Wishing on an ickle star

icklehelen

So it looks like I'll hit my target this year. I know it was rather low but it's better than nothing ......right?

Now I'm trying to decide what my target is for 2016 bearing in mind I have already set my 3 year target for the MFiT-T4 challenge.

Again I don't what to set it too high that I lose motivation but at the same time it shouldn't be too easy....... decisions, decisions........

icklehelen

Not sure how we've got to 22nd January already.....

so here's my very late 2015 update:

Total Food spend: £1783.75/£1800
Total CC spend: £939.41/£1200

Savings goals and OP targets hit too

Very happy with these and sticking to the same budget for 2016. My spreadsheet for 2016 is more detailed as I now use my 123 account for nearly everything. I also have the added joys of school expenses such as trips, uniform, after school clubs, bake sales, discos, the list seems endless so this has it's own budget.

I plan to keep my regular OP of 62.25 which rounds up the mortgage payment and to OP the extra over £100 interest each month although I believe interest will dip below £100 in Feb so I'll have to think about this.

Had a call from the bank yesterday trying to save me money on my mortgage. I was flattered when told I was unique. Unique because we have no debt and with an LTV of 30% in my 30s......
I'm guessing on here I'm not so 'unique':rotfl:

Looking forward to the MFiT-T4 starting as I may have a head start by chucking some 'spare' pennies I've found in another account at it.

ickle

icklehelen

Had a chance to do some end of month bits and pieces and realised that the MFiT target I've set us is going to be a stretch.......so there's my challenge for the next 3 years!

Spending this month has been quite reserved:

Jan CC £41.86/£100 Food £139.98/£150
Overall CC £41.86/£100 Food £139.98/£150

icklehelen

Popping in to update my signature as I have OP'd the £5.67 to round down the interest to £100 and keeping my mortgage at a nice round number

icklehelen

DD is playing happily this morning so I've been productive.......catching up on other people diaries......:rotfl: They are so addictive and inspiring yet slightly intimidating! I wish I had the time to throw at money saving and making that I used to!

I was much more productive yesterday and caught up on the shop paperwork. All filed and ready for input to spreadsheet. Hopefully I can keep on top of it till the end of March so the end of year won't feel too painful.....

I also rang SW to reset my password.... I get locked out nearly every time I use it! Plan is to set up a DD from another saver and close this one as it only exists to keep my H@lifax reward account!

Time to get on with my to do list...............................:eek:

icklehelen

Tried to set up another DD with S@ntander instead of sw but the reply was why don't you just set up a S/O.....sigh..... so I have decided to leave the account and the DD as they are.

Been looking at changing my power supplier as we are now in the last 40 days of the fix......used the comparison sites and now just need to check if any cashback available. Even if not it looks like I'll be able to save quite a lot each month by switching.

Broadband and landline is up soon too although this is going to take some doing as we also have our mobile SIMO with them so will have to change it all.....been looking for a new phone too

Had a friend come round today which was lovely especially as she helped me find the address of a delivery I had to make for the shop......I always end up having to deliver to strange places.....but hopefully the recipient will enjoy his yummy valentines chocolates!

icklehelen

Just switched our power supplier......fingers crossed the switch goes smoothly. If my calculations are correct (and our consumption stays similar next year) we'll save about £20 per month.

Finally had the marriage tax allowance paperwork through transferring 10% of DH's allowance to me. It would have been done months ago had it been the other way round.............. :rotfl:
Looking forward to a few extra pennies from my salary each month. Not sure what it will be but I'll just stick it in my 'extra savings' pot which we use for household projects, treats and now and again an extra OP.

On checking my accounts I've received my expenses from work.....all gone straight into my stooze account to offset the 0% credit card.

Trying to find some other ways of saving, scrimping and making money.....been looking at the forum for inspiration but no LBM yet....

mrsp1987

icklehelen wrote: »

Trying to find some other ways of saving, scrimping and making money.....been looking at the forum for inspiration but no LBM yet....

I feel like that sometimes too. I compare everything, switch when I need to, just switched bank accounts, use cash back sites.
It's a shame I can't off-load a kidney. I mean, I really only need one! :rotfl:

icklehelen

Hi MrsP :wave: hadn't thought of selling excess body parts .... I think I'm looking for less extreme ways to save a few pennies! :rotfl:

Thursday was pay day and thanks to 2 lots of work travel expenses and the rebate of tax I've been able to set aside £130 towards the mortgage and add another £400 to my stooze account. Next month I'll be able to see the difference the marriage allowance makes.

Hoping I can manage to get through the rest of the month with very little spend on food as the budget is nearly gone (not quite sure how this has happened in the shortest month of the year )

Looking forward to a family pizza and film night when DH gets in from work.....hoping to cheer him up cos he's feeling bad as he failed Lent - accidental chocolate consumption - although when he's surrounded by the stuff all day I'm amazed he even managed a week!

icklehelen

Food spend of less than £13 for the week thanks to lots of frozen leftovers and being well stocked in the cupboards....hoping I can do the same next week but not holding my breath!