8.8 years

Octobergirl

Snaffled some great bargains this week, my annual visit to Christy's outlet sale, I bought a £300 duvet set for £14.

Realised this morning that I was cramming my 10 year old daughter into a track suit designed for 6 year olds. So trotted off to the Sp@rts D!rect liquidation sale. Bought 2 pairs of hiking boots, a fleece, track suit, 2 pairs joggers and 2 t shirts for £66.

Motability car needs changing, can't believe how time is flying.

Octobergirl

A wonderful 2 weeks in the sun, I booked directly with the hotel/skyscanner this time and got 2 weeks half board for the same price as 1 week SC last year.
OnlY able to do this as our school holidays fell outside of rest of uk. Sadly they coincide next year.

New sofa bed arrived today, can now play musical beds in comfort!

Also ordered new car today, lease hire so no difference in monthly cost, although bigger, so more petrol consumption. Making the effort to walk to school now.
All under control financially at the mo.......hopefully it will continue.

Octobergirl

Got serious holiday blues. We asked the children if they had the choice, sunny holiday or Christmas. They both opted for sunny holiday. Playing with figures, but not realistically doable.

New lease hire car arriving on Friday, no difference in costs, but bigger and more practical. Serious cleaning of old car needed, it's a disgrace.

Finances gone according to plan this month, even chipped away at OHs overdraft. Having v. Lazy half term, DD seems to need less entertaining.

Neighbour has put his house on market for very optimistic price. We have extra bedroom, wet room and utility, so will be interesting to see how much it goes for. Has made me look at ours, we've not spent any money on maintenance since building works, starting to look shabby. I shall be making a list of things that need doing......hopefully stop me from booking frivolous holidays!

Octobergirl

After persuading myself not to, the christmas holiday I had my eye on was reduced by £300. I've gone and booked it. eeek. So, need to be very frugal for the next 6 months, got money in the budget as long as no unnessessary spending. It means we won't be going away in April, but I'm looking forward to a very low key, non materialistic christmas now.

An unexpected £250 rebate, which has gone towards oh š overdrAft.Nearly got rid of that now.

Octobergirl

Had a lovely summer. The great weather made a huge difference. Holidayed by the sea and glamped in a forest, both fab. Finances took a hit with an unexpected trip for a funeral.

Current mortgage of 45k. Everything is bumbling along nicely. 12 weeks til sunny Christmas. Presents bought for kids in arg@s 3 for 2. Deliberating on cheap but fun birthday for DD.

Octobergirl

Its 4 years since I started this diary. If we can continue with the same payments, we have 3.11 years left on the mortgage, so we've reduced it by an additional 9 months on top of the 10 year cut in term.

Octobergirl

Well we finished 2016 being £200 overdrawn. Not bad considering we sneaked a hot holiday in at Christmas.

The rainy day fund stands at £1200/£6000

Having gone holiday mad in 2016 we will be having two, very frugal, uk camping trips in 2017. There is a lot we need to do to the house.

DD is going through a rough time with winter blues again. On the upside, we had decided to purchase a specialist piece of equipment At £6k, but after watching out on ebay for the past year ,managed to get one for £1k. They are like hens teeth, so very delighted.

We have one more piece of equipment to buy at £5k, have £2.5k saved so aim is to save enough by April.

I've managed to persuade boy child not to go down the £150 laser party route but shall be doing a themed party instead at £30 max.

Other than this just plodding on. 47 months to go.

Octobergirl

Nearly 3 years since I last posted. OH and I separated a month after the last post - my decision. We did a 2 year separation to see if there was a chance to make things work but both knew deep down it was time to move on. Fortunately, by overpaying, I’ve been able to take on the mortgage, which is now at £30k. The target is to pay this off in 8 years. I won’t be making over payments, as I need to save a further £65k in 8 years for the divorce settlement.

Octobergirl

Achievements over past 3 years:
Remained amicable with OH
Financially independent
DD in new school & happy
Lost 2 stone

Targets for 2020:
Finalise divorce
New mortgage in my name
New bathroom
Decorate hall /kitchen/bedroom
Change landline contract
Mobile phone for DS
Save £5k
Lose 2 stone

Mortgage_Minimiser

Hi Octobergirl

I didnt want to read and run. So sorry to hear your news, but it is great to see how you are able to make the right decisions for you / your life and not have the financial worry - all thanks to your hard work over the last few years. Well done, and keep going - this will all be done in the blink of an eye.

MM
x