Goodbye 2015

So often I can't wait for the new year to start as I can't wait for the old year to be behind me. This year is different. I look back on 2015 as a great year.

Apart from a minor blip with an unexpected vet bill, I have remained debt free and intend to continue doing so. 

My major task this year was was to remortgage & remove the ex from the mortgage & house deeds. Such a relief when it was all done.

I faced my biggest car repair ever, but had the money put away to cover it.

I've tackled DIY tasks that have long needed doing.

My frugal journey continues but my budgeting allows for a bit of living as well. We had a VIP trip to Les Miserables to celebrate my daughter's 18th birthday. All saved and budgeted for.

We had a relaxing holiday on the Isle of Wight where we walked alpacas & fed wallabies. Holidays are important family time to me. I have a small budget for them but it's worth every penny.

I kitted her out for university  She worked so hard to get there.We went to see Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet to celebrate the end of her A levels.

I've improved my crochet skills by doing courses at The Fabric Warehouse.

All in all 2015 has been a good year. Here's to 2016. Happy New Year!

Bathroom Makeover - Part 1

The room in my house referred to as the 'downstairs bathroom' doesn't actually have a bath or shower in it. It's on 2015 hit list. It was originally the kitchen, was briefly a utility room and then started its life as a bathroom.

It never got finished and a few years ago, a leaking toilet meant that I have to have the toilet & bath taken out & and an off-the-shelf toilet & sink put in. It was the first time that I'd employed a plumber. I was never happy with the work but have been living with for about 5 years.

For the last few years it's been Top Gear & Stig themed, complete with a Cool Wall,  which I did for a laugh as I was fed up with the state the room was in. Due to the demise of Top Gear as we know it was time for a change. 

I found an old roll of the wallpaper in the garage so I papered over the 'Some say...'. I've saved money by using vouchers that I can buy through work. I bought some MDF panels from Wickes to cover the wall that really needed to be re-plastered where the bath had been. I bought new skirting board from the local wood yard. They cut it to the right length for me & I only paid for what I needed. 

Some new wallpaper, bought with vouchers, to cover the slogans on the wall.

The wall above the door had been bare brick with a big gap since the door was installed. I boxed it in using bit's of spare MDF & wood. The wallpaper covers over my rather messy DIY.

I'm going to build a cupboard to box in the piping & stop cock.

The waste pipe also needs boxing in.

This will have to wait until 2016 due to recent car repair & cat repair bills.

Watch this space.......