8.8 years

mrsdee

Octobergirl wrote: »

I've done some tweaking of budget forecasts, and now aim to be mortgage free Sept 2019.
51 months.
4.3 years.

The £1.4 k is burning a hole in my pocket......have been holiday hunting for next Easter, going to book directly with hotel, keeping an eye on the Euro.

Never had surplus in my account before as always slightly in o/d to keep me on the straight and narrow ( even with savings) I figure paying a few pounds interest on o/d still outweighs my potential 'blow it'

Hi there for some reason I haven't received any notifications via email on this thread even though I subscribed some time ago! Until this morning, that is! I too have that issue of a desperate need to get rid of/spend any spare dough in my account and it's terrible! What I now do is have a saving account set up next to my main bank account and push the extra straight over. I also "hide" the account from the view I see when I log into my internet banking - that way I literally cant see it or wonder how much is in there. Somehow that seems to help (silly as it seems). I've even started moving the money across straight after pay day once I've worked out how much I THINK I am going to have left at the end of the month, based on my budgeting.


Sounds like you are spending wisely though! Good luck - the end is in sight!!

Octobergirl

That's a good system Mrs Dee, I haven't cracked it yet! Going to take food/petrol money out in cash for the month and then not touch account. Didn't realise you could hide online accounts, I shall have a look tomorrow.

Missing our dog dreadfully, house feels empty. Trying to home a recue dog is proving much more difficult than I thought. The first we enquired about had a change of heart by the owner, still waiting on the second, after enquiring twice we've had no contact back from the rescue centre. A strange way to operate?

I've been having a good old mull over the mortgage/pension situation. My old pension ( stopped when I became a SAHM 9 years ago) is worth £43 a month when I retire......frightening. Ive come to the decision to stop all overpayments on the mortgage and set up a pension instead. it goes against the grain, the mortgage is back to 5 years rather than 4.2 yrs.

Octobergirl

The second rescue dog we enquired about is being kept by its foster carer.....we're having a home visit by a potentional on Thursday and are being assessed by a rescue centre on Friday. Missing my doggy walks ��

Octobergirl

Had a wonderful summer, cracked it by doing a few little camping trips throughout.....and stayed in budget. Having been a hardcore camper for the past 15 years, I am converted to glamping.

Our rescue dog moved in with us today, he's adorable, some training to do and anxious from being abandoned/passed from pillar to post, but I think he will settle quickly.

Still haven't stopped overpayments or started pension. Head says yes, heart says no!

ourcornercottage

Octobergirl wrote: »

Still haven't stopped overpayments or started pension. Head says yes, heart says no!

could you do both? Start with minimum into a pension monthly and overpay what is left. That way at least you are getting started

Octobergirl

Hi ourcornercottage, I've finally stopped dithering and done as you've suggested. Cut back my overpayments to £100pm (ouch) and started up a pension for £200pm.

Disheartening to see how little that will bring in pension wise in 20 odd years time, feels like a fortune now! the plan is to increase that once the mortgage is paid off.

Octobergirl

It's been an expensive month. Our new rescue doggy has cost a small fortune in medical bills, but he is on the mend (hopefully). Also paid out for training classes, new equipment, insurance etc.

Also paid out £100 for light bulbs:eek: in the process of converting our 25 downstairs spotlights over to GU10s. It's nice to be able to see in the kitchen now!

A quiet half term planned. I've organised a big Halloween party/sleepover for next weekend. Lots of Christmas presents bought, still don't know whether hubbie gets time off, which will determine whether we travel to in-laws or stay at home.

Octobergirl

our new dog has taken up a lot of time and money, but it's lovely having him with us.

All Christmas shopping done, hubby has 4 days off, so we are able to visit family in Cornwall:j

Need to fix new mortgage rate before they rise. Did well with my budget for most of the year, but went off the boil last 2/3 months.

5 years 4 months left without overpayments.

Octobergirl

Happy 2016. It's 3 years since I started this diary. I'm not altogether sure much has changed!

My weight is still a shocker. 4 stone STILL to lose. Paleo started again.
Overdraft is only £200. Should be clear by next month.
Savings been ransacked, so only £400 left.
Mortgage; 54 months left, hopefully less
Pension started :T
Lost 2 dogs in 2015:cry RIP
Welcomed a new dog:)
Joined a gym
Got a new job
Had some fantastic holidays.

Octobergirl

Paleo is going well, half stone lost since Christmas.

Spent £100 in B@@ts 70% off sale this morning. this bought £300 worth of presents, which covers lots of birthdays, end of year teachers/carers and Christmas teachers/carers, plus a few stocking fillers, so very pleased.

Had a great dog training session tonight, the first where our boy didn't bark throughout from fear and anxiety. I've signed up to repeat the course, as he's just got to the stage where he can cope with being near the other dogs.

Dropped a day at work, which will mean less money, but hopefully be a better balance. Dd is not in a good way at the moment. We're now under cahms, and I need the time to get support in place for her.

14 weeks til sunny hols. Aiming to lose another stone.