The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Evening everyone,

I've had few lazy days trying to rest in the hope that doing so will help me recover and get back to normal.

My boss could see l was struggling this week so suggested l WFH today. It was really nice actually 😊 and l do feel better for not doing the up to 2 hours round trip commute. 

I took the opportunity to finally get started on the payroll course. I've successfully completed the induction and first two chapters along with the online assessments. They were all about the various Employment Law's and Rights  and a bit of HR. Not the most captivating of topics, for me personally l hasten to add. But glad I've started.

Then oldest CK took me food shopping and packed it all away. I am grateful but l did laugh at all the complaining about how long it takes and how much things cost 😂. 

carboot_karaoke

Morning all, 

A grey and dull looking day where l am. 

I'm planning another low movement day (it does seem to be working at last). I've just completed chapter 3 of my payroll course and the online assessment that goes with it. 

Planning to list a handful of things on Vinted and then either, start looking at the rental receipts/spreadsheet, or make some dinners for the freezer. Can you tell I'm stalling the rental receipts job 🤣.

In either case this will have been a no spend week for me, plus barely any petrol used, maybe been held up at home has its advantages after all 😉.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon everyone,

Friday ended up being quite productive l listed a few things on Vinted and had sold 5 items by this morning another £27 into the jar ☺️. £219.60 / £153.

I did say to Mr CK that maybe l should turn it into a side hustle l could go to car boots in the summer or charity shops and list items for a profit he didn't seem convinced 🤣.

I also began tackling the mountain of rental paperwork. 50 invoices entered onto excel and the credit card we used has been reconciled. Still quite a lot to do but l feel more motivated to get it done. I'm going to try and work through the bank statement next, matching it up against the invoices to make sure l have all them all. 

In other news our regular payment of £100 has come off the mortgage so our new balance is £27,200. 

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

So this morning my 0% cc company increased my credit limit by £2k this has resulted in the last hour of me scrolling on holiday company websites. 

I've found several very nice 4*,  AI hotels for Feb half term week (give or take a day or two) for about £3k.

I know i'm not meant to be booking yet (on the grounds my budget is not confirmed and l wanted to check the weather)  but i'm very tempted i'm thinking that after Xmas prices may increase, less availability, any thoughts?

Feel free to talk me out of it 🤣

Because l want to book as a surprise gift for MR CK and kids l cant even ask his opinion. 

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

In the end my CC stayed in my purse...for now 😉

Instead l got on with my work and today I've spent several hours continuing to enter invoices and sort out paperwork for the rental. I'm irritated with myself for not doing it sooner, but the sheer relief of completing and handing over the keys followed by a massive catch up with real life (lots got put on hold during the renovations) meant l didn't.

Anyway, l think I think I'm just an hour or two away from completing (l will have to stop for the day to make dinner etc) . I've already brought this tax year up to date at the same time so things will be much easier going forward.

Then l will move onto MR CK accounts. Once I've completed both sets of accounts and worked out tax liability l will allow myself to book the holiday. This is the deal l have made with myself 🤣

ladysummerisle

That sounds like a good deal to me!

Are there any discounts available online for cashback for the holiday? February is bleak and cold so a warmer break will be welcome.

carboot_karaoke

Hi Everyone,

I've been to embarrassed to post because l broke my own rule 🙈 and booked a holiday. In my defence... I have 80% completed my tax return (l just clicked through some of the questions to view the calculation)  and did the most basic of calculations for Mr CK which confirmed that the tax liability should be covered with the money already set aside. I'll gather the few other bits of information (savings interest etc) and get our accountant to review when he's next in. 

The weather was soooooooo miserable and l really wanted something to look forward too. l paid £2680 for the 4 of us for a week AI, 4*. On paper the holiday ticks every box apart from the fact l have to take the kids out of school for 3 days. This is my 17th year with children at school and we've never taken them out before. They have always had +98% attendance so l feel justified just this once. The alternative was the same holiday for +£2142 to fly out on the Saturday, scandalous !!

The day after l booked TUI had a new promotion with another £100 off🙄 . I know its only £100 but l spent about 2 hours on the phone and chat online box asking if they could reduce it or match the discount. The short version was - NO, but you can cancel without penalty within the first 24hours (didn't know that). So that's what l did and rebooked exactly the same holiday for £2580 😊. For now I've paid £800 deposit on the 0% CC and will probably put the remaining balance on there to and sort out paying it off. Absolute worst case, l leave it on there until July next year when the mortgage is clear.

Speaking of mortgages another £350 has paid off the mortgage £2750 for the month so far new balance is £26850 ☺️

carboot_karaoke

ladysummerisle said:

That sounds like a good deal to me!

Are there any discounts available online for cashback for the holiday? February is bleak and cold so a warmer break will be welcome.

Thank you for your message @ladysummerisle unfortunately l read it too late 🙄. But yes you are right % cashback available on several holiday companies. And even more annoying is the fact l could have saved % on  travel insurance if l hadn't already done a quote through Money supermarket.   All in about £46 missed out on, although reading reviews the cashback from the comparison website doesn't seem to get paid anyway, which made me feel better.  While l was on top cashback l spotted a few other categories id planned to make a purchase on so a really good reminder ☺️

beanielou

Can’t say I really blame you. It’s so cold 🥶 & miserable. 

V3cash

I’m definitely not one to say don’t book a holiday as I am addicted to travel.
life is too short sometimes so I’m all about the experience.
you have done so well financially and i think you do need a bit of balance in life.
it is gutting when you could have got something cheaper but it’s a lesson that you remember the next time.
Its definitely better to go with reputable insurance, we pay through nose for hubby as he had cardiac arrest few years ago but it’s worth it for peace of mind.