My 2020 Vision

XSpender

I forgot to mention yesterday that I am currently trialling YNAB software. So far, so good. Three weeks to decide whether I make a purchase. I like the fact that I can update any spending on my iPhone and it keeps all debts and spending in one place. Plus it's flexible so if I overspend in one category it has to be adjusted elsewhere in the budget.:) I haven't budgeted to buy it so that will need a few tweaks to the budget to cover it


Some of the items ticked off yesterdays list but the bulk of the housework will be done tomorrow as I am tired from my night out yesterday so just pottering around and tidying up. DH is out tonight so he can slob about tomorrow while I clean up.


Hardly spent anything last night and food spends were also low for the weekly shop. I had a £10 off £70 voucher for Mr T and for once my total was only 30p over the £70 and not way over. Probably because I thought I will get what we need and if it doesn't come to £70 so be it.:A I was also the beneficiary of a glitch which had 12 tins of branded dog food go though at 60p. I'm not sure how as I bought 2 and one went through as full price. I didn't realise until I got home so I couldn't take advantage of it when in store.


We both spent money on clothes yesterday but this has come from our personal spends.

XSpender

Cancelled a few DDs this morning and saved £50


In other news we went to look at a new build house today but actually fell in love with a different style that is actually the show room and the last one of that style left. Not massively keen on the d!cor though.


A call has been put into the mortgage broker to see where we stand. I don't think we will have sufficient deposit unless we take the help to buy but I am not convinced this is a good idea unless we can settle it before the value of the houses significantly.


Away very, very early with work in the morning so a quick herbal tea and off to bed.

XSpender

We both woke up and decided that yesterday's house is not for us; 2 small downstairs and not in the right location/development although we like that area.


I looked a little bit deeper into the help to buy scheme and ran away quick, that's a big whole I don't want us to get into:eek:
We have discussed how quickly we want to move so it may be operation big deposit for the next 12 months with lots of frugal living planned:)


I've been up for 16 hours so quick bite to eat and bed for me.

XSpender

Well, we have found our perfect forever house in a fabulous location. It isn't somewhere I would have considered although I do have a friend who lives there and I used to work nearby. DH found it on the internet and we went to look at the development and loved it. DS will have to move schools.


We went back yesterday to have a good walk round and to speak to the sales office. The development is nearly finished and they are only building 3 more of the house style we want which will be ready in 18 months time. That is ideal for us as it gives us a good 12 months to save. We cant even put a deposit down for 6 months.


I have never seen DH so enthusiastic about anything as this house! He has even had a bit of a light bulb moment about spending and is focussed on saving and cutting down spending.


We can realistic save a 15% deposit and a further £10k to cover stamp duty and moving costs.


Here is our plan so far:

• Clear last bits of debt by November
• Increase payment to mortgage to £1000 as we doubling our mortgage and want to show we can afford it
• Live on DH wage and save mine, there are lots of actions to do on the back of this too!
• Save all bonuses
• No holiday in 2016 unless it is a few days camping (we have all the stuff/can borrow a cooker)
• Small budget for eating out and family fun
• Drastically cut Christmas budget

DH already has a plan for when we move in:rotfl:

• 6 months living expenses emergency fund
• Half savings to retirement fund
• Half savings to OP mortgage

I am still loving YNAB, its budget, account management and a spending diary all in one:heartsmil

XSpender

Just typed a longish post and lost it :mad: so here is the condensed version:

• Had a mortgage agreed in principal for the house we saw which is a relief as we had poor credit years ago and worried we would never be accepted :j
• Buying off plan is a really odd process and we are not in a position to proceed
• Plan is to save like crazy things for 12 months and look then:)
• This will be our last Christmas in this house :xmastree: :eek:
• YNAB is still going great, I even entered our McD breakfast spend via my phone while waiting for our order on Sunday:rotfl:
• Our food spends this month are well down on our usual spends - I have not made a list or done a 'weekly' shop for at least 2 weeks but would have thought this would have put it up not down
• DS has advanced to the next reading stage very quickly :happyhear proud mummy
• DH has passed his management qualification :happyhear proud wife

Off to Wales tomorrow so need an early night needed.

XSpender

You don't ever want to work with me as I think I must have redundancy-it is, where ever I work my team gets downsized:(I really like this new job so I hope its not me but it will be a quick process as so few are impacted.


DS has asked to stay at DMIL tonight so DH and I will have a quiet night and pick him up tomorrow afternoon which is great as I am shattered this week and could do with a good sleep and a little lie in.


I need to clean up this pig sty when DH is at work tomorrow so plans are:

• Pay cheque in (may empty pig & 'van and pay to CC) DONE - cheque only, didn't have time to sort change
• Living room DONE
• Kitchen DONE
• Bedrooms DONE 1, 1 to do
• Bathroom
• Landing, stairs, hall DONE (except stairs)
• Change all bedding DONE
• Wash DS duvet DONE
• Little bit of laundry, NOT QUITE DH is already UTD with ironing
• Apply lots of that moisturiser that makes you brown as at a wedding next weekend and legs glow in the dark white NOT DONE
• Hairdressers DONE
• Get DH to ring and change due date on his CC NOT DONE
• Buy DONE and post Dad birthday card
• Buy stamps DONE
• Buy 40th birthday card and gift wrap/tag DONE AND GIFT DELIVERED
• Small shop at Aldi DONE £30 for the week
• Buy jumper/cardi for DS to wear at wedding in case cold DONE £3 @ Mr T
• Buy a wrap/cardi for me for wedding NOT DONE
• DS to make thank you cards and post NOT DONE
• Buy living room bulbs - need at least 3 and they are not cheap! DONE bought normal not flame shaped so 4 @£8
• Attempt first run in 5+years :eek: DONE

ETA: Nipped to Mr T with DH as ironing board cover ripped from over use Managed to get some jobs done off my list, used a £7 voucher and got some good YS bargains including 2 x 4 pinters for 10p each. All ready updated in YNAB:A

XSpender

I have done quite well with my list and 1 hour (with DH help) should see all the housework done.


I couldn't find a wrap yesterday, any colour or pattern I wanted but neutral cream/beige :mad:


I am suffering with hay fever and cold so not sure if I should run or not as I have a bit of a tight chest and don't want to start my asthma off especially since DH has used my inhaler up instead of ordering his own. A long walk is definitely planned for us all this morning when DH makes an appearance


DH is still fired up about saving for the new house and has even asked if I can get him a nectar card for when he fuels up as the petrol stations nearest home and work are either a sains or BP and give points. As we both have company cars we use a lot of fuel.


Our food costs are at an amazingly low £143 for the month :jI have shopped differently this month, just getting a few things as we need them instead of doing a meal plan and a weekly shop and buying everything for the meal plan which then doesn't get eaten as plans change etc. The contents of my freezer are getting used up and not automatically replaced, I am using alternatives instead


We have some big expenses to pay out next month including a weekend away and the house is getting painted so we will need to be watching the pennies if we are to achieve our first goal of paying off the CCs.

Goldiegirl

How exciting about the house.

Our first house and this house were both bought new, although they were partially built when we saw them.

We had to really push ourselves to be able to afford to buy, but it was so worth it.

Good luck with your plans

XSpender

Thank you Goldiegirl, we will have to hope the house that we love is still available when we have got the rest of the deposit together. If not, something else will come along although DH has his heart set on a new build.


I went for my first run in over FIVE YEARS this afternoon, It felt great and I am looking forward to running again later in the week. Good job really since I am signed up for a half marathon in 4 months time! :eek:


I have just been on the H0mebase website top price up paint for when we have the decorators around in June and the 3 for 2 offer has just ended today. Gutted


Almost completed my to do list but need a new one for next week as a few things need sorting.

Signed DH up for N3ctar card today and also used our NT membership for a walk as a lovely if windy day. Had lunch in their caf! which I find good quality and reasonably priced if not cheap and they can always feed a coeliac

XSpender

New list for this week:

• DS thank you cards
• Find a wrap for the wedding
• Buy some new wedding trousers for DS as his are not quite the right colour
• Wrap gift and write card
• Contact charity I am running for as email address hacked and feel I may have missed emails re fundraising
• Contact HR to have payslip and P60 resent (same reason as above)
• Finish last 2 loads of washing/ironing
• Run once during week and once over weekend
• Order inhaler
• Take DS swimming
• Find somewhere free to park at concert on BH Monday
• Plan a long walk for Tuesday after BH
• No food spending until Saturday at earliest
• Minimal food spends when travelling with work
• Squeeze YS GF bread and milk into freezer