Mortgage Reduction Beginner to Novice - The Show Begins

Radish72

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

Aww rubbish... that means that my first hour at work pays for that day's commute and the second hour covers the mortgage! That's put me on a downer!

I did debate with myself this week if I should work out that same thing. Not sure if that deserves a or a

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Sympathy please. I'm trudging through buildings and contents insurance comparisons... boring.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

Speaking of my lovely OH... he's been away with work for over a week and text me saying he wants to chat about babies and careers this weekend. Should I be worried?!

Still no chat yet!;)

Radish72 wrote: »

I did debate with myself this week if I should work out that same thing. Not sure if that deserves a or a

Don't what ever you do work it out!

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Good afternoon...

I forgot to announce that I completed my 8th week of consecutive packed lunches on Friday! I've just finished my roast chicken sandwich today and have lunches planned at least till the middle of this week so 9th week is sure to be achievable.

I spent more hours than I care to think about searching and comparing B&C Insurance yesterday. I managed to shave about £100 off last years price and (if it tracked) will get £45.45 cashback too.

£8 mystery shopping fees/reimbursement received but still chasing the £20 another company owes me from the August pay-run.

Payday on Wednesday and a day off tomorrow (but so much to do at home and car service which I'm hoping won't cost too much!).

edinburgher

I forgot to announce that I completed my 8th week of consecutive packed lunches on Friday! I've just finished my roast chicken sandwich today and have lunches planned at least till the middle of this week so 9th week is sure to be achievable.

That's great, well done you

I think I'm up to about a month myself, but I'm not counting as I want it to become the norm - not me thinking 'oh no - packed lunches again'

TheWebDev

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

I forgot to announce that I completed my 8th week of consecutive packed lunches on Friday! I've just finished my roast chicken sandwich today and have lunches planned at least till the middle of this week so 9th week is sure to be achievable.

Thank you for inspiring me into making packed lunches. I'm currently on my 4th week now, and intend to keep going. Like edinburgher I want it to become the norm. I had been buying lunch pretty much every work day for the last 5 years.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

TheWebDev wrote: »

Thank you for inspiring me into making packed lunches. I'm currently on my 4th week now, and intend to keep going. Like edinburgher I want it to become the norm. I had been buying lunch pretty much every work day for the last 5 years.

Hi, Thanks for your message. I'm glad (but a little embarrassed ) to have inspired someone.

Well done on completing 4 weeks. I'm completing my 8th week today.

I think what made me decide on this challenge was that I was pretty good at packed lunches anyway (maybe only once a fortnight I'd buy my whole lunch) but I was bad for visiting the shop during work hours for supplementary items (chocolate bar, pop, mini cheddars!). So now I'm bringing all my food for the whole working day to work with me, I'm not spending on additional items. I do miss the little jaunt but now take a wander round the building or round the block if I need a break from my desk. I'm certainly withdrawing less cash because of the challenge. And I think by Christmas (my 16th week) I'll be into the good habit and won't need to count the weeks off!

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Money matters to report:

This month our mortgage will drop below £142k - hence £141.9k in my signature!:cool:

An October £40 underspend on the groceries (and I'd cut £50 from the budget too!). I'm sticking with £200 for November though in anticipation for a few things on the horizon.

I dropped below 100 toiletries and make-up items in October and only spent on replacing essential items like shower gel that I'd completely run out of. Although I still can't zip up my nail varnish bag and I'm still using two make-up bags!

The gym membership personal challenge is racing along nicely (and I'm looking nicely toned!). I think I might make the half way point money-wise by the quarter way point month-wise in November! (does that make any sense?!)

I gave away my VO clothes shop vouchers as birthday presents during October. It hurt me fashion-wise because I do like the free treats but less money spent on presents.

Despite all this hardwork on the fiscal front... I don't feel any better off for it and paltry amounts (or nothing in one case) were creamed off the current accounts into savings before pay-day.:(

misscousinitt

Well done on dipping below £142k and the grocery underspends are great...

MCI

ammonite

Well done on your mortgage going below £142k.

The toiletries made me laugh - I used to be like that but had a massive clear out via eBay and charity shops (for new stuff) and literally only have a small stock (still about 30 items!). It feels so great to only have things that I'll use rather than drawers full of body lotion I'll never touch or that are half open.

Did you put the money away that you would have spent on the presents? Doing things like that really seem to add up for my savings. Also my "rounding up" of money to the nearest £5 or £10 before it goes into savings seems to work quite well too. I think we all have days where we feel we aren't getting anywhere fast - but the old saying...it's a marathon not a sprint comes to mind

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

After booking our Christmas trip hotel and train tickets (hotel room sale so had to pay at time of booking) and thoroughly spoiling MrMRN for his birthday this weekend I am officially skint!!!

Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan. No winging it in the supermarket for the next two months!

I'm going to focus on recouping money owed and 'up my income' in other ways:

Recorded delivery letter sent to towel radiator company - I want reimbursing for installation of the non-rusty replacement!
Mystery Shopping - I've chased the non-paying company for £20 owed again. And I've picked up two shops for Saturday - unfortunately I'll have broken my own strike on not working for the non-paying company till they pay up!!!
Textbroker - I'm hoping for some evening writing work but it's normally better pickings in the mornings.
Car boot sale (nothing good enough for ebay unfortunately) - MrMRN is away for the next three weeks so if I go, it'll be by myself which I might get a bit flustered by. Plus he's handy for carrying large boxes and loading up the car!

Any other ways?