Mrs Boo Boo's Budget Bonanza

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Another reincarnation. No worries though. It's ok to have a blip once in a while. The theory says that starting again is no problem as you already have previous experience behind you and will never go back to the start!!!! That's my excuse anyway.
So a few goals
1. Remortgage to a 10 year fixed rate. Have already attempted this through London & County but Nationwide wanted self employed dets for my husband for 2015. We don't have this until next year!!! and cannot provide an accountant certificate because we don't have one. Plan to go to existing mortgage provider or Halifax becauise I hear they are a bit more favourable. The thing is we want to convert to a repayment and put down £10,000 too!!! Are currently overpaying too so obviously can afford it!!!!.Duh computer says no, very frustrating. Have had a mortgage since 1987 and am used to increasing interest rates (up to 15%).
2. Keep on top of our money. have YNAB but it still doesn't add up!!! Hubbie uses his credit card for business use and then I have to work out what he owes. Plan for him to use a separate credit card for this with a direct debit to pay off each month from his business account. Creates too much stress otherwise. May look at 0% deal.
3.Plan plan plan and get on top of things financial,personal and work wise.
4. We owe my mum and dad some money (need to check how much?) so to pay them back.
5. Make more time to make stuff for craft stall rasing money for the Alzheimer's Society.
6. Get another permanent job as only working 18.75 hours a week,although have had extra hours or 3 month fixed term contracts for ages. Would love an additional 2 days a week and keep Friday afternoons free.
7. To get on top of rental property mortgage and improvements. Interest only mortgage so need to make sure we are able to pay it off,although tenant has indicated that relatives will buy it whenever we decide to sell.
8. Enjoy life a bit more. Feel a bit stuck. Need to get house a bit more comfortable. Living for tomorrow all the time. Hubbie is 50 next year.

That's all for now.
Back soon
Feel better having put it all down.
The story will enfold.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well here we go again.
Having a lovely day home alone. Hubbie gone to watch football. Dropped him off with mates and went to the gym on the way home. Yummy brunch of Christmas leftovers. Chillin a bit and thinking about catching up. Off riding soon as haven't been able to take my friend's pony out for 4 weeks. usually aim to take him out once a week either Sat or sun. She doesn't ride him. Bet he'll take a while to groom due to mud. Luckily rugs cover some of it.Weather looks ok. Listening to radio catch up. Love my radio. Unfortunately Adele interview with Grimmy not available or Chris Moyles on Radio 5. Russell Grant on Saturday Live BBC radio 4. Could download later on.

Anyway
4. Owe Mum and Dad £15,000 so have agreed to pay lump sum £5000 cos they are renovating their house at the mo. Then gradually repay the rest. They are fine with this and are not worried about the frequency but I like to pay my dues.

2. Update YNAB. Lost the plot in December so need to know the extent of the damage.

Iron uniform for next 3 days.

Think about fancy dress for New Year's Eve "Through the Ages"

Right small steps (I tend to overload myself and then feel disappointed when i don't get it all done).

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Right time to crack on today.
Started small and checked if travel expenses had been transferred into bank account. Need to do December £188.10.
Check when MOT and car insurance due and get sorted. Lovely to know I have the money though.
Read on another diary that YNAB has been updated. Do I need the latest version? Not sure.
Set up a standing order to Mum and Dad £150 a month.
Update YNAB
Finish new year letter and card to send.
Enough to be going on with
Housework etc

Happy 2016

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Ha ha where does the time go?Am always on here,but forget to update diary.
Anyway have taken out trial of new YNAB and had a bit of a training overload last weekend. Have set it up and it appears to be helping. Have YNAB 4 but didn't quite get it. Has now clicked into place and I will pay for the new version once my trial is over.
Had a big chat with hubby and he appears to be on board,although I am generally in charge. Seems to be a bit more open to budgeting and saving up.
Pay day on Monday,but doesn't count til the first of the month. Didn't get extra hours in on time so going to be a lean month this month. No worries. Need to tinker with YNAB amounts to balance. Have taken £150 into account to Mum and Dad, but not paid it yet so it will build up and there is still the flexibility,if we are short.
Car passed MOT. Insurance renewal received but large admin fee of £40 added. Need to contact and discuss. Bumps up the cost by a lot more.
Got a few birthdays next month and meals out so need to have a think about that and get the cards made.
Got curtain lining with 15% off so need to make curtains.
Bit lazy this morning so need to get on now.Housework and meal planning.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Goodness me how time flies!!! Lurk here most days.
Curtains not made yet. Have leave next week and plan to concentrate on that. Will feel better psychologically. Not got curtain poles yet,but hubbie will order now he has made up his mind what diameter.
Pleased with this month as only £28.00 over budget with YNAB if I am doing it right!!!!! Pay day on Thursday,but not got pay slips yet. Oh well will be able to check bank account first thing. Serve me right for not getting my time sheet in earlier. Will do better this month.
Well had to claim on car insurance this month. Stone flew up and cracked windscreen right across. Only had to pay £75.00 excess and all done. Need 2 new tyres so will get them next week too.
All seems under control a bit more and am putting a little bit away under YNAB to ensure I have money available when bills are due. We will see.
Running schedule going ok and not beating myself up if I can't fit it all in. Am running a half marathon in April.
Need to sort out tax bill. Always something!!!!
Good to vent on here. Feels better already.
Have a good evening.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well back again. Am so good at lurking and reading other diaries but rubbish at updating my own.
Been using YNAB and it looks like it's working,although don't quite trust it yet. Probably me not understanding it fully yet. Would love to be one month in advance so have decided to add £5 to each direct debit amount to see if I can get there slowly.
Additional hours stopped this week so have a free 2 days. Remember not to waste it. Bit concerned about where the next job is coming from,but need to relax about it and see what comes up.
It's raining today so need to crack on with it all.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Funny how I lurk on the forums every day but can't quite update my diary. Love reading those inspirational ones where people report regularly.
Getting better with YNAB. Emailed them with a question and it would appear that I am gradually understanding the finances. Getting good at paying back what is owed too. Hubbie uses credit card to buy materials for job sometimes and make sure I transfer the amount from his account now instead of bank rolling him and taking the hit. Things feel much better.
No extra hours,but looking for other jobs. Need to join the bank too. Things have changed since we were taken over in April. Need to find out if I can transfer my stakeholder pension back into the employer one.May even be able to reinstate my previous pension as this is much better than the new one.
Been trying to make curtains for a few weeks so really must crack on and forget about housework etc.
Learned something this month though. Spent a lot of the groceries budget early on and managed to hold back and still have food available. Made do with buying essentials like bread and milk and living out of the freezer and store cupboard. Still coping well and know we have enough food to last us into next month. Even managing to use up dried beans,cous cous, pudding rice,tapioca basically stuff which has been hanging around for a while. Will continue to use stuff up. Also making a big effort to eat more vegetables and experimenting with vegetarian dishes. Stopped buying biscuits,crisps and chocolate. Limiting alcohol too. Feels much better. Oh and also cutting down on caffeine. Seem to sleep better.
Really want to pay more off the mortgage. YNAB is great because I can add to amounts and save them up,but if I need the money I can transfer it to something else.
All good stuff.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Well here again. Pay day but using YNAB so use my pay day as the 1st. First part time wages so a bit of a let down. Should be all covered,but need to keep an eye on groceries budget. Been faffing around for a while since less hours. So easy to waste the day. So need to crack on and get stuff sorted.
Got paperwork for pension transfer so get that done and dusted.
Complete travel claim.
Read through paperwork and renew house contents and buildings insurance. Already budged for via YNAB. yippie.
Feeling a bit frustrated at not getting on top of things due to part time wages,but just have to be patient. My goal is to have one months money saved to cover all outgoings.
Right need to get dressed and crack on.
Bye for now