I have a dream...to be a money magnet!

Miss_Money_Magnet

Hopefully another no spend day today. I made some delicious butternut squash soup which Ill finish for lunch, and am going make potato pancakes with leftover mash to go with it- saw a recipe on facebook- look lush.

Other money saving... err, mainly resisting the temptation to buy things for the new house. Also, bought some paint ages ago for a project at old house (cost about £20) which I never carried out, so might see if I can swap it and get some nice sage green paint to do the shed at new house. Worth a try.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Trying to keep track of daily spending in a notebook. I will have my mortgage available to view online this time. Ive renamed one of my accounts 'mortgage overpayments' and Im ready to go!

Ive been watching the pennies. Im meal planning carefully and havent wasted any food last week.

Trying to focus on the overall mortgage amount just seems tooooo much, so Ive set myself a target for the end of year 1 and have calculated a monthly op target which seems challenging but attainable if Im careful.

I need to update my signature etc. Will do that shortly.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Ive managed to keep a note of all my spending so far for last 5 days and I think it is making me more mindful. Yesterday for example I saved over £20 by resisting cake and coffees at the garden centre, and by not giving in to pressure to treat little one to a McDonalds. Makes you think doesn't it, how quickly all these little things add up.

I am waiting for final stage to access my new mortgage online.

Miss_Money_Magnet

We love the new house. We have spent lots of time in the garden, Ive been pottering about and weeding. Ive put a self imposed ban on buying anything else garden related until the end of the month!! So hard to resist though (oh, except for the second hand garden furniture I'm going to look at tomorrow. Its £50 for 3 double benches, 2 chairs and a long table. They look really solid but will need sanding and painting. Potential bargain though!). I have also ordered 2 water butts which are half price on local water suppliers website. I have tried to go to the cheap shops for what I need but its still adding up.

I am having irrational panicky thoughts about the new house, along the lines of 'what if theres something majorly wrong with it, what if we've been conned into buying a problem house, what if I lose my job and cant pay mortgage etc. Im hoping this will settle down once we get all the bills/dds in place. We have lots to pay out for at the mo so I guess thats stressing me (although we have the cash to fund this). Hence updating my diary at silly o'clock because I can't sleep).

Miss_Money_Magnet

Morning all
Looks like another beautiful sunny day.
We are going to look at wardrobes this morning. I'd love a fitted wardrobe but think the price may be too much, so we are going to look at some free standing wardrobes but where they design it for you.. modular? I think this will be more mid price, and as we have so many other things to pay for I think this may be a sensible compromise.
Going to try to access my online mortgage statement today!! Sadly excited.
Todays spends... may get paint for garden furniture. Should look fab when done. It was a real bargain and perfect for us...plenty of seating for the BBQs we have planned!
I'm thrilled that already the new house is enabling us to have the outdoor lifestyle I really wanted.
I'm now keeping my eye out for a second hand petrol mower. My old cheapo one was fine for my previous postage stamp size lawn but dont think it'll cut the mustard anymore. These are the kind of expenses you don't consider.
I've put £130 aside in my newly created mortgage pot account, then if I can keep it there until later in the month I will overpay it. As we are unsure of some costs and purchases at new place I thought this may be more sensible than paying it straight off now. Not really expecting to overpay much this month. Havent started the regular overpayment yet.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Another lovely day. Managed to get a second hand petrol lawn mower off facebook for £80. New ones of similar spec are around £300. Its a bit heavy but if it lasts a few years I can upgrade then. I planted my two little veg patches yesterday... parsnips, potatoes, beetroot, onions, shallots, garlic... need to buy some canes and plant my beans next. This is my first attempt at growing veg so we will see how it goes! Any tips much appreciated! I cobbled together some netting over it.
Ive been really careful with my spending and have written down everything Ive spent this month. What is very apparent is that I spend far more on activities for my son than I realised. I do have a line in my budget for this. but it clearly needs rethinking.
Today hoping to have a cheap day.

Miss_Money_Magnet

One week to pay day. Im going to try really hard to reduce the food budget next month. I budget £320 for 4 of us including things like toilet roll, cleaning products, shower gel etc which isnt too bad, but I always end up going a bit over (probably by about £40). I mainly shop at Aldi already.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Morning all, I have bitten the bullet and added my new mortgage amount to my signature. It is scarily big (although I know we can comfortably afford it). I have enjoyed reading diaries of others on here of a similar size. Once the initial decorating costs have been dealt with, I am hoping to overpay quite a lot.
My dream target (probably very overambitious) is to get it down to £150,000 in five years.
I imagine rates will increase and I want to be in a good place when we come to remortgage.
We took the mortgage over 28 years just so that if times were hard, the minimum payment is lower. However, I have set our repayment £100 higher so that it will at the very least be paid off in 24 years. I know I can comfortably overpay by an extra £300 (£400 altogether) per month once our initial costs settle. I will set this up as standing order in a few months so that is just the norm. This means itll be paid off in around 17 years.
I am then going to challenge myself to make additional overpayments so its paid off even sooner. I know there are opportunities coming up in the next few years to find extra money... reducing childcare costs in a few years, car loan repaid in December so can look at this, pay rises etc.
If I find an additional £450 a month the mortgage would be repaid in 12 years. This is highly unlikely because I fluctuate between being very disciplined and wanting to treat myself.
I do budget for holidays and fun stuff and definitely want to 'enjoy the now' so we will have to see!
However, I am always shocked how much difference it makes when I am being mindful about money and just staying focused (without totally depriving myself).
I have sat and looked at what Ive got going on in May, events, birthdays, etc and its not a cheap month.
Yesterday I dragged my dad to B and Q as its 10% off on weds
For OAPs, and stocked up on paint etc.
Hoping for a no spend day today. I am another splurger on pay day, so am going to try to keep myself in hand!
I am very disappointed with the online mortgage, all it shows is the balance. I had thought it would show all my overpayments etc.
I have made a few small overpayments totalling £55.

Miss_Money_Magnet

I am trying not to overspend. Fell in live with some sandals and have ended up ordering them, but searched for a discount voucher and got 20% off and remembered to go through top cash back and got £2.60 back.
Made a few small overpayments where I can...£20 etc, just to stay focused.

EatingTheElephant

Hi MMM, you are doing great staying focussed after moving. It really is the little things that are needed when you first move in that add up.
Our mortgage amounts are similar, I'm just trying to get online access to ours now so I can keep an eye on it and watch the OPs hit it!