Escape to the country & living off savings

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks badmemory & jwil. EA replied to say it’s probably the price. This is so annoying when he gave us the price! I know, I know, typical EA. 

I will talk to my sister at the weekend. 

Another 5 useless documents received from Probate office with no hologram. Went onto online chat and queued for 3 hours only to be cut off at 5pm when I was position 1 in the queue 😔 I have emailed, prepared a letter returning one of each incorrect grant (I’m not paying to send all 20 of them back) and will phone them the second they open tomorrow morning. (They only open phones until 1pm)

I’ve tidied up the kitchen/ diner, mopped floors and put my rug back down. I haven’t booked aqua. I’m just going to go to the post office in the morning to send the letter tracked / recorded and then set off. Can’t wait to get away and feel like not coming back. Sorry, being a bit of a drama queen 

SuzeQStan

I don’t think you are being overly dramatic at all SYA - is there a way to escalate a complaint re the repeated probate issues?  You definitely deserve a break xx

Tresinia511

Omg sya, it's enough to turn anyone to drink! The incompetence is mind blowing.  Hope it gets sorted soon.  Btw good news about your friend's card being delivered next day, makes me a bit more inclined to take the risk if needed.  The price of 1st class mail, everyone will be getting gifs from me this year😄

Skint_yet_Again

Payday & have transferred the usual £833 from savings. Remaining in the account £2501. Rest of the year to March = 3 x £833 = £2499. 

Feb 2026 15k 1yr bond matures. Reinvest £5k for 1 year. £10k to live off April 2026 - Mar 2027.

£5000 already in 6% account 

£40k already in 2yr bond matures Feb 2027

Skint_yet_Again

DECEMBER 

Phone (sim-only) £10

Tv licence 14.95

Water 21

Council tax £106

Union £2.35.    

Gas & Electric £63.63 

Annual bills £120 

Birthdays / Xmas £50

Car pot £0 (nothing for Dec)

Petrol £40

Entertainment / Xmas £212.57

Food £160.  (£40 x 4 weeks)

Aquafit £32.50

Income £833

Outgoing £620.43 + Xmas £212.57

Remaining £0

I am intending on staying at my sisters for Christmas and will likely need petrol plus I have a few extra meals out organised with friends so £212.57 should cover this rather than the usual £100 entertainment fund and Car pot £50. 

Tresinia511

Omg, is this year 4 coming already😯

Skint_yet_Again

Back from my sisters and it was a real struggle to leave. Temperature 11.5 degrees indoors when I got back so heating was on most of the day until up to 17 degrees. 

Called off at aldee on the way back for milk etc total spend £24.69. Also spent £10.24 from Xmas pot in b& m for 1 person Christmas gifts. Have gifts for 2 people now, 5 more people left to buy for. We agreed £10-£15 each. 

13 degrees this morning so heating is on. Rain is forecast for most of the day. I am going out with friends this afternoon for Christmas shopping trip in the city and meal. There are 5 of us and my friend’s sister is driving so no travel costs. 

This morning I will phone the probate office again as still no valid document received since my call last week. I will dig out the Christmas cards from last year (leftovers & sale buys) to see if I need to buy more today and get them written over the weekend and posted second class on Monday. Aquafit booked for tomorrow. Invited to go with friends to carols on the green over the weekend & village lights being turned on then a drink in the pub. The forecast is for heavy rain so I will see how I feel. 

SuzeQStan

Welcome home SYA - lovely to see your post today 🥰 can’t believe those probate time wasters! 

Tresinia511

Glad you enjoyed your stay away,  sya. The house always feels super cold when you've been away i think.🥶  Double boo and 💩 on a stick to probate office ( sorry, not sorry lol). Carols on the green sounds idyllic,  if only the weather works though!

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks Suze and Tresinia 

Phoned Probate & was told copy sent 2/12/25. Documents arrived this afternoon, copies of incorrect originals before amended 😔

Letter of complaint written & complaint email sent. Phone line closes at 1pm & post arrived at 2.30pm so I will have to ring them again in the morning & make a formal complaint & ask to speak to a manager. 

Enjoyed our shopping/ meal this afternoon.