Bufgers Diary (Slow start, explosive finish?!)

ally18

Just wanted to say a quick well done Bufger. It sounds like you know exactly what you are doing so I hope it all goes well for you.

You can't cut back on everything so if you really do enjoy that hobby then keep it up otherwise you may feel too downhearted. You already have control of your outstanding debts so its not as if you are really struggling.

Enjoy your trip. Vegas is unbelievable!

Bufger

ally18 wrote: »

Just wanted to say a quick well done Bufger. It sounds like you know exactly what you are doing so I hope it all goes well for you.

You can't cut back on everything so if you really do enjoy that hobby then keep it up otherwise you may feel too downhearted. You already have control of your outstanding debts so its not as if you are really struggling.

Enjoy your trip. Vegas is unbelievable!

I know we're not struggling like some people are but its certainly tighter than we've had it in a good few years! I still appreciate we're in a good position with no bad debt and equity in our property. I'm just one of those people that wants to get in a good position as quickly as possible.

Thanks for commenting. I was starting to think nobody reads this one! (although its still good therapy for me)

Bufger

I've found an alternative! I love paintballing so much and i'm there so often I asked at my local site and....

I now have a second job. 1 day a week (sat or sun) and pays about £230 per month after tax as i'll still just about be under the threshold!

So i'll keep tightening the belt everywhere else and see what that saves us and i'll use this additional income too. if I do this for the rest of this year, get a payrise in my primary job in march (expected) then I should be on course to up my overpayments or at least maintain them at £100 per month.

BaconandEggs

Hi Bufger - enjoying reading your diary. Impressed that you managed to get your Mrs. onboard with the challenge!

You have £500 left over each month: that's a MASSIVE amount to overpay. Quality of life wise is it really worth getting a second job?

Bufger

BaconandEggs wrote: »

Hi Bufger - enjoying reading your diary. Impressed that you managed to get your Mrs. onboard with the challenge!

You have £500 left over each month: that's a MASSIVE amount to overpay. Quality of life wise is it really worth getting a second job?

Hi and thanks for reading!

The second part to my lifestyle change is losing weight. In August last year I weighed in at 20st 3lb! I'm now 17st 4lb and I figure that this very active second job will help me get fitter. My goal is around 14st (i'm 6'1 so its about the right weight for my height). My partner is ok with it and its a 0 hours contract so each week I ring up on a thursday and say which day I want to work if any. I can go months without working there if I want and can go back at any time.

So when money is tight i'll work the extra job, when its not I'll choose the weekends with my family instead :T

Bufger

Hi everyone. No new OP's here as I've done Jan and Febs so far. This month will be tight as i've just got back from Vegas! Had an amazing time but there was a hidden charge for the hotels, a service charge they didnt mention when booking and it was $147! So thats £100 I didnt expect and now have to find from somewhere else. I start work at my second job next weekend and i'll be sticking a few things on ebay this weekend.

I find out within the next couple of weeks whether i'll get a bonus this year so that will help too

Bufger

Hi Everyone. Well i'm half way through the month and we only just about have enough money to get by so i'm limiting my OP only to whatever I make from selling stuff! I'm hoping for £100 so lets see..

I worked that second job and got paid for it so that helped me out of my overdraft from Vegas! I've also started cycling to my liftshares house on a daily basis, 3 miles each way. This now means I dont need a car Mon-Fri so my wife can have it for her job and the kids. It means we wont need a second car, it helps with my fitness and it cuts down fuel costs.

My parents are paying me to decorate their living room and hallway this weekend. They were going to get a painter & Decorator to do it and had a few quotes but they're happy for me to do it for a reduced price, it'll still be extra cash thats much needed!

Finally the best news for last... I am getting my bonus this year after an 'excellent performance' the past 12 months. Its usually in the 4 figure range so it means we can take the kids on Holiday this year. Perran Sands is already booked! (obviously got a great deal so I will still have plenty left over for the savings pot).

WOOP

tootallulah

Great news all round. Your diary made me laugh as I am always nipping in and out of MFW I have to say the only time I really pay anything off is when I post here regularly! Hope that things continue to go well.

LauraJo

great news!! Seems like you are making great progress!!!

Bufger

Latest update from me. I've now done the decorating work at my parents and get paid for it next weekend. I'm using that money plus the money from a few sold items to pay for the holiday this summer which then means my entire bonus in July is untouched and can be split into overpayment, savings and a little for home improvements.

I've updated all of my figures now another month of payments have gone out. I can really see the dent I'm making now so I'm looking forward to the snowball finishing its roll next October which will free up a massive £400 per month.

I'm up to £10 cash back on my aqua card, £40 via topcashback and I still have a few hundred £££ worth of stuff to sell which is currently WIP!

I will overpay my mortgage by £147 this month which will break me through the 120k mark by £1