The 9 year plan...hold onto your hats and here we go!

EssexHebridean

Thanks KP - yes, Christmas was lovely thanks. We're still at Mum & Dad's at the moment until later this evening.

Lots of lovely pressies including Toni & Guy vouchers, lots of Avon stuff and some lovely candles from Mum & Dad, two pairs of the lovely cozy La Senza Pj's, bits I needed for my camera and books and a DVD from MrEH , and the latest James Martin cookbook and some money from my Aunt. MrEH loved his 'years supply of' box too!

Hope everyone else has had as good a time too!

taxi73

Glad you had a lovely time xx

Kittenkirst

Wow- sounds like you were spoiled for Christmas this year
I stayed at home (the parent-in laws) for christmas so it was very hectic, 4 neices and nephews round and plenty of other family so played lots of games and was good fun

Hows the challenges going?

EssexHebridean

Feels a bit slow at the moment to be honest - hopefully I might be able to update the signature a bit later on when I have persuaded MrEH to get onto the online banking and transfer some money over.

EssexHebridean

OK - update.....

MrEH's bonus hasn't cleared yet so he can't transfer that. Joint CC payment has gone out though and the final DD's for December also. Statement for the Tesco card arrived today and lo and behold, I have ANOTHER month on the interest free! :j Didn't expect that TBH but it's there in black & white so I'm not arguing! Will need to look out for the first statement to arrive on the Halifax card now as both the bits I intended to buy on that have now been purchased. I have a reminder set up in case their statement doesn't make it clear when the interest free period finishes.

The challenge account has been given a boost with some of the eBay money and also some odds and ends from the joint account and my own account. Once MrEH's bonus clears it will get a bit more of a boost mind you! :rolleyes: I need to have a scout around the flat in the New Year to see what else I can eBay while I'm still in the mood.

The grocery spends for December went well - I came in at under half of our £150 budget (that doesn't include christmas food, but as we were at my parents for christmas Day and boxing day that doesn't affect the budget majorly.) I've actually surprised myself to the extent that it is possible to cut back and live off what is in rather than spending on more. I'll continue that for next month at least, and hopefully several more as the money not being spent on groceries now will all contribute towards our holiday spending money.

I've also set our MFW target for 2010 - the aim is to bring our MF date forwards by a full year. It currently stands at March 2021, so the aim is that by this time next year it will be a whole year earlier. It's a bit of a tall order but hopefully doable. I seem to have got MrEH on-side with it too which is useful - he was even discussing earlier on how he could earn some additional money to boost it, and even helped to come up with the target. :eek:

Off to Devon tomorrow to see the inlaws - we've been very organised and got all our clothes packed and the presents ready to go already so with luck we can make an early start in the morning - that probably won't happen though!

ps: Nicked the idea of the different colour for updates. I bet I forget that the next time though!

mineallmine

:THi EH and all, hope good Christmases had by all.

All the challenges are going well then. So for 2010, achieve make up a month by end Jan, save £6k and knock a year off your mortgage free date. Phew!

I have to review some of my savings challenges as I dipped into it. I have a set date in mind for achieving a set figure (sorry am being all shy!). Will review the stats later.

Well done you on the food savings. This is something I struggle with (turkey as above, say no more). However, when we had turkey crown at xmas, it lasted for 3 meals. Main meal, bubble & squeak and then a curry (with a yummy patak's balti paste that jamie oliver recommends).

So couple of questions - have you got to increase the amount you overpay the mortgage % more than what your signature is showing at 35.5%? When we had a fixed rate mortgage we reduced the mortage term (eg by 5 years), reducing the amount of interest due (just like a loan). Am interested in how you're planning to tackle this EH. Love your thread. :A

taxi73

Have a great time in Devon.

Swinstie73

Happy Hogmanay EH, enjoy Devon x

taxi73

Happy New Year xxx

Kittenkirst

Happy New Year!!! x