Balancing not just the budget

doingitanyway

No Sunday shuffle last week?
Hoping all is going okay.

RosaBernicia

doingitanyway wrote: »

No Sunday shuffle last week?
Hoping all is going okay.

Thanks DIA



Shuffle got done belatedly... it looks ok IF the mortgage payments fall right. I have been putting off phoning to check so must do that. Also need to sort account I opened for the bonus but the switch doesn't seem to have gone through.



All well otherwise, making a bit of progress on decluttering and wardrobe weeding. And doing a lot of curling on duvet listening to audiobooks





Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Another belated shuffle - looking ok, things are coming back under control a bit.



Chased up remortgage and relieved to hear it is all still on course. Paid for tyres for the car. Claimed expenses, which turned out to be £20 more than I had thought for mileage. Guiltily relieved to hear that trip away next weekend may be cancelled due to weather - that would put £110 back in the kitty and give me another weekend to get things done around the house (and I confess I am not particularly looking forward to it as the travel will outweigh the time with people).



Probably need a house repair and need to get on with finding someone to do it. Also need to chase up handyman on earlier jobs. Also need to book a dentist appointment as realised I haven't had one in far too long.



I am trying to get out of my extra contract - it's due to finish this year anyway and I no longer find it interesting enough to justify the time it takes. The money is nice but nothing like a going rate and just not worth the sacrifice of my time any more, now that my money situation is steadier. Waiting to hear if any alternatives will be proposed, but expecting it will stop.



Beginning to think about the garden - hoping to grow things this spring




Rosa xx

doingitanyway

You are sounding positive and organised.
I plan to join you in at last growing something for Spring. I want to enjoy the garden this year for the first time in so many years.

RosaBernicia

doingitanyway wrote: »

You are sounding positive and organised.
I plan to join you in at last growing something for Spring. I want to enjoy the garden this year for the first time in so many years.

Have a look at this website DIA . Everything I had from them was ace.



I got out my box of seeds from the shed and sorted through it, and bought myself a lovely new proper tin to keep them dry and mouse free in future! Somebody had nibbled the flower seed packets! They are all a few years old as from before I moved into the flat, but hopefully some will still be OK. I've ordered more and now need to investigate whether to buy myself a plastic mini greenhouse or splash out and buy a wooden one. Planters can be sorted nearer the time and I am considering hiring help again to dig out the beds I want to use.

RosaBernicia

Super quick Sunday shuffle - all done, stung at charges on CC as I only paid off half the balance thinking I'd just get the rest on payday as the transactions didn't match up and I wanted to clarify the actual balance. Had forgotten that it's a high APR so that bit of silliness when tired and distracted has cost me £30 in interest :mad: .

Christmas is also costing me - already over budget on a couple of present but under on others so I guess it evens out. Found I have plenty of decorations I'd forgotten about but need to pick up some cards.


Still running a bit ahead of myself but it's coming back under control so hopefully sorted by February.


Rosa xx

doingitanyway

£30 stings but remember when we had not had our lightbulb moments and that (and more) was our monthly reality?

You sound like you have it under control

RosaBernicia

doingitanyway wrote: »

£30 stings but remember when we had not had our lightbulb moments and that (and more) was our monthly reality?

You sound like you have it under control

It doesn't feel very under control... and I was just thinking earlier about lightbulb moments. I got the figure to pay off for the remortgage and it means emptying the buffer fund til payday, which feels very uncomfortable. I'm going to prioritise building the buffer back up now.

I am also really cross at the CC situation as I don't feel I can see what I'm doing with it any more. YNAB seems to think I have everything budgeted for so it's green, but I know I don't have enough cash on hand to clear it til payday which feels very wrong too. I think I'm going to clear it asap and will just have to accept the charges as of course I suddenly realised it is racking up more while it waits - however, I want to pay the conveyancing company first so that nothing can hold up the mortgage, so it will have to wait another few days.

I think it will be time for some new budget thinking in the new year.


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Another quick Sunday shuffle...

Have paid off half the CC now, which means I still have spare cash during the mortgage transfer - all being well, I can then pay off the rest before the statement date.

Christmas is paid for, just a few stamps for the very last minute cards I've written and may as well send plus flowers for the relative I'm spending the day with if I can find decent ones tomorrow. I know there will be some cash coming in as a present but have already said to people that I bought myself my gift in the sales so will just be putting cash back in general funds.

My new current account doesn't appear to have actually done the switch I asked for and it is well past the 30 days now, so will have missed out on that bonus. Oh well. Will phone and grumble at them tomorrow now lots of other admin done.

I have enough left in this month's budget to go to the cinema with friends, have a meal out if we fancy one and buy DIY stuff for next weekend. Oh, and for a fitness pass I will hopefully start now that all the Christmas madness is calming down. So all pretty OK. Still not quite back on track but getting there and Christmas always gets in the way so think I'm doing all right.

So glad not to be doing a long drive this year and really enjoying having time in my own home

Hope everyone is also enjoying this time of year even in the madness - and if the madness is getting to you or it's really not a good time for you, that it zooms by quickly.


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Quick check up shuffle, last of the year :eek:

All ok, a little extra spending on last minute gifts but this weekend has been quieter than expected so all evens out. I have money in reserve in case needed during the mortgage swop but it should all be ok - and in fact I must phone them tomorrow to check, they were supposed to ring me and haven't. As soon as that is clarified I can clear the CC completely and barring surprises should be back on track completely on payday. That is a good feeling

Will have a think about some goals for the new year. This year has been a lot more spending than I thought and I don't have as much spare cash at this point due to both the van costs and some ongoing appointments. I want to make sure I do keep track of what I'm doing and hopefully build the buffer fund back up gradually.

Have a lovely New Year all


Rosa xx