Peonie's journey to smart money management

coldcazzie

cod3 wrote: »

Those two sentences together make you sound like a taxidermist! :eek:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I genuinely laughed out loud! :T:T

I use vinegar in my washes as fabric softener, there shouldn't be any residual vinegary smell. It's also quite good practice to leave your washer door open after you use it so it can air dry - closing it immediately speeds up the foisty-ness which contributes to smelly clothes. :cool:

Peonie

Right, I'm back from my holiday visiting friends and from watching the paralympics. Which was brilliant by the way. I hope to catch up on your diaries in the next few days. Plus I have to report both August and September's signatures.

I'll be back soon.

Peonie.

Peonie

Oh my, we had such an amazing time at the paralympics. I nearly screamed myself horse. And I cheered for all nationalities, not just the British. I think the organisers did an amazing job.

Did anyone else go into the toilets and notice every non-sponsor logo was covered? It did make me laugh. This time we stayed away from the para/olympic shop as I really did not think there was anything else we could buy.

We did spend quite a bit of money on food and drink. I did begrudge the cost of some meals that were not worth the money, £14 for fajitas and I can make better. We did take a packed lunch a few days. Mr P paid for the majority of the holiday but I think the amount I will save this month will take a hit.

Last night I spent £62 on theatre tickets for Christmas. I'll see if I can put them towards Christmas presents.

I was meant to go for a drink with colleagues tonight but as my meeting overran I went straight home. That saved me a few quid.

Unfortunately I've had to spend £22 on medicine.

Mr P had to wash his jeans 3 or so times to get rid of the washing machine stink. We have bought a different washing detergent in the hope the smell will go.

Peonie

Hello MFWers,

I miss the para/olympics. We've already looked up what championships are coming up.

I have wanted to post since Friday but MSE must have changed 'something' and meant I could not access the forum. Booo. Anyway, Mr P saved the day by installing another browser on my laptop just for the forum. Phew.

Here's August signature:

Rainy day fund: £12,000/£12,000 achieved 100%.
12k in 2012 challenge no. 168: £2,765/£4,000 achieved 69%.
Mortgage now: August 2012 at £148,417 end date June 2036.
Mortgage at its highest: July 2011 at £154,000 end date July 2036.

Peonie

We need some extra bits for the kitchen but we've found out it has been discontinued. :eek: We'll find out in the next days if the bits can be sourced from across the UK. I'm surprised I'm not panicking.

My SOA spreadsheet is up to date.

While I decided what to do with my ISA I set up an ISA pot in my current account. At the end of August I moved the £1,360 into the ISA. Meaning I have officially saved £4,425 this year, achieving 111% of my target.

September will be my last FD, 8%, savings account payment. At the end of October it will mature and I will fill my ISA but I will still be £3,725 away from my target. So what do I do now? I do not want to tie myself into another year of saving and waiting for it to mature but I want to hit the target in a smart money saving way.
Option 1: Open another 12 month saver with FD at 8%. I will consider I have reached my target when I have access to the funds in October 2013.
Option 2: Save the money in my current account, 2.37% net, until the new ISA year in April. For info the ISA interest is 3%.
Option 3: Open the 12 month saver, save the maximum of £300 each month until May and reassess my situation then. With the option of dropping the payments to the minimum until September.
So, what do you think?

I wish MSE had a calculator to compare the different of interest compounded daily, monthly and yearly, and to compare different interest rates. It would make this money lark so much easier.

My signature is:
Rainy day fund: £12,000/£12,000 achieved 100%.
12k in 2012 challenge no. 168: £4,425/£4,000 achieved 111%.
Mortgage now: September 2012 at £148,041 end date June 2036.
Mortgage at its highest: July 2011 at £154,000 end date July 2036.

Did you see that? A little overpayment of £41 would round the mortgage down to £148k. You would not believe how much I have thought about paying that off.

At the weekend I finally went to my mortgage bank and set up on-line access to my mortgage statement. I no-longer have to wait for Mr P.. Hallelujah.

newgirly

Hi peonie, well done ! :T I wouldn't know what to do re. the savings I'm afraid, but you should definatly OP that money, but £42 so your balance begins with a £147k :rotfl:

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Sorry can't help with the savings either... but wanted to say congratulations for [STRIKE]achieving[/STRIKE] exceeding your goals.

Peonie

newgirly wrote: »

Hi peonie, well done ! :T I wouldn't know what to do re. the savings I'm afraid, but you should definatly OP that money, but £42 so your balance begins with a £147k :rotfl:

I think there are three overpayment camps, those that like to see all of those pretty little 000s lined up, those that like to go down into the next thousand and those that pay off whatever they have.

If I went into the 147s, I think I would have to pay off more than £42. I would want to get a 0 on the end. I guess that puts me in the first camp.

I nearly had a no-spend day but had a chocolate craving and spent 70p. And now I have the munchies again.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Peonie wrote: »

I think there are three overpayment camps, those that like to see all of those pretty little 000s lined up, those that like to go down into the next thousand and those that pay off whatever they have.

I like your theory. I'm not sure where I fit in. If I'm making regular OPs/savings transfers I like round numbers but if I'm making as and when's I just use the amount I've earnt (mystery shopping/cashback etc.) without worrying about the pennies not being even!

Peonie

Ooo, I walked by LTSB today and saw they have an offer on the current account which will change my savings plan. I'm going to try and get Mr P to open one too. It's a shame the high interest rate is only for a year.