The BIG Plan...

MummyEm

So as expected, have just gone in to our OD on our main current account. Still trying to keep this to a minimum and should only be for a few days (the charges aren't too astronomical luckily).

On a more positive note

-Have claimed back some overpaid tax from HMRC of approx £330
-One small eb@y sales of approx £15 after fees etc.
-1poll payment still pending of £40
-Current account cashback scheme has £16.79 to pay plus £13.08 waiting to clear
-£co confirmed £13.61 with some more pending
-Have around £40 to bank from FB sales

I think I will request the cleared cashback funds as daft to have a OD when have money that could pay it off. If it doesn't clear before payday, it can go straight to the mortgage for OP.

Also picked up some extra part time work this month which I wasn't expecting to be paid for until end of Nov but just found out it will come this month.

Monthly meal planning is still going well. Some rejigging has been done to accommodate last minute changes to plans/activities but much prefer it to the hassle of doing it weekly. I will need to do one more small shop to get us through the rest of the month. May do this online as less likely to overspend and have a code for discount somewhere in my emails.

MummyEm

Started looking through mortgage and life ins paperwork last night due to fixed rate being up for renewal end of march - wanted to double check details and have a nosey at what deals are out there.

Looking at our decreasing Life Ins policy that we originally took when we took on the mortgage, we have paid £14,000 more than we should have done by now plus on paper we have 3 years less to run on it (though OP's take us to approx 4.5 years less though this will show in our next yearly statement)!

Not bad really considering the amount we've spent on our house extension and renovation.

atypicalblonde

Hi MummyEm, lovely to *hear* from you. I'm just skim reading today as utterly dog tired, but just wanted to say hi, its nice to read your posts again xx

MummyEm

Hi ATB

Lovely to *see* you too! I have been keeping up with your diary though must apologise as have been reading on the run and not replying. I have been enjoying your latest challenge- you work so hard that I really do find it motivating. I've been reading about your foray into AirBnB with interest, but don't think I have any hope of convincing DH...

MummyEm

Feeling down in the dumps at the moment but better news on the money front.

-1poll payout received £40
-HMRC confirmed Tax overpayment of £335 so should receive cheque in next 14 days
-shopping all done which should see us through to the end of the month

Must get myself motivated as need to get some ironing done.

atypicalblonde

Bless you MummyEm, I hope your mood lifts soon its tough feeling down in the dumps


Sending you big hugs xx

MummyEm

Well it's been a while as life has been busy, but we've been plodding along with our normal OP's and a few extra ones along the way too.

I've totaled our OPs for the year as won't be making any more this month.

Total OP's for 2015 £3157.75

3 times more than last year so not bad going though there's a lot more work to be done if we want to get the mortgage gone by 2025!

2016 has lots of new and exciting things in store for us which I'm starting to mull over. Our (extremely good) fixed rate comes to an end in April so we had been considering options ie. do we offset, should we fix for five and try to blast it in that time (slightly mad one that ) but we've been thrown a bit of a curve ball which means a re examination of our finances and a chat with a financial adviser may be in order. This could mean a move to interest only whilst throwing mortgage payments into pension pot / higher interest accounts to make our money work harder. In a way I don't like all the uncertainty as I'd like to crack on with it but it could make a lot more sense for us financially.

Hubby and I need to organise the meeting with FA so in the meantime, I will continue squirreling my bits away into a separate account. This will give us a little extra cash to either OP or pay remortgage fees etc.

Current account cashback £24.78 to withdraw
Quidco £12.37 to withdraw
Paypal £39.30 to withdraw

atypicalblonde

Lovely to see you posting MummyEm. This time of year is certainly one for reflections isn't it, and it sounds like you have a lot to ponder over - all good I hope

Keep posting when you can - its a great motivator for staying of the MF path. Best wishes and have a lovely Christmas, ATB xx

MummyEm

Thanks ATB. Great to hear from you.

Whilst I haven't been posting, I have been dropping by to keep up with some diaries as it keeps me motivated! Your diary is one in particular that keeps me on the straight and narrow as you are such an inspiration with all your challenges.

MummyEm

have yet more to think about with regards to longer term finances. DH has new work pension scheme due to start early 2016 which should be quite beneficial to us as generous employer contributions. Throws up more questions as to what we should be doing/what the future holds. Need to get that meeting organised soon but probably makes sense to wait until we have the final pensions info to hand as then will have the full picture.

In other news have transferred £1.60 to OP as didn't buy my normal Tuesday coffee.