Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Morning thanks Savingholmes I am still bruised on my legs and yes the Civil Ceremony is hurdling towards us so really must get organised. 

Weekend was really good I had a lovely time in the DGs office and met with my colleague who is leaving. It was lovely to introduce her to DGs manager as they both live locally and got on really well. Both husbands have the same hobby which was funny too. We did get to the hotel ok and not too late. We relaxed in the rooms before dinner and evening entertainment which was brilliant. Dinner was not amazing and the staff are not as friendly so plenty to write about in the statement. 

Saturday the weather was a lot better so we did some activities and also chilled. DGs manager did not make it over which we did not actually mind. The dinner again had issues but it was fine still plenty to eat. Entertainment not as good as the night before but one singer was really good so all fine. Had a few drinks buying cokes and using our own vodka. Honestly £6 for a single and £2 special to make it a double. Cocktails were 9 and really big and nice but you cannot really drink them all night. Our bar bill came to £112 hopefully they will cover £70 if that plus half the hotel bill. 

Came back yesterday afternoon a bit of travel disruption but was home by 3.30pm and shattered. I am glad we did it as it was fun but now back to no drinking until our Valentines meal. 

Managed to do a whole wash with the water turned off (after changing the hot taps filter) so now I am doing it all again not really MSE. Only personal spend was a latte Friday the rest was on the joint or on the MS. 

Feels like this will be a long week but lets see how we get on first breakfast I am not missing the hotel breakfast as it actually was not that nice. It was ok but last one we did was so so good and it is the same chain. 

TallGirl

Just totted up my savings for January for the £12k in 2025. 

Cash ISA £593
1p challenge £2.10
Reg Saver £300
Savings acc £10
Premium Bond £25

Total £930.10 not bad for a £1000 target. 

TallGirl

Morning what rank weather we have here still. I really do not like winter can't wait for our Portugal trip which feels months away but is just over 1 1/2 months. 

I really struggled to get my head into work yesterday not helped by DG finishing work at at lunch time. I did get all the MS done and dusted and the extra questions answered. I hope it is ok so I can get paid soon. Would not mind if there were more I know I said I would do 2 other local ones but I cannot remember when they were. DGs larger dress came yesterday it fits her but she would still like to lose more before the ceremony. My shawls should arrive today would be good if it matches the colour of DGs dress. 

DG is going to see some clients on Thursday so will stay over with her friend until Friday quite looking forward to a bit of time on my own actually. I can get my sewing stuff out all over the place or I might crack on with the knitting. I am currently blocking my cardigan and just need to stitch it together. I have practised the flower pattern for the next one in the light purple and I can do it. I then tried it in the dark blue and it is a lot harder but it is coming together. Next step (once the purple cardigan is done) is to learn how to do the ribbed edge and work out how to make it longer. I had a whole yarn left over so hopefully there is enough for the next one if I extend it. It is gym tonight so might not have much time. 

Busy work today I have to do a small presentation first thing so need to prep for this. 

savingholmes

Glad your DG found a dress she's happier with. I think on the losing weight thing - it can become a huge pressure. But it's not like the olden days - there will be plenty of future photo opps too so try not to let it become too much... 

TallGirl

Thanks Savingsholmes we are not even having a photographer that can all wait for the actual wedding in Denmark in a few years time.She seems to have hit a plateau which she was not expecting on the jabs. I am sure it will get better. 

No gym last night and I am not going tonight either just so hard to drag myself outside. I will go tomorrow when DG is away that will make a nice breakup of the evening. 

DG has got her Pensionswise app this afternoon I am hoping she will take a bit more of an interest after that but we shall see. I think she just feels it is all too late which it is not and she does really need to pay some money in this tax year to avoid tax next year.  

I just feel so uninspired at this time of year and no energy the bad weather does not help either. Anyway must get on with some work I have an interesting webinar to attend at 11am at least that is something to look forward to. Also my colleague is getting a puppy tomorrow so our chat this afternoon should be nice she went to see it yesterday. 

vandanfc

Did she not watch Martin's show on Tuesday about pensions?  He and all the experts say that it is usually never too late!

LadyWithAPlan

Ouch to the bruise but yes to the colleagues puppy! 

you sound both very sorted for the civil ceremony !! There is a ridiculous amount of pressure to look ‘perfect’ on a wedding day .. perfect is what we make it 

i refuse to do dry Jan - way too grey to do it - but well done in you doing so well 

I was just in the States and they even had teams going round construction sites and schools to find people without the correct documentation - it’s disgusting 

TallGirl

LWAP we only did 4 weeks dry January but we are now not drinking until Valentines which is quite good. What is happening in the States is horrible rushed and not thought out who is going to do those jobs once they deport the so called paperless. Ridiculous. 

I have started sewing my knitted cardigan together but I am not happy with the size. It has not actually taken that long and for £40 I want it to be perfect. I have two spare yarns left so might as well make it longer and more usable for my 6.2ft lol. A bit annoying but at least I now know what size to knit the next one and it is more practise. 

DG is away this evening so I will do spin then speak to the person I mentor so should be a nice relaxed evening. 

TallGirl

So another Mystery Shop booked this time more local to us and for 3 nights with drinks package. They are paying 75% this time so 3 nights with half board and drinks package will cost us each £110. They do also pay for lunch and a couple of hot drinks so that is quite cool. I know were were not booking anymore but this is 30 min from our house and we can leave after work and get back Monday morning to start work so no need to take time off. It is on the beach so hopefully weather will be kinder than the last two and warmer in June. 

I did make spin last night it was so hard I am glad I went and also nipped into Lidl to get my freebie which I messed up but I did need the item so it was all good plus they had limes which DG needs. DG forgot to take her dress up to see her two friends who are coming to the wedding. They are meant to go shopping for accessories but without the dress that will be tricky. I think I will end up doing it with DG at the weekend. We have Saturday to do it and then DG is working Sunday and we also have lunch with our other friends so I would like to say we are organised by the time we see them. I have contacted the place we want to have lunch at so at least that is a tick now. I have my dress but need a shawl (dress bought when it was for September so a bit chillier now). I think I have some suitable shoes but need tights for sure. 

My current account is looking grim (had to book train tickets for a sewing show with the sewing club) plus the credit card is now high due to the MS booking but I will get that back. We did pay for cancelation insurance as it is when my niece will be 18 but she said she was not celebrating it. 

I was talking to a friend from work about the changes she is hoping to be made redundant as she has been there so long she gets the max redundancy which is almost a year I think. She ideally wanted to keep working for another 3 or 4 years and she is 60 not. I am glad I do not have to do this she is already part time. Some days I just want to put the house on the market so we can move on but I know it makes sense to wait until Spring. 

Roll on the weekend I cannot wait but first a lot of work to be done. 

savingholmes

Hope you are getting a good break this weekend - and that DG finds the accessories she's after.