2026 - consolidation and calm

liselle

I pay my NT by direct debit monthly as that annual payment was such a shock to the system……

Humboldt

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81984938#Comment_81984938

Morning @jwil, great news about your DH selling a large bundle of items. My decluttering continues, either to the charity shop or via selling on V!nted. Your thread inspired me to make a start on it and I am actually enjoying the process. The NT membership will provide numerous days out throughout the year. Just wanted to add that pottering and reading is good for the soul and therefore a necessity.

BalanceBy50

I am assuming school holidays will be part of Aprils over spend? We know they are coming but it still shocks me how much I end up spending. Now the boys are older they want to do more expensive stuff (& bring a friend along!) and then I am buying 4 adult meals if we end up eating out! The kids can’t decide if we are really poor or if I am just tight!! X

jwil

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985375#Comment_81985375

Thank you, that's kind of you to say so. Well done on the decluttering, it's so satisfying isn't it!

We enjoy our NT membership, we did waver about renewing it this year as we almost didn't use last year's enough (mostly due to the car dramas) but we had a last minute rush visiting places so ended up in credit again.

I love pottering and reading.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985420#Comment_81985420

Yes it was the holidays as well.We did our usual bowling and swimming, and then because of the challenge, we were out every day pretty much, whereas normally we'd go out a couple of times. I agree they are getting hungrier and more expensive that way!

jwil

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985345#Comment_81985345

I've thought about doing that, but I prefer paying annually if I can. It is painful but it was expected. It's all the other spending at the same time which caused the issue.I might reconsider next year again.

jwil

I have sorted through the desk and chair next to it which are dumping grounds. Filed what needs to be kept, recycled what doesn't and dealt with what needs dealing with. That one space looks much better! Played nurse to little jwil and redressed his foot.

DH sold another item last night, and has sold another thing today. I'm loving the stuff leaving! My updating all the photos and descriptions seems to have helped get things moving.

We have piles of the kids old school exercise books lying around. They have both said they don't want them. I'm going to look through them and pull out any bits that are worth keeping, and then discard the bits that aren't. A lot of them are only part used, so little miss can have any remaining pages for her drawing/writing. That will clear a nice chunk of space and will keep her in paper for a while so very MSE. I know there are a few cute things in there that I'll want to keep as well.

jwil

PAD (Payment a Day)

Today's PAD - £2

Jan - £172

Feb - £203

Mar - £143

Apr - £67

May - £14

Car balance Sept 25 - £11,031 - now £7,846

jwil

Happy Bank Holiday!

Another quiet day planned. I'm going to wander over to the local car boot in a minute and get a bit of exercise after the last two days lounging around. I need to pop to the sm later to get some fruit.

I then plan to have a bit of a go in our bedroom, including cleaning the window. I've started by putting out two cool mats which seem to have lost their gel.

Another item sold for DH 😁

jwil

PAD (Payment a Day)

Today's PAD - £3

Jan - £172

Feb - £203

Mar - £143

Apr - £67

May - £17

Car balance Sept 25 - £11,031 - now £7,734

jwil

I found a £1 coin when I cleaned the washing machine filter yesterday, so finders keepers and I have added it to my PAD today.

I have also made a CC payment so the car balance has reduced again!