Buying a little piece of Middle England; Manifesting my way to mortgage free.

killerpeaty

Sounds like you're doing well but aren't kids expensive!

I think having a clothes budget is wise. I never budget for it because I always forget but clothes wear out or get outgrown!

debtfreewannabe321

Beanielou, i am not surprised. That is pretty much how our marital conversations went on budgeting, kids, well, actually anything! He likes to be contrary to everything and he wonders where DS2 gets it from

Killerpeaty kids are 14&15 and they haven't stopped growing for years now, it seems to be a growth spurt every few months for DS2. DD seems to have stopped at 15, but DS2 still going, I think he will be 6ft like his older brother and dad...my nephew on the other hand doesn't grow for years and then just spurts up overnight seemingly and that seems to be much cheaper on clothes for my sister! They are pretty good though, DS2 never asks for branded gear he knows it's all nonsense and DD likes good clothes but only high street rather than (expensive) sports brands or other popular brands, although she loves her converse so much she wore through them...they don't seem to be as well made as the ones we had as kids  

So yesterday was a really long and tiring day, I am really grateful to my DP, he picked me up from work, had the dinner in the oven that I had pre-cooked (cottage pie) and I ate and was ready to leave to drive and pick up Ds2 &DD within half hour of finishing work. I am absolutely exhausted though for some reason this week, and I was really struggling with my energy yesterday. So DP ended up coming with me for collection for which I was really grateful. I actually had to close my eyes on the way back as I couldn't keep them open they burned so much (I drove there and I would say 40 minutes of the 80 minute journey is pitch black country lanes and roads with no street lamps).  I actually have my SAD lamp on today to try and help as I think it is lack of sunlight. I also took some high strength vit D with some OJ this morning. 

So this morning I asked DP to check his bank, we are a week out of pay day now (ooooooomg hurry up please!) and he still had £100 in his account! Well on a usual month this is unheard of, but for January well I think it might be a first I asked him to transfer £80 to me, he has kept £20 back in case of expenses at work, and I paid it straight across to the electric & gas that is outstanding. I rounded it up with money from my account to £100. I still owe £20 on it but I think we've done well enough paying it down. We should have enough food until pay day but with two teens back in the house perhaps not. 

Today they have the dentists and DP is taking them as it is during my shift at work. I have prepped pizza toppings this morning, mushrooms, peppers, onions, cooked and sliced veggie sausages and grated the cheese ready to go on the ready cooked naan bread. The naan, tomato paste and oregano are on the side and all they have to do is make it and grill it for 5 minutes. 

Yesterday I received a message that said my DDIL had been in a car accident I thought she was with my DS for the funeral on Monday, but apparently she couldn't get time off. A woman rammed her off the road and then tried to drive away stating it was DDIL fault. It wasn't...and two men stopped the woman in her large 4X4 from driving off. My DDIL has only been driving just over a year and was really shook up. Her polo is a write off and I think she is in shock and very bruised up. Everyone kept telling her how lucky she was to be alive which sent her into further states of shock I think (this happened to me when I had a serious car accident when younger and it really doesn't help lol) The lady in the 4x4 had smashed the drivers side up completely. The pictures show a wreck of a car and poor DS was over in Essex whilst she was all the way over in Wales and he couldn't rush to her aid like I think he probably wanted to. I spoke to DDIL yesterday and she sounded okay, sore but okay. I tried to make her laugh about the "you're lucky to be alive" as it was exactly what was said to me when a lorry smashed into my car twenty years ago (DS1 was actually in the back and it was him that everyone kept saying was lucky to be alive!). Not sure how she will get to work now because she lives over an hour away from work and I think is too scared to even get in a car, never mind the fact she doesn't now have one! I recommended she get some bromelain and arnica tablets for the swelling and bruising and just rest for now, not even think about work.

No TT today my bank account doesn't need rounding down. Also no PAD until next week, but I took this into account and the few PAD I have done over the last few days were doubled. Looking forward to starting my new budget and I guess coasting until then. Grateful I have my health, a warm home, food in the house, my DS2 and DD are home for now and DP & I both have incomes.

debtfreewannabe321

Morning all, limping along to pay day still!

NSD yesterday, and today hopefully. We are short staffed (no surprise there) so I will probably be in early again today. Hoping for a good chunk more on next week's pay because of all the early starts. It is so cold here, -5 last night I think it was. So I don't plan on doing too much aside from work. I wasn't feeling very well yesterday, tummy pains and headache looming, I think it is stress though rather than a bug so I need to just sit and do some breathing exercises later. Kids, funerals, work stress, money stress (hopefully that will resolve itself after payday lol) all the stress adds up to a knot in the tummy.

I have done a plan for the bonus money because DP & I are really good at allocating it several times over (anyone else ever do this ) So I wrote down where we wanted it to go and over budgeted on many of them so we are not left short and eating into the normal budget. Any leftovers can go into the EF. I am looking forward to my trip to ikea and to the shops to help DD buy some prom bits Oh actually I need to budget for the actual prom ticket! 

Ex is trying to get DS to go back down to his house already, he had to come home because he had the dentists yesterday, and before the appointment ex was already on his case making him feel sad for leaving him on his own. But I know he does it so insidiously, it's okay mate I'm fine don't worry about me *then sighs several times like Eeyore* I was with him two decades and he thinks I don't know his games. Ugh. I feel so bad for DS he is so sensitive and wants to help his dad but there isn't any helping him. He needs to learn to help himself. He drinks too much, he has a horrible sense of humour where he likes to put everyone down and then if you get offended he says, can't you take a joke! Gosh so sensitive! And gaslights you. Poor DS I want to keep him here where it is safe and peaceful and no emotional abuse but at 14 he seems to have his own thoughts on his dad and they don't align with mine (funny enough DD's do though and she actually said to me, he gaslights us and manipulates us) So I think my poorly tummy and head is from stressing over what to do, understanding if I push it too hard DS will run to ex, but also feeling protective and wanting to do something. It is a muddle and a confusion to me how to handle this. 

I think DDIL is okay, in shock after the accident, DS1 is home so he can look after her now. Kids, eh, the source of our happiness and also the biggest source of stress, ha! Even the ones we didn't give birth to and are just the DD in laws!  

I haven't said much to DD after the funeral, I understand her and she likes to be left alone to process. I will check in on her tomorrow, at the moment we are like passing ships, she goes to school when I am still (trying to) sleep and I start work as she is still at school and we see each other briefly for dinner before she locks herself in her room, same as DS2 - teens huh. 

Anyway nothing financial to report aside from the fact I was on p1nterest and reading through lots of blogs last night and they all seem to be saying to me, DON'T PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY and here is why....and then they have nonsense excuses for not doing it. It felt like someone had been paid by the banking industry to write it. There wasn't one good solid reason in there. So I will carry on with my plans. I had actually gone on there for some MSE tips, but AI doing it's spying thing sent me a tonne of focused ads (well they felt like ads) on why not to MSE. Don't you just love this 1984 episode we live in. 

This morning I have done a reading for a friend, I have another one to do for another friend who's asked, might go do that in a mo. Not much else on, I might get a book out and read in front of the radiator as it's lovely and warm here, i've a comfy chair right next to the window and radiator and I can hear the birds singing, the water pump on the pond which sounds like a gentle stream and it's really quite nice Hope everyone has a good day!

ladybird1106

Sending virtual hugs 
Love🐞

debtfreewannabe321

ladybird1106 said:

Sending virtual hugs 
Love🐞

Thanks LB, I have spoken to DS2 and he is really worried for his dad and asked if he can go down there, he doesn't think it is a safe environment with dad and his step-sister being alone and depressed. Dad is apparently drinking a litre of scotch a night (!!!!!!) and step-sister is really down. If anything he has cemented my mind that I don't want him there either in amongst that. I tried gently to explain it isn't a 14 year olds place to try to save dad or SS, and as much as he wants to support them I am unsure how he will do that. He is adamant he wants to go though I think I will ring my ex and speak to him myself...

DP has been sent off to a meeting in Sheffield with a packed lunch because I know he will be hungry when he gets there and then be tempted to spend on food that isn't healthy and isn't free from the cupboard. He has to pay for parking but he claims it back so still classing it as a NSD. I am in work normal time not early but my tummy is in knots still so actually I am grateful for not having to go in early. I have tried reading and my mind is just wandering off to DS 2 all the time so I think I will prep dinner and mosey about on here and a few blogs I am reading instead.  

debtfreewannabe321

Morning all, well I did do some reading after all, read a few chapters of my book  

I started work early as well as someone was off ('someone' is always off). And early start again today. 

Made fake balls in HM tomato sauce and spaghetti and there is enough left for one small portion for someone's lunch today. It was a NSD yesterday as DP was good and didn't give in to a coffee or anything on the way to work and back. Another one today too. 

DP has a team's meeting interview later for a new job. It is just first stage so not the official one I don't think. He is well qualified for it but it is based 2.5 hours from us (mostly wfh but some meetings in the city). So I'm not sure if they will overlook him purely based on that. We will see. 

It is freezing outside and the pond has frozen over, again. I can see the fish moving around under it still thankfully. We inherited the pond and fish with the house, and as much as I love fish I don't really know how to look after them aside from feeding them, buying expensive pumps and cleaning out pond weeds every now and then.  

6 days to payday...
I have dinner planned so will get on with prepping it before work.

Aside from that I feel like I am just waiting......... for work. For dinner. For a bit of tv, or a book, or a chat with someone. For sleep (which doesn't always come). Repeat. What an existence....cannot wait to get to the stage once again where I am in control of finances and thus my life (and it not being on hold for one week every month).

We are still in the black on both accounts so all good there too and I get child benefit on Monday so that will see us through till payday.

beanielou

Baby steps. 

You will get there. 

Keep plodding 😊

andersonjam4140

Investing in a piece of Middle England involves immersing yourself in the heart of British culture and tradition. It's like discovering a unique blend of history, charm, and a touch of modernity. Just as Hulu curates a diverse range of content, owning a slice of Middle England allows you to experience the richness of British heritage. Whether you're captivated by classic English countryside landscapes or intrigued by the hustle and bustle of quaint villages, it's an investment in a lifestyle that mirrors the eclectic content library Hulu offers – a little something for every taste and preference.

redofromstart

It's years since I've had a fish pond but from memory they are alright if it's just a few days, but if concerned you should heat up a pan of boiling water and then stand the pan on the ice for it to melt a hole. Don't pour kettle contents on or bang a hole in as it is bad for the fish. 

debtfreewannabe321

Hi, thanks Beanielou, and redo I will try that with the fishpond. Hello Andersonjam

DP & I have had a lazy morning watching an old film in bed, with tea, coffee, toast, and juice. I've got up since and put on a wash, hoovered and done the washing up. House is relatively clean and tidy now. Dinner is probably from the freezer stores. 

I also went through some old apps on my phone in bed, my phone keeps telling me I am at my storage limit so I thought if I go through three or four apps a day and one album a day (most storage is apps and photos apparently) then I will get there....a nice online declutter. Well to my surprise I found a banking app which I had no recollection for   after resetting my passcode and password I found a few quid of interest in there which I transferred to my main bank account. I've moved it straight over to my savings account & a small PAD to the mortgage .

Yesterday I opened a YBS xmas saver account after reading about that on someone else's diary (I've forgotten which one now  ) 6% interest for up to £150 a month and matures October 31st this year. I also got DP to open one this morning. So we can save £300 across both. I am going to put £200 across the two for the mortgage overpayments. So that won't be paid until it matures but it will be put aside for the mortgage OP.  All going to plan that should be £2000 plus any interest to go to the mortgage OP in November. Our mortgage interest is 2.49% so I think this is the best way to do this OP? If anyone has any other ideas please let me know...

Another £100 will go into those accounts for my emergency fund. I also opened another regular saver at 5.12% with cah00t. I will pay the rest of the emergency fund to there and any TT as well as clothing budget, birthday budget and anything else we are saving for as there is no penalty for withdrawals on there that I can see. 

Today I will get an online order for s'bury booked for after payday and do a meal plan. I am getting DP to try and move all DDs across from his account to our new bank account we set up purely for bills. Once all big DDs are across to there we can make one big payment to there every payday and I have asked him to move all other money to me so I can divvy up into savings pots (he will keep back any 'pocket money'). I usually do the food shop too as he works FT so I do all these bits so the money will come to me to keep an eye on so I know when we are too close to the red.

I have to say I am really proud of us this payday:- 
* we have managed to get through Jan unscathed. Yes we don't have a lot left (literally less than a tenner between us probably although I have a tenner in my purse as well) but we are in the black.
* I have started an EF
* started some PAD to the mortgage
* we bought a new water filter that was expensive without it going on credit
* I paid off the N3xt account
* and have what I think is a workable plan and budget in place going forwards.
* Our food budget has been slashed from 6-800 to hopefully just under £500 (I will hold off on celebrating and declaring this until it happens though )
* I have also sold lots of things around the house and fingers crossed- slashed the electric bill
* I have been making slow swaps out for healthy / non toxic toiletries & cleaning products (hence why I have spent so much already)

Today I will walk the dog as well and grab some potatoes for the cottage pie I have frozen, I will probably get a small sack if they have any left at the grocers as they last ages then and work out cheaper. Anyway that is all for now I think.... hope everyone has a good weekend.