What have I done....

LauraJo

Delighted and embarrassed!!:o
Didn't know you could get lodgers Mon - Fri? Mind you I don't really live that close to a big city so not sure if anyone would want that anyway!
Maybe I should try B&B at the weekend instead!!

Spiggle

Hi LauraJo and congrats on the massive steps you've already taken.

Have you used Martin's Budget Planner on the main site? It is really useful and very easy to use listing things we often forget when working out our finances.

Another tip from the site is piggy banking where you put aside money every month for regular/large/annual expenditure. I use the IF.com online bank which does not have the best interest rate but does allow the account to be split into 'jars' which you can pay into monthly for things like car tax, service, MOT, insurance, etc.

Anyway, good luck and I look forward to watching your progress.

Take care,
Spigs

LauraJo

Hey Spigs. Great advice thanks. I think the IF thing will work well for me since I am clearly a bit dim on the numbers front!! I haven't worked car stuff or anything like that into my budget so probably should do so I don't get a shock when things are due and can therefore stay on track!

LauraJo

Have my lodger moving in next weekend so need to get the room up to scratch... on a budget.

I have reasoned that I should take the costs from the first month rent but even so, I don't want to go overboard.

Needed:
Repaint
Wardrobe
Sofa cover
Shelves
Gloss paint
New fence (so he doesn't get hounded by my dogs all the time)
Bed covers
Floor varnish (to get rid of the dog claw marks!)
Dog trainer to try and get the dogs to stop barking at everything!

Got 2 days to do the work but at least I will so busy I wont be out spending money on nice stuff

LauraJo

Apparently a shop near us will take on your second hand dresses etc and resell them. You get a % of what they make. Not sure what they give you but have done a complete wardrobe clear out tonight so will pop down tomorrow and take a look:idea:

LauraJo

So just having realised I pay £10.25 for HD channels that has now stopped!! Seriously £123 per year to watch something that looks the same on a normal channel - crazy (I know some of you out there will be HD converts but I just cant see it myself)

Unhappy OH though

LauraJo

Oh and didn't take my old clothes to the shop on the weekend... Too busy decorating and getting ready for the lodger on Saturday!

curlygirl1971

LauraJo wrote: »

So did all my sums again last night and have now realised that I don't have 153 outstanding but £135k!!
Not sure how much chance I have of doing this when I have completely missed the basics!!
Good news though! Going to recheck all my outgoings etc tonight to make sure I haven't messed up somewhere else

Lol! If I send over my mortgage spreadsheet will you work some of the same magic on mine

A huge well done on what you have achieved so far - very impressive and also for taking in a lodger. I did it years ago when I was skint - sadly didn't work very well - made the mistake of taking in a friend who was also in a tight spot and got caught up in her love triangle! It was the end of a friendship and I Swore never again.

LauraJo

curlygirl1971 wrote: »

Lol! If I send over my mortgage spreadsheet will you work some of the same magic on mine

A huge well done on what you have achieved so far - very impressive and also for taking in a lodger. I did it years ago when I was skint - sadly didn't work very well - made the mistake of taking in a friend who was also in a tight spot and got caught up in her love triangle! It was the end of a friendship and I Swore never again.

I know what you mean - I vowed to not take in any friends or anyone too sociable! I know that sounds mean but I want the rent not a new best mate! I did have a friend that wanted to move in with her 2 kids (yes into one room!) but that just had nightmare written all over it!

I don't think my next job is going to be a financial advisor

LauraJo

Said to OH last night, maybe we should have a break from this for a month or 2. I wanted to see his reaction and hope he has come round enough to say - 'no think of the benefits, not long to go now etc etc'. I want him to get to this stage so if I do have commitment wobbles one month he can help to motivate!
What did he actually say....

Yes I think that's a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More work to be done me thinks