The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Awwh thanks @beanielou @V3cash

I've had a miserable day, last week l went to an appointment somewhere I've been before but not regularly (its been 6 months) anyway there were lots of road works, though no one actually working and today received a letter from the police saying l was doing 36 mph in a 30 zone 🙄. 

The road in question had variable speed limits up to 50mph, l don't even recall seeing a 30 sign. But regardless l think its a £100 fine plus 3 points on my 30 year impeccable record. The most embarrassing part is calling my children's car insurance companies to update there records. I'm on all 4 vehicles insurance policies ..sigh

Tonight I'm attending a meeting our letting agent is running to bring us up to speed on the new Renters Reform bill.
Mr CK is not impressed it will be a miracle if he keeps awake for the two hours that its scheduled for.  😂
 

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

My spirts have lifted since Wednesday's drama 😅

I got the accountant to look over my self assessment figures yesterday, everything is entered but l wont press submit until I've got paid in December. Because l don't owe a lot I've got the option to pay through a tax code adjustment and spread over the year. I really need the next two pay days not to be affected.

I sorted out travel insurance today l brought an annual travel insurance policy for £78.18 because it was only a few pounds dearer than a single trip. I used my Vinted pot to pay so this has been reduced to £141.42.That's plenty for a couple of taxis but l will try to add to this before we go. 

Today has been very spendy indeed but l am happy with my purchases, l took advantage of BLK Friday deals I had been watching/ considering for a while l brought a new tablet, & TV for our bedroom. Then when l went shopping l found the right sizes in a few things l knew little CK will love PJ's, Dressing Gown, Cardigan and a lovely top and bottom set Mr CK said was nice but thin for winter. What he doesn't know is it will be perfect for our holiday 😉 (current temperature is 31 degrees ..bliss) . All costs are accounted for. 

I must admit booking the holiday now is helping prevent buying extra bits. I'm quite content with buying just the things on my list we definitely need knowing what a treat awaits us next year. l told my Dad about the surprise holiday (its really hard to keep a secret when I'm such a big mouth 🤣)  he was glad and has said he will cover the kids spending money, because he never knows what to buy them 🥰.

I also spent a bit of time on my payroll course this week another 2 chapter's completed with assessments. l have 5 chapters left of Book 1 although,  chapter 7 is 67 pages long 😲. I'm WFH on Monday so l intend to chip away at it , l would love to complete Book 1 by the end of November but well see how it goes. 

Finally sorted out the app and paid some money into my new Santander account, l have to complete 30 debit card transactions by the beginning of January to get the £100 amazon voucher. Explained the situation to my boss who is happy for me to make small payments on our card machine to reach the target. 

In other money news ....that's why were here isn't it 🤣 l made our final OP for November £350 new balance is £26,500.

Have a good evening 

CK x 

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

My WFH day hasn't quite been the success l was hoping for 🙄

l spent 3 hours cleaning the house yesterday so l wouldn't get distracted today.

Logged onto work last night to check emails and prepared a business update.

Prepared my gym bag (hadn't been in 10 weeks 😱) 

Confident id set myself up for success, alas l didn't count on my youngest waking me up at 4am to tell me they'd wet the bed. Between stripping the bed, putting on new sheets and putting the washing machine on l couldn't get back to sleep. I should have gone to the gym then.

Instead l just lay there contemplating life and all the things l needed to do. At 5.15am l booked a hairdressers appt for January I'd had an email saying if l booked this weekend l would save 10% the equivalent of £9.I've paid the deposit so it wont feel so bad when l have to pay the balance. 

After the school run l went straight to the gym feeling rubbish. I wasn't expecting anything from workout other than to have got back on the "gym horse" definitely glad l went 😊

When l got home l made a big breakfast and got on with my payroll course. I got stuck on this one section. For the life of me l couldn't work it out. Emailed the tutor, whose answer didn't make sense to me either. Although she did refer me to a video which finally helped the penny drop. I had hoped to get well into the massive chapter 7 by now but only just finished number 6. Never mind, with a good nights sleep I'm sure ill catch up.

At least dinner is easy, lasagne l cooked a few weeks ago (l always make two) is warming in the oven with garlic bread, and salad. I'm starving 🤣

carboot_karaoke

On the money front, l might have some unexpected expenses incoming.

My washing machine isn't draining the softener ( l called Ao care and was told they'd call me back and id keep my place 157 people ahead of me)  still waiting 5 hours later 🙄.

Mr CK called earlier to say his van is playing up, suspects a new battery is needed. 

Edit 

*Update Mr CK was right about the battery but it turns out it was still under warranty so no cost  

* l called Ao again and have booked an appointment for next week.  

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon everyone,

Happy "payday eve 😂"

In readiness for getting paid I've had shuffle round of a bit of money.

Yesterday l paid the balance on our holiday, that came around quick !! but means we have less than 12 weeks to go. This increased the CC balance to £5130.06😱 .

So l promptly paid £130.06 so the balance is £5000 (not going to worry about that for now, she says worrying about it slightly)

I also paid £94.68 off the 0% loan so that stands at £600.

I went shopping again yesterday, found a couple of nice tracksuits for the kids and a jumper for MR CK. I also found an ideal "airport outfit" consisting of matching sweatshirt and bottoms. It was £50 for the two but l didn't feel l could justify the cost i'll keep an eye on the website to see if they get reduced.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

I have had quite a frustrating day l was expecting the engineer out to fix the washing machine today. But at the same time they were due they text to say the appointment had been cancelled.
I was furious😠, not only at the inconvenience of arranging another appointment but the unprofessional way l was told. Whatever happened to common decency? A phone call with an explanation / apology for wasting a days holiday might have been nice.  Mr CK says l need to lower my expectations, he's probably right.

I have at least finished the dreaded chapter 7 of my payroll course all 67 pages !! and the accompanying assessment. Plus payday and rent received has meant we could make our first December OP.

Another £2350 off means the new balance is £24,150 definitely want to knock off at least the £150 asap. 


Have a good day. 

beanielou

I'm with you.  That's not on.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,  

I come bearing exciting news.. after the shambles on Wednesday not just the engineer no show but, the appalling customer service that followed I found an email address and sent a complaint  (despite being told there wasn't one to use). Anyway the result was two very apologetic phone calls £30 in vouchers and £50 compensation 😊.

This happened the same day hotels.com emailed to say my £15 worth of points was going to expire on the 9th December. So l have combined the proceeds and booked me and Mr CK a night away. We haven't even had a dinner out for 6 months so a night away feels like quite the extravagance 😂. I will pack us a nice lunch to take for during the day and a bottle of wine. So only dinner costs to account for, I'm leaving that to Mr CK.

I also had a letter from the police about my speeding offense, they have offered me the option to do a speed awareness course instead of three points  it still costs £100 for the course but at least l don't have to contact 4 insurance companies. 

carboot_karaoke

The CK household has had a nice chilled day, we went out for a family meal paid for by my dad. My youngest actually gasped out loud at the total value (the equivalent of two weeks shopping budget) 🤣 the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He was insistent and it made him happy.

I'm back in the office tomorrow until l break up for xmas lots of calls to make but l will take my payroll books with me in case l get a chance to do some studying. 

Right Id better go and make some lunch for tomorrow.  

carboot_karaoke

Evening all, 

Monday is nearly over.  I'm really trying to stay focused on my pre xmas holiday "to do" list. Did a little bit of my payroll course today. But still have to finalise Mr CK self assessment, and submit my own after December payroll has been done  

Ive booked my speed awareness course I used my dwindling reserves to pay.  There is only £200 left in that pot now so I will really have to watch my spending.  

The kids account is down to £172 and l do still need to get a few things, CK3 managed to lose school trousers last week 🙄 and also needs new underwear. CK4  needs a new coat plus l will need a few bits for holiday.  Hoping to keep that to a minimum I'll have a proper sort through over the xmas holidays. If the weather is good they will only wear swimwear and shorts in the daytime. But I'll need long bottoms and tops for the cooler evenings. 

I have told MR CK I'm booking a holiday in February half term (so he doesnt book work in)  l sent him various hoeseasons links he will have no doubt ignored 😂. This is the benefit of him paying no attention to the holidays l book until a day or to before. At which point I'll come clean and tell him.  I feel like Alan Carr in traitors 🤣. 

Right better get dinner cooked.