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

debtfreewannabe321

Ok to be sure I have cancelled my Bank card this morning and ordered a new one and put the old one on freeze.
Transferred all money from the current account to DP account and we will use that for now.

I also went and loaded up my clubcard app and transferred all points to vouchers and spent them - ordering a £15 pizza express voucher (£30 once changed.) 
I had a quick internet search and it seemed that hackers will go for clubcard vouchers as well as the usual info you think they'd be after.

So I'm without a card at the moment just to be on the safe side. A little annoying as I will have to change the details on lots of accounts online but when I changed my password last night I had a message from my phone to say I probably change 16 other accounts as they had the same password and email combo 😁😬 yes yes I know... And my card and bank details were attached to all of those too. Some had full bank details as they were direct debits for subscriptions so not much I can do there. 

Not sure if I'm over reacting but would rather be safe than sorry.

redofromstart

Makes sense to me. I know one of mine was shared a few years back but like you say it was one I used for odd shops, not anything that matters and I don't save my card details on anything. Good that Tesco message you. Amazon do as well. 

Worth buying some rubble sacks and a tarpaulin after you move then? Is there a shed in the new place? With greenhouse I found it was worth mentioning that you want one to people you know - those who wouldn't advertise may not have thought of getting it re homed. I've seen big free plants too when people have been landscaping. 

debtfreewannabe321

redofromstart said:

Makes sense to me. I know one of mine was shared a few years back but like you say it was one I used for odd shops, not anything that matters and I don't save my card details on anything. Good that Tesco message you. Amazon do as well. 

Worth buying some rubble sacks and a tarpaulin after you move then? Is there a shed in the new place? With greenhouse I found it was worth mentioning that you want one to people you know - those who wouldn't advertise may not have thought of getting it re homed. I've seen big free plants too when people have been landscaping. 

Without even thinking about it I have saved my card details on every shop I have used online if it gives me an option if nothing else this will make me shop more mindfully from now on.

debtfreewannabe321

Okay I got distracted earlier my phone rang so I didn't finish my update off

So after the breach last night I went on Amazon to change my password there as that also had the same password oops. Anyway I decided to look at the prime day deals as I know what DS2 wanted for his birthday. The gaming chair he was after had £50 off in the sale and only lasted one day at that price....so I reactivated my prime account However instead of it charging me £95 it gave me 30 days free trial??? Even though I had already had an account with them for years on that email? So I didn't get charged and I have prime for free for a month. Woo. Something good did come of it all eh (and the £30 pizza express vouchers). 

So I ordered the chair with money from the birthday fund and also the protein powder he wanted and that is his birthday sorted. If it arrives before he goes to his dad's house next week we will do his birthday then as he will be with dad as per usual on his actual birthday (he always seems to wangle it that I never have DS and I have given up arguing). I got both his presents for £150 instead of £230 which is what it was all adding up to the other day when I looked! (protein powder was also on offer and I got it on a s&s which I will cancel as soon as it arrives for another £5 off ) I also had a £5 voucher on the account from surveys so £145 it cost all in. Very happy with that and I hope DS is with the chair I chose

I'm still counting my NSD yesterday though as these were planned spends from a budgeted pot which I don't count in my NSD challenge. The birthday pot is very sad looking though and not much left in it after all these birthdays. July is such an expensive month for us. 

We had the last removal quote in yesterday evening and there is a massive difference in prices so now I am confused. It is £1000 all in (thereabouts maybe a few quid over)..... I think I need to have a search for reviews for this company and if they are good it could be our front runner. It is £400+ cheaper than the most expensive quote! So I can't ignore that really....I just have fears of cheap companies now after our last disastrous move where they were just throwing my stuff around because they under quoted us and brought a van that was too small and had to do two trips and moaned the entire time, I found it really stressful and felt super guilty even though that was their mistake not ours. 

Threw out four empty ish pots of moisturisers and cleansers this morning that had either dried up or had been sat there so long because I just don't like them. Made lots of space on my shelf this week from using up old stuff and throwing bits out that won't be used. 

Right I will deffo be off now. Going to feed and walk the dog before it gets too hot. Need to do a shopping list too have some food to buy later to make it last until payday. Might be back though, am going to check surveys out later on if I have time. 

debtfreewannabe321

Walked the dog and made a new friend a lady stopped me to speak and we ended up nattering for about an hour before I really had to leave as it was getting too hot for both our dogs. I gave her my number and told her I'd be happy to meet up again for a walk and talk...we had a lot in common albeit 20 years between us in age. 

I have talked to my ex about childcare arrangements over the hols (not that either child need childcare ) and he is going to have them after their dentist appointment next week for a few weeks. I kind of panicked at that and thought I won't see them all summer once again. So I have booked some cinema tickets online for Saturday, did a little shopping around too...put in 1 hour drive of where we live and compared prices. All the same big chain I might add O deon and really annoyed to see that our local one is THE most expensive by DOUBLE what the heck! So..... I shopped around at a few more and the price suddenly went from £40 with booking fee, to £20 for all of us and NO booking fee. Ugh, I feel robbed for all the times I never thought to look. The cinema I booked at is in a lovely town with canal walks, a lovely market place and lots of shops so we will do that before eating and going to the cinema. I have booked a table at pizza express seeing as though I have £30 voucher now, however I know it will cost me probably £50 on top of that, so although it is booked we are going to have a little look round the town and see if we can find somewhere cheaper....possibly not but hopeful we can. 
I've cashed out £20 over the last few days on Pr0lific so that has paid for cinema tickets really, and the money for food will come out of the leftover take out money.

I'm also planning on taking the kids swimming tomorrow, we've a beautiful outdoor pool near to us and it's always tradition that we go at least once a season...I learned to swim there as a kid and my mum used to always take us there in summer so it holds special memories for me. DP isn't bothered about swimming, neither am I if truth be told but the kids enjoy it. So I will do it tomorrow when DP is at work, let the kids have the whole session to swim and sunbathe (5 hours) and it should be quieter as most kids don't break up until tomorrow. I will treat them to some chips from the chippy on the way home and they allow picnics in there so I will bring one of those and lots of drinks. At least then I had two days out with the kids. I might treat them to a sub way or Mcds before dropping them to their dad too on Tuesday. Spendy few days, but DP and I will be on our own for nearly a month I think so can claw back any financial damages then and we've no holidays booked so I think we all deserve a little treat In fact I still have £20 pending in surveys so that will pay for swimming tomorrow anyway- I will replenish the pot as it comes in. 

Still need to do a shop, DP and I are going together later - I will pick up picnic stuff for tomorrow, and some easy dinner for DP & I tomorrow (kids can have a chippy - I am not bothered with that unless DP wants it too). I will get dinner for Sunday but Saturday we are obviously eating out. Monday I will grab something easy-ish too and also for dinner on Tuesday because by the time I get back from driving them to meet their dad it will be well past our usual dinner time. I foresee lots of easy pasta dishes, veggie burgers or pizzas with salads....will check out the shop later and see what I can find. I have £50 for this budget so hopefully I have enough! 

I also need to remember to get cash out as I cancelled my card! As I am spending I am transferring it across to DP account in dribs and drabs to pay for separate things what a pain!

LadyWithAPlan

debtfreewannabe321 said:

@LadyWithAPlan

Ingredients:

• 350g rolled oats
• 100g mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews)
• 200g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, cranberries, apricots, figs)
• 50g mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, hemp)
• 200g dairy-free butter (such as Stork block)
• 175g golden syrup
• 200g light brown soft sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F/gas mark 3. Grease a 23cm/9in square cake tin and line with baking parchment.
2. Mix together the oats, flour, nuts, fruit, and seeds in a large bowl.
3. Place the dairy-free butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar in a pan over a low heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth.
4. Pour the syrup mixture into the oat mixture and stir until thoroughly combined, ensuring no dry patches remain.
5. Tip the mixture into the prepared tin, spread it out level, and press down firmly until well compacted.
6. Bake for 25-35 minutes until set and golden. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
7. Cut into slices while still in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• Use your preferred combination of nuts and dried fruit.
• If you prefer a chewier flapjack, bake for 25 minutes. For a crisper flapjack, bake for 35 minutes.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Nutrition Information (approximate):

Per flapjack:

• kcal: 177
• fat: 9g
• saturates: 2g
• carbs: 21g

I used to love the free version of YNAB (well one off payment). I still haven't trialled the new paid version. Once we move I might well do that as a new month starts. 
I quite like a paper version as I'm a bit old school and have many pots (different bank accounts) so it's easier to see what I have. Your posts do always make it seem so good though (and Improved from when I used it) so I think I'm going to try it again at some point 😁

Yes I paper budgeted for at least a decade every month beforehand -(as self employed) and had lots of virtual bank pots which I filled at the start of the month - however YNAB gives you automatic reports for every category spent, across all time and means you dont miss anything. The review part - adding up what I spent at the end of each month is hard on paper budgets and I never did it as too many bank accts etc - whereas YNAB does it as its just data you have categorised.
 I also like seeing the repeat DD's and the ability to use hashtags etc, add new categories - so when I was away I split my abroad spending into that trips food, travel and costs to do with work - so useful. 
I spent years on here saying I dont need ynab but actually it is amazing and so great to have that daily overview as you go through each month. Reddit Ynab people rave about it and I have joined the 'this is life changing' even as an already focused budgeter of decades. It stops me overspending to excess as I catch myself much quicker.

I will try the flapjacks..

debtfreewannabe321

Morning all, busy day yesterday with the kids swimming. Quite spendy but I was spending mindfully and thinking about each purchase and only getting what we needed. They had a great day and played like little kids (which is good cos I snuck both in as kids to the pool) they were in the water for over four hours I think.
I ended up sat in full sun for most of that time having not got there early enough for a good spot in the shade. The couple next to me had a bit of shade and when they left they left me their sun loungers and also their shade which I was more grateful for! It hit around 29° so I was struggling somewhat in the heat 🥵. I had a couple of dips in the pool but it was so busy even though most kids were still at school. It was full of young families and retirees and kids the same age as mine. SO busy. We queued for over half hour to get in and we were twenty minutes early to the session as I know what it's like...I remembered why I don't go often 🤣. Only spend in there was a drink each and one ice cream for me- £6.50 And then on the way home £15 on fish and chips for the kids (well DD had a vegan pie with her chips).
I will tot up all spends later though.
Including today's spends.

Cinema and a bit of shopping on the cards for today 🙂

debtfreewannabe321

Ok, let's try again...I have gone to update several times and either get distracted or I've lost it all

Spends-
A lot. But expected. We celebrated two kids birthdays within days of one another, so at least now that is done I can concentrate on NSDs.
I haven't tallied everything up but put it this way we are counting down to payday.

House Move Updates
Well we sort of have some news and not really all at the same time. The searches are back from our buyers and also the survey (in fact I might have already mentioned this as we knew this end of last week). Our seller at the top of the chain is finally on to his online solicitor's portal and has responded to all enquiries our solicitors sent out THREE weeks ago I am glad we messaged him a few times as he was adamant that he hadn't had an enquiries through. Basically they had been sat there in his inbox waiting for him for weeks. Sigh...anyway that is done now and he understands how to use the portal now. I am glad we opted for a solicitors that does things the old fashioned way to be honest. Snail mail would have been quicker than three weeks  
So I assume now depending on what our buyer's solicitors uncover in the survey and the searches we could be very quick or exceedingly slow through the enquiries our end....and then finally have some contracts drawn up and signed. 
Unsure which removals to go with. I feel the lowest quote is so low perhaps they are not good...I haven't had time to find any other companies yet for more quotes.

Surveys & other money makers 
So I have had a spat of surveys and cashed out a fiver on one (takes five days to hit my bank though) and a lot of surveys on pr0l1fic...many still pending but I can make a minimum cash out right now of £6. I think I will leave it all in there until the end of the week and cash out whatever has gone through by then. Money is going towards bills (well the extra bills like n3xt, and another shop I did and put on pay later) so will just leave it to build up. If I reach a tenner soon I might pay out and send straight across to the little bills I have waiting for payments. I have over £20 still pending in there which is good. 
I made a few pennies on some fb sales too. All spent on an impromptu birthday cake yesterday for DS2. I got him a cheap cake and blueberries and raspberries (spent more on the fruit ) as he loves fruit. So that cancelled out the money I had made really but also meant we didn't eat into any money  in the bank either so all good.
*update I have cashed out £12 that will be sent straight to the online shopping bills.

DS Birthday
He had a great 'early' birthday celebration and loved his presents. I bought him a book, a gaming chair and some protein powder that he asked for. So no fluffy presents and unnecessary spends, all things he wanted which was good. 

Money situation & budget
I am about to tally up all spends in daily spends section of my budget book. I know we have hardly any money left now as DP car had to go into the garage to be fixed. We have a courtesy car and had to pay for it. I transferred some out of a savings account to pay for this. DP said it is too late in the month to claim back for this pay run so we will have to wait for a month for that money back. So the savings pots are looking very sorry for themselves right now. We are down to the last bit of money we have now in the run up to pay day. Was always expecting this though, it is the same every July for me.......:
lol:

Decluttering efforts
I have lowered lots of things on Fb & the older stuff I had on v1nted I bagged up and sent to the charity shop on Saturday. We also went through the shelves in the living room and let 10 items go there (mostly knick-knacky type items). We will be in a good position for packing when we start as we've let so much go. 
I also put DS2 old computer chair outside. DP thought it tip worthy as the seat was ripped but the chair other than that was in good condition. It still swiveled round, went up and down and the back part was not ripped just a few small rips on the seat part which were already there when we got it for free. I put it out the side door with a note on. It was gone within half hour! 


August's budget-
I have already started this the other week when we had some idea of bonus. DP & I are on our own for most of it as DS & DD are off to their dad's house tomorrow and back around 12th August I believe and then off to camp a few days after. We've agreed to have a few nice meals in our planner but basically stick to some cheap meals on rotation (healthy though- that's our one stipulation, no/ little junk) so I will have a look as to what I can find, but probably things like pasta, risotto, tofu, jacket potatoes & HM pizzas on naan will feature heavily we can then pull back a bit of money hopefully for topping up pots and also not overfill our cupboards right before we move! 
I need to sort out what I am doing ref removals soon though so I know how much to take straight out of the bonus...if I haven't decided by payday I will take out the amount for the highest quote and then I have it all sorted. If I go with the lowest it means I can put the extra into another savings pot or put towards monthly budgets.

Right anyway best be off, I have done enough surveys for today I think. I need to pop to shops for an onion and pepper and some mushrooms for our kebabs later and walk the dog. This update has take an hour to do but I have done 4 surveys in between. let's hope the survey influx continues it will really help! Right, am off for now, I hope everyone is okay.

debtfreewannabe321

Morning all, limping along till pay day now...DP gets paid on Thursday.

I need to take the kids to the dentist today for their checkup and then I'm meeting ExH to handover the kids for a few weeks. 

I was looking at the calendar and they are going for almost three weeks I think. Then only back for a few days before going off for a week's camp. I won't hardly see them for a month!

I guess on the upside I have a month to make the house good ready for packing (we need to repaint DS room and patch up DD where she hung a gazillion posters) and I guess it will stay clean so I will look at the positives.

It's been really nice that DS has moved his computer down to the dining room and we would see him and chat over the day rather than him locked in his room for hours on end. I will encourage him downstairs again when he's home I think.

Has to be a NSD really as there's not many pennies left. I've got dinner sorted for tonight. 
DP is away for work tomorrow evening and I'm debating doing a 24 hour fast as I've not done one in a while and am feeling sluggish and heavy. I think it might help me. I will decide tomorrow I might settle on a OMAD instead.

Just need to marinade the tofu and slice the onions and peppers and mushrooms before I take kids out. I pre -cooked rice last night (just did two portions as we ate it last night too) and need to cook the rest up when home. I should be home about 5:30 so that's not too late.

Will start collecting boxes in earnest next week.
We walked the dog yesterday afternoon and saw the lady who's been dealing with our sale in the EA so we wandered in. She kindly rang our sellers solicitor whilst we were there. They are sending out enquiries hopefully today and we should chase them up tomorrow if we've not heard anything from our end. 
Our seller is dealing with his enquiries too (he was asked to clarify a few things - he's very dyslexic so I think he's going to have to clarify probably more as time goes by as his messages all need deciphering to some degree) so we are finally getting somewhere I think.

I must look for some more removals I keep forgetting. The difference in quotes is making us wonder if one is way too high and one is way too low and we are confused as to who to go with. Cheapest option obviously best for a budget but I have a lot of expensive delicate furniture that I don't want broken so it's making me indecisive. 

I have got more money to cash out on pr0lific again which is great. I still have around £15 pending though I think. I will keep up with the surveys as best as I can over the next month so I have some sort of trickle of money coming in. I have two surveys lined up both £5 each one and only 15 mins on each one. I've already done the first part. 

Ok am going to get off and sort the FLD at my feet out I think he wants breakfast and a walk! He's like a demanding toddler 😆

debtfreewannabe321

Ugh dentists appointments are cancelled. 2 hours notice. I'm so fed up with them they cancel around 3 in every 4 appointments I book. 

I've walked the dog, we did 2 miles and made it home before it got super cloudy and overcast.

I've put pizzas in the oven for the kids and I am waiting for DP to get back from the garage. No rush for the car now though as we have no appointments to get to. 

My house is a mess, and dirty. But I am just sat here staring at it. Refusing to do it. I will wait patiently until the kids disappear and then I will tidy and clean it once rather than six times a day. 

I've cashed out another £12 on surveys and have £20 pending still that will pay for one of my small buy now pay it later items once I have all of that. I have been cashing it out all week and putting it straight into an empty pot and once the item arrives and I know it is in good condition I will send the money over on k1arna. I haven't used that payment method in such a long time but the item I was buying was technically not in my budget oops, but I couldn't pass it up as it was a good price, and it was a new website I hadn't used so I opted for the buy now pay later option and also i cancelled my bank card and the new one hasn't arrived yet! 

Oh speaking of which I went to Mr T yesterday for a few bits I went to line up in the cash till queue as that is what I was paying with and a lady who worked there said, come over here it will be much quicker so I obediently followed without much thought. She opened up another till....card only. Only after scanning it all did she say oh it's card here is that ok, I was like ?? Oh yeh that's fine. Got my card out big beep and DECLINED I was mortified and then remembered that the card was cancelled...everyone in the queue giving me sympathetic looks whilst I am over explaining myself to strangers about having cancelled it myself because my Mr T account was hacked. They were all nodding like, yes dear, of course, and we believe you. I couldn't get out of there quick enough cut the card up the second I got home so I don't make that mistake again lol!