Squeaky spreadsheet diary

Tiglath

Feeling quite smug - a few weeks ago I moaned loudly in Tesco that they'd put their crabsticks up 20%. They're now back to normal

Didn't get round to sorting laundry and it's too late now. I do at least have clothes for the week. Getting up early just in case the snow hits and scuppers the trains. Continuing my December habit of taking lunch into work so will grab a couple of tubs of pate from Tesco tomorrow morning. Did an emergency shop in Sainsburys today but wasn't very organised as I've run out of prescription painkillers and my neck is not great.

Am going to see if I can have 4 NSDs this week; I'll need to get milk midweek but I'm not going to carry my bank card, just a bit of cash. I get paid in 12 days and should still have some money left despite buying the Henry. That wouldn't have happened a couple of months ago; I haven't added to my debt for 4 months now. Have re-ordered the debt pay-off order and am going for the biggest and most expensive one first rather than the 'easy wins.' I'll save about £1500 in interest overall; it'll put my DFD back a couple of months to October 2014 but it'll mean I can whack my entire cash ISA allowance into an ISA before April 2015, and be ready to carry on with the monthly maximum as soon as the tax year starts.

I'm also setting up a standing order for a monthly amount as an emergency fund and/or to cover my annual rail ticket in December so I won't need a season ticket loan from work. DH rants when I mention about him saving a monthly amount for projected car costs so now he's on his own; had enough of that and am putting savings from my salary in my name. My DFD is a moveable feast because I intend to start paying a bit into my pension again come July.

So while my 2-week holiday didn't achieve all the houseish stuff I wanted, I've got organised with paperwork and financial planning and done some decluttering and cleaning.

trishx

By all means put some money aside for your emergency fund but if your employer is offering an interest free loan for your season ticket you should definitely take it. Consider the interest you'd save on your highest interest debt if you put the money towards that instead. Heck, even if there was no debt it'd be worthwhile taking the season ticket and investing in an ISA. Assuming the loan is interest free of course (I think they usually are).

Sorry, been following for a while (the title drew me in) but just realised I've never commented before. Typing on my phone now so keeping this short. Keep spreadsheeting

Tiglath

Survived my first full working day in 6 months.

The big boss has authorised the funding for my qualification - not setting the bar too high in terms of 'official' study hours per week in case HR object over my spinal problems; got a catch-up with them tomorrow. Planning on working 8.00 - 5.30 from now on unless there's an emergency, then home/dinner/studying. Have done some sample papers online, and I'm well into the 80% marks before starting studying (pass is 70%) so I don't think this is going to be too brain-draining. Pricing bond yields etc is the only bit that causes me some trepidation so I shall practise and practise until I can do it in my sleep; I'm not a natural mathematician by any means. It's been a long long time since my Maths O Level!

I have also established that my CEL (Creme Egg Limit) is 2 this evening. Today wasn't a NSD but I did take lunch for 3 days into work. Going to have a very early night with a book.

lurvlyloz

hi Tigs.

well done on surviving work. and great news ont he qualification agreement

Tiglath

The best thing I can say about this week is that I lived through it. Have closed the front door and am not opening it again until Monday morning. Just chilling this weekend - I've earned it. Payday next Friday and I should have some money left by then.

Tiglath

Proud of my stepdaughter. She's in her first job at 18 (techie side of theatre), and is talking about starting a pension and savings plan. We had a big serious talk about it last week. I think we've probably served as a cautionary tale

Promotion won't happen this year for me, but we're angling for 12 months' time with the support of HR and the top head honcho, so I now have a game plan and extra responsibilities. Bonus questionable this year so I'm going to redo the spreadsheet on the assumption I'm not getting one, and this will push my DFD back a few months but that's okay.

lurvlyloz

always best to plan on the not getting a bonus and then if you do its a nice extra.

i bet you are very proud of you step daughter. very sensible x

Tiglath

lurvlyloz wrote: »

i bet you are very proud of you step daughter. very sensible x

Indeed - she's watched her mother have kids with different guys and now be at a loss as to what to do with herself now her childbearing years are over. The Mum's an intelligent woman; she just hasn't worked since her teens. Stepdaughter has just split up from a longterm boyfriend and is planning to save for a trip around NZ this year on her own to see relatives, followed by getting her own flat.

We've also advised stepdaughter to think ahead in terms of career development even if she stays in the theatre business. It's fun at 18 to do a 6am 'in' or a 2am 'get out' when a show's over, and lug half-tonne stage scenery around with the boys and generally not be girly, but I'm betting it's not going to be so appealing in a couple of decades once her back and knees start complaining.

It's kind of fun seeing someone at the start of their adult life when they face a world of opportunities and no ties. I'm excited for her; it makes me realise how our own risk appetite has become so staid in middle-age. That's why DH does all his charity stuff and why I'm focusing on a professional qualification and career development; the company is keen to see me get into a senior position which is really gratifying for as long as I want to work in the City, and moving into a different part of the industry 2 years ago was a genius move. I kind of lost years to bad health so I'm not going to waste any more time; I want to start living again and not have my horizons stay so small. The one thing I can say is that my brain has always been active. So the next couple of years to get debtfree and start saving and investing is all part of the plan.

I look at my own Mum at the other end of the age range and don't want to end up like that, with no real interests or activities apart from doing quizzes at the day centre and having a nice bowl of soup for tea. I'm too young to be old

Tiglath

Need to be very disciplined about reducing the overdraft by non-use as it's easy for it to creep up again; it's much harder paying this off than a card. I thought about applying for a 0% super balance transfer card, but instead have set a target of reducing the overdraft by at least £500/month. I'm aiming to have it gone for good by September or October, depending on what happens bonus-wise in May.

lurvlyloz

Ti Tigs.

over draft is the hardest one i found. harder than paying off a set amount on a cc each month.

sounds like you have aplan thoguh so im sure you'll get rid and if you get a bonus that will be a great help