For someone who had to retake her GSCE in Maths numbers have never been my friends. Living with someone who can delight in reading pages of numbers this is often a reason for discussion on how I should improve my mathematical abilities.

Thank goodness for spreadsheets that’s all I can say. After years of following the Coates theory of budgeting (she’ll know who she is) I am adept at making complicated spreadsheets to prove what is quite a simple point.

In my case it’s been costings for bathroom fittings, tiling and joinery. It’s not been much fun when the number in the bottom right hand corner never seems to match what it should. In other words, why is that I all the things I like are so darned expensive. I blame my mother who had impeccable taste.

Still, we are making progress with the decisions although there is still plenty of sharpening of pencils to get prices closer to where they ought to be. I shall be so pleased when they are as I might actually sleep through the night and stop worrying that my dreams for being a full time domestic executive may just end up being that, dreams!

At least we won the lottery this week – yes, true. Not enough to pay for the fancy shower him indoors is coveting but $75 is better than a poke in the eye!