My savings journey

MaryMurphy

Hi Vincent,

Thanks Never thought of myself as having a conservative mentality! I think a lot of people in this forum could be defined as hardworking as we're all working towards a goal, be it clear debt or saving up for something.

As for myself, I never thought I was hardworking to be honest, just focused. All things considered though I guess I am in some respect... So thanks for the comment, it's picked me up to no end

I’m 24, so we’re probably of similar age. It’s always great to hear of young’s starting to save up early. I always thought it was the norm, but I think that’s thanks to my parents, they drilled into us that we must work for the things we want, and I grew up watching them working incredibly hard for us.

Do you have a target in mind? I have found that having a goal to work towards very helpful (see sig), I’ve even broken down my wedding target into smaller chunks so that it seems more obtainable. Keep us posted with how you’re getting on, it’s the whole point of the thread

MMx

MaryMurphy

I was in a very organised mode yesterday, I upgraded my eIsa to the higher interest rate and confirmed with my mortgage company whether I can overpay and how much by before I get charged (turns out they have a 10% limit like most companies, so I am happy enough).

One of my new year’s resolutions was to make overpayments that would amount to about £400 for the year (I know it’s a very small amount compared to the overall debt, but considering I have a wedding to pay for I think it’s a start at least!).

Apparently all I need to do is go in-branch with my account number and ID and pay over the counter, so I might make a small payment towards it before I go away on holidays.

In other news, seen as this month’s gone very well (so far) OH and I have added our normal amounts to the wedding fund, so it currently stands at £1350. Woo hoo! Only £650 to go until the end of June, which as things stand at the moment is definitely happening.

So, all is good at the moment. Must be the good weather helping

ILGPink

Well done on the saving update Mary, keep going at the rate you are and youll have the wedding of your dreams before you know it xx

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello everyone, its good to report back.

Something I didnt tell the forum - I completed the london marathon last week! very pleased with myself!!

Good to hear your all doing well with you MSE's. It sounds like im the old girl of the bunch at a ripe old age of 30! lol

House sale looks to be going well - we met our cash buyer on thursday and hopefully the sale on the one we are trying to buy goes quick. Saying that im a bit behind in the money I need. Doah!! Nothing ever perfect. Oh well im on loving the good weather and trying not to spend anything!!

Queen_of_the_Hive

I've had money worries on my mind so thought i'd share. Problem shared is problem halved!

Upset might end up having to put a bit of money on credit card to cover moving house costs as am a bit short. Doing everything I can not to spend on extras!! Hopefully i'll be ok. to date looking like £4.5k short. I'll keep you posted.

UnluckyT

been trying to upgrade credit card plus get moe credit on it where im doing my big holiday to new zealand and would like to do australia, to no avail. so ive been to spend on my credit card sensibly to do it that way.
still plodding on though with saving especcialy as ive got to cover my bills still while im away and am having to take 2 weeks unpaid to go.
plus everything is so expensive it seems, and am struggling a little with my budget plus overspending come wasting my money on food and unnesesary rot.
managed to put in and sort out my direct debit form for my council tax and sorting my rent out so i just need to just have the money sat their.

MaryMurphy

@ ILGPink thanks getting there, slowly but surely!

clarissa62 wrote: »

Something I didnt tell the forum - I completed the london marathon last week! very pleased with myself!!

W00t! That's great, well done!

I am actually thinking of getting into running, don't suppose you have any advice on the correct footware? I was going to go to a specialist but was put off as someone else I know went and after looking at how they walk they sold them a pair of shoes for £70.00...

And then you hear horror stories of people getting injuries so I don't want to risk it either because I was too tight to buy the correct shoes!

clarissa62 wrote: »

Upset might end up having to put a bit of money on credit card to cover moving house costs as am a bit short. Doing everything I can not to spend on extras!! Hopefully i'll be ok. to date looking like £4.5k short. I'll keep you posted.

Well I know it's not ideal (far from it) but if it's something that has to happen then all you can do is try to mitigate it best you can, which is not easy.

~~~~sending you positive vibes ~~~~

UnluckyT wrote: »

been trying to upgrade credit card plus get moe credit on it where im doing my big holiday to new zealand and would like to do australia, to no avail. so ive been to spend on my credit card sensibly to do it that way.

Not so good about the overspending but you're going to New Zealand and (maybe/hopefully?) Australia, how cool is that?

I really want to visit New Zealand one day, like really really want to go there. It looks stunning. When are you due to go?

<<edit>>
Forgot to say, it’s pay day today! [insert “Happy Pay Day Dance” here]

I’ll need to review the accounts this evening so I’ll have an update by tomorrow at the latest.

MMxx

Barros

HI Mary

thought id chip in my tuppence, as its been a while!

firstly on the running front, do go to see a specialist at Run For It or a running shop local to you. DO listen to their advice, even note down a specific style that they recommend. DO try them on for comfort. DONT buy them there! go online and order them or try Sports Direct or similar - i did that with my asics and got them for £55. still a bit of money i know but this was 2-3 years ago had no knee/foot/back problems and they are still great today. look at it as an investment in your health!

as for me, also payday today and have done my usual sums. if i am extremely thrifty this month (£80) then i will have stuck with what i put away and have all in £27K. i doubt i can be that good all month though! the good weather is tempting me but we shall see and there is nothing like a good challenge.

keep it up everyone! xx

Queen_of_the_Hive

Barros - hahaha sounds like you did the same thing as me. I also went to a specalist running shop, noted the pair they recommended and then searched online for best price - also shaved £20+ off the price. Good running shoes is essential piece of kit.

Well this month I had a bit extra pay and was good saver (leading a boring life at the mo!) and managed to bank a fab £875. Signature to be updated to reflect this.

MaryMurphy

Thanks guys OK I might just do that sometime this week, I'll let you know how I get on.

Sorry I didn't update sooner, I wanted to wait until the standing orders had actually happened before updating my sig.

I was able to put a tad extra away in our wedding fund, and including May's standing order that account is now sitting at: £1,680.00

I am very pleased, all we need to do is take it easy this month and by June we should be well in the 2K's (unless I actually find a suitable venue and pay the deposit!)

My emergency fund is growing slowly, I have rearranged the funds so the amount in the signature is now obsolete - I will remove the emergency fund completely from my sig as whilst I have exceeded my target some of that money is for things such as car repairs/heating oil/Xmas which will be spent at some point so it doesn't seem right adding it to my total.

One of my columns in my "regular savings" (aka emergency fund) spreadseet is solely for actual emergencies (such as something in the house breaking, i.e. stuff that's unexpected, probably won't happen but might) so I think I'll start anew and count only the money that goes towards that single column.

So drum roll... I have £25.00 towards emergencies at the moment Oh dear, we have a long way to go!

Anyhow, hope everyone enjoyed this bank holiday weekend as much as I did! Back to work tomorrow though *sigh*

MMxx