Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

Sooo....

All looking ok, not quite as overspent as I'd thought although given that this month follows Christmas and includes house repairs, dentist and osteopath costs that's possibly quite good in itself (not discussing the amount of expensive chocolate or clothes ) . I've put £100 back in the buffer for this month and next - February includes the extra interest costs for the remortgage so isn't entirely straightforward either. I've got one trip away planned and just heard about another possibility so want to leave some funds free for that (though have just realised that actually it should be split petrol costs and we might be able to stay with friends, so maybe it won't be so expensive after all).

Spare room is now tidy and hoovered and I feel so much better for having it sorted. The 3bay bags are ready for photos and the DIY stuff is all downstairs waiting to be taken to the garage. Quite looking forward to sorting through the Christmas stuff and packing it into the fabulous new box . Also means the room is clear for taking some photos and finally getting some money back out of the clothes I'm not wearing .

So progress, even if it's slow and even if I am falling off the wagon in all the usual directions :rotfl:. The thing I notice and like is that now I'm prioritising my health and enjoyment costs and they are coming out of the budget first. That's much better than my previous methods of paying chunks to the debt or buffer to make myself feel better about that, then ending up theoretically overspending and feeling bad about it. Happiness goal in action


Rosa xx

EssexHebridean

That's good lifestyle choices right there Rosa! It's a lot of the reason that we decided to budget specific amounts for "fun" and that our "money we didn't know we had" that used to make the extra mortgage OP's now goes towards bigger "fun" spends - so the extra bits of going away we've done with that group of friends for example. Always nice to know that stuff like that can be done, and that there is a budget for it!

Christmas stuff to the garage - now why on EARTH did I not think of that before? Doh! I'm looking vaguely at those plastic drawer units which are basically three storage boxes in an upright unit and wonder whether I can find Garage space for one of those actually. Not quite convinced yet though - either from a space OR a quality point of view.

RosaBernicia

EssexHebridean wrote: »

That's good lifestyle choices right there Rosa! It's a lot of the reason that we decided to budget specific amounts for "fun" and that our "money we didn't know we had" that used to make the extra mortgage OP's now goes towards bigger "fun" spends - so the extra bits of going away we've done with that group of friends for example. Always nice to know that stuff like that can be done, and that there is a budget for it!

Christmas stuff to the garage - now why on EARTH did I not think of that before? Doh! I'm looking vaguely at those plastic drawer units which are basically three storage boxes in an upright unit and wonder whether I can find Garage space for one of those actually. Not quite convinced yet though - either from a space OR a quality point of view.

Thanks EH

It's taking me a while to adjust to the idea that I can afford fun without feeling guilty about it, but I'm getting there, don't worry

I looked at those drawer units in a few of the local stores, but as you say they don't seem to be very good quality and also I thought they were quite small. The RU bauble box (which in my case has the same number of insert spaces as the picture, despite all the reviews posted where it didn't!) is 35l and that's a sensible size for me to be able to carry when it's full as well as fitting tall things in it. Arg05 have 3 RU 35l boxes for £29, and I can get £10 off with a ShopNScan voucher so I think I'd rather spend £19 on the three high quality stackable RUs than £25 on two drawer units that don't look as sturdy. It won't really take up much more space.


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

Today's lesson, folks, is - never trust your insurance renewal.

I've just saved £60 on my home insurance by phoning up my company and pointing out that the loyalty discounts they promised in one letter (as I also insure my car with them) were not actually being applied in the renewal they sent with another letter :cool: .

I'm very happy with the company, but fed up with being taken for a mug. Last time I pointed out to them that it was cheaper for me to go via TCB and get the cashback than accept the renewal. This time I thought the loyalty discount was a good idea and would compensate for that, but of course it only works if they actually apply the thing. Apparently it's all two different systems that don't talk to each other but anyhow, five minutes on the phone, £60 back in my pocket not theirs

beanielou

Good news on the 60 quid

RosaBernicia

beanielou wrote: »

Good news on the 60 quid

I'm having a slightly obsessive YNAB phase and fiddling with it trying to get the Feb overspend down. For now it's within the Feb paycheque 'spare' with enough left for an extra trip if that happens. Then all being well March should be clear and I can put some money aside to the van costs and furniture. I think I might look for a 0% deal from one of the more expensive furniture stores as I'm just not finding what I want in the cheaper ones and I want this to be right and versatile and last a long time.

beanielou

What are you looking for furniture wise?
I am starting a journey to look for a half decent chair which is firm but comfortable & easy to get up from. Hopefully not to expensive :eek:

RosaBernicia

beanielou wrote: »

What are you looking for furniture wise?
I am starting a journey to look for a half decent chair which is firm but comfortable & easy to get up from. Hopefully not to expensive :eek:

I want a new (to me) sofa in a better colour for the room, and have now decided it actually needs to be a sofa bed so that I can have more people to stay. Unfortunately the one in the Swedish shop may not come in quite the right colour which is very annoying, and I'm having to look elsewhere. There are a couple of the big stores near the office I'm going to tomorrow so I shall have a wander and look for ideas, but they do look to be more expensive. I'd also forgotten that if it's not the Swedish shop I won't get it for weeks anyway!

beanielou

Good luck

WannabeFree

Well done on the insurance, definitely better in your pocket than theirs!

Good luck finding the right furniture

x