The impossible dream

Tahlullah

Happy shiny Green day! Although the weather is pants.

This morning, my bank balance had increased by over £200. Rang to ask why and I am informed it was interest on a car loan I had taken out previously that had ended in 2014.

What great news for my budget. Now I can afford to actually live for the rest of the month and I can budget to save a bit as well.

Back on target for my saving goal of £50 per month over-payment on the mortgage whilst maintaining a working budget.

Although I have budgeted the money in YNAB, I am going to see how far I get with only spending the original £40 I had for petrol and personal spend. Up until yesterday, I still hadn't spent any, so my NSD's are going quite well. Meeting my challenge of 4 per week. And I wombled 1p yesterday!

At some point, I will get straight and will be able to resume normal operating conditions. I will be able to overpay on this mortgage. I will be able to relax knowing the big debt has been resolved one way or the other. I will get my life back, which is currently on hold because of this Damocles Sword hanging over my head.

On the positive side, Rufus is still well and not doing much. He is getting older and not so much a kitten any more. Still the perfect cat.

Tahlullah

So, got a financial reprieve yesterday, and today blow the NSD run. Bought my teams lunch as everyone seemed a bit down. So, Red day because I spent when I didn't need to - however it was still within my budget, but Bright & Shiny, because it was for a positive reason.

Tahlullah

Had another NSD on Thursday but spent on diesel, milk and necessities yesterday. Raining the last 2 days so couldn't cycle to work.

Still managing to budget and spend within my means and so far have squirrelled away £48 into my buffer account - this will take a lifetime to achieve! As well as £110 in the savings account for car repairs, house repairs, Rufus's teeth (they need cleaning) and Christmas.

It seems positive that I am budgeting and saving for these things and still managing to make the £50 overpayment on the mortgage every month.

Certainly, if I stopped saving for these future expenses, I could pay more off the mortgage and get it paid off quicker than I am, but this feels more sustainable.

To be honest, I actually feel I am posting on the wrong Board. Perhaps I should move the Debt Free Wannabe board? Am I in debt? No, beyond the visa bill that I pay regularly and the mortgage, but at some point this year, I may be forced into debt by this court case. Until then I'm not, so I am going to continue on my current trajectory and make my monthly overpayments. I won't achieve my aim of £2k by Christmas, instead, it will be £400 but at least I will be more in control of my income and expenditure.

I have a plan and a budget to work within the plan. Lets see where I am by Christmas. Then I can evaluate and move forward.

Onwards and upwards.

armchairexpert

But if you didn't save for those things, you'd end up back in the red when they come up - as they inevitably do!

I do know how you feel - once I'd budgeted for all the True Expenses (as YNAB calls it) including the kids' teeth, Christmas, inevitable house repairs, etc, I was left with what seems like a tiny amount of money.

Have you talked about the court case? I scrolled back and couldn't find it, but may have missed it.

Tahlullah

Yes, no money at the end of the month as it's all been budgeted away into one pot or another account. So no actual money to spend, apart from what you have budgeted. A very strict regime but no doubt will work when I get straight.

The court case is linked to my previous job. I was a manager and the previous job eventually went under. During that time, I had to make a lot of hard decisions and that also meant dealing with unhappy staff. And it's the unhappy staff that are taking me to court, as they blame me for destroying their lives I guess.

I can be really bitter about it, or just accept that during that period, I did the best I could for the whole organisation, and some are just angry. And apportion blame, because its the easiest thing to do, rather than look at their own actions which led to the problem.

If they win, I will have to pay them out of my own pocket. Unusual in UK law, but nevertheless possible.

It's the last time I say I'm going to fight for others! Next time the ship is sinking, I am jumping immediately, I don't care if I am one of the managers!

armchairexpert

Oh that is unusual! How awful for you. Are you trying mediation?

TallGirl

That is really awful I take it you don't have any legal insurance. I hope the judges find in your favour if it comes that far not nice to have hanging over your head.

Yes you have to look out for yourself I actually think being let go from a charity with a predicted deficit of £200K this year is a good thing. That sort of deficit is well scary.

YNAB sounds really interesting good luck with the strict regime.

Tahlullah

Thanks ACE and Tall Girl. Sometimes, this sort of thing just happens. We are well past the stage of mediation. This is staff out for blood. And Legal Insurance doesn't cover you for this, which you only find out after the event. Insurance covers you to take a case, not to defend a case.

What the judge decides cannot be predicted. All I can do is wait and see. It will be over by the end of the year I hope, one way or the other.

Getting out of the sinking ship, you were lucky Tall Girl. I stayed and now regret it. Well, for the majority, I did the right thing. It is only ever the few who make you doubt your decisions.

Onwards with YNAB!

Tahlullah

Yesterday, I had a McDonalds Banana Milkshake, and it tasted good!!!

TallGirl

Treat yourself I do like McD milkshakes as well good hangover cure. As for the sinking ship they had reserves but a huge deficit in a pension pot so at some point yes the good times will be over.

I hope the case doesn't drag on are you getting any legal advice? As you probably know there are pro bono advice places.