What have I done....

OS_QS

You seem pretty on the ball and a wee wobble now and then wont be the end of world. But the longer you do it the more second nature it becomes, even to your OH.
I originally got ,' if I had a pound for every time you mentioned moneysaving, we could have paid off the mortgage by now!':D

LeafGreen

LauraJo wrote: »

Lol dimbo61 I wish - probably wouldn't have a mortgage if I was one!!
I kinda started back in Sept and aim to get sorted by end of 2014 so that is 3 and a half years.

Plan to be posted later today - guess I'd better get on with some work, getting the sack wont help with my plans

I really admire your enthusiasm and dedication LauraJo, but this seems like a massive challenge to take on (end of 2014 is just 2.5 years not 3.5).

My back-of-a-fag-packet calculations suggest that you'll need to be paying the mortgage off at a rate of something like £5000 per month - is this possible?

Best of luck to you with this, but please let us see your detailed plans so we can understand how it will work.

LauraJo

grahamgoo wrote: »

I really admire your enthusiasm and dedication LauraJo, but this seems like a massive challenge to take on (end of 2014 is just 2.5 years not 3.5).

My back-of-a-fag-packet calculations suggest that you'll need to be paying the mortgage off at a rate of something like £5000 per month - is this possible?

Best of luck to you with this, but please let us see your detailed plans so we can understand how it will work.

Ah maybe I'm not clear... Started in sept last year so just over 3 years in total. Going to be a massive stretch but 135 over 2 yrs and 9 months is roughly doable with some extra effort, low interest rates, a bit of luck and a good wind behind us!! If it doesn't totally hit target I won't worry too much but I def need a goal or I'll just spend everything I have

LauraJo

Ok so next step had happened today. Lodger moved in, deposit and first month rent in the mortgage. (we can take the deposit out anytime we need to so feel ok about it). It all seems ok so far but we'll soon see! Earnt £100 doing some extra work today so straight into the fund. April looking good...

LauraJo

How much do 2 people need to spend on food per month? We do about £200 which seems like loads to me but OH says that is not much and doesn't want to cut back!! His best mates spend £400 between the 2 of them (there must be waste surely?!!) so thinks he is hard done by only spending £200

How much is really needed though?? How much can we get by on?!

LauraJo

Happy days! £3k in April paid off with the help of a lodger, keeping up with my cut backs, putting my remortage savings in and doing a little bit of extra work. Think I may have a glass of wine to celebrate (altho sent OH to work tonight so it'll have to be on my own!!)

:j

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi LauraJo, didn't see your question below and bear in mind everything is down to individual choice. I feed 4 adults and 2 teenagers on between £60-£80 per week. Depending upon whether I have to stock up on cleaning stuff etc. I cook from scratch but tend to batch cook, and go for variety in recipes.

Not sure if that helpsb but lends a different perspective.

Best wishes Tilly

curlygirl1971

LauraJo wrote: »

How much do 2 people need to spend on food per month? We do about £200 which seems like loads to me but OH says that is not much and doesn't want to cut back!! His best mates spend £400 between the 2 of them (there must be waste surely?!!) so thinks he is hard done by only spending £200

How much is really needed though?? How much can we get by on?!

I spend anywhere between 100-170 for one depending on what I've got in store. Sometimes I cook for my bf but sometimes he cooks for me so equals out and I often get free lunches at work. I think I spend too much but I've looked at what I buy and unless I make choices like not buy free range chicken and buy more mince, swap back to white pasta/rice from whole meal or reduce my salads/fruit - I can't see how I can do it. I dont always eat meat. I look out for offers, do comparison baskets on my supermarket.com. I occasionally bulk cook and I look out for whoopsies. I don't have a garden so can't grow my own. So although I could eat cheaper sometimes the trade off isn't worth it. I do think your OH's friend is bonkers though for spending that much!

TwinnyD

LauraJo wrote: »

How much do 2 people need to spend on food per month? We do about £200 which seems like loads to me but OH says that is not much and doesn't want to cut back!! His best mates spend £400 between the 2 of them (there must be waste surely?!!) so thinks he is hard done by only spending £200

How much is really needed though?? How much can we get by on?!

I've been aiming for £300 a month to feed 2 adults and 2 little ones, included in my £300 is all our cleaning products, toiletries & nappies. I do find just having a weekly spend total in mind makes me think about what goes in my online basket and I do take things out again if I've gone too much over.

Great overpayment :T Enjoy your wine :beer:

LauraJo

OS_QS wrote: »

You seem pretty on the ball and a wee wobble now and then wont be the end of world. But the longer you do it the more second nature it becomes, even to your OH.
I originally got ,' if I had a pound for every time you mentioned moneysaving, we could have paid off the mortgage by now!':D

Love it!! That's just the sort of thing my oh says!!