Settling in for the long haul

Dakota_Rose

I’m so happy that it’s Friday evening at last. It has felt like Groundhog Day every morning this week and I don’t really know why. I’ve had plenty of variety in my days at work but am definitely feeling ready for a break. The wet, grey weather hasn’t helped.

The weekend plans are minimal and we’ve had a lovely dinner of tacos with the second batch of bolognese Mr D made last night. They were delicious served with nachos, wedges and dips and a small glass of wine. A very happy start to a relaxed weekend.

In other news, I have spotted another £1 interest was put into my ‘birthdays’ saving pot today, so that has been popped into the emergency fund. Now sitting at £707/£1000.

I have been engrossed in my book this week and have just finished it while in the bath tonight. It was a time-travelling, murder mystery and had me confused for much of the time I was reading it. So many changes to character and time that I found it hard to keep track. But, it was worth persevering with as I really enjoyed it and it was very different to anything else I have read. I think I got this one from my brother’s book shelf as he couldn’t stick with it - I’ll try to convince him to give it another go, as it does become immersive once it gets going.

Books of 2026

1.You Are Here (easy read) 9/10

2. The Seven Murders of Evelyn Hardcastle (time-travelling murder mystery) 9.5/10

Dakota_Rose

Strangely, I’ve just spotted another book on my to-be-read shelf that I got as a birthday gift last year, with an almost identical title to the one I have just read (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). Different author and publisher though - some coincidence!

Dakota_Rose

Saturday morning and my emergency fund went up itself today with £1.40 interest. Exciting times 😂

I’ve rounded it up with a little from my personal spends pot to £710/£1000 as staring at a messy number doesn’t sit well. I opened a premium bonds account last month with the minimum £25 deposit, which will be used for my emergency fund when full. I haven’t actually factored that into my EF total, so in the spirit of one focus at a time, I’ll combine the two taking the EF up to £735/£1000.

Dakota_Rose

Mr D has contributed another £20 to the EF today - mostly I think to stop me whining on about it 😂 £755/£1000

Quiet day otherwise. We have visited my mum and left eldest for a sleepover. They’ll both enjoy that as it’s company for mum and some peace and quiet (and treats) for eldest.

We have a nice dinner in ready to be made and an episode of Bridgerton to enjoy when the children have gone to bed later tonight. We are very happy with the simple pleasures in life. I have more books on the shelf waiting to be started and I really ought to sort through my wardrobe and drawers as they’re feeling less organised than I’d like. They may need to wait till tomorrow though.

Dakota_Rose

A small sale of £5.50 on eBay last night so that’s been transferred to the emergency fund this morning. I have got so used to waiting for the funds from the other selling site, that it was a nice surprise to see it sitting in my account already. £760.50/£1000 - we will get there!

The total is creeping up more than I’d hoped for this month which is great as it all relieves the wait we will have to restart home improvements. It has really helped that I’ve found my motivation for saving again - I need to be hyper focused on a goal to feel motivated. I can only think it’s come from not overcomplicating my money and having one key focus at a time. Another way this forum has helped.

Do I feel disappointed that I’ve taken a backwards step with my mortgage and loan overpayments? If I’m honest, yes slightly, as I was trying to build good habits rather than drastically reduce terms. However, it will all rebalance in the future if I have one focus at a time. It’s just a shift in thinking/strategy and it is making a positive difference already.

My plan is to:

1. Prioritise home improvements, car, holiday and birthdays monthly savings pots (streamlined from before)
2. Fill the emergency fund to £1000
3. Save for shower replacement and electric works in bathroom
4. Save for new uniforms and college bus pass (£1500!!) *
5. Restart overpayments to the loan
6. Restart Christmas pot once holiday pot is full.

*This will really sting us if we’re not careful. Little Miss is starting high school and needs a whole new uniform including certain branded items. Little one will just have the usual supermarket top up. Eldest may need a couple of items to wear to college. He’s not big on clothes but will need some options to mix and match. The sting: the bus pass to the college in the nearest city is £1025 for eldest. Now we’re considering other options for this but as we live in a village this would be the only direct route in, and build up eldest’s independence. I work in the city, but across the river, so a possible option would be for him to drive in with me and then cycle from my place of work (where there is plenty of cycle storage). MrD thinks this is the way forward but I need flexibility to not do this on days my diary is different, which is quite often - however, my workplace is on a direct, regular public bus route from the village next to ours. We’ve decided to prepare for the worst (save for bus pass) and wait for the timetable to come through. If he’s only in college 3 days a week, as we suspect he might be, I will not be paying £1000+ for a bus pass! I don’t think £10 travel a day is reasonable for a 16-year-old but perhaps I’m outdated?

FootyFanDan

You are making quick progress on that emergency fund, it does seem keeping your focus on that one thing is keeping it as a priority in your mind.

Dakota_Rose

Thanks FFT - I am a bit hyper-fixated on it at the moment, but it’s certainly helping.

Just completed a lengthy survey, which was both interesting and well-paying. £15 paid immediately and sent straight into the EF. £775.50/£1000.

Dakota_Rose

Nothing much to report today. Mr D has been really unwell the past couple of days and it has knocked him for six. It’s rare something has him in bed but that is where he has been since yesterday morning. Double workload for me in the meantime but we’ve got through the day and hopefully the worst is over. One thing I notice when I’m on my own at home is that Dakota Dog will shadow me around the house. She is always nearby keeping an eye. I’m not sure whether to take this as a compliment or not! Probably just an excuse to snuggle up on the sitting room carpet, which is usually a dog-free zone.

No money spent today but nothing extra to throw at the emergency fund either. Unless something sells over the week, I expect that my efforts will be paused on that front.

A few money-sensible things done today though: leftover pesto, tomato and broccoli pasta warmed up for lunch; held off on putting the heating on until this afternoon and tonight’s dinner will be something on toast as Mr D is out of the equation. This saves a family meal for when he is better and will stretch the food shopping for an extra day. The kids love a french toast or omelette night, so will be content with that offering.

Cherryfudge

I'm sorry to hear about Mr D. I hope he's soon back to good health.

I'm a fan of 'something on toast' for tea as well - or pancakes!

Dakota_Rose

Mr D is still not back on his feet - I’m convinced it’s tonsillitis - so it’s been another busy day of juggling. I get terrible guilt when I can’t be as present at work as I should be, so despite not stopping all day, I feel like I’ve underachieved and generally a bit pants. I don’t make a great nurse but do worry about him - my anxiety is through the roof somewhat. Mr D will feel so frustrated when he starts to perk up, as he had a productive week planned.

Squeezed a quick food shop in once kids were picked up from school and we did quite well for £50. Dinners and packed lunches are now sorted for the week and I shouldn’t need any more top ups before we stop for half term. Sunday’s shop was our regular ‘bridging basket’ to see us in to the start of the week and Mr D usually goes alone during the day on a Tuesday or Weds to do a ‘rest of the week’ shop. 4 packed lunches every day takes a lot of organising and uses a fair amount of produce.

Have managed to get some soup into the patient at last, his first meal since Saturday, and made spaghetti and meatballs for me and the children. Not something Mr D would usually entertain but we enjoyed it well enough. One portion leftover and in my microwaveable mug for lunch tomorrow.

Really hoping that we return to normality very soon. It’s times like this that I realise how much our family life relies on routine.

Plan to catch up on the other diaries in a little while, and hoping that you all have had a good day.