The impossible dream

TallGirl

That is a tricky one re Moneybox I’m guessing the YNAB principle just doesn’t work with the sweeping concept of MoneyBox. I think you’re doing amazingly well and with all the other stuff looming it’s good you are staying positive and keep going. Shame there is no payrise or bonus on the horizon to ease things but I’m guessing not.

Keep up the good work.

Tahlullah

Thanks TG.

Tx

Tahlullah

Had 4 NSD's last week and managed to sell a couple of things on eBay but nothing substantial. One item I did sell arrived broken. It was bubble wrapped within an inch of its life and the buyer can see there was care taken so isn't accusing me of anything.

Problem is whether the Insurance I took out will pay out. It was a high value item which is why it was insured. Have met all their conditions to claim, posted photos of the broken item kindly supplied by the buyer but they will come up with a reason not to pay out. However, will reserve judgement until the decision. If no, I will have to refund the buyer. Not good but I have savings to cover.

On my mortgage overpayment, only managed to pay £100 in the month but hopeful it will get better.

The big debt has a preliminary hearing date set for the end of March so I am honestly inching forward towards finding out if I am going to be pushed further into debt or not. At least it is beginning. Thought it would have been dealt with last year, but it's starting in March a year later. It has taken 2 years just to get to this point.

Anyway, everything else is going as well as it can be. I am not overspending. I am paying the mortgage and managing small over-payments with big hopes for the end of the year. I need to budget for moneybox within YNAB, which I will do in February if I can and certainly, I will ensure there is money set aside for it in March.

I will go on my holiday and then I will come back and see what fate has in store for me.

Onward and upwards.

Tahlullah

Big shock! The insurance came through, so I was able to reimburse the buyer with ease. Well worth taking out the additional insurance cover.

Have budgeted for Moneybox in YNAB. A positive move.

Managed to make a further £100 overpayment on the mortgage. Not doing so great but it is a step in the right direction.

Money moving in and out of the account - all small amounts from ebay, swagbucks etc. Not allocating as well as I should because I prefer to work in whole numbers. But I suppose when I am moving some of the smaller numbers, it means I am not spending on the bigger numbers.

Trying to get settled and prepared for the Grand Debt but no closer to resolution. All I can do is reduce the mortgage so when it does arrive, I am in a better position to pay without it breaking the bank.

So, still only £10k on the smaller mortgage to go. Assuming nothing MAJOR happens, then this will be cleared by December 2018, or before if I manage to make the overpayments I am aiming at - £2k this year. So far, only managed £300, but the night is young!

Thinking about moving more to a vegetarian diet. Might help with the money saving.
No spend days are going well. I find this very easy to do as I don't enjoy shopping and rarely eat lunch.
Still collecting coins, but hard going when you don't go to the shops very often and when you do, you pay by card.

I guess I am looking to ensure that I am still able to live a comfortable life whilst chipping away at the mortgage.

I think I am going to shift my thinking. This may help with my motivation. I think I am going to focus on the 2nd mortgage rather than the 1st. So, my new plan is to reduce the 2nd mortgage from £27,700 where it is now, to £25,000 by the end of the calendar year.

I believe the 1st mortgage will meet its target anyway without too much intervention, which is to pay off by December 2018. So, focus on Mortgage 2 and perhaps relax my need to only work in whole figures and do as others do, which is to throw every penny into the pot.

This is actually 2 challenges in one. Not sure how I will cope with the untidiness of it all, but will have a go.

Tahlullah

Visit to the vet for 'He who must be fed' and stung for £410.00. Had some teeth extracted. Clearly not using the Colgate on a regular basis.

Bad news - How Much????
Good news - Budgeted for and affordable.

Admittedly it has emptied the bank account so I have to hope that there are no unexpected expenditures to come, but all good.

I dread to think what it would be like if I had no budget for this.

Clearly something is working and it is working well. Even if I see money debiting the accounts, it isn't on a visa card or borrowed.

Tahlullah

Just earned another £5 Amazon voucher on swagbucks.
Every little helps.

Tahlullah

New month. Starting with a balance of £37,700.

Not doing well with the overpaying in bits and bobs, but still managing to reduce by a minimum of £1100 per month.

As long as I am able to maintain a low weekly spend and continue to be frugal in the manner I have become accustomed, then all things being equal, I should be at £26,000 in December 2018.

Other positives that should be acknowledged include my Swagbucks £5. Planning to earn £5 a month. Only problem is that I am not a fan of Amazon, but I am certain I will find something to spend it on.

Top Cashback is a bit slow. I don't buy that much, so slow all round. Currently have £16 to take out but plan to get to £50 and pay it into the mortgage.

Hopefully, I may get a payout from YouGov this year, but the surveys seem to be a bit slow coming in at the moment.

No spend days are doing ok.

Selling on Ebay really slow but every little helps.

On holiday for a week this month. Holiday fully paid for and spending money waiting in the bank. Kitty hotel booked and budgeted for. Airport car parking paid for. All kit checked and ready to go. Hopefully, should come back with some spending money which will go towards the next holiday later this year.

All good. Target to aim for at the beginning of April is £36,500.

Tahlullah

Today is the last banking day of the month so a good point to evaluate what has happened so far.

Stating the month as hoped with a mortgage balance of £36,500.
Predict to start May with a balance of £35,400.
Went on my winter holiday and kept spending under control. Had enough remaining in the account to book next year Alps trip.
Managing to earn £5 Amazon voucher every month on Swagbucks. Happy with this as I can see immediate results.
Shop and Scan up to £36 already.. Saving them for Christmas.
A long way off with YouGov. Unlikely to get a £50 payout this year.
No spend days are going really well, I average 4 NSD a week.
When I do spend, I really go to town, so not really seeing the benefits.
Still collecting coins - £2, 50p, 20p, 5p. Will check at the end of the year if there is a substantial amount to bank.
Bought my team an Easter Egg each to say thanks for the hard work. Nowt expensive but its the thought that counts so I am told.
Ebay doing nothing at present. Will need to focus after the Easter break.
Moneybox slowly collecting small amounts from my account. Have set up a budget for it within YNAB. May as well just put the money in the bank!!
Found new house insurance which is saving me approximately £200 a year. This is very good. Leaving the un-allocated money where it is at present to cover the costs of the rise in Council Tax and Water rates which are due any moment now.
Iresa keeps taking random lump sums from my account. Luckily there is money available but once this fixed term has ended I will be leaving them. Too unpredictable, when you are looking for stability.
Big debt was adjourned, so still not dealt with. One day...

Think that's it for the month. Trying not to wish my life away and enjoy the ride. Paying off the mortgage is not the be all and end all.

Tahlullah

So, I haven't been on here for an age. Just life getting in the way of being MSE. But despite that, it has turned me in another direction. I will be relocating southwards and will have a new set of challenges. The main 2 are to find a job and to find somewhere to live. So, in true 'Haven't got a clue' style, I have already found somewhere to live and put in an offer which has been accepted.

So, back up goes the mortgage. Anyway, time to log off until I am stable again and able to start paying down the mortgage, which at this rate may be next year.

See you on the other side.

Tahlullah

TallGirl

Wow sounds really exciting did your contract end? Moving sounds exciting assume you know the area or there is another reason. All the best keep us posted!