I just started my MF journey!

EchoDelta

Another bold move on the baby fund savings! We have paid off our car finance early which has saved over £450 :beer:- . Knock on effects are....

- we don't need to save as much for the baby fund (as we won't be making those monthly payments anymore,
- we can save the £200 per month that we were paying for the finance to replace the sums lost,
- given our reduced outgoings generally this year (insurance, utilities etc have all been shaved down a bit) and our reduced spending generally we don't need as much to cover maternity leave as originally calculated,
- our only interest bearing debt now is the mortgage,
- we will never have car finance again (touch wood) as we will drive this car into the ground and save for a new one in plenty of time.

Off to update signature now. :T

Apart from that I am managing a fairly frugal December so far - 3 nsd under my belt. A small change but one that will rack up a few pounds over the months is that Mr Delta (who gets all the grocery shopping) is now putting that all on the 123 credit card for the cashback. When something is spent on that card it's paid off straight away so there shouldn't be any nasty shocks when the bill arrives.

We have very nearly finished getting all the gifts, started writing cards today, decorations all put up, definitely in the festive mood!

EchoDelta

Something else, my parents are currently refusing to take any money off us for loan repayment. I am mithering them for details of the account they want money to go into. Bless them all the "oh we'll think about it later" is very sweet but I would like to give them some of the money we have been stashing for that purpose! If they don't play ball soon I'll be delivering a bag of tenners instead!! :rotfl:

sleepygirl126

You're having a great month!!! Well done on the car finance...am so impressed!!:beer:

EchoDelta

Thanks sleepy

It's a weird feeling but a good one! We actually own our car now!

It's slightly :eek: that we now have to put over £600 per month into savings but we can do it! I can't actually believe that we are the kind of people that can do that. This place has certainly changed me!

It actually makes me feel very optimistic about the future - I couldn't used to imagine how we would ever manage to save for retirement etc but now I see light in the tunnel.

Off to do the dishes before I get too positive and irritating! Small fast asleep and I also need an earlyish night as been coughing and keeping myself awake. Plus got insanely busy week ahead.

EchoDelta

just been out for the evening on a Christmas do and spent an un-budgeted £19 on drinks (I'd allowed for the meal but forgot the drinks...)

Still, good night and I enjoyed making some bridges with other people from the pre school where Small goes. Not very good at small talk really so feeling quite proud of myself! (although that might just be the booze talking!)

AlexLK

Sounds like you'll be mortgage free in no time with how well you're doing.

Watty1

Well done you !! For both the car payment and the small talk thing. It can be a bit tough but hey you did it. And thats great!!

EchoDelta

Thanks Alex and Watty

I'm absolutely shattered today though. I cannot hack weeknight drinking anymore!

EchoDelta

I got a little carried away with a bidding frenzy in the Bay of Fleas and bought a jumper dress for £18 .... I'd only intended to watch but it was real wool, my size, lovely colour and only 2 minutes to go!

To restore balance in the frugal universe I have transferred £50 from holding account to the bank of the in-laws.

EchoDelta

Just started a new diary for the new year (okay, I know we're not quite there yet!). It's here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4845337 if anyone wants a read of my ongoing ramblings