Ready to do it all over again ...

benbenandme · 27 December 2016 at 8:03PM

Hello, thank you for popping by :hello:

I have been a regular on the debt free diaries board for years as well as dipping in here at times. I did join in Tallgirls Mortgage Free in 3 Challenge several years ago and have had several diaries over the years. This is the first time I've had one here though despite never actually being in debt I always felt it could happen oh so easily so treated myself as if I was a dfw.

So, 2017 and my new diary here ...

I have lived in my lovely flat with my ds (13) for the last 9 years and finally it looks as though we will be moving in the new year. I have sold my flat to a cash buyer and have had an offer accepted on a 2 bed little house. I will probably put stuff into storage and stay with my Mum for a few weeks while the house goes through as my buyers are very keen to complete asap and I don't want to risk losing them as I have already had one sale fall through due to brexit.

Normally at this point between Christmas and New Year I begin planning my aims for the coming year, setting goals - usually financial related, and generally getting everything organised ready to tackle whatever I have planned. This normally is a £££ goal to knock off the mortgage etc.

This year however everything is a bit unknown as I can't predict how much I can save etc at this point. But what I can do is take stock of exactly where I'm at now and make lists, I do like lists

, of things I need to do to make as many pennies as possible / minimise spends where possible.

stressed.mum · 27 December 2016 at 8:13PM

Happy New Dairy BenBen, hope you had a good Christmas.
Look forward to your adventures with the new home and mortgage free challenge, I'm sure you will get there really soon xxx

benbenandme · 27 December 2016 at 8:22PM

So, a bit more background about where I am at right now ...

I work full-time, am a single parent and overall am really happy with my life right now. It's been a journey, some ups and downs but overall pretty positive.

I have listed my SOA although hopefully it will be changing pretty shortly once I move out, but this is how it stands at the moment:

Income:

Wages: £1122
CSA: £340
Child Benefit: £82
Tax Credits: £340

Total: £1884

Outgoings:
Mortgage £340
Council Tax £87
Life insurance £7
Contents insurance £5
Buildings insurance £27
Ground rent £15
Water £20
Electricity £65
Car tax £12
Car insurance £27
Car maintenance £30
2 x mobiles £27
Sky £68
Tv licence £12
Union £7
Tesco delivery pass £6
Spotify £10

Food £250
Petrol £100

Outgoings: £1114
Left over £770

The Sky is my treat - I don't drink or smoke but I do love my premier league football

Florence_J · 27 December 2016 at 8:25PM

Hi Benben, wishing you the best of luck on your new adventures. I loved your old diary so have subscribed to this one as well.

beanielou · 27 December 2016 at 8:26PM

Happy shiny new diary benben

Looking good.

Buffythedebtslayer · 27 December 2016 at 8:34PM

Am so pleased to read that you have got a house and sold the flat

Congratulations and good luck with everything XXXX

benbenandme · 27 December 2016 at 8:42PM

So, the next bit ...

My flat is selling for £172,500, I am buying a house for £297,000. My current mortgage is £2,600 as I have worked hard to pay it off, but then didn't want to pay a charge to finish it, so have left a small amount on it. I am incredibly lucky that my Mum has given me £30k and my brother has lent me £30k, which means my new mortgage will be approx £70k.

I do have some money saved, approx £15k, which will go on all the moving costs and then some new furniture etc that I need, eg. wardrobes as ours here are all fitted in.

Until I know the exact figures it will all be estimates, but I will be doing everything I can to make some extra pennies along the way - surveys / cashback sites / ebaying stuff / matched betting etc, as well as looking out for good deals and saving penies wherever possible

In 2016 I did pretty well (see signature) with my savings challenge , for now I'm not setting a savings goal, other than every penny will be watched

selloptape · 27 December 2016 at 8:50PM

Hi benben - another single parent here wanting to become MF. Will be following your journey with interest. Good luck!

benbenandme · 27 December 2016 at 8:55PM

So, now that I've briefly explained who I am and whats what I reckon it's time to write a list

This is my to do list for the next week before we go back to school;

Ds haircut
Recycle xmas tree
Xmas decs boxed up
Email documents to solicitor
Ds thankyou letters
Fix bike
Cancel old mobile contract
Make an inventory of the freezer
Make an inventory of the food cupboards
Ebay any suitable items
Change all bedding
Clear all junk to the tip
Clean drawer in washing machine
Dejunk wooden drawers in lounge
Research storage costs
Update calendar
Take outdoor potted xmas tree to Mums garden
Arrange to take Mum to see new house
Dejunk all paperwork
Gut shoe cupboard

benbenandme · 27 December 2016 at 8:58PM

Hmm, that didn't work!! Try again ...

Ds haircut
Recycle xmas tree
Xmas decs boxed up
Email documents to solicitor
Ds thankyou letters
Fix bike
Cancel old mobile contract
Make an inventory of the freezer
Make an inventory of the food cupboards
Ebay any suitable items
Change all bedding
Clear all junk to the tip
Clean drawer in washing machine
Dejunk wooden drawers in lounge
Research storage costs
Update calendar
Sort MOT
Find fitbit, chargee it and use it
Take outdoor potted xmas tree to Mums garden
Arrange to take Mum to see new house
Dejunk all paperwork
Gut shoe cupboard

dangers · 27 December 2016 at 9:20PM

Hi Benben,

Here's to a great start in 2017. I hope the move goes well... Happy new diary xx

Ready to do it all over again ...

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