Reining it in for retirement and sanity

RebeccaPAgain

Start of week was rubbish but work got better towards the end. Hopeful it will continue to improve and only 2 more weeks until I have a week off on hols.

Have done a budget for this coming month so really need to try to stick to that.  Have prepped a minimal shopping list to do tomorrow (got a couple of items on it today) though DH needs to add whatever he is deciding to make tomorrow/sunday night on it.

Weather is looking dire so it may be a trip to soft play which is obviously a cost, but would have to come from "miscellaneous" pot which I have increased this month, it having been wholly inadequate last.

Got quote for car insurance - I don't think it is particularly good as it is not much cheaper than for our other car (which is worth more and doesn't have a maximum mileage cap on it and includes breakdown cover) so am going to shop around. The cheeky things say they will autorenew on my card up to 7 days before(!).  So they will be getting a call Monday saying oh no you don't.

Tonight is cacio e pepe. The only thing I had to buy for it today was Pecorino as we had almost run out, but had that on the list for this week's shop anyway.  You obviously also have to have cold white wine with this dish (well JO says so anyway so who I am to argue!).

So on we go.  Holding on to our hats trying to meet this month's budget and boost those savings.

LillythePink

You'll be ok with the budget - you can do it

Can't believe how time has flown - July and almost the holidays - not that i have to worry about school aged children but I certainly notice the difference with traffic.

Who do you use for car insurance and servicing?  My daughter's BF is a mechanic and whilst he doesn't to spare time work, he did service my car and he is a "proper" mechanic and can put an engine together rather than a plug in and spout error codes type at some of the other garages on the island.

Do you have any other holidays booked?

RebeccaPAgain

MIA again!!  July holiday was excellent - accommodation wasn't up to much (despite being expensive, guess this is Cornwall in the summer though!) but we had a great time.  Spendy as we ate out and did lots of activities but had lots of fun.  

August was very much juggling DC1 being off alongside working.  DC2 was in nursery throughout.  Headed to France for a week's holiday at the end of August - stayed at same place as last year which was nice, but not as good as the year before so we are giving it a miss in 2026.  Brought back plenty of wine and cider!

DC2 started school in September and has settled in really well. DC1 started Year 2 and is doing well academically but still struggling socially. We are now putting him forward for an ADHD assessment following teacher recommendation but apparently a long waiting list (2 years).

I do not know where the rest of 2025 has gone.  I've been quite unwell off and on. Though when well, I have taken up a new fitness class (won't say on here as potentially outing) which I have been doing 3-4 times a week.  Don't think I've lost any weight but have definitely toned up/changed shape and feeling much fitter. 

Work has been rather a nightmare this year and 2026 not looking much better.

We've forward booked a couple of holidays for 2026 and really need to do our en-suite (as has now been ripped out 2 years). We could also do with a new car but obviously something has to suffer.  We also really really need to save as much as possible in 2026 - our fixed rate of 1.29% comes to an end start May 2027 so the idea is to pay off a chunk once that finishes before fixing a new rate to reduce down the balance.

I've read 33 books in 2025 which am really pleased with.

Goals for 2026:

1. Spend more quality time with the kids and try to play with them more (difficult with 2 boys who think I do it wrong all the time!)
2. Keep going with the fitness and try to eat better;
3. Continue reading and aim for 35 books for 2026;
4. Try to focus more at work to achieve more but equally not let it stress me out and forget about it once logged off - minimise it to what it is, a way to pay the bills.

Hope everyone has a lovely new years' eve (we are staying in and cooking something nice) and "see" you in 2026!

LillythePink

Glad to see you back

Did you know that they sell the french cider at Alliance?  I used to bring back bottles but found it there so happy days.

You have done well 33 books!  I keep thinking I must read more but never get around to it unfortunately, used to read loads on my kindle until that died and haven't replaced it, found it better to read on than my ipad due to the lighting.

It's hard with work and balancing everything and I'm sure your boys appreciate your time with them even if you are "doing it wrong", it's being with them that counts

Good for you on your classes, weight isn't everything and if you've noticed your body shape changing and general fitness then it is working for you and if it makes you feel good, then it doesn't matter about the numbers on a set of scales.

Where are you headed off to on holiday?  We have booked to go to Spain but flying down not driving this time.

You take it easy and I hope that 2026 brings you all that you want

xx

RebeccaPAgain

@LillythePink nice to see you and thank you for the welcome back!  I did not know this re the cider - will check it out next time am in there (though imagine the ones from France cheaper as they were dirt cheap when we bought them).

I think this is the first year since the kids I've managed really get into reading at all. I think being away in May on a "sun" holiday (with a kids club) def helped to boost the total number!  We are not doing that this year though so 35 is ambitious. We are actually taking them to l£goland in Denmark - we have not told them yet though and won't do so until we are boarding the actual plane at Gatwick as don't want them to be disappointed if we get delays/cancellations.  They both massively love L£go  so we think they will lose it when we tell them!  Our other holidays won't be as spendy - so far Devon (booked) and France (not booked) and we may do something October half term but will see how year pans out. Spain will be lovely.

2026 has been spendy so far (I know, we are only day 2) but it is all budgeted for.  Had to pay the kids swimming lessons up to easter so that was £220.  Did a little bit of grocery shopping today (all needed bar 2 donuts kids wanted post-soft play (which also had to pay for obvs) and some treats for a trip I'm heading away on with friends this weekend.

So have budgeted £300 spending for trip (accommodation, travel and breakfast already paid for) and there's the usual petrol, groceries, prescriptions, gym membership etc, as well as a family member's birthday dinner out (budgeted £200 but hoping doesn't come anywhere near that).  So if trip and birthday come under, then that will be good.  Got to do another grocery shop for our usual things before I leave. DH has not asked me to get anything additional to normal so not quite sure what he's doing to feed himself (though there is plenty chicken in freezer), even so it's coming out about £60 and we don't need a whole lot.

NOT looking forward to work on Monday!  

Humdinger1

@RebeccaPAgain happy new year!  Good to see you back.  Looking forward to cheering you on in 2026 love Humdinger xx 

LillythePink

The cider is definitely not as cheap as in France that's for sure, but if you need the fix you got to get it

If they bring more french markets over, you never know but with the duty, it also won't be as cheap as over there.  I did find some in Spain which was comparable and quite nice - similar bottles to the french one so will buy some more when we are down this year, apart from that, I can get Koppaburg (spelling) from the Carrefour so not too bad, I dislike beer unfortunately and my other go to is wine I suppose, but I am a cider girl

Good luck for tomorrow, I haven't been off but wfh and will be next week as had an op in early December

Have a nice girls trip and hopefully DH can find something to eat apart from takeaway or buying extra

Blackcats

I hope that everyone's return to school and return to work is nice and easy.

LillythePink

Hey 

How did you fare after the slight winds we had the other night?  We were lucky in that we only had twigs and branches thrown into our garden, a neighbour lost his shed roof.

All the trees down at the park at at Le Guet....even now, you go outside and all you hear are chainsaws

Our work basically said WFH if you can which I was anyway.

LTP

RebeccaPAgain

Humdinger1 said:

@RebeccaPAgain happy new year!  Good to see you back.  Looking forward to cheering you on in 2026 love Humdinger xx 

Ah Humdinger hello! (waves) how the devil are you??

Blackcats said:

I hope that everyone's return to school and return to work is nice and easy.

Thank you Blackcats - it actually went remarkably smoothly (Despite schools then being closed on the Friday due storm!)

LillythePink said:

Hey 

How did you fare after the slight winds we had the other night?  We were lucky in that we only had twigs and branches thrown into our garden, a neighbour lost his shed roof.

All the trees down at the park at at Le Guet....even now, you go outside and all you hear are chainsaws

Our work basically said WFH if you can which I was anyway.

LTP

We were really lucky, kids playframe had it and a few panes flew out of greenhouse but miraculously landed on the grass and didn't smash so DH has been able to fix.  Really feel for those who suffered a lot of damage and our beautiful park