Dilemma, Dilemma, Dilemma

Queen_of_the_Hive

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81874113#Comment_81874113

Morning @Baileys_Babe, it really was a relief. There is a lot going on and its all unsettling but at least this was a bit of good news.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Good Morning Sunday!

Its so funny, even at middle age, starting a job in a new environment still brings out nerves etc. I should know better but still had a rough night sleep. It was really good though in the cafe on the first of 2 adhoc shifts.There was a lot of washing up by hand involved and my poor hands were wrinkled by the end of the day but love a bit of hard, honest graft. I usually wear my yellow gloves to wash up at home but didn't think to bring. Will def be taking them with me next time! Anway i'm £50 up for my efforts. This is going into 'Side Hustle' pot which i'm trying to grow as an emergency fund / pot of money to invest to grow. In the past i'd done a bit of match betting but put the subscription fees on my CC which was admittidely has added to my cc debt.

Today is a chilled day, will go for a walk later, doing some cleaning and need to pop to the shop as I have vouchers for 2 free Lidl items that expire today. Also catching up on some admin. We defrosted sausages so fancy having a bangers and mash meal thats diet friendly so more veg and small amounts of the "bad" stuff. Aim of the day is NSD. This week am back in the city from Tuesday night and will end up being a spendy week. Going to try my best to be as frugal as possible.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Today has gone sour, was looking at some banking admin of my partners and without going into detail, its plain to see he's f** up big time. Our finances are seperate apart from a bills accounnt. I manage the household bills and mortgage so this bit is all ok thankfully but its a mess thats now become my mess to sort and I have enough of my own mess to manage. Took myself out for a "cheer me up scone" and cuppa and offloaded issues to mum. Sorry diet has gone bit 'Pete Tong'. But did have a walk afterwards to burn a bit of the cals off. I apologise, this is a rant.

Did pop into Lidl for 2 free items, 1 they didn't have any in stock but in a first for this particular store they had a decent amount of reduced meat and fish. Spent £17 from my bank and bought 2x pks turkey mince, 2x pks chicken kiev, 1x white fish and 1x peppers salmon. Will do perfect for half term. Straight into the freezer.

debtfreewannabe321

Rant away it's your diary. My DP has just taken out a huge loan. I'm having to not think about it though because I'm a bit peeved to say the least… I'm just concentrating on my goals for now and he can worry about that one 😬💓. Hope your visit out with your mum helped a little ☺️.

Queen_of_the_Hive

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81875916#Comment_81875916

Thanks @debtfreewannabe321, feel your pain.

OH is now retired and income has dropped which looks to have caused the problem and he's just not been honest with me. We are going to sit down and work out a plan after half term. Its a double whammy as my income is not enough too. There is going to be no quick fix but trying to go with the problem shared, problem halved approach. Luckily we are in the right place for all the help, support and frankly virtual hugs as this was not brought on from being reckless just trying to manage and then getting ill and knock on impact of it all.

peb

I'm not surprised at your reaction - I think one scone was very reserved.

I occasionally gets 50 per cent haul in Lidl - I wish I could predict the time of the reductions

Humdinger1

You've caught the finances in time @Queen_of_the_Hive and all will come good. Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx

Queen_of_the_Hive

Good Monday Morning.

Its been a busy week in the hive! Was away in the city most of last week. Had a really lovely meet up with some friends on Weds evening. Friends gave me some good money and life advice on important topics such as wills, benefits etc and I now have a new list of tasks to complete. The main one was applying for support for OH for attendance allowance. Pleased to report this has been submitted so will see where that goes.

Its cold again here, we've had the heating on to keep warm. Wonder what 'damage' this will put our energy bill into. We have been using the heating more than we normally would as we need to keep OH warm. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Last month we used up the last of the buffer so we will be in a bit of negative but I think in a month or so we should start to see it getting warmer outside. Saturday was a rare warmer day. The back of our house felt midly "tropical".

We seem to be having a bad run of things breaking down or repairs needing to be done. Over the weekend the gas hob is no longer working. We want to changeover to an electric one but we don't have the funds at the moment so will have to wait. Sadly (or stupidly) we don't have an EF as such and OH is in a pickle so it'll be something we will have to live with at the moment. Was looking at getting a temporary electric one yesterday to keep us on.

Its day 1 today with new line manager, with a new routine of meetings etc and we have a day in the office planned coming up. Am still finding it all a bit much with all the changes but will plug away as usual. Kids are here and they are having a bit of time with nanna & grandad today and their cousins.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunny Sunday,

The sun is shining and it feels like spring is in the air. The kids went back to the city with OH and today is a cleaning day for yours truly. We've had a really lovely relaxing half term. I was working my normal hours but we've had a walk & play on the beach. It was funny, the kids were playing on the same beach ruins as the same day last year. OH was able to join us this time so that was something to be greatful for. Yesterday we ventured to watch our local town football play at home. It was an absolute bargain - kids were free, OH was pensioner rate and I was full adult. Came to £15 for us all. We loved it and vowed to see if we can go at Easter holidays . We came home and had homemade pizza using up pigs in blanket from Christmas!

Other things we've done included a trip to the amusement arcades, a train ride to a museum. Made a picnic to save on buying lunch. Museum was wonderful. I've been shocked at amount of food the kids now eat. Its 1 teenager and 1 pre-teen so eeek! Lesson learned was be more organised for meals for Easter, I did feel totally unprepared!.

Think I may have mentioned it before but we have a 'day in the office' coming in up March. Its an expense I could really do without. I do get my expenses back but have to buy ticket and hotel in advance. Made the decision to take the coach down to the city as its cheaper but takes a lot longer. Will also stay in the hostel too to keep costs low & take my dinner with me.

Tomorrow is back to work for a normal week at work. On Thursday we need to look at OH's spending and getting a bit of a tracker going. He is paying a lot for his mobile & he is paying daily charges on his overdraft so this is on my hit list.

Mon to Weds are expected to be NSD's.

debtfreewannabe321

What lovely memories you've made with the kids 🤩. Feb half term is usually a rubbish one because of the weather but you sound like you made the most of it.