Lulabelle's MFW Diary

lulabelle1

Oh my goodness, it's 8 years since I started my Diary.

On the one hand, I'm amazed at how much has changed during that time, on the other hand, some things haven't changed much at all!

What's changed/not changed:
DS1 - was in KS1 when I started my diary... he's doing his mocks this week, with his actual GCSE's happening in May/June.

DS2 - I was talking about the cost of nappies in some of my first posts, he's now in his last year of Primary school.

I was thinking about getting a B2L - we've had it now for nearly 5 years (took a few years to actually take the plunge)

I cancelled my Pension contributions. WTAF! Seriously, if I could travel back in time, I'd be telling myself to increase them massively, not cancel them.

Handbags - I'm literally rolling my eyes at this one. What was I thinking?

We still live in the same house despite the years of umming and ahh'ing. We extended approx 4 years ago. We've realised that a more expensive house will not make us any happier, we have everything we need with this house and actually really love it, as do the boys.

I had a MF date of 7 years in mind. We didn't achieve that - we extended the house, purchased a rental property and for the last 2 years have been focusing on SIPP contributions. We're almost MF but will just leave the os balance as it is and make regular monthly payments for the time being.

We got a dog - this has made a big difference to our family. We're much more outdoorsy and really enjoy having her around.

We hardly ever shop. In fact, as a family, we really don't like shopping at all. Purchases are considered for a while in most cases and if we can manage without something, we do.

Our house is a lot emptier. We're fairly minimalistic nowadays - so much stuff has been sold, gifted, recycled etc and the house feels so much better for it.

We still spend a fair bit on the weekly food shop, but we don't have take aways and rarely eat out, so that's OK with us.

I wonder what the next 8 years will bring.