The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

This week is turning out to be an expensive one ☹️

Still awaiting the cost to repair / replace the window in the rental. Hopefully we should know the damage shortly. Any money taken from the Rental EF will be replaced as a priority. 

Then my car had a split tyre so l had to buy one from the nearest place because it was dangerous to drive another £60 gone. My car also ran out of petrol normally lasts a month but just 16 days (some of those days l didn't even drive it) from filling the tank I've had to do it again. Another unplanned £50 🙄spent. i also paid £195 car tax although this cost was planned from the car/insurance pot. 

In an effort to cheer myself up l brought the airport outfit l saw a couple of months ago, found a 25% off discount code online and paid with a gift voucher so no real cost to me.

Then yesterday l went through the kids wardrobes to work out what to take on holiday. The kids needed a lot more than l first thought. So I've ordered quite a lot including underwear, swimwear, shorts, tops, footwear (not all will be kept) Thank goodness for the clearance section on the Next website and vinted. Despite the cost l am looking forward to seeing them in their new clothes 🥰 

Speaking of holiday i'm trying to decide on whether to book fast track security at the airport for £24 has anyone used this service before? The last time we flew in August it was very busy and check in for bags only opens 2.5 hours before departure. We do also have the option to drop off bags the night before, but that will require time.  

Also trying to decide if l should book a nail appt for holiday it will be about £60, l didn't go once last year and l can do my own manicure/pedicure it just isn't the same. But £60 is a lot of money and i'm feeling particularly poor atm. 

I did add the final £350 we receive this month to the Emergency fund which now stands at £4,100. But i think this will be short lived as l will probably have to dip into it to cover all the unplanned costs.This year feels like one step forward two steps back.

carboot_karaoke

They say things come in three's... i'm not at all superstitious but on Saturday the lock on our front door broke despite Mr Ck best efforts on You Tube it required a whole new locking mechanism another £200 spent on the locksmith for 10 minutes work ☹️. Mr Ck paid but l will have to sort out reimbursement (he spent his tax money).

In more positive news

l spent a couple of hours at work and a few on the weekend doing my payroll course I've finally completed Book 1😇 . This week i'll make a start on Book 2 need to keep the momentum going.

I made it to the gym three times last week so i'm up to 11 times this month. That's more than the last 4 months combined. Pity its not reflected in my body yet 🤣

I sold a pair of trainers on vinted they've been listed for months so it a nice surprise another much needed £10 once they have been received. 

Also, really pleased with the holiday clothes l ordered for the kids waiting for a few bits to arrive but then l think i'm ready to pack. I wont do it yet because they will have empty wardrobes very suspicious 😂 . Instead I've taken photos of all the items i'm planning on taking so it will be easy to gather together quickly.

Lets hope this week is less eventful. 
  

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

Its nearly payday !! I can see the amount as pending in my account but l cant make it clear any sooner despite my best efforts🤣

Yesterday, the window in the rental was fixed £90 altogether. Not a huge expense but a set back nonetheless. I've paid it from the grocery budget but l will put it back tomorrow.

I went to the gym twice this week and have a nice day planned tomorrow. Shopping for last bits for holiday, meeting a friend for lunch, then hair cut in the afternoon.

carboot_karaoke

Happy "new month" everyone its felt like a long time coming!!

Friday was a lovely day as expected but when l got home we discovered that the boiler wasn't working...🙈. Not something we can do without. Thankfully MR CK bestie is an qualified engineer he's done a temporary fix and will return to repair when part arrives.

I think in all between, fixing vehicles, doors and windows and now the boiler we've spent £1000 😩 in January. Definitely a month to forget about.

Despite the awful expenses Mr Ck and l have been talking about our anniversary holiday. Trying to decide between two smaller breaks 🤔 one early in the year one later or, blow the budget on one trip to New York, or the Carribean. The only downside is the fact we will have two holidays in quick succession and then nothing 🤷‍♀️

beanielou

Two smaller breaks.

carboot_karaoke

Apologies in advance for my rant…

When l posted earlier it was as a distraction. I was sat in the child development centre waiting room while young Ck had an assessment for autism. Like many parents we have been waiting for this appointment for +3 years. I haven't slept well the last few nights thinking about it. I don't know what l was expecting, but it wasn't to be left in the waiting room for an hour, then asked permission if needed to contact the school and told we'll receive a phone call in April!!!!! In her defence she was wonderful with my child, l just thought we would have been given some feedback.

I feel so deflated l could cry, we l didn't tell young Ck about the appointment until this morning (there a worrier). I genuinely didn't mind the outcome of the assessment (it was always about them getting extra support from the school, which they do anyway but we didn't know that would be the case when we asked for a referral ) but on the journey over l asked Ck what they wanted to happen. I quote "l want them to say I'm autistic", Why? l replied "because otherwise I'm just weird" 💔

On the journey home l was desperate to know what they asked, so l could piece together a conclusion, but of course l knew that it would be pointless. Instead I brought them a MacDonald's and seemed quite happy as l dropped them to school. l guess time will tell.

To top it off l got in the car checked my emails to find one from the estate agent quoting yet more maintenance issues that will cost £100's 😠 l've been waiting to calm down before contacting them. Mr Ck picked up on my tone and called to reassure me that its not the end of the world. Just very, very bad timing.

carboot_karaoke

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866400#Comment_81866400

Thank you, l agree.

beanielou

That sounds hard going on the assessment and having to wait so long for the outcome. 🤗

carboot_karaoke

Yeah😞 , I'm a bit annoyed with myself. I know a few friends whose children have been diagnosed but were told on the day so l naively thought the same would happen for us.

But l guess each situation is different and their child was younger than ours at the time. Or perhaps I'm thinking its not a cut and dry a case if they want to contact the school? I don't know, speculating wont help the situation she says, speculating in her head.

carboot_karaoke

In other news, l emailed the estate agent and have asked them to take care of it and we will pay the bill. I don't have the energy for anything else.

We do have a £2.5k rental contingency but any money spent will need to be replaced as priority. This has led me to limit our OP until we have a clearer picture of the costs.

I did still pay £1400 off so we are down to £20,600 really hope we can be sub £20k by the end of the month.

I also noticed that I was charged the normal haircut rate on Friday instead of the 10% discounted one l booked. Its only £9 but right now every penny counts. So l just emailed them.

When l dropped off young Ck l confessed to the attendance officer about our impending holiday. She was actually really nice and said that although they cant authorise it. They do know what good attendance and punctuality they have.

I have doubted my decision to book this holiday several times, particularly when unexpected bills keep arriving but l really cant wait.