Peonie's journey to smart money management

Peonie

The MFi3 results are in and I'm still in the amber. Phew, I really thought I'd be in the red this time.

newgirly

Glad all is ok and well done on knocking 10k off :T

shala_moo

Peonie wrote: »

That's £10,000 knocked off the mortgage since we bought this house 2 years ago later this month :T hitting another milestone.

That's fab.. and hopefully you'll have saved a fair bit of interest too!!

Peonie

shala_moo wrote: »

That's fab.. and hopefully you'll have saved a fair bit of interest too!!

We've saved about £37 so far and £1046 by the end of the mortgage. Not bad. Most of the payments were regular. Although, we pay an extra £10,000 into the mortgage when we first got the house as we wanted to get a lower interest rate.

Peonie

Can anyone help?

My ISA interest bonus ends on the 7th July. All of the ISAs out there are pretty rubbish. But the best one (Cheshire BS) is via the post. I've only had internet based ISAs. With a postal ISA can you credit the account via the internet or do I have to send a cheque in the post? Also, how do you debit the account?

Edited to add:
Ask a question and then find the answer yourself! I downloaded their FAQ, it says:

8. How do I add funds to my ISA Saver?
You can add funds at any time by post, using the deposit slips provided in your welcome pack.
You can print off additional deposit slips at thecheshire.co.uk or alternatively call us on 0808 144 3880 and we’ll send you some more.
Please note: you cannot add funds via BACS transfer from another provider, or by using a debit or credit card.
9. How do I withdraw funds?
You can withdraw funds at any time by post, using the withdrawal slips provided in your welcome pack. You can print off additional
withdrawal slips at thecheshire.co.uk or alternatively call us on 0808 144 3880 and we’ll send you some more.
Remember that any funds withdrawn from an ISA will no longer be tax free, and cannot be paid in again as previous ISA subscriptions.
10. How can I check the balance in my ISA Saver account?
Your welcome letter contains details of the balance in your account, if you make any further deposits/withdrawals you will receive an
updated confirmation letter.
Alternatively, you can telephone 0808 144 3880 to find out your balance.

Beckyy

I believe you send off a withdrawal slip with your current account details and they then transfer the money via BACS.

I think you can deposit via transfer if you have a current account with them. Otherwise it's cheque in the post.

I'm not 100% certain though.

Peonie

Thanks Becky.

I've been having a mixed few days. I received an invitation to a hen party. For the activities and hotel it's going to cost over £175. Ouch. I really don't want to pay that amount so I might drive the 1 1/2 hours home. Any suggestions?

I have so many activities in the next 5 few months. A 2nd hen party a couple of weeks after the one above. A corporate fancy dress party (tickets and taxis around £115 plus hiring the costumes), a birthday party at the other end of the country, a Christening nearly the other end of the country (we still need to buy a gift), a few days away and 2 weddings - one of them overseas, plus 5 birthdays who I buy presents for. I'm feeling a little stressed at the thought and cost of it all. I think something has gotta give and stress is not good for getting preggers.

This weekend we had some surprise overnight guests :eek: It worked out well in the end. Thank goodness we cleaned the important places during the week.

Today I worked a few hours for my friend. It was knackering, fun and I made £30.

I hit the sales and bought a jacket that will go with jeans, dresses and trousers. :T I also bought sale fabric (for a gift) and a clutch for one of the weddings.

We've had a few naughty takeaways as we've been working late and had guests. The left over from last night we had for dinner today. Tomorrow is a new week and we will do better.

Exercise wise; I'm very behind. While off recuperating I've put back on all the weight it took months to lose.

newgirly

Hi Peonie, that's a LOT of things you are invited to! Nice to be wanted but ouch what a lot to spend. Can you just pick the most important couple of do's and leave the rest?

I have also put on a few pounds I had lost and have just finished updating on myfitnesspal tonight ready to start again tomorrow. Have you had a look at that as its free and very good, as you can add all the components from your home cooked meals to work out the cals, plus add exercise.

Peonie

Hi NG, I used to use MFP. It might be time to start using it again.

I've been going through the list to see how we can do the activities cheaper. Such as, going to the fancy dress party in evening dress rather than the theme (quite a few people did it last year) but we need to find out if they will accept day suits.

For some other events we'll see if we can stay at relatives homes wherever possible to cut down the hotel bills. For one of the hen parties Mr P has offered to drive me there and back so I can enjoy myself and don't have to stay over. Isn't he lovely? I actually felt the stress melt away when he suggested it.

Last night I updated my SOA and was surprised to see we've already paid for our hotel accommodation. I now need to pay myself back.

£300 whizzed over to my FD saver. Meaning I only have £150 to save before I hit my sunny day target. Then it will be party time.

shala_moo

Peonie wrote: »

For one of the hen parties Mr P has offered to drive me there and back so I can enjoy myself and don't have to stay over. Isn't he lovely? I actually felt the stress melt away when he suggested it..

:T yeahhh for Mr P...

Agree with newgirly - ouch to the cost of all that.. but if they are important events/people to you then you should go and enjoy.. if they are just people you kind of know then i'd give them a miss whilst still sending a little token/present.

Peonie wrote: »

£300 whizzed over to my FD saver. Meaning I only have £150 to save before I hit my sunny day target. Then it will be party time.

:T:T