The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

I am sat on my break eating a very dull 🙄 although frugal lunch of homemade carrot and coriander soup and a wholemeal cob.

l dragged myself (literally) to the gym this morning. Since the school holidays I've been really struggling to get up and get there. With the darker nights my motivation is even worse but l know if l stick with it i'll feel so much better.

I reassessed our finances over the weekend there is good news and bad news...

Good News
Totaling all the "unexpected money" I've received comes to a very decent £1500 😇 in addition, if my maths is right l could afford to overpay by £1000 less for one of the remaining 9 months and still achieve my target. That would give me a "spend fund" of £2500

Bad News
I'd forgotten about the service charge due on the rental🙄there is a balancing amount due this month and an initial charge in March 2026.  Plus the gas safety check in May 2026. I think it totals about £550 worst case.
There is also an outstanding debt id forgotten about its not urgent and i'm not paying any interest but still means l owe another £694.68. 

If l pay the bill and allocate funds for the service charge that reduces my spend fund from £2500 to about £1255😕 

I had really been hoping l could raise enough to take Mr CK and the kids away for some winter sun but with the scandalous prices you get charged for the school holidays it doesn't seem unlikely. 

I've not ruled it out completely i'm thinking if l can try and get as many Clubcard points as possible l could swap them for Easy jet Holiday Vouchers up to £600 off the price. A company called, Shoppers Thoughts, on the Tesco website offer up to 150 Clubcard points for surveys so i'm going to sign up later. I can also apply for a credit limit increase on my 0% CC increase by Xmas if need be to fund some of the cost.

At this stage its all speculation but even the possibility of something nice to look forward to has lifted my mood and renewed my focus 😊

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

Just signed up to Shoppers Thoughts and earned the grand sum of 50 Clubcard points - that's 50p to you or me, although l have to earn 500 before l can withdraw 🙄 the things they tell you AFTER you sign up.

I have £35.50 worth of Clubcard points at the moment, l spent about £100 worth earlier this year on a couple of meals out (regretting that now). I realise that its unlikely I'll reach the £300 limit anytime soon  but I'm going to save them anyway.

In other news l have just received £360 and paid it off the mortgage. 

New Balance £33,060  

carboot_karaoke

Evening all

Another weekend has come and gone it will be Xmas before we know it 😳

On Friday we finally received an email from the company that made an approach in April. As suspected, they have confirmed they are no longer interested. Its really disappointing news,  although we thought that was the decision until it was "officially" said there was a glimmer of hope.

So at some point there needs to be a meeting to try and get back on track, with the best will in the world the business focus had gone and is evident in sales and staff morale...Including my own 😔

At least in the short term there is more job security. But in truth I'm bored in my current role and there is no where to move to within the company. I had already asked if l can sign up to a few online courses so l will look further into that this week.

In better news Another £4 item sold on Vinted £138 /£153 every little helps  😉

carboot_karaoke

Evening everyone,

Its been another busy day in the CK household.

Since the weekend I've been feeling unwell headaches, sore throat, running nose etc. I am improving but its knocked my routine and energy levels. 

Today we had the first part of our child's autism assessment, it consisted of an hour long phone call and will be followed by an in person or online meeting.  This part was just for parents l felt nervous despite requesting this for years. It was hard to talk about all the challenges and differences our child has had since birth. Id even forgotten some of the darkest times, filled with tears, angst, stress, and worry.

All l see now is a brilliant, loving, intelligent, funny person who l love unconditionally and wouldn't change a thing about them 🥰.

carboot_karaoke

Yet again, l digress 

I actually logged onto to say that the final £325 income for the month has been received.

I decided to pay £310 off the mortgage new balance £32,750.

£15 off the CC new balance £2,660.

Its pay day on Friday l feel like l haven't had any money for ages just lots of bills with nothing to show for it🙄. I only have £100 monthly allowance and my dentist bill was over three times that amount this month.

 

beanielou

Every thing coming down nicely. 

carboot_karaoke

beanielou said:

Every thing coming down nicely. 

Thanks Beanielou 😊

Humdinger1

You are doing brilliantly @carboot_karaoke! It's difficult to see from the inside but as @beanielou says, everything is coming down nicely. I have a DD with ADHD. She's just started a 9 to 5 career in an office where she doesn't need to hide anything.   She's loving it and I so remember the struggles you describe.   There's light at the end of the tunnel.   Keep going love Humdinger xx 

carboot_karaoke

Humdinger1 said:

You are doing brilliantly @carboot_karaoke! It's difficult to see from the inside but as @beanielou says, everything is coming down nicely. I have a DD with ADHD. She's just started a 9 to 5 career in an office where she doesn't need to hide anything.   She's loving it and I so remember the struggles you describe.   There's light at the end of the tunnel.   Keep going love Humdinger xx 

Awwh thanks @Humdinger1 l really appreciate your message of support 🥰

Wonderful news about your DD  I'm so glad shes happy in her job. I'm so grateful there is a lot more awareness and understanding about ADHD and Autism these days 

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

I've have just had the worst commute😤 a 20-30 min journey turned into 90 minutes, thanks to a single set of temporary lights at the most crucial part of a very busy junction. They cut the lanes from 3 to 2 at the same point but l have no idea why??.Thankfully l have a very accommodating boss. 

Despite getting paid on Friday l have only £1.12 remaining in my account 😢. How?? you ask...

£40.96 - Menopause cream essential and lasts 3,4 months
£25.00 - Gift 
£16.99 - Gym - Ive only been 3 times this month 😔
£15.93 - Train fare and lunch at wetherspoons

But on the plus side l found £35 unexplained cash in my purse, l rarely use my purse l generally use my phone to pay. I don't where its come from but i'm claiming it 🤣

At least today will be a NSD at 8pm last night l still hadn't prepped todays lunch when my lovely neighbour knocks on the door with leftover Biryani  🥰