Southernman's steps to freedom!

ultrarunner

yes it is a conundrum!

I would favour a higher weighting to the pension personally, as inflation will gradually negate your mortgage (and house prices may perhaps rise increasing your equity), but making up for lost time in pension conts is far harder. I increase my pension conts each time I get a payrise.

do you work for RBS group perhaps? (your work arrangement sounds similar to the Coutts setup)

gallygirl

I would pay the whole pay rise into the pension. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear! But it's becoming so difficult to build up a decent pot, and you are already 'cheating' your pension by 10%.

Southernman

ultrarunner wrote: »

yes it is a conundrum!

do you work for RBS group perhaps? (your work arrangement sounds similar to the Coutts setup)

Yes, yes i do.

Gallygirl i also think you're right. I went to bed thinking about it and woke up thinking PENSION. I will put it all into my pension and take advantage of the tax relief.

Plus i would get £20 pocket money when the 810L changes to something higher in April (not sure of the official term of this)

Southernman

Holy Moly there was absolute trauma this morning!

I was about to leave my flat to go to work and realised i'd forgotten my glasses, so i went back into my bedroom, went into the ensuite and picked them up off the sink.

So i went out again and put my hand on the door handle...it came off in my hand and as it opens inwards i couldn't get out!

Luckily i shouted my flatmate's name and he managed to get me out by using the outside handle to open it but if he wasn't there i would have been stranded!!

Reason for not coming in to work: trapped in my bedroom with no means of escape!

I laugh now but at the time i was panicking!!!

Anyway a joiner came out this evening and fixed it so all is good!

Southernman

Me and Mr S had a Christmas meal on Sunday and it was lovely! We did it on the cheap, cost about £5 each! I'm home now with the oldies. My mum has made some mince pies and we've been bargain hunting in Aldi and Morrisons, we managed to grab a turkey for £10!!!

Our actual turkey for tomorrow is the biggest ever!! 19lb and it was hard work cleaning it and stringing the legs together! More trauma tomorrow getting it in the oven!!

Now i want to save up slowly for a luxury item. I was thinking of throwing £100 here on bonus months, £50 here and there but still focus on the mortgage so i don't feel so guilty!! I don't have a car which eats all my funds but i would like a nice watch and pay a little more. Then i think the money could mean my mortgage would get paid off much quicker if i don't. The conundrum! I'm trying to justify it as i'm not going abroad (as of yet) next year whereas 2012 had 4 holidays in total (3 abroad)

It's good to treat yourself on occasion though otherwise you'd go mad...right?? I'm not looking at a watch for £10k or anything crazy but these things last a lifetime. I have a Rado one which i got on my 21st and i've worn it nearly every day since and it's something i love and appreciate and it was for a memorable occasion.

I'm considering a second hand one that's worth about half the value of a brand new one, there's a second hand jewelers in Manchester where i got my Rado from so i need to keep my eye out for the style i like.

Southernman

Was going to buy a Nexus 7 in the Christmas sales with the money i'm getting from the Saturday overtime.

Looks like I don't need to now! Young Mr S bought me one. Going to put the money towards my mortgage instead!

Was going to buy a new phone but again I'm not going to bother now that I have this!

Hope everyone's had a nice christmas! I'm considering getting next years Christmas presents in the sales!!!!

gallygirl

Southernman wrote: »

I'm considering getting next years Christmas presents in the sales!!!!

Can I recommend if you do you post on here where you've hid them :rotfl:.

Southernman

Ha I did buy lots for next year! I've got my mum's birthday present and my brother's! Half price on gift ideas in Boots! I also got some dresses and a skirt! Spent £45 but I got some Christmas money!

Gallygirl it's going in my utility cupboard hidden underneath my toilet rolls!

Southernman

Should be able to overpay £1000 lump sum in February. I like doing a grand lump sum as it means my automatic overpayment amount increases without doing anything. My current amount is £106.27! It should equate to another obscure amount!!!

sweetdaisy

Southernman wrote: »

Ha I did buy lots for next year! I've got my mum's birthday present and my brother's! Half price on gift ideas in Boots! I also got some dresses and a skirt! Spent £45 but I got some Christmas money!

Gallygirl it's going in my utility cupboard hidden underneath my toilet rolls!

Wow! You are so organised and looks like you had some good bargains.