Lulabelle's MFW Diary

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi LB, how's it all going? Has the new car arrived?

I am booking a day of pampering with a girlfriend so thanks for the heads up about discount sites for this type of thing.

Best wishes Tilly

lulabelle1

Hi Tilly, thanks for popping by

I've not been updating for a while.... It felt like my OP focus of the last 6 months had been a bit pointless when I went and splurged on a new car.

However, I can now put things a bit more in to perspective in my own mind and I realise that to be able to go and buy a new car without having to seek any kind of finance is truly amazing and I never would have though that this would be possible for me to do. So, I'm actually really appreciative that the focus I had on here allowed me to do it.

I received some money back that I was due and had a mini splurge, but then managed to sell on some other stuff that I no longer needed, so the mini splurge become self funded in the end, so no real harm done.

Anyway, I've decided that I need to get back on track, although with a more balanced approach to make sure we have a bit more fun along the way and that I'm not as obsessive as I was a few months ago. So, I started again in ernest by OP'ing with the money I had from the things I sold. The temptation was becoming too much, so now it's safely been sent to the mortgage. Let's just say the money was burning a hole in my pocket and I was getting too close to clicking the "add to basket" button!

I've a long way to go to make sure I still reach my goal of getting under the £100k mark by the end of the year since taking back a whopping chunk for the new car, but I'll do my best. Also, I've decided to spread rings around a bit and have finally opened an ISA which I plan on paying in to to supplement my pension contributions. Also, I've opened another savings account as I think it's a good idea to have some cash accessible rather than it all being stashed in my mortgage. It's great that I can take money back from the mortgage but it takes a week or so, so having some handy for emergencies will be a good thing.

Well, that's me up to date. I shall make the effort to update a bit more often to try and keep on track.

I hope everyone else is achieving their goals.

L x

lulabelle1

Just checking in.... OP's made for May and signature updated!
Not particularly on track at the moment with my MF goals but am still making OP's where I can....
Just seem to have had so many expenses and things to spend money on recently. However, we're having fun along the way and enjoying life, so I mustn't grumble.
I've had some terrible things happen in the last few weeks to close friends and it's made me realise how precious life is, so whilst MF is a lovely idea and I will continue to a certain extent, I shall ensure that we are making the most of the time we have and if it means spending some money on treats, holidays and family time etc, then so be it.

Best, L xx

lulabelle1

Major indulgent spend diverted..... Paid £500 from recent handbag sale to mortgage rather than putting it towards a new one. How very MSE!!

lulabelle1

It's not looking as though I will reach my 2012 target which is to get my mortgage under the £100k mark.

The problem here is that I took £11k back to buy my car. And, I have decided to put some of my planned OP's in to savings so that I have an emergency fund.

My savings pays 3% and the rate on the bulk of my mortgage is 2.5%, so it kind of makes sense to do this, but I hate the idea of not achieving the goal that I set for myself.

Hmmmmmm, need to have a little think. I might continue with what I'm doing and then if it really bothers me I guess I can transfer the money from the savings account across to my mortgage at the end of the year so that I reach my goal.

Trouble is, I think that I will be tempted to use the savings money to fund 2013's holiday.

Oh jees, who said this would be easy!!

lulabelle1

On a positive note.....

I had a look at a different nursery yesterday for DS2 - his current nursery is fine but the new one is amazing.... massive, loads of natural light and space and the hugest outdoor area I ever so - it even has a little wood at the end of the "garden".... loads of covered areas etc. I fell in love.

He only has just over a year left at nursery - he was born at the end of the year, so he will be the baby when he goes to school but on the bright side, I save on quite a lot of nursery fees.

Anyway, the new nursery is a couple of pounds more than the other one, but amazingly, they have agreed to do a term time agreement for me - meaning that I no longer have to pay fees for all of the school holidays. However, I get the best of both worlds as I just need to give them notice if I need him to have a few days in the school holidays.

So, couldn't be happier with this - DS2 gets a lovely place for his last year at nursery and I get to save a few pounds - which will go in to the mortgage OP's of course, although DH did ask if he could use the money to buy magic beans....

As you can tell DH still doesn't get in to this whole mortgage OP/saving thing - he just disappears off to the shops and comes back with rubbish we don't need. It's cheap usually and keeps him amused so I just let him get on with it. I have my indulgences so I guess I can't whinge too much.

lulabelle1

Oh, typically - DS2 always cried when he went to nursery but in the last month he can't wait to get there on a morning to see his friends,. typical that I now decide to move him. Doh!!

lulabelle1

Oh, and another small saving....

desperately needed to have my haircut and it usually costs £45 which is ridiculous. One of the ladies from the school PFA is a mobile hairdresser and loads of the other girls use her and have been telling me to give her a try for ages...

So, I finally did and it was only £17. So, £20 including a tip and a pretty good saving...

She did a pretty good job too, so she shall now be my new hairdresser!!

lulabelle1

Just received my car insurance renewal.....

Used quidco and saved £60, plus I get £50 cash back on top of that. Also, I get more cover as the new policy includes a gtd courtesy car and legal cover which I didn't have before......

Oh, and I will get double points at Sainsbury's for the next 12 months.

Excellent!

lulabelle1

DS2 is now registered with the new nursery and I have handed in my notice to his current nursery - I actually feel so bad doing this as he has made friends there and been going since he was just a little baby...... the people there are lovely.

BUT - the term time agreement at the new one will save me money and the nursery itself is much more spacious and has loads of outdoor space and my little one loves playing outside, so I'm sure after the transition period he will really love it.

Do wish I didn't feel so bad about it though.....

Off to Cornwall this afternoon for a week, shame the weather doesn't look great.

Have been saving some spending money but I'm sure that will be gone within the first few days...... Just seems to be one thing after another at the moment.