To Freedom...

kirstypark

we had a nice christmas and then a wonderful trip to Blackpool with the kids - it was cold, wet and almost snowing, but we all enjoyed it and laughed so much. Dancing in the ballroom was wonderful - we learned a new jive, then there was a practice session and Mr P and I were the only ones on the floor - i felt like a princess!

Anyway, finally got paid today and am going to concentrate on saving a bit of cash this month, so a small overpayment going through today and credit card paid off. We did spend a lot in Blackpool, but had such a great time that it was worth it. :T

kirstypark

Direct debit went through today and balance down a wee bit again, best of all, there is some cash in our saving account for the first time in months! OH is off working in his 2nd job tonight and i am sitting with my new diary planning all the lovely things we hope to do this year - more dances, a residential dance weekend, a couple of VW shows, a charity ride from john of groats to lands end and a couple of freinds are turning 50 with some plans to celebrate and a much waited trip to celebrate a 40th birthday in new york.

We also have our beloved camper to finish renovating and start enjoying every weekend again. So, overpaying anything will be an acheivement. I am having a sober january, and start working extra in my new admin role next week so plan on being very busy and won't have time to go shopping.

kirstypark

Rounded up my accounts including some topcashback and some pennies of interest and paid another £25.86 into the mortgage today. Although it's been ages since we made any whopping payments it's still nice to see the balance decreasing. The smallest mortgage (which we had paid off in 2013) is now just under 23k and when that goes it will feel like we are racing towards the end again. But think realistically that will be at least 2 years away.

Had fun at shops yesterday picking up some bargains - pears, pastry, chicken and cheese. Only spent around £19, I love this time of year... Other great buy was organic creamy milk much reduced to 29p which got made into a lush slow cooker rice pudding. DD came home with armfuls of jaffacakes - about 12 packets for a quid. Must start diet soon, all these bargains are not great for the waistline!

kirstypark

parents away on holiday for the winter months and emptied their freezer into ours - it was like having a food bank arrive! so the freezer is full of meat and fish and we have eaten for free all week. Kids also away on holiday so have the house to ourself which is almost like a holiday for us! Been busy at work with my new 2nd job - working admin for the next week and not doing much clinical work at all to get as much done as possible, it's been stressful, but am enjoying the challenge. And lots of overtime..

OH got paid for his 2nd job and paid for a dance residental weekend at easter 💃 and there was £120 left to overpay today. OH needs a new pair of trousers this week, so will have to hit the shops this weekend and have a make up party tonight, but someone gave me an order to hand in so won't need to spend much and not feel guilty.

kirstypark

Things were going well, then the boiler started playing up - :mad: we knew when we moved in that it probably only had another 2 years of life left, and that was 18 months ago, so should have been saving up for it - but, of course, bought a campervan instead..

Well, we managed to get it working more or less again as long as we don't want hot water when the heating is on. Have to start saving again, it is too risky not having a nest egg to fall back on.

Anyway, loads of overtime this month and more booked for next month. Also getting going with my dissertation which is due in a few months time. Life is busy and a bit stressful right now.

kirstypark

Got a tax rebate :j:j from mr P's last self assessment. So that will go into our saving for a boiler fund. Did find another £69.36 today to pay into mortgage however.

We found a new dance tutor to take us for a block of 6 lessons, she is very strict and it's not fun learning with her, but have prepaid so will carry on. Have a practice session most wednesdays and a social last night, so the bank balance is suffering a bit with all that.

Lots of lovely overtime coming my way - that should help, we now have a new manager who is going to need some help next month too - but i don't think it will last past March as i am needed in my own job more. It's tiring working these hours but it's been exciting doing a new challenge.

kirstypark

wages day and all that lovely overtime makes such a difference. :j most of the excess is skimmed off to our savings account for a new boiler, but there was some left over for an overpayment of 224.30 and that brings our total to just under £84k. another grand knocked off :T:T

Also managed to put £50 into my isa, I need to lock away some cash that i cannot get instant access on, although the isa rate is terrible. We used to count on getting out overpayments back if we really needed them, but not so confident now that we could do that. Been thinking about buying extra years into my NHS pension so will investigate that.

Was watching a programme yesterday about a family who were spending around £260 a week on food - thats more than my food budget for a MONTH! We were very guilty of wondering round supermarkets in the old days chucking stuff into our basket, what a money we have wasted.

kirstypark

direct debit was paid in today and hope to do another overpayment this month when daughter pays her rent and no council tax to pay. Not got much planned for Feb at all, just lots of work and study. Campervan has started the rebuild and might not be too long before we can get it on the road again, buying wee bits of that has not been as expensive as we thought.

kirstypark

paid another £227 today from daughters rent money and no council tax. also put a bit into the savings for a boiler. Got my tax code for next year and it's finally returned to normal as had been about 300 with my two jobs. So that should give me a bit more every month. Work has been mad busy, doing 9 hour days just to get caught up with stuff beofre new manager arrives, so lots of lovely overtime, but it's staring to wear a bit and took a day's leave today to get caught up on my dissertation. I'll be glad when April comes and I can get my old life back.

velocity_girl

Hi Kirsty

Fairly new round here and just read all the way through your diary! You are making such great progress. Really nice to read yours as well as, though I am keen to overpay, we also want to move to a "forever home" probably in a few years. Nice to see how positive you can be even when the balance has gone up rather than down!

Will be following your journey