Escape to the country & living off savings

Chrystal

Well done Skinty, that's a bargain bed.  Also can I borrow your Dad for a couple of weeks??? XXX

Skint_yet_Again

He had a day off diy at my house today to fix the flush on his own loo. I still marvel at his energy in his 80’s !! I fed him reggie reggie slow cooked pork with potato wedges & corn on the cob for dinner. 

Estimated bill arrived from E on today for £13.94 to pay after gov £67 and credit £239.78 deducted. Their estimate for March = £320.72 !! 

I sent them my actual readings and I owe £0 with Credit remaining £180.22. So actual useage I think = £126.56 ? 

(credit £239.78 + £67 gov - £180.22 credit remaining =126.56 used?)  Glad I did not set up a direct debit with them. 😳

MovingForwards

You're doing well finding bargains and the lunch sounded perfect.

The DD's some of these suppliers want are daft, even accounting for higher winter usage.

What's your plans for the rest of this week 😀

Chrystal

Bless him, he deserves that dinner and I'm sure he enjoyed it.

E on readings are enough to make you laugh if you weren't tearing your hair out in frustration.  Agree it's a good job you weren't on DD!  XX

Skint_yet_Again

Plans for today

I am out with my old school friend trying to find a mop and bucket! I have found most places want ridiculous price, or the cheaper places have sold out, so I will try Mr T. 

Living the high life 😆

Tomorrow I am going to paint the inside of the living room fireplace black, which will have candles and fairy lights and paint a decorative board for the dining area fireplace. Both old gas fires were decommissioned and removed by the chap who did my new boiler. 

I am also planning a trip back to see DS & his gf and puppy dog 🐶😊 I’ve kept in contact with my friends on what’s app and have booked a table in the local pub. I’m also meeting other friends on different days. I just need to contact my hairdresser and arrange to go to her house for a cut ☺️

My sister is coming over to my new house this weekend and we are going out for lunch with DF and my niece. It’s lovely to see my family more often ❤️

MovingForwards

The fireplace will be cosy and fit with everything else.

Loads of adventures and visits will continue to do you a world of good. Hope your hairdresser can slot you in.

Skint_yet_Again

Yesterday I managed to get a mop £6 and bucket £4 plus dusters. Friend came back to mine for coffee. Then I had a mopping and dusting session 😁

Had a sandwich and a snooze then decided to paint the fireplace. Should be dry today so I can arrange my candles and lights. Paint was £10 (multi surface) minus £5 off voucher. 

So that’s it for spendy March. I have transferred £833 from savings to pay myself for April (£10000 for 12 months). I have also transferred £150 from 1.39% instant access savings ready for 1 April transfer to 6% account (max £150 a month)

Outgoings for April

Phone - sim only £10

Council tax £97.20

Water £48.92

Gas & electric £0

Union £14.13 (then £2.14 per month from May)

Annual bills £100

Xmas/ Bday £50

Car mot etc £50

Petrol £40

TV licence £12.47 

Entertainment £100

Food £150

Income £833

Expenses = 672.72 

Extra petrol £100 (visit DS)

Remaining £60.28

I think I will start a gas/electric pot. For April I will put £60 in, then see what the April bill is after I provide the next end of month readings. I still have credit of £180.22  

Spending during 1 week visit to DS and seeing friends = Entertainment £100 plus 1 week food budget £30 = £130. Petrol is already accounted for.

Skint_yet_Again

It was a lovely sunny day yesterday but still cold. I met up with family at a local pub for carvery 😋 delish and no washing up ☺️ DF insisted on paying despite offers from all of us to chip in. (Cost £15 each including a drink each).

I also went shopping on Saturday and spent £27.37 on clothes. One t shirt £6, one blouse reduced from £12.50 to £8 and a lovely thick knit cardi £22 all with an extra 25% off. 😁 I will take the money from the household pot. 

Pots currently stand at:

Household pot = £130
£100 per month to cover annual bills 
(car insurance December £205, breakdown cover Jan £65, car tax March £135, house insurance due jan £256, plus clothes, dentist check up, haircuts and cheap internet glasses 🤓 eye tests free).

Car pot = £650
£50 a month to cover mot &
service due Nov, plus any repairs, tyres, brake pads etc

xmas/ birthdays =£340
£50 per month.

Just finishing my morning cuppa and will try to get some more sleep. Still waking up on dog feeding/ dog walking / work mode. 

MovingForwards

Budgets and bills look good. Would it be worth paying the TVL off annually as it saves one little bill each month.

Clothes are great, make the most of the sales.

Yum to the carvery!

Skint_yet_Again

Rainy day yesterday. Collected dog food £75.20 for 3 x 15kg bags. I will take them for puppy dog when I go to visit later this month & DS is paying for them. Bought a meal deal while out and about, duck wrap, crisps and drink £3.99. Not bad considering the wrap on its own was £3. Scaffolding has appeared on the house, so the roofing work should be done soon. 

School friend came round for a cuppa & brought me an Easter pressie which I then scoffed. 🤦‍♀️ Probably not a good idea when I have my diabetic check up today! 

Picked up some groceries while out including another leg of lamb just over £12, potatoes 19p, carrots 19p, parsnips 19p, total spend £29.62/£30. I will cook a roast for me & DF over the bank holiday and freeze any leftovers. I am also going to make a chicken casserole in my slow cooker today with chicken thighs and tomorrow I will make some curried parsnip soup. 😋

Just having a cuppa then hopefully I will get another couple of hours sleep