LBM in 2003.. What have I been doing since??!

brizzledfw

Thanks all, sorry have been MIA - all go here!

Quick update:

- haven't done final figures but will post savings rates shortly
- additional work is hard, and I am shattered but needs must
- arranged to host another student over HT
- a NSD today (whoop!) and 2/2 AFDs - need to re-set targets
- everyone well and happy - even DD1 with her term tests :eek: she incidentally is still saving into her S&S ISA - all very good training
- looking forward to some time with OH tomorrow - sorely needed

brizzledfw

So scores on doors..

Savings rate of 21%. Certainly not 37%, but better than usual. Mrs FW would know I can do better but its baby steps. The overall cost base of our household is the killer, stuff we have already agreed to do which usually cripples us, rather than the impulsive stuff. YNAB is really making this stuff stark, and with 'stark' I can do something to change our behaviours....

An example of that is £800+ on kids activities lessons and trips etc.

Groceries was once again around £600 but that did include £38 on coffee beans (you can blame OH for that :eek:) and there are usually 5 of us to eat. We gave £155 to charity as we do every month which I reasonably pleased about. Hope to do more when we have cleared this pesky debt.

Decluttering total was poor, sales are poor and NSDs and LSDs on my strict regimes were also missed. So was AFDs but I managed 19. Could have been worse I guess.

I am about to update the targets for February.

brizzledfw

Updated.

Already bagged a NSD and 2 AFDs. I am also aiming for 30% savings target. Lets see how we roll this month

Moneyfordreams

I often think of putting in a wood burner. But I imagine it would cost around £2000 or more. So on the backburner
You give a phenomenal amount to charity, I'm sure I've commented before.. :T:T puts my £8.76 for local air ambulance to shame.
You do so well for being positive, and keeping all those balls in the air

brizzledfw

Aah, thanks MfD...its important to us- the vast majority goes to MSF (plus smaller amounts to Oxfam and other med charities) but also a chunk to London Air Amb (and we don't even live there..but know when my OH cycles through there is a real vested interest in keeping a crew available at all times - that traffic is seriously scary and coming from Brizzle thats saying something).

Much of what I am trying to do at the mo is to be mindful on spends..and helping others has to be part of that.

Re woodburner..depends on whether you need to line your chimney. You may be surprised. If you have an older house they lend themselves well. I'd check it out. We def save on heating.

brizzledfw

Just done my VAT return. Thanks NOA for the nudge.

x

greent

brizzledfw wrote: »

Just done my VAT return. Thanks NOA for the nudge.

x

Ooh - thanks - shall pop off and do ours now
x

please-let-me-be-lucky

You give a HUGE amount to charity. You'll have your own parking spot in Heaven I'm sure! Xx

beanielou

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

You give a HUGE amount to charity. You'll have your own parking spot in Heaven I'm sure! Xx

Seconded by me!

Seasidegal58

brizzledfw wrote: »

Much of what I am trying to do at the mo is to be mindful on spends..and helping others has to be part of that.
.

That is a wonderful sentiment brizzle and has given me much food for thought.

Re your YNAB comment. I agree - it is such a great help with budgeting and showing you where you need to make positive financial decisions.