YNAB robber needs help to execute the plan

Blackcats

you've got so much going on. Hope you enjoy your roast dinner.

Good progress with the carers for your dad - little steps work best I find with elderly dads!

Wanna_Bee_Free

Well the holding pattern continues. Little Sis still in hospital. Slow small improvement. My father has so far survived on his own the days I am not there. I have tried to setttle into a weekly plan so I see him Sunday Monday Thursday, carer cooks dinner Tuesdays and Fridays and he eats something cold Wednesday and Saturday. He paid the Feb bill but keeps claiming he can do it all himself. I've explained him doing dinner himself one night in a row is quite enough hence the weekly plan

He seems to have decided to drink no hot drinks rather than tippy kettles and hot water machines He is keen to replace the milk frother that's been broken for ages so he can have hot chocolate more often I think he is dehydrated and his blood pressure is a bit too low but difficult for me to do much unless I am there

The phone is a big hit in that he can now call people He broke a hearing aid so once that is fixed he might be able to hear the person he calls Blackcats you were right about little steps.

In money news I'm searching for Vinted tops in my Dad's favourite brand and colours. He was down to 3 tops two with ripped collars so I have 5 on the way. They will cost less than one new one back in the day so Vinted is a total bargain.

in my budget I have done really well getting my father to pay me back for everything so my main issue is food and drink in the hospital cafe. I need to focus on that this month but whatever gets us through.

I am finding it tough to keep up with his shopping, housework and laundry at a distance but will discuss him getting additional help in a few weeks when the idea of two dinner visits weekly has sunk in. He doesn't want to do LPAs or Third Party Authorities but I think he's struggling a bit and tired so will raise it again next week.

Now Little Sis has been sectioned for 28 days we can't do anything about the biggest issue which is her selling her place to downsize and not have a mortgage. I ought to look into the mental health form stuff in case she can get her debts written off. She has regular services/payments still to cancel but at least she claimed universal credit and I have finally stopped her expensive health club membership.

My own household's finances are dire too, zero income between us for the first time since 2008/9 recession. We ought to put our own home on the market and downsize to something affordable further out of London but that feels very daunting. I wish we had taken the low offer last July now.

On the micro level YNAB caregories are all heppy, I have taken £50 from emergency fund and spent it on extra travel and hospital foid in the crisis mose first two weeks.

Holiday pot untouched £247.74. Emergency pot £44,22. Didn't do enough surveys last month to cash out but hopefully this month will be better.

Blackcats

Nice to see you @Wanna_Bee_Free

Your dad sounds so like my dad! You are making progress though and it's easier to increase the carer visits than get them started in the first place. My dad has a flask of tea which the carers make before they leave for the day which works ok. Your comment about the hearing aid and the phone made my smile - a very familiar tale 🤦‍♀️. My dad often has the tv on at volume 95 and his hearing aids on the table in case the battery wears out!

Is your little sis entitled to the council tax discount that Martin Lewis campaigns about?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/severe-mental-impairment-dementia-council-tax-rebate/

Have you or your DP claimed carers allowance? Might be worth another look if your DP isn't earning at the moment. My dad gets attendance allowance which helps with the cost of the carers and isn't means tested.

Food, drink and parking at hospitals is a real challenge on top of the stress of having a loved one in hospital. Just do what you can and take a water bottle or a flask with you if you can and snacks, sandwiches is possible. I thought the batch cooking lady on tv had a good system where she organised the household snacks in tubs and the kids grabbed 1 item from each tub and something from the fruit bowl for their lunch boxes.

Remember to take care of yourself too!

Blackcats

ps - I just remembered the batch cooking lady made up packs of sandwiches and froze them for grab and go too. Defrosted by lunchtime.

I think it was an episode in series 1 if you want to have a look at her ideas.

Wanna_Bee_Free

Howdy Blackcats, thanks for stopping by. Your etory about your Dad with his hearing aids on the table really made me chuckle! My Dad gets attendance allowance too so I need to remind him that it is to help with the cost of carers etc

For the first 12 weeks of this my sister will still get carer's allowance but something to think about later depending on how long she is in hospital. Thanks for the info re lower council tax and the idea about batch freezing sandwiches etc. It is slightly easier now I know my father will have food in the house at least I can plan to eat something there before the hospital.

We have taken a friend up on cat sitting at their home in Edinburgh in June so will be away for 2 weeks. I can book the train soon, very exciting! 3 of the 4 tops arrived from Vinted and are washed ready to iron. I must count underwear at some point, I don't want my Dad running out of clean clothes while we are away.

Today is hospital visiting, laundry, ironing and having roast chicken. OH and I are planning to divide and conquer so he'll clean and do stuff at the house while I take my father to hospital.

Then home to watch F1 - news blackout until after I've seen the race.

PennysIntoPounds

Seems a bit of a cheek for your sister to be getting the carers allowance rather than you, but probably best not to meddle with officialdom at this point!

Edinburgh and a cat for two weeks sounds an absolute delight 😊

Hope you had a good day and managed to avoid any F1 spoilers

Wanna_Bee_Free

A small spend yesterday at the pub quiz. Library book collected for free entertainment. Contacted oyster about an incomplete journey as I noticed my balance on there disappeared too quickly. Turned out to be either card clash or me tapping the wrong card but either way I'd like my money back please.

The 3 Vinted tops for my father washed well and I've explained he can't go out in ripped tops looking like a tramp. He probably will wear the ripped two now just to be independent but hey ho! Two more coming and that's all sorted out. Underwear count looks like he has just enough for our two weeks away. I will wait until Easter and see if little sis is likely to be out in May before buying a few more contingency pairs.

I am feeling very flat and tearful during a day at home yesterday. I know this is a tough gig. Every time I think about Mothering Sunday I feel sad. Trying to feel proud and grateful for having such a great Mum until I was 55, so many aren't nearly as lucky as I was. I am struggling with the big questions OH is asking re selling our house and moving to which part of the country. I'm barely keeping up with sruff like does everyone have laundry, a vaguely clean bed and suitable food in for the week. I am worried about petrol prices as I was planning to drive my father more now. I guess I can't do anything about it anyway so no point worrying.

PennysIntoPounds

Sending hugs. I don't know how you're doing as much as you are. Try to make some small pockets of time for treats and relaxation, easier said than done I know. Pub quiz sounds fun 🍻

Maybe ask OH to lay off the moving questions until the family finances are as sorted as they're going to be at least. It's nice and understandable he's wanting to think of the future, but there's only so much brain space at any one time!

Great that the vinted tops are a good result.

I've found tfl very good at refunding so hopefully that'll be sorted soon.

Wanna_Bee_Free

Hospital today. Went for a lovely walk yesterday and had tea and a short chat with friends Tuesday. We won the quiz too. Hosted a hobby get together last night as pub still being refurbished. It is more work than I remember but nice to see everyone again. We last got together in November.

YNAB all looking fine although presents pot will be very low if my little sis likes both pajamas this time. She needs them so it's worth it.

We should hear soon about the arrangememts for my Uncle"s funeral. It will be a big expedition to get my father there but I am sure he will want to go.

Wanna_Bee_Free

More walks, lovely day yesterday. NSD Tuesday and yesterday. Sold a jigsaw on Vinted. The funeral will be on 31st so I need to agree accomodation and travel plan with my father. No idea if Little Sis will be allowed to come. First section of 28 days runs out on Friday so they will either do none, 3 months or 6 months. She will have been in hospital 5 weeks on Friday.

I am struggling with two horrible jobs to help their finances, blue badge renewal and application for council tax reduction. Those are today's jobs as it is a family/hospital day.

I tackled a bit more of the old schoolwork box but have been running away from sewing.

Plan to enjoy the nice weather tomorrow and go for another walk. It is helping my mood when I get out. Not sure re Saturday yet.