The trials & tribulations of a 1st time landlord & investor

Hi SuezieSue yes it is daunting but I am paying an IFA so hopefully we can get a plan together with topping up my pension foremost.

Got email from m&s I haven't messed it up you call them afterwards to ask for the switch and that qualify you for the high interest savings account.

Down south all day had my haircut and got the rest of my Christmas shopping done which was good. Still feel rough and full of cold so quiet night tonight at hotel then staying with friend tomorrow while DG goes back and I go with her to the inquest on Monday.

Merry Christmas all I hope you had a nice relaxing time. I did lovely time with my sister and her family sadly my mum couldn't come as her partner isn't well he is actually dying from COPD not good.

I got some nice present £100 towards a winter coat some fitness clothes, pjs and books plus a DVD of the Ryder cup.

DG is having a lovely time in New York I do miss her but it's nice to be with the family.

Registered to buy £50k worth of premium bonds I know MArtin Lewis s isn't that keen on them but I need something easily convertible if I wish to buy a property in a couple of years.

Spoke to sister about the Forrest across from her house it's 2.5 hectare her plot is 2 hectares. Old man doesnt want to sell (it did once belong to her property) but who knows if his heirs will they are nieces is all he has left. Bil reckons it will be worth £5k or £5.5k so I said I would keep some money aside to buy it for her. Would make her property more sellable and nicer to have the property in the middle even if there is a road running across it.

Lunch in a min then more chilling before hitting the shops tomorrow they are close today.

Last day heading back later lovely night last night mum and I cooking together and had a lovely three course meal also champers and Danish New Year cake made of marzipan. Her partner went to bed early so made the right choice staying here for New Year also less travelling today.

Been a great break saw both my uncles and spent loads of time with everyone. Much better choice than to go to New York with DG even if I do miss her it's been fine as I'm away too. She is not back until Tuesday so will be a bit sad tonight home alone but I'll do loads Monday like food shopping and gym so it will be fine. Her mum was upset she didn't get to see the ball drop on time square but there was 2 million people and you had to queue for 8 hours to get in and with her COPD it wasn't even worth attempting this. Nightmare even considering it I think it will be a while before we have xmas and New Year together.

I would like to set some goals for 2017 financial and personal. I'm going to get dressed now and spend some time with my mum. Catch up later.

Financial
Save £12k by 31/12
- save £250 p/m rent money in M&S saver
- Save £300 p/m in 1st Direct
- Try to put £450 p/m away not sure into what p2p poss
- rest stay in m&s account for tax, repairs etc.

Sort out a long term investment strategy with IFA 1/3
- top up ISA
- Top up pension
- Decide best option for existing S&S ISA
- Decide option for cash ISA (poss pot for for sisters woodland)
- Premium bond wins for spend
- Decide where to put maturing 1st direct account in Feb, set up new

Personal
- continue to work out in gym, min twice a week if poss three times
- Play golf at least once a week get out on the course once a month
- Loose weight if poss about 5kilo
- Enjoy my work and my Fridays off make them count
- Continue to develop as a manager with mentoring & rest of leadership course

Holidays and family
- Visit family in DK in April, July and Dec min
- 1 Trip to Gambia Feb/Mar
- Weekends away golfing with DG min two
- Speak to a member of my family at least once a week
- Continue to keep in touch with ex fil and visit him
- Stay in touch with old friends back down South at least once every two months

Hi Pawalala thanks for popping in.

So back at work not too bad just stuck at vlookup in excel but will be getting help from predecessor. Hopefully by Thursday.

So nice to have today off and even nicer to spend it with DG who's back quite jet lagged. Went out for pizza last night really nice but back in the gym and signed up with personal trainer.

Discussed holidays and weekends away we have three night golfing trip in early march anc my nephews confirmation end of April plus we want to go to Gambia in between or before. Problem is DG doesn't have the money for all of it which I knew especially since we re signed with PT. I think I'll end up paying for her to go to Denmark and possibly golf trip but we shall see I need a sunshine Holiday very soon.

Email from estate agent leak in airing cupboard and also in kitchen where boiler is I just know it's the pump but I also knew it needed changing. Estate agent is getting plumber in well trying my preferred choice but of not possible will use theirs. They don't charge extra for arranging it it's part of the package. Shouldn't be too much but if pump needs replacing it will obviously be more it's happened before but can't remember how much it was to repair.

Been whatsapping my sister and mum and will call my mum this week definitely I think she needs the support with her partner being so ill.

Made a mistake on my financial goals can only put £300 a month into saver so might need something else for the rest let's see how much the bill is first.

Chill out day today with musical tonight nice to do something London based as we do actually live here. Tomorrow work then off Friday bliss.

Need to call sencond pension and find out if they need final death certificate also check out new M&S paperwork don't think I need to do anyhing it does say in :money: email they have delays as deal so popular.