Onwards and upwards....

marlasinger

Edited for privacy

kirstypark

Hello and Welcome. I love looking at property we might be able to achieve in 5 years too, it's so frustrating when I see something I love.

marlasinger

Thanks Kirsty.

It is very frustrating to see those dream properties on RightMove, but I do try to be thankful that I have a roof over my head, compared to some. Doesn't stop me wanting that nice house though!

How does everyone decide how much to overpay? I've been browsing the threads and notice quite a few people make small overpayments (ie. £20 pounds, even less) throughout the month. What I plan on doing is paying over whatever is in our joint account, the day before pay day. That way I know that there is nothing else to come out of the account that month, and the balance on the last day is 'free and clear'. If I made overpayments throughout the month I would worry that something unexpected will come up where I would have needed that money in my account.

Anyway, payday is not until the 15th of next month. All the direct debits have been paid aside from the dreaded water bill, so fingers crossed, I should be able to make an additional overpayment of about £150 before the 15th April. :j

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi, welcome to the MF forum and god luck with your plans.

Everyone's approach varies - I OP specific chunks on my pay day and again on DH payday. Then any eb@y or survey money, or when I have a lodger their rent all gets OPd. In addition any pennies in my bank accounts get OPd each day.

Whilst this leads to long mortgage statements :rotfl: it really keeps e motivated and focussed.

Menu plan is a god send when looking to cut grocery spend.

Best wishes Tilly

marlasinger

TEdited for privacy

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello and welcome.

I find it better to overpay when I get paid and just leave what I need to spend. We have a 0% card for emergencies. This way keeps me on the straight and narrow as I hate going overdrawn. However, everybody is different!

Good luck

Squirrel

QB_Wolf

Hi MS I have a set amount that goes out on pay day, I pay small amounts through the month if I get any little bonuses. I'd like to get to a position where I can do the day before pay day payment too - but not there yet.

jimmybrid

Hi Marla and a belated welcome to MFW.
There's definitely some scope for saving on that water bill.....we are a family of 4, wiith the little ones being a 3yr old and a 2 and a half week old, so as you can imagine our washing machine is on all the time, lots of visitors to see the new arrival means lots of cuppas which means the dishwasher is on constantly too. We also have a large bath which is run at least once a day, but our bill is around £40 a month. I would in the short term try to make a note of your water usage, its only when you understand how you are using it that you can change your habits and reduce your usage and your bills.
Also check out the Santander 123 current account, which gives cashback on direct debits for household bills including water, gas, electricity and council tax.

marlasinger

Edited for privacy

addyboy1982

It's a tough and a long journey but worth doing! It's good that you can OP in small chunks, my provider requires minimum £500 OP every time.

Good luck on your journey

if_at_first...

Hi Marla :wave: Welcome

Looks like you are off to a great start. Keep us "posted" on your progress and make shopping lists and meal plans and never stray from your list. That helps me keep my spending under control.:o