Keeping up with the Jonesy

killerpeaty

Ooooh picture of the fireplace? (or similar?) I had no idea how much fireplaces were!

It's great to actually progress in your abilities isn't it. I completed an annual return (almost solo) in less than a week for the first time. It should take like a day or two but it's still better than before!

After you're clear of the CC, what are you going to focus on?

Jonesy88

Hey Peaty,

After the CC is cleared the focus will be our loan, which will be gone by June 2016 if all goes to plan. This would mean paying off the £7k 3 year loan in 15 months.

The "baby fund" savings account (a 12 month regular saver with a good interest rate) will also turn into a normal savings account around March 2016 and would free up £250 a month. I think i'll just do another 12 month saver when it matures, rather than get used to having the extra cash. Unless of course the baby fund is actually needed for its purpose!

I also want to start building up a £1k emergency fund after Christmas, so lots to think about! Up to next summer anyway!

Jonesy88

I really want a dog!

Googling unwanted dogs/re-homing centres near me is definitely not helping.

Peaty - this is where we got our fireplace from - cast iron circa 1900 http://www.oldfireplaces.co.uk/

killerpeaty

Usually I would say get a doggy but if you are aiming to have a kiddie soon, a young dog and baby do not always mix. I hear older dogs are usually good with babies and are always looking for loving homes

oooooh your plans are so exciting >.< I am two years younger than you but this all seems so far away! /jelly

Lovely fireplaces, I am not a big fireplace fan (live in a 70's home and always have done) but they are lovely when someone else is looking after them.

Jonesy88

Yeah i get what you're saying with the dog/baby thing. Tbh neither seem to be happening right now so i can let my mind wonder lol.

I'm starting to think of what I want to do money-wise in 2016. I know we still have a third of 2015 left but that will be gone in the blink of an eye, especially September and December as i'm going to be a busy bee in those months. Christmas I'm not too worried about - I have some presents already and i've got a "round down" account on the go for the remaining. :xmassmile

So what do I want to achieve in 2016? Hmm..

Things to finish:

• £1k emergency fund - Feb/March
• £3k baby fund - April
• Loan - June

Things to achieve:

• New sofa
• New Boiler
• Chimney Work
• Carpet the 1st floor (currently laminate)

Things to start:

• Saving for a master en-suite and general master bedroom redecoration
• Saving for a new kitchen

Ideally i'd also like the baby fund to be at £5k, however i can re-jig the plans when that time comes to increase the pot from £3k to £5k.

Jonesy88

It's a but early I know but i'm busy with work tomorrow so i might as well update for September

Scores on the doors:

Credit Card: £2300 - to be cleared by December
Loan: £1750/£7000 25% - 8 payments left
Emergency Fund: £50/£1000 - prioritising the debt
Baby Fund: £1000/£3000
Round-down account (Christmas): £14.99

I've also joined a NST Challenge for September - my aim is to have 15 SFDs and list 25 things on ebay (So far i've done 5). I'm on holiday for 5 days at the end of the month :cool: too so looking forward to that

Jonesy88

2 SFDs so far this month but 2 spend days totalling £18 too. Must do better!

Jonesy88

Only up to 3 SFDs - definitely lagging behind but as i'm holed up in a hotel for the week (away on work) I doubt much temptation is going to come my way.

So there has been many money changes going on in the Jones household. This is mainly due to pushing on with getting our living room decorated so we can actually use it. Spends as follows:

1. Bought a sofa: £560
2. Bought a TV: £300
3. Provision for installation of fireplace: £300
4. Put a "deposit down" on a puppy! £100

We decided to re-finance everything so it was clearer to see what/when we were paying, and taking into account my loan, the CC and the above spends we got a loan for £9k. Over 48 months the payments are £200 however I intend to have this paid off in May/June by rounding up the payments to £1k. Essentially my DFD hasn't moved.

Budgets have been amended to show this and I feel calmer. Credit card has been removed from wallet and limit reduced down. Boo to getting more debt but in order to get the house in a better state I consider it to be a trade-off i can live with.

I've also made approx £20 on my ebay listings - this is going to the holiday/Christmas pot.

killerpeaty

PUPPY!

What kind?

Jonesy88

A schnoodle! (Schnauzer mum and Poodle dad) A little ball of fluff full of mischief and energy.