MeandO's money-shuffling

MeandO

I hardly got any sleep again last night, my brain is just refusing to switch off and let me fall asleep. I saw 2am and was up before 7am, so definitely not enough ZZZz's.
I've attempted to put a few things down in writing this morning to calm my brain a bit. I think I'm panicking about money and paying for everything which is daft really as I do have savings if I need to use them. 
I've also listed a load of items this morning on FB - some surplus bits from the shed, some items I liked and purchased over the years and some things that belonged to my grandparents. I have asked myself several times lately - what am I keeping it all for? It sits in a cupboard and never gets used. DS did not know my lovely grandparents and so the items will mean nothing to him. I also don't want him to have the responsibility of getting rid of things I kept for sentimental reasons when I'm gone either. Has anyone read about Swedish Death Cleaning? It's not as morbid as it sounds, it's just a huge de-clutter as you get older, but I love the idea and want to start early! There are a few other bits I can think of that I have been hanging onto which may be worth some £'s so I will turn those out and see if they sell - a lot of these items won't appeal to all either, so some of it may never sell, but it's worth a try. A few more £'s paid off the mortgage is much more useful to me at this time of my life.

I risked doing a large load of washing this morning, even though it was threatening rain when I hung it out. Thankfully the sun's come out and it's quite windy so it's all dried. I've just hand-washed some white bits and left DS's white sport socks (which he must run around fields in barefoot by the look of them) soaking in some stain remover and then they'll go out on the line too.

MeandO

I've cancelled the insurance for DS's mobile today as the phone is getting older and I don't think it's worth me paying £6.99 a month. You watch him go and lose/drop/smash it now...   At least that's £6.99 less I'll have to pay out this month before payday.

MeandO

One item sold on fb and I now have £10 extra in my purse. I really don't understand marketplace and all those people who ask if somethings still available only to ghost you when you say yes. I've had so many of them today. Why bother?!  I've also listed an item on ebay for DS - something he no longer plays with - which will hopefully make him between £50-£100. 
I've tidied a fee more drawers today and found a few more things for the charity shop or to be passed on to family members. Some DVDs, a couple of books and some minecraft pyjamas DS will no longer wear are all in the pile to go. 

I really need an early night tonight so trying to coax DS into bed and then I'm going myself. Goodnight x

millymolly22

Never heard of the Swedish Death Cleaning but I learnt from clearing my mother's house after her death that a lot of "stuff" just isn't worth saving and since then I have been quite strict on what I keep.  If it is to be put in a cupboard just to keep and is of no benefit to my children then it doesn't stay in the house.  Unfortunately my DH doesn't have that way of thinking and his shed and his "cupboard" are filled with stuff "just in case" lol

MeandO

My other half is the same millymolly22 - another reason we don't live together! 

MeandO

Since my last post, I've made another sale on Vinted for £10 and an etsy sale which will bring in around £6. I just need to post them both today. Not much in the way of interest on any more FB sales which is a bit disappointing. 

MeandO

I posted both parcels yesterday and have since made another sale for £5.50 which I’ve packaged, ready to post today.
DS had a huge toy sort out yesterday and he has got rid of most of his younger ‘toys’ now. 😭 I’ve listed lots on FB and also vinted to try and make him a bit of money back so he can put it towards something else, there’s not much interest yet though. I’ve also advertised a small item of furniture which will hopefully make £10 if it sells. I’m considering putting stuff together to do a car boot sale but I know people tend to avoid paying anything but bare minimum for things at them according to my brother who does one now and then. I’d rather give stuff to charity than have to haggle with people constantly. The sort out has meant that a lovely big wicker chest we have is now empty. It would be great as storage for bedding and towels upstairs but unfortunately there’s just no space for it upstairs.The joys of having moved to a much smaller house.  

I need to get some groceries today as DS seems to eaten me out of everything this weekend, but the bank account is looking so empty that I’m going to have to transfer money from savings to make sure I have enough in the account to pay for the shopping. There is £10 in my purse which I can use too. I’m really going to have to add things up as I go round the aisles and stick to the list of essentials.  

MeandO

The groceries came in at £19.96 so I was able to cover it with the £20 cash I had in my purse. I did omit a few things which I had to buy today after some of the vinted money cleared so at least I haven’t had to transfer any from the savings. 

One of DS’s toys sold for £5 and was collected tonight but the buyer didn’t have change so I managed to scrape together £5 in coins from my purse to give to her, so I’ve given DS the £10 note. 

I’d had quite a reasonable day today but a real sadness has crept up on me tonight. It’s a combination of a few things tbh. 

OH and I met up with some of his friends at the weekend. Three couples, all of whom are around our age and are all lovely people, very kind and generous too. They all have good jobs and were talking a lot about their plans for the summer and the year ahead and I just felt so far removed from the conversation. I know OH felt the same too. We both have professional, well paid jobs but don’t earn anywhere near what these couples earn and obviously are both singularly keeping our own properties afloat and paying all the bills on our own. They’re not flashy or anything and I really do like them all a lot, they are all very lovely and thoughtful people, but I was sat there thinking how much calmer and less stressful life must be when you’re not living paycheck to paycheck like I do and you can plan for things without working your backside off to scrape every Penny together then feel guilty about spending money. I guess I just feel a bit down about how my life turned out, but then I feel really guilty about feeling like that as I know I am so fortunate compared to so many. 

OH and I have also seen the most amazing house for sale today locally which ticks every box for both of us, it’s just perfect and everything we both want, We would also have around £200k left between us if we bought it together. But it’s just about 10 years too early for that what with DS settled now and how much he loves our house. Plus, I wouldn’t move us in with OH, it’s not the right thing to do for DS or OH. I just feel really sad about everything and all the missed chances and things out of reach I guess.  

MeandO

I woke up still feeling blue this morning but am trying very hard to drag myself out of it. I'm attempting not to think of the lovely house, am telling myself how grateful I am to have a small but nice house that I can afford to pay for at the moment. 
I'm eating well and will try and get an early night tonight. I had a nightmare about my wonderful Dad and his health last night and it has shaken me a bit.

Work have offered myself and my colleagues overtime payments at the moment which is pretty much unheard of, so I'll try and make the most of that as I can. It will be a little extra in the bank next month.

Something else has sold on vinted bringing in another £4, I just need to post it today or tomorrow. I've also listed a few more things on there, some quite random so I'm not sure if they'll sell but it's worth a try. I've reduced a few items on marketplace in the hope we can get something for them rather than have to give them away. It was all priced low to start with but no-one seems interested.  

I've just had a leftover portion of squash, sweet potato & lentil tagine I made a few days ago which was really tasty and filling. I think I'll make that again next month as it made lots to freeze, was really healthy and OH loved it too. 

Not much else to mention, I'm just desperately waiting for payday now. The CTC of around £68 should be paid tomorrow which will help me fill the car with enough fuel to get 'home' as we're going to see my parents next week. I also need to buy packed lunch bits for DS as he has a trip away with school this week. Then it's trying not to spend a penny until payday next week.

MeandO

The Etsy sale funds reached my bank account today so I was able to pick up some bits needed for DS’s trip this week. I’ve posted the latest vinted sale and made £5 and cleared another item from a fb sale. I’ve worked 2 hours overtime tonight so that will bring in a few more £’s next month. It will likely be spent on new school uniform though as DS came home with the second of his 2 new polo shirts ruined beyond saving after someone threw paint at him at school. I’ve tried 3 washes and a boil soak and still I can’t get it out.  They lasted the whole of 3 weeks and cost me £22. I’m not amused. I’ve also had to top up his school dinner account two days before the end of term as he managed to spend £6 today! I’ve had the discussion again about budgeting…