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

Miss_Money_Magnet

Yesterday had a few planned spends but otherwise spent nothing. Ordered food shop using £12 off voucher so that will arrive tomorrow. Today I will need to spend about £10 on an outing with friends but thats it. Tomorrow should be a no spend day.
Going to do a frugal fast in Jan!!!

Miss_Money_Magnet

Another no spend day. I had lots of tempting thoughts about eating out but resisted. Instead roped everyone in to a garden tidy up then made lunch and now cooking a roast.
Tomorrow I need a few things but am planning to use vouchers and points for everything. Bank balance looks suspiciously healthy... mustve forgotten something although I track all my bills...

savingholmes

Great to see your progress. Happy New Year! Keep posting and plodding.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Thanks SH!! Your numbers look great.

Today- should be a nsd.

Have started my first new habit- to spend at least 15 mins a day cleaning the house. Ive given the hall a really thorough clean and sort. I am going to get on everyones backs about keeping it like that!!!!

Miss_Money_Magnet

Another nsd

Have done the last two weeks shopping online with Mr M. Although it’s definitely dearer than Mr A it has certainly helped me keep the budget on track- I have had 2 £12 off vouchers through which means Im actually under budget. I definitely get more for the money at Mr A but also its always a surprise how much itll be at the till and I end up with random stuff (leaf grabbers anyone). The fruit quality is nicer too at Mr Ms.
Another NSD today. I did buy a new collins book for my finances which arrived today but I paid for it before so doesn't count!
Stripped the left over chicken to freeze for another meal- didn't feel like doing it but worth it now. Sorting my various accounts and hopefully with a frugal fast in January I can start 2020 with clear credit card.
Also cleaned for 20+ minutes today- house is looking good. Trying to focus on one room a day.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Havent managed to keep up the daily updates and to be fair not a lot to say. Have really tried to keep the spending down and have 13 days until pay day. If I can keep this up until then I will have made a good start to the year. Worked out Ive o/p’ed £240 in Jan which's good. Have also put £100 into my s and s isa as this keeps plodding away and did well last year. I have under £100 on my cc which needs to go. Want to get mortgage balance down before we are due to remortgage in 2022.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Have spent about an hour trying to navigate the new forum and find my thread.
Seem to be saving lots- hardly using any petrol and lots of other outgoings temporarily cancelled due to lockdown.
Going to try to use this time to build my emergency fund up to 3 months worth cash.
We are nearing the ‘under £200,000’ milestone.  We are around £204000.  It will feel a real step forwards when we get into the 199s... still huge amount though although it is our dream house and not a day goes buy that I don't think about how much I love it.
According to Zoopla the house value has increased a lot since we purchased it but Im guessing its skewed by some of the other (much bigger) properties nearby.  Might get it valued just out of curiosity once things get back to normal.  Could impact on the LTV when we remortgage in March 22.
I am paying £100 per month overpayment as standard but actually I think its nearer £200 as I didn't drop the payments when I could have last year.  Its still not enough to reduce the years as much as Id like but I am hoping it will start to snowball with pay rises, remortgage at cheaper rate etc. 

I have managed to continue adding to my S and S isa which I think will pay off long term although only £100 pcm- again would like to increase this really, and I also have a cash buffer but wouldn't last long if I was out of work.  Very very grateful we are both still earning- at the moment anyway.  Feel very sorry for all those affected health wise or financially.  
Overall over the last few years we have improved our financial position although its hard to stay motivated at times.  

I am trying to save up for a new car but this will be in 5 plus years!!!!
keep plodding....and hope everyone is staying safe in these uncertain times.

Miss_Money_Magnet

Having time on my hands, Ive been playing with the mortgage op calculators!
Ideally I need to try to op £400 pcm
I think I can do it on payday at end of this month but not sure Ill be able to keep it up once all full expenses kick back in.
No harm in trying though!
Thinking of getting rid of sky-£45 per month... we tend to watch a lot of netflix and amazon prime.  That £45 would be a great start!!
I need to get the food budget back under control.  Ive been using the local butchers and the local small store but Im spending loads so I think I will reluctantly have to return to Aldos.  If I could keep the weekly shop to £70 I could free up an extra £40 but Ive found Ive regularly gone over this lately!! I can have a go!

longway2go

Hi MMM, 
I have read your whole diary today and think you are doing really well. It's lovely that you are in your forever home (something I am moving towards) and your mindset and mine seem very similar, we both use Ynab, monzo and have had an overdraft and still made OPs to keep the momentum going.
A few things that stood out to me where making OPs needs to be a priority and looking at what age you could pay off mortgage by if you kept up the level of Ops (which I'm going to look at a bit more now :-))
In relation to the cleaning have a look at Team Tomm if you haven't already as I think it would suit your mindset. 
Wishing you lots of luck and I will continue to read. 

Miss_Money_Magnet

Hi longway2go, thanks for commenting.  Im sure Ive read your diary before and will pop over for a catch up. Ill have a look at team Tomm- sounds interesting!!