you are able to move  soon.