Gallygirl's 95 month challenge - now 'only' 92 months

StuartGMC

ShelleyC -very amusing...

Gallygirl, I think spreadsheets will only appeal to a very limited minority (well, in the real world, but who knows here??) and it is best left to your imagination as far as I'm concerned, but I don't want to stop FB identifying a new income stream to hit the MFD of 12/12/12

I think women in thigh-length boots will prove more popular than me hiding my face behind a spreadsheet; if I understand you correctly?

However, I hope this isn't distracting you from all the good MSE things to be done before 01/01/09?

SmlSave

I think women in thigh-length boots will prove more popular than me hiding my face behind a spreadsheet; if I understand you correctly?

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

gallygirl

:rotfl: v funny Stuart .

So, back to paying the mortgage off..... Just posted on FB's thread ...'I'll name my colours to the mast and declare I'm going for mortgage reduction of 15k - combination of 'normal' reduction in debt from monthly payments and OP into offset. Doable, but tough, I hope to be on target by end of Aug after a slow start '

This refers to my main account only, the other 2 for BTL's will decrease naturally. I need to make inroads into car 'loan' but need income from mum's house (realistically April), plus £200 a month once DS finishes uni, hence aiming to be on target by August.

Boot arrived , 2 pairs gone back / . Both had 'covered' heels which I would ruin v quickly. Annoyed as I tried to see on pictures prior to ordering but not clear - I may email Clarks asking for closeup of heels to go on website.

Had a quick check today, over £250 due from mystery shopping which will be in by end of year :T . Nice bonus (I must pay in 2008 and not cheat and hold on till 2009 ).

gallygirl

Merry Christmas to me......
Merry Christmas dear Gallygirl
Merry Christmas to me......:xmassmile

Santa has been early to me :santa2:. My TV is at least 15 years old & although OK it looks really small & pathetic & is useless with teletext etc. I've been meaning to buy one for a year or so but couldn't get my head round which one to get. I had a look today and found one I liked for £349 which I thought was good, but cheapest stand was £60 so I balked at that. Popped in to see friend & deliver Xmas card - she has new 32" Bush TV which her DD got for £280 with discount, plus stand was only £40. Picture is really good & stand acceptably small. She offered to get me one. Sold to the lady with a smile on her face, my Xmas pressie to me :xmastree:. This doesn't affect my mortgage OP's as I have some money mum left me I had earmarked for this, although I was expecting to be paying £400, not £320 . TBH I'm just relieved I don't have to worry about it any more.

The last of the presents are bought and about to be wrapped, all cards postd 2nd class or hand delivered :T. I am NEVER this organised, something's gone wrong somewhere :rotfl:.

£71 mystery shopping money received, unfortunately it has gone towards BTL bills, however it's £71 less I've had to lift from offset. Hoping for around £175 from 3rd co, £100 of that will go to offset.

Inspired by Stuart I've started on an end of year summary, however I won't be posting balances etc till 2009 as mortgage comes out on 1st (well, 2nd this year). Good progress woudl have been made if I hadn't purchased car .

On a gloomier note, OH's best mate had bad heart attack last night. Fortunately they've said he should be ok, but has come as a big shock to all - he's very much loved, and he's the one we turn to when things go wrong, it's not supposed to happen this way round . I suppose as we hit mid to late 40's these things will be less unusual. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery :beer:.

GG x

EssexHebridean

Sorry to hear about your friend GG - hope all is well there.

Well done on your bargain TV & stand too - nice when you manage to get a planned purchase either on or under budget, isn't it!

Have a wonderful christmas and new year!

SmlSave

Merry Christmas gallygirl and hope you and the TV have a good New Year too! Well done on being so organised with your pressies.

I hope your friend is ok and recovers quickly.

StuartGMC

Gallygirl
Best wishes to your friend for a speedy recovery.

I have to say I am disappointed that you had to send the boots back, not only as it is frustrating for you but I thought you may have posted a pic with the end of year statement
(I will now return to my usual serious demeanor :rolleyes:)

TV purchase and saving sounds good, looking forward to your summary. Enjoy the holiday and very best wishes for the big target you've set for 2009.

gallygirl

Friend got out on Xmas Day :xmassign:, which was great news, and is doing well, thanks for all your good wishes .

Stuart, sorry about the boots :rotfl:. Just checked on line & Clarks have refunded the 2 pairs I sent back but also appear to have refunded ones I kept. Will wait a day or so to see if is reversed then contact them (bad karma otherwise - would probably fall over & break my ankle :rolleyes:).

Hope you all had good Xmas, we did and it was nice to have DD & DS under 1 roof for a few days. Unfortunately though I had an hour to myself on Xmas Day & somehow found myself on M&S sale site . Not too much damage done & most will probably get sent back. Stuart - no boots I'm afraid .

Mystery shopping money is in and as jobs are paid in euros the conversion rate is working in my favour. £242.15 to offsert this morning, however additional monthly payment for car Egg had said was set up has not come out - have messaged them to ask why, and if necessary will make additional one-off payment - I want it showing for the end of 2008 accounts.

Set up another spreadsheet to monitor fuel repaid by company, and added a few lines to existing spreadsheet. New car costs 11p a mile in fuel, 6.6p after taking into account mileage allowance received. Journey into work now costing me £8.87 :eek:. Unfortuately I ddn't keep figs for old car so can't compare. Car according to trip meter is doing 55.9mpg but according to spreadsheet is just over 50.This is in the region of 10% more than old car, slightly disappointed as had hoped for more. However, overall I am very pleased with it so far.

Have been looking at mileage records from work. I have calculated tax position for this year (can claim the diference between rate paid & IR rate of 40p a mile for 1st 10,000). A few years ago IR increased my tax allowance to take this into account, and I do a reconcilation each year and claim the small difference (in reality it was lost in BTL income & additional tax due). This year, taking tax due on mystery shopping into account, I'll probably break even. At least I shouldn't have to pay any extra tax.

Comp prize of phone finally arrived a few days before Xmas, too late to sell before but I put it up on Boxing Day. Currently on £205 . I'm extremely wary due to problems others have had selling high value items, however all 3 bidders seem legit. Won't be posting till I am happy with payment & it is going insured recorded delivery. The income should go to my NY fund, however as this fund was made up of comp prizes, sale of vouchers and top-up from my wages, and I already have all the money I need in it,it will actually go to offset :T.

End of aimless ramblings, more structured ones coming up next...

gallygirl

Inspired by Team GB I'm setting some Gold, Silver & Bronze targets for next year:

Mortgage
* Reduce by 15k
* Reduce by 12.5k
* Reduce by 3.5k
Rationale: 15k is target on 2009 challenge. Silver is target if I make all planned repayments and bronze is how much mortgage should reduce just by monthly payments. Bronze a bit easy to be honest but I want to make sure I 'medal' . All additional income bar that from comps & use/sale of vouchers will go here.

Mystery Shopping Income
* £1000
* £750
* £500
Rationale: I have received just under £500 since June so 1k should be achievable, however £250 came from 2 jobs which may not be repeated.

Income from competitions, sale/use of pigsback vouchers etc.
* £1500
* £1000
* £500
Rationale: Largely in the lap of the gods. Challenge will run from end of Feb 08 to end of March 10 (from day I go to NY to day OH turns 50, want to use the £1500 for a hol).

Weight
* Reduce by 2 stone
* Reduce by 1 stone
* Reduce by 1/2 stone
Rationale: :eek::o

StuartGMC

Gallygirl
Thanks for the update and the new plans.

Best wishes for success in 2009.