Dilemma, Dilemma, Dilemma

Humdinger1

Yes, cowboy hat strings are absolutely necessary! Have subscribed  and you're doing brilliantly! Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx

Watty1

Hat strings. What a brilliant idea.  Thank you

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Wednesday evening from a very warm Venice! 

Having a really great holiday, enjoying turning off from the usual pressures for a little bit and not counting every penny.. Not very MSE! Plenty of time for that when back in blighty! 

debtfreewannabe321

Oh how lovely! Hope you have a wonderful time. And I mean how far wrong can you go with spending on a small holiday 🫣😆. Enjoy it and I hope the weather is nice there too 😊.

beanielou

Have a good time.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Friday! Its a bit wet and cooler on our final day in Venice! Maybe its a sign its a good day to make our move. We've had really great weather, a bit too hot for me but no complaints at all!

Was thinking of taking a day trip to Verona on the way to Milan but the weather forcast is for thunder & lightening so not sure what to do now?! We can check out of our digs, leave our luggage at the hotel and explore a bit more of where we are. This is looking a likely option now. Absolutely loving Italy and this area...will definately be back! We stay in Milan tonight for two nights before flying home on Sunday morning. 

We had a bit of fun in the large supermarket near us, we bought some sweet treats as gifts for home. I don't normally buy gifts but my lovely mum always buys something when she goes away so we have picked up a fridge magnet & some local biscuits in a tin. My partner loves his sweets and so he has some sweets which we can't buy in UK so I think he will be happy. I bought some local wine with the intention to drink during holiday but haven't so will stuff into the suitcase too! 

Before we left for holiday I'd saved some spending money and put this on a Monzo account that had been sitting dormant. Once we were up and running (early holiday teething problems) this worked perfectly. Wasn't sure how much was realistic spending money we'd need so went for a 100 euros for myself and the two kids. This has been pretty much spot on. I was hoping there would be a bit left at the end to cover some of the costs of 2 lots of hotels but I don't think there will be much left tbh. Whatever is left will be diverted there and the remainder will be paid over July and Aug pay checks. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Goood Morning, welcome to Thursday! 

Gosh I sound quite jolly lol, I've had a terrible night sleep, there was rumbling thunder and just too hot! I was also naughty and enjoyed a few choccie biscuits a bit too close to bed that all added up to a poop sleep 

So its been a good few weeks since last diary update and tbh life has been full of fun and exploration. Our family holiday was amazing. We enjoyed it thoroughly and I must say its made me feel a bit more confident to get out of my comfort zone a bit more frequently! 

Work is also very full on now too. Having been working part time for the past few years am loving working full time. Its very busy but the extra opportunities its bringing and engaging with the team on a full time basis is great. 

This week life is going back to my normal, the kids went back to their dad on Sunday and its just me and OH. We are now enjoying a bit of time for us as a couple as frankly this past year its not been possible. On Monday our local theatre had a speaker giving a "Agatha Christie" style talk which was educational and enlightening. It was a bit spontanteous too. Booked the tickets Monday afternoon! This weekend we have a Caribbean food night coming up at another local venue which we are looking forward to! 

My debt is at an all time high but I think we have now peaked at the expected summer spending so am now on "cards down" month and going to basically not spend anything apart from essentials. OH is going to cover our grocery spends for the month (and we have quite a bit in the freezer) and am going to divert a bigger chunk into the CC's so hopefully this starts to make a dent. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Thank goodness its Friday! 

Work has been off the scale! 

Just for a bit of fun, Wed 13th was my monthly accounts review so yesterday (14th) was the start of this months finances and my wealth grew by a cute £8.13 from S&S ISA & Investment ISA daily gain. 

Haven't spent a penny since Monday! 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Saturday, 

So Thursday's gains were Friday's losses... plus a bit more  There is always next week  

TBH not too concerned, have been investing small amounts for years so know its not a daily numbers thing! 

So this weekend in our house is all about taking life a bit more in the slooow lane. Frankly am feeling tired from quite a busy few weeks. Am also just feeling the need for a bit more back to basics because I lead quite a simple life usually but have been a bit more out and about and i'm craving a bit more normality. 

So am on day 5 of no spending which I really do need to do as my debt is too "hot" at the moment! 

Am loving reading my summer read which is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros if anyone has read it? It was recommended by a good mum friend and the reviews online were amazing. I'd bought this book and the second one in the trilogy new in the amazon sale recently (its quite rare nowadays for me to buy brand new books). Normally I buy books 'well loved' from charity shops but these are quite newly published so haven't seem them in there yet! Maybe just me, but there is some magic to buying a well loved book as I think it gives the book a personality and history and that in itself makes it interesting!

The other day I was reviewing my finances to the end of the year. There is currently 106.6k outstanding on the mortgage and we still haven't yet paid Aug payment. I've said to OH that by the end of the year I want to start 2026 with our mortgage being under 100k. With interest etc we will be very close so whatever is outstanding we will get this as an overpayment to take us over the line! 

Also my pensions which I check the value of on the 13th of the month also have a chance of reaching a significant milestone by the end of the year. I would love for it to make it but we will see. There is not a lot of spare cash to top up but we will see. Currently looking at being about 14k off it so it is possible. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend

KajiKita

I’m deliberately having a quiet weekend (after a busy morning!) as my working weeks are getting a bit full on atm … Hope you find it restorative 😊

That mortgage milestone target is exciting! I’m vicariously excited for you!! 😊 
🤞🤞 for getting there 😊

KK