TallGirl seeks new financial freedom & hope to loose a few pounds on the way.

TallGirl

Hey Catshark88 I do remember you from mfi3 seems like ages ago now and as you say you can bring your mortgage down again and you still have the enjoyment of the renovations. I have certainly never regretted us spending £30k on our two extra bedroom (extension over our single storey garage/kitchen.) in fact I don't think we would have been in this house today if we hadn't as it only had 2 bedrooms before. ( was a new build which should have had 3 but master bedroom would have been tiny. Now we have 3 double and 1 small study which is handy as I work from home.

Had a lovely day today visiting our old neighbours and their 2 1/2 year old. They were such good friends when they lived here but since they moved around with the army I have been crap in keeping in touch. My current neighbour came as well so nice to see here too. She is the one moving abroad but she may come with me to Cornwall and I am also going to Liverpool with her for a weekend in Feb before she leaves.

Back to work tomorrow I have do so little this week my boss would have kittens if she knew and we have a conference call tomorrow.

Might have to tell a few white lies don't usually but might have too. She seems to have gone off me a bit so will have to get on with work next week.

Should really be sleeping but cannot we had lunch about 4pm so thought I would have two pieces of toast about 8pm and I now feel so bloated must go back to little or no carbs in the evening.

Did do Zumba this morning and are doing circuits tomorrow.

TallGirl

Morning all in a finacial planning mood this morning (anything to put my mind off that conference call).

Got my £5760 to put into next years ISA but need to save for the following year obviously and it was only down to luck I managed that sum (yes I know should not gamble).

OK so we have two month before the ISA fill up date and I also have an interest free credit card (about 1 year left) with £1700 on it.

Currently I save £100 into Zopa (great as I cannot touch it) but planning ahead I need to save an not touch the money.

If I did 12 x £480 that should give me enough for 2014/15 ISA and Feb and Mar could then be chucked at the card (£960) plus whatever I have left over.

I think I should like to save that £480 straight into Zopa ok the rates are pants but you can take it out and April 2014 is a long way away so could change the plan nearer the time.

Anyway those are just thoughts at the moment.

Looking at flight to Denmark looks like Heathrow £30 plus Avios points plus £36 parking is cheaper and easier than Gatwick on the train.

Still no hotels near HQ getting a bit close now fingers crossed something comes up tomorrow.

TallGirl

Right flights booked for Denmark £30 with Airmiles so much easier to fly out ofTerminal 5 went for a slightly dearer carpark as its nearer £46 but it means I am so much closer to home when I pick my car up so worth it.

Thinking about savings for next year again and how to lock it in until ISA time in April 2014 looks like First Direct might be a good idea. I can switch to them and earn £125 (nice thank you), I can just transfer £1500 over each month to qualify or get my wages paid into Santander directly (they do sometimes give you better ISA rates if you have a current account with them).

So First Direct also has an 8% savings account you can pay £300 a month into (I could dump the other £280 into ZOPA). Its locked in for 1 year and you have to pay in every month or you loose out.

Should work I shall think.

TallGirl

Speedy day today after all that talk bout savings. £20 on Amazon (used my topcashback voucher so free really) got these:

"Vegetable, Fruit and Herb Growing in Small Spaces"
John Harrison; Paperback; £4.49

Sold by: Amazon EU S.a.r.L.
1 "Vegetable Growing Month-by-Month: The down-to-earth guide that takes you through the vegetable year"
Harrison, John; Paperback;

And 20 copper plant labels. Went via Nectar (first time I have bothered) as I like the app.

Then this evening when filling in the survey for ebays HomeZone I was asked about stuff I had bought for my New Years resolution. I want to keep being fit and get fitter so it took me to a new test site. Lots of lovely fitness related things so promptly had to look for long tall sally track suit bottoms. There were none on Ebay and I have lost a pair of mine and 1 pair is too large now. Went to long tall Sally's site and spent £120 on 1 tacksuit and 1 paid of bottoms in the sale. A lot of money £50 for a track suit top but it match the £40 bottoms and I got that in money for Christmas and haven't spent it. The last pair were £30 and black same colour as the pair I have lost.

Problem with long tall sally is that medium is 14/16 and small is 10/12 I think I could get away with 12/14 but not smaller. Got 1% cashback hardly worth it.

Right now in a nice stately hotel a bit old fashioned but the staff are lovely and my Ploughmans was nice even if I don't like pork pie but when in Rome.....(clue to where I am )

Wifi only works downstairs so sitting in the bar, been to the tiny gym only two machines as running one didn't work.

catshark88

If you are a " growing things" fan,& in that area of South coast, keep an eye open for the Sparsholt College open day/ sales. Lots of plants and advice.

TallGirl

Thanks Catshark that is worth knowing I am but 30 min from Winchester that one in May looks really good.

No more Spending so far but that Amazon credit so burning a hole in my account. DH woke me up at 5am so been awake for 3 hours and our neighbour wants to join us for brunch at 10.30am it's so long might have to go out before then.

Need to do a weekly shop, pay the paper bill and DH needs to pay his credit card. He missed last month when we were away and I am not sure why he hasn't just cleared the card. We have separate finances but do pay into a joint current account.

Had a long day yesterday had 3 appointments in North Kent, 7 hours in the car and 320 miles round trip. Not too bad worst snow is down here, Hindhead tunnel really bad people driving sensibly though.

Don't think I shall be playing golf this weekend it's covered in snow and even I am not that enthuastic about playing with yellow balls.

TallGirl

Been to town done the shopping and had brunch now home and freezing.

Got £15 off Boden in the post, never shopped there before so thought I would have a look. Nothing to fit my niece and nephew but found a beanie hat and a Blackberry cover for £16 total. It did say no discounts etc. but the £15 off worked so I paid £1 and they were both discounted already. Free delivery too.

Still really want to go to Homebase but its so cold and Winchester to Long Tall Sally but might do it tomorrow instead.

Need to apply for the 1st Direct account but might do it on the laptop rather than the IPad a bit easier with the proper keyboard.

Hope you are all wrapped up well.

TallGirl

More spending went to Winchester to the Long tall sally closing down sale. Not a lot left but did get a lovely woollen red duffel coat, org price £120 down to £90 then 30% off this weekend = £63 also a pair of black jeans a tiny bit small at size 14 but for £24 you cannot moan.

Then went to a lovely shoe shop that sells Ecco shoes. I got a very heavy pair of boots Gortex and proper snow proof so perfect for Denmark. Original price £145 I paid £89. DH got a short pair of boots £120 down to £60.

Not signed up to 1st Direct will do during the week need to make sure I can save that £300 a month as I now have a huge credit card bill.

catshark88

I love Ecco shoes. I live in their sandals in the summer!

TallGirl

catshark88 wrote: »

I love Ecco shoes. I live in their sandals in the summer!

Totally agree my Ecco sandals are the most comfortable I have ever owned but not the prettiest.

So cold here but no more snow so DH is off to work. I am working from home just need to pop out locally to pop into one of my agencies.

Still dreaming of a greenhouse and I thought it would be around the £2k mark but turns out you can get an aluminium version like my mum has so that brings it in at just over £700. Then I need to have a base build of slabs and probably someone to assemble it. It's like this but would prefer the hexagonal shape as this one is square. http://www.waltons.co.uk/7x8-vitavia-silver-hera-4500-greenhouse

Entered the Costa Coffee game on Facebook and won enough points for a muffin. Quite nice as I never win on those things. If you are a costa club member have a go as its really quick.