My 2020 Vision

XSpender

Lots of positive stuff happening today:

DH rescued my Ugggg boots.:T Good job as it was freezing last night and I wanted to wear them.

My second trade in from amaz0n has been paid out and I have used the credits to buy a couple of free christmas gifts:) I only need 2 small stocking fillers and some sweets for DS. If only I had DFIL, DM, DSD and DH finished too.

I also received an unexpected credit from my old energy supplier this morning which I am planning to OP, I might get to 15.5% by the end of the month at this rate:D

Went to pick up some 'free' christmas gifts from mr t last night, free because of the double up offer and got loads of GF bread reduced and a snuggly jarma top for me. The top only cost £2 as I used a double up voucher again.:cool: I'm not sure how I am going to get the bread in the freezer so may need to turn the garage one back on as it will be used for Christmas anyway.

Using up the last portion of gammon to make carbonara tonight and making garlic bread with some of the YS bread.

Today has been my 4th NSD. I need another 4 before 22nd November to hit my target.

I had a telephone interview for an internal promotion and it went well (I think).

XSpender

I have spent some of the money I had planned to op on Christmas presents so have only got to finish buying gifts for 2 people and I have finished my Christmas shopping, well, except us 2. This should hopefully free up some money next month as the spend was within budget. I have worked out so far that i have used vouchers, double up vouchers, boots 3 for 2 and amazon trade in gift vouchers to save £188 so far this Christmas

Went out for tea last night with some friends and their children and used a voucher and a gift card to reduce the bill and had a lovely time. Have also arranged an adults only meal out for later in the year.

Windows and new door fitted today and we are really pleased with them plus DMIL has refused to take any payments against the bit they lent us until January. I am still planning to put this aside if I can but it will make the next couple of months easier as my secondment allowance has been messed up again so my pay will be short again next month:mad:

XSpender

More Christmas presents have arrived in the post today. I love getting parcels:D. Still 2 people to finish buying for but I have found what I want to get in M&S so may order to collect in store later in the week.

I was worrying about our cash flow over the next 2 pay days as we get DH bonus Christmas Eve but we have all our expenses coming out before that. The bonus is going to clear DH cc and the rest is to be saved so it is a pain it can't come a bit earlier.

So I have to confess to applying for a cc for myself to be pif the week after Christmas/out of the bonus. I always said I would never have another cc after our Iva but we have a totally different attitude to money now.

I didn't actually think I would be accepted as the review thing I did on mysupermark3t said I either didn't qualify or had a 2/10 chance of being accepted for a credit repair cc but it went straight through! I shouldn't think it will have a bery high limit on which will be fine with me.

XSpender

Not much going on MFW wise today. I was visiting a different town with work today so had a wander around the precinct and picked up some ribbon for going around the Christmas cake gifts I have made and some paper bowls as I have 9 people coming on Boxing Day and do not have enough bowls to serve desert:o

DH has come home tonight to say that there is a half price sale on d3nby at deb3nhams and that a colleagues wife can get us another 20% off the sale price so I am tempted to replace the broken dinner plates, bowls and mugs in our dinner service to bring it back to 8 settings. DH has always wanted the wine glasses that match too and I would like a large cream/custard jug so we may have a wander over tomorrow to see what they have.

I will have a look in marksies too to see if I can get DM and DMIL snuggly tops to save me ordering them.

I also need to make some cakes tomorrow night for DH to take to work to sell for c in need. Rocky road and something else, probably a chocolate or coffee GF Victoria sponge.

In other news I had my first ever proper hot chocolate with marshmallows and am converted.:D I just need to work out how to make this at home and add the ingredients to the family Christmas Eve hamper. I think I saw some nice Santa mugs in mr s that would be a nice addition and we could re use every year.

Not much going on at work but I have an interview for a different secondment to prepare for so will be preparing for/worrying about that for the rest of the week:rotfl:

XSpender

I haven't posted for a while as things are up in the air at work as I am under consultation for redundancy for the 2nd time in 3 months:(. The good news is that I have secured a secondment that could potentially lead to a permanent role within 4 months at a much higher salary. If it doesn't and I am made redundant I will still get my payout, which isn't much as not got long service or if I am not I will return to my original role and will look for a new role either internally or externally.

We would be able to survive on DH wage and JSA but it would stop our plans to settle the 2nd mortgage next year. DH feels it is unlikely he will earn such big bonuses next year so things would be a bit tight until I secured a new job.

I had ordered a settlement figure for the loan but will have to chase it as it hasn't arrived. No OPs made recently as been paying for Christmas, a new Hoover and decorating.

Christmas shopping is finished, well DH hasn't got me anything yet but I really can't think of anything I need or want which is a nice place to be I think:)

My 'jobs to do before Christmas' list is a side and a half of A4:eek: so I really need to crack on with it but have the start of a cold and am off to bed in a min.

We have decided to have a super frugal Jan and save as much of DH Christmas Eve bonus as poss in case the worse happens.

Sorry for the doom and gloom post. I am feeling quite positive really:)

muddywhitechicken

Twice in 3 months :eek::eek::eek:

Fingers crossed for you that the secondment is made permanent.

MWCx

XSpender

Thanks MWC. I was ready for a move from my substantive role so this is the kick I need to make the most of the secondment opportunity:)

Is it a bit early to be thinking about my plans for 2013? I am trying to limit myself to 3 or 4 goals that can be achieved by the end of 2014. A couple may even be MFW related;)

XSpender

It’s quiet at work today as I start my new secondment in Jan so I am taking the opportunity to jot down my MFW goals for 2014.

• Pay off secured loan by 26.10.14

This date is the day before DS half term holiday when I would like to have a few days away to celebrate. The balance at 31.12.13 will be £12,430 and with normal repayments I will need to save approximately £9130 by this date.

• Secure a new job at a higher salary

I am still under consultation with redundancy but my secondment is a good opportunity to learn new skills and will look good on my CV. I am beginning to think my future may be with another employer. My secondment may result in a permanent role with a significant salary increase but there are other roles in the salary bracket that I am aiming for that I am qualified for I just need to get looking.

Clearing the secured will give us a £430.60/month pay rise alone.

• Start 2015 with not a single penny of debt

Except the mortgage of course. We have an £1000 0% parental loan for windows to clear asap and about £2300 on 2 CC. Most of the CC balances will be paid off on Christmas Eve. I am sure that the cards will get used again during the year but would like to have them cleared by the end of 2014.

• Make £2000 of OPs to mortgage

This will bring the mortgage down to what we originally borrowed IO.

DH and I are not natural savers so where I save is more based on keeping our sticky mitts off the money than it making interest etc. I have an ISA that pays 3% so will be putting £300 in there and £150 in the mortgage account which has an interest rate of 2.5%. I have split it so I can see which works better at keeping my hands off it. Both accounts would take 3-4 days to access the money but I will set up an annual bills/emergency account with £150/month. We will also have the CC for bigger emergencies.

My savings DD will start 22nd Jan as Dec/Jan pay will pay off the CC.

Oh and DH gets quarterly bonuses which are expected to be lower this year but he has been recommended for a significant pay rise next year which should mean our overall income is the same. If he gets the pay rise I will up the DDs otherwise chunks will be paid across out of the bonuses.

The ISA will also fund 2 holidays and a weekend away for my BF 50th this year (1 hol and most of the weekend paid for just need spends), a major makeover of our bedroom and some painting and decorating around the house. It is likely that our WM and DW will need replacing this year too.:(

I love a NY plan, if only I could keep at it until the end of the year.:rotfl:

XSpender

DH at work this morning and DS off to DMIL shortly. My plans for today are

1. Fix the patio door which seems to have come off its runners this morning:eek: it was ok when I let the dog out but is not opening now:( DH might be the man for this job when he gets in)

2. Good tidy up

3. Short walk with the dog. He's only little;)

4. Submit DS primary school application

5. Wrap DH last 3 presents and the one my DDad sent for DS and put them in the loft with the rest

6. Meet the girls for a couple of drinks this afternoon before coming home to nod off in front of lord of the rings #2

7. Try to keep my control freak tendencies under control as DH still hasn't got my Christmas presents and there are only 11 sleeps to go:eek::mad: he always leaves it until the last minute and it drives me mad when he says 'I was going to get you x but they had sold out....'

I have been thinking about my choices around redundancy and after chatting to DH and getting a bit upset about it all I have changed my mind about what I want to do. My upcoming secondment confuses things but I have decided at the end of it I am going to opt for redundancy. :eek:I no longer enjoy my main role and this is the incentive I need to get something else. It is really scary but will give me until July to find a new role. If I don't get one by then we can live comfortably on DH wage for a while and my small payout can go to clear the secured.

I now have to ring my line manager on Monday and ask her to hold my meeting all over again.:o

XSpender

All jobs done except the patio door which I am leaving to dh:). He even asked to go to the shopping centre tomorrow to get my presents with no prompting:eek: wonders will never cease:rotfl: I have had to write a list of suggestions though;)

Off to jump in the shower to get ready for meeting the girls:D