Goodbye Mortgage - the beginning of the end!

Beckyy

I hope you find a better value policy habibiboo! If you can, try to overlap them by 14 days to be on the safe side, as most policies have a 14 day cooling off period which won't cover you for some things.

£co have some good cashback deals too, and we knocked off a fair bit by removing the 'bells and whistles' for things like cost back on death etc. which most seem to add on as standard.


Managed a small cycle this morning, I think it's less about the distance and more about motivating me to eat better and drink plenty of water today!

Watty1

Well done on the pet insurance. My dog's policy leapt up this year which the company explained was because I had had a big claim last year. They were rather flummoxed when I asked why it didn't go down on the years we had never claimed........
Given the chaps age I can't get the same cover anywhere now and they were very quick to try to get me to cancel it so I'm going to swallow it for now. Am thinking about saving a similar amount each month for next dog now so that I start with a pot to which I just add and thus self insure instead as this pet insurance is so expensive as they get elderly and doggie has never actually claimed anything until last year and he is 9 now.

Beckyy

They have you between a rock and a hard place because you just never know, it's a shame they couldn't answer Watty! Their excuse for me was because 'vets bills are always rising', just not for new customers obviously...

Beckyy

Mortgage balance: £92,042.26

Our normally monthly payment has gone through, it's SO close to being in the £91K's, but no doubt with daily interest by the end of the month it'll be up another £100 or so. Looking forward to our next OP

I seem to have hayfever, or a cold, neither of which is welcome! Especially when I need to cut the grass this afternoon

Work is v.busy this week, which should be a good boost on payday just need to remind myself that that first thing in the morning when the snooze button is so close to hand...

The house has been a bit neglected this week with work, so this afternoon I have a long list of chores to get done, then I would LOVE to get an early night as the extra shifts have left me a bit short of sleep!

Beckyy

Had a hectic week or two, feels like ages since I've posted.


Budgeting isn't going so well as I've been so busy and have lost track of some things. We've had a couple of family birthday, but have another 7 more to buy for (!). Almost everyone we're related to is born over the summer, and whilst we budget for presents the amount I've allowed for for each person isn't really enough to some relatives.


I'm not really sure what we'll be able to achieve at the end of the month and next month. We may not be able to reach both our OP and savings target. I think I will complete our OP target and fall short on savings, purely because of the interest rates.


Groceries have gone over budget again, I think I'm just resigned to the fact that we will always spend quite a lot on food, and as long as we can afford it and do budget realistically then I don't mind so much. Been contemplating a veg box again but after the last couple we had I felt a bit ripped off so not going to bother.


Have some £co cashback waiting to come through, is all confirmed


Have been keeping up with exercising as much as I can, but having a couple of rest days as there just isn't enough hours in a week at the moment. The house is feeling a but neglected so I'll get some things done today before work.


I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Crumpets

Hi Beckyy, sounds like you've been very busy. Ouch to buying all those birthday presents. I always find buying for people so difficult, there never seems to be anything my relatives want. Do you mind asking what you budget for birthdays? We usually budget £20 for relatives and I don't tend to buy for friends these days. Sometimes though if it's a special birthday we spend a lot more

I was thinking about getting a veg box again, but like you I'm in two minds. If it was just me and dh I'd get one but the kids probably won't eat anything weird and wonderful so it would probably be a waste for me. I'm going to look into it though, and maybe organic meat delivery.

Well done for doing exercise in this heat! :T

Beckyy

Initially I was budgeting £15 per relative, but we're coming in at around £20-30, depending on how close we are to them etc. I don't begrudge it at all but I've found it's so hard to find something spot on for under £20.


I just ordered some flowers for my Nan today (v.difficult to buy for!) and even the cheapest bunch which were nice enough not to look stingy were just under £25 delivered with a voucher code. :eek:
I think I'll increase to £20-25 per relative for birthdays.


The veg boxes we had were nice, but a bit hit and miss, we ended up getting the same things quite often and whilst it was probably not the best time of year, there's only so much celeriac I could eat!

I hope you're you've had some nice weather Crumpets, it's been so hot the past few days! :cool:

lilmissmup

I try to use vouchers from surveys for pressies. Need to try build a little pot up for Christmas.

Beckyy

It's not been a very MSE-day.


I didn't realise the money for something I ordered was coming out my my account so soon and it took me into an (unplanned) overdraft yesterday, then when something came out today it took it past my the £50 buffer my account allows so not only will I lose the £5 reward for this month, but I might also be charged the £5 a day fee as although it's back in the black now it went past the £50 buffer. Not too sure but very annoyed at myself as it was totally unnecessary and could have been avoided if I'd been more careful!


Also Car failed it's MOT so a few hundred pounds of parts and labour there. It's all budgeted for but doesn't make it any nicer!

Beckyy

I should be able to start on our August OP tomorrow. Haven't managed nearly as much in July, but had quite an expensive month with BTL expenses.


Our £co should help this month as a few things have come through. It's still the savings target I'm struggling with as we're a good month behind on it. I'd always rather reach the OP target first, as it will save us more money but we really need the savings if we want to move.


Ordered the 1p razor for OH, hope it arrives ok. Need to remember to cancel the subscription!