Peonie's journey to smart money management

Peonie

Here's my monthly update.

Technically we have reached our rainy day fund target through a mixture of funds in the ISA and in the monthly saver. :j I think I'll save the big celebration for when all the funds are safely in the ISA.

Mr P put in a PPI claim and he surprisingly got £3,400 back. :T:j:T:j:T The money will fund the renovations. This means I don't have to put divert as much of my money into the renovations which will help me to reach our goals sooner. I'm on track to reach my £4,000 savings target for this year and I think I will comfortably achieve it.

It took 13 months but the mortgage balance is now £5,000 lower than when we moved in.

My signature is:

Rainy day fund: £12,000/£12,000 achieved 100%.
12k in 2012 challenge no. 168: £2,465/£4,000 achieved 62%.
Mortgage now: July 2012 at £148,793 end date June 2036.
Mortgage at its highest: July 2011 at £154,000 end date July 2036.

Beckyy

Hello! I'm a new MFW but have been following in your journey from afar and thought it was time to pop in and say hi

Congratualtions on getting your PPI claim through, what a great boost :j

Peonie

Wow, you think you're only writing to yourself and there are people lurking everywhere.

Hello Beckyy :wave: It's very nice of you to stop by. Do you have a MFW diary?

When I saw the PPI letter I actually came close to squealing. But not quite. I think I also have a very small but viable claim. I definitely took some insurance out on my credit card.

I had hoped to spend tonight sewing a present. Instead I helped my sister to fill in a job application form. Why is it so much easier to write good things about someone else than about yourself?

newgirly

Fantastic news about the ppi money, and I had not realised we have almost exactly the same size mortgage.

Lois_E

Hi Peonie
Been off MFW for a while and only just logged back in. So sorry to hear your news. I had a m/c between DS and DD, and it was so so sad. I really feel for you. Big hug.

May I say that everything people said about listening to your body applies just as much after a m/c as it does while pg. If you feel like resting, then rest, until your body says you're ready to start doing everyday life again. Oh, and don't take any notice of the people who think they know whether you should try again and if so then when. Do what your body tells you, and ignore all the rules - there's no evidence for most of them anyway.

Beckyy

Peonie wrote: »

Wow, you think you're only writing to yourself and there are people lurking everywhere.

Hello Beckyy :wave: It's very nice of you to stop by. Do you have a MFW diary?

I do indeed! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4066069
It's becoming very addictive though...:j

shala_moo

fab news on the PPI reclaim! :T always great to get some "free" money!!

Peonie

Hi Lois, and thanks for your kind words. I still get upset on occasion. I carried on as usual at work but let everything at home go a bit. I've had 2 illnesses in 3 weeks, so my immune system may have taken a bit of hit.

Hi Beckyy, I've subscribed to your journey. Your planned monthly overpayments are great.

Hi Shala, yes it's great. I definitely feel more relaxed and confident. We will have the money to pay for the current renovations and be able to fill the other saving pots sooner.

In the last 3 months I have bought lunch during the working week maybe twice. That means I've really cut my bought meals bill. Plus, I'm still buying 'sell by' food which is also cutting my food bill. The freezer is now full to capacity. I've been buying 'sell by' burgers and sausages for when we have family round for a BBQ. I am still loving freezing vegetables. A few times we did not have any fresh vegetables and the frozen ones saved me.

Peonie

Wow, I've been AWOL a month.

I have been busy sewing and seeing family and friends. We also went to watch an Olympic event and got to enjoy the Olympic atmosphere around the city.

My laptop battery is also playing up so it have stay in one place. Recently that's been behind the sewing machine where it's a pain read.

Right, I have about 30 threads to catch up on. See you soon.

Peonie

Hi everyone. I am back from reading your diaries. Here's my update.

I asked the vet for a quote to knock out one of my cats while they cut out his knots. £90! Shocking. We're going to attempt to cut out the knots ourself.

Our bed finally arrived. It's massive. But lovely. There's some chips in the bed frame, we need to send the shop the photos to exchange it.

This month is expensive. I have had 2 birthdays, 1 wedding reception plus we have to book 2 more nights in London while we watch the paraolympics. I bought 3 items of clothes in the sales. For the wedding reception I raided my wardrobe, I can finally fit into smaller size again. Hallelujah.

We have also been buying some more bits for the kitchen like a tap and hob, plus the kitchen has been plastered.

We have finally paid off the kitchen units so we'll have an extra £100 a month to pay for renovations or towards the savings pot.

My ISA was moved to the Spanish bank and a few days later they announced they were dropping the rate. Oh well. I'm a bit confused as to how I can pay into the account, the literature I signed up to said it could be transferred in but I then received a letter that did not mention electronic transferrals. Hmmm.

I am still taking lunch to work. We ate out for our anniversary and got a couple of sneaky takeouts but we've not been too bad. We did attend a free music event in the city.

I have another present, maybe 2, to sew so I may disappear again for a few weeks.

P.