Jellie wobbles into her MFW journey

katsu

Wow, MF in 5 - there's one heck of a target for you.

I'm sure you can make some serious inroads into it even if you don't clear it. Lots of great moneysaving ahead

*Jellie*

Thanks Katsu- that's basically what OH said. Aim to do as much as we can while we're in a good position to do it! If we don't make the target we'll still be better than taking 25 years!
Strictly speaking I guess we'll be aiming to offset the full amount not actually pay the mortgage off! We'll make a decision exactly what to do when we get there.

*Jellie*

Thoughts so far on achieving the new goal
1. Take another look at wedding budget and see if it could be cut anywhere

2. We're going to take longer to decorate the house and do it ourselves. I'll try and tackle one room each major holiday and just do a couple of hours a day so I don't overdo it

3. Hold off on major house and garden projects until we reach our goal. Only do things that are urgent or that if left will end up costing more to do

4. Set budget with a small amount of treat money so we don't feel too hard done by! Go back to tracking every spend to make sure we stick to budget

5. Weekly discussion of money matters

6. Get back to doing NSD, store cupboard, grocery and any other challenge to help!

7. Do my usual new year resolution where I have a different goal to focus on each month. The idea being that hopefully within a month it is likely to become a habit but I'm less likely to then fail by Spring and not do anything to the new year! Overall will set one or two financial challenges for a year but will pick an are or challenge to focus on each month e.g. eBay month, groceries month etc

Just some early thoughts. Once the inspection is out of the way we can look through budget and I can work out goals and challenges!

cha97michelle

Don't read for a few days and miss loads.

Hope the inspection goes well, and i like the new target of 5 years. Get it gone. As long as you stick to the rules you are setting yourself. I'd love to do similar but i would need to get a proper job i think to do it. I keep trying though.

yukkibear

Hi Jellie, good to see you're still going great guns. MFin5? Wow, I really hope you achieve that, good luck.

How's the wedding prep coming along? I'm finishing my invites this week and hoping to get them out this weekend. We've only got 3 1/2 months left now!

*Jellie*

Hi Michelle! It is an interim inspection so hopefully won't be too bad. I actually managed to finish work an hour ago so can chill out now before bed!

Well done on doing your own invites YB. I think the plans are getting there gradually!! I'll have a proper look at the list before the Christmas hols so I can decide what needs doing while I have the extra time! Dress and jewellery sorted, possibly shoes too. Church and photographer booked. Restaurant for meal decided and we'll book in New Year when they have new diary!! Am currently thinking about flowers and how I can keep the cost down there. We've got Save the Date cards but haven't got round to sending them out yet!! Have got an idea of what I want to do for invites- just need to organise myself and do a test to see if it will work!

yukkibear

I never bothered with save the date cards (I hope I don't live to regret that). Still have invites to finish but we've got a few peeps on reserve now for day so haven't done an invite for them at all at the mo. I know not everyone will turn up but I keep thinking what if they do, or worse what if no-one does lol. All irrational bridezilla thoughts.

*Jellie*

I know what you mean YB- I'm terrified about guessing numbers for the restaurant booking. It is just up the road and we go there virtually every Saturday for a cheap lunch date. I hate the idea of inconveniencing them if I get the numbers wrong!

The plus side of work being so busy is that I've had a couple of NSDs!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Well done on the nSDs - it is true that keeping busy is the way forward. Very good luck with your new challenge - we will keep each other on track next year!

Good luck with the inspection. It is good to work hard to be prepared, but when they actually come, just think, whatever. Who are they to judge.

All the best,

Squirrel

*Jellie*

Thanks Squirrel. I've not been feeling nervous today and have been trying to treat it like any other day. However I keep getting that horrible brain freeze thing- like in exams went you sit down, look at the questions and your mind just goes blank!
Am as prepared as I can be without going over the top and tiring myself out.