Diary of plans, lists, goals and challenges

stewby

I do love reading about a fellow planner.


I can't remember if I said this in the challenge thread so in case I haven't, congratulations on your new job and your hubby's promotion.


I have a bit of a nosey question for you (seeing as you are at the top of your band and work for the NHS). I am guessing, as you are top of your band, you have worked for the NHS for quite a while... do you know what 10 years gets you as a reward??
:undecided

I will reach 10 years on 01/01/14 and when I reached 5, I got roughly two extra days holiday a year. I was curious if I will get some more holidays or not.


I hope you do succeed in your goals and carry on writing this diary as I am enjoying reading it and I like seeing how people's plans progress and change as their year progresses.
Hugs.

rubywhatashmoo

Not the OP but for 10 years service in the NHS you get 33 days annual leave a year - so 4 extra if you're a full time member of staff

lindsaygalaxy

Morning I have been reading your thread so thought I would say hi. Congrats on your new job. It may be a pay cut in real terms but if you are thinking of kids etc in the long term so much easier to work around!

If you don't mind I am going to join you though I am rubbish at keeping up with things! My job gets really busy (teacher) and often my evenings get filled with school work once the kids are in bed.

I have looked up the NSK challenge and will do that too starting in January. Grocery shopping and random buys are our (my - I look after the money) overspend which I need to stop. We have a little debt on cc's then we need to save for a house. Still waiting for a return on our old house (rental) deposit which would pay off one card but after a month of still waiting im not holding my breath that it will be anytime soon!

stewby

rubywhatashmoo wrote: »

Not the OP but for 10 years service in the NHS you get 33 days annual leave a year - so 4 extra if you're a full time member of staff

Ooooooooh. Thanks rubywhatashmoo.


Sorry for the wee hijack fyggy.

fyggy

lindsaygalaxy wrote: »

Morning I have been reading your thread so thought I would say hi. Congrats on your new job. It may be a pay cut in real terms but if you are thinking of kids etc in the long term so much easier to work around!

If you don't mind I am going to join you.

I have looked up the NSK challenge and will do that too starting in January.

Hello Lindsaygalaxy! Thanks for delurking You're very welcome to join me and the rest of these DFWs! Thank you and yes it is the long term that I need to be thinking about as kids will be on the cards in the next year or so. NSK's January challenge is now up, so get yourself signed up for it :T

stewby wrote: »

I do love reading about a fellow planner.


I can't remember if I said this in the challenge thread so in case I haven't, congratulations on your new job and your hubby's promotion.

I hope you do succeed in your goals and carry on writing this diary as I am enjoying reading it and I like seeing how people's plans progress and change as their year progresses.
Hugs.

Thanks stewby and hello to another NSKer! I see rubywhatashmoo has answered your question re AL entitlements. I too shall reach 10 years service in the next financial year. Roll on those extra hols! Yay.

Not too much to update. I write this on my final night duty and 3rd to last shift in my current work. It seems to have come around quick! I should be starting my new job a week on Monday - confirming this on Monday. Pretty excited about that. My Mum got me a few bits for my new job for Christmas - a calendar for the office, a mug & a travel flask. It's the little things!

I had a lovely Christmas. This was the first my DH & I have had off together in the 4 years we've been together. It was quite the novelty celebrating it on December 25th and just him and me. My Mum had spent a week with us back in NI visiting DH's family, so spent Xmas day with my youngest brother & family.

In MSE related news. We got a very generous £600 from relatives for Christmas, so after discussion with DH we've moved it into a savings account to sit until the beginning of March when our two car insurances are up for renewal. Currently we pay monthly to the tune of £80 - this is with some APR added in for the priviledge of paying monthly as we didn't having it upfront at the time. Sad but I'm excited about this and being £80 pcm better off. I'm not sure if that'll cover both our insurances, but we still have a cheque to come from my Great Uncle.

Saying this DH asked as I was leaving for work last night if we could go to the Trafford Centre on Monday and get some new clothes in the sales - £100 each from that money. We both could do with some new clothes, but I'd rather put it towards that to be honest and especially with my wage drop coming up next month, the actual amount we do not know yet. It's both my and DH's birthdays soon - end of Jan for me & 2nd week of Feb for him. I may suggest he either ask for items he wants or asks for cash and then he can chose how to spend that money. Thoughts?

I have also managed to successfully negociate, I think, that he doesn't go on the 2nd stag do which is also scheduled for March/April time and which is also abroad. We've committed to the first stag and their wedding which is back in NI, so there's plenty of chunky outgoings on the horizon to be contending with really!

Other MSEy news I'm overly excited about is my contract is finally up and I've ordered my sim from giffgaff. It should arrive on Monday I hope and I've got my PAC ready to get changed over. Another £30-35 pcm saved

Right, better get some work done!

debtfreeoneday

Well done on getting the new job! Glad you've had a lovely Christmas and been able to spend it together. x

killerpeaty

Hey Fyggy, your christmas sounds lovely!

Regarding the insurance, it sounds like a great plan! Just as a reminder, you will need to save up to do the same next year. So (purely out of nosey-ness) what's the difference if you save up monthly and the monthly payment?

Do you two need new clothes? If they're poorly fitting, falling apart, cannot be worn anymore then I'd say that sales time is probably one of the best times to get clothes. But if the fashion doesn't suit you or hubby then I wouldn't go personally. There's no point in buying clothes you don't look good in and won't wear.

Congrats on the new sim! I changed contracts the other week, I'm now £10 richer a month. :beer: I'm with my old provider and paying a premium for the phone but my old one was dying a dignified death and I love having internet.

fyggy

Hello DFWs! Well I've been thinking of doing this for a while. My last SOA was from July. And I do think changes have been made, so I thought I'd fill it in again and see how the land lies now, 5 months later.... Updated figures are in bold


Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
July vs Dec 2013

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 2

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1980 now 1700
Partners monthly income after tax....... 1550
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 330
Total monthly income.................... 3860 now 3580

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 454.5
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 391.29999999999995 now 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 200
Council tax............................. 89 (12 month installments) incorrect 92
Electricity............................. 123 increased to 133
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 28
Telephone (land line)................... 20.82
Mobile phone............................ 80 (my contract til Dec 25th, Hubby's til Mar, already downgraded both) now 50
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 52.75 (downgraded to get rid of Sports & 3D) to be downgraded in Jan
Internet Services....................... 28 (Home broadband plus 3G data browsing on each of our iPads) now 7.50 as got rid of 3G for iPads
Groceries etc. ......................... 200 (Switched to Lidl weekly shops) now 150
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 120 (Hubby's car more efficient, I use his as much as poss- diesel) usually 140
Road tax................................ 28
Car Insurance........................... 77.46 will be paid in one go in March 2014, so 0 p/mon paying out from then
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 10
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 10.4
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 12.69 (Cat insurance)
Buildings insurance..................... 0 (Covered in service charge)
Contents insurance...................... 16.23
Life assurance ......................... 22.68
Other insurance......................... 16.67 (Yearly registration fees)
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 40 more like 30 based on Xmas and bday gifts last 6 months
Haircuts................................ 70 (High maintence and ever changing hair colour for me ) now 5 - I no longer dye my hair or go to the hairdressers
Entertainment........................... 200 (£25 each p week) inaccurate/increased to keep DH happy, now 320 (200 month for DH, 70 for me & 50 for joint outgoings)
Holiday................................. 100 now 0
Emergency fund.......................... 4 (charity donation) no emergency fund
Health & fitness........................ 190
Wine club............................... 25 now 0
Gadget insurance........................ 7.87
Hubby's subscriptions................... 31 now 20
Cleaner/household products.............. 100 now 0 got rid of cleaner and products within weekly groceries
2nd property rates (c.tax).............. 92.72 now 65
Professional Idemnity fees.............. 32.48 now 32.80 (price increase)
Total monthly expenses.................. 2926.69 now 2037.03


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 145000 overestimated 115000 (mine 75k, his 40k)
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 8000
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 153000 actually 123000


Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Mortgage...................... 70000....(454.5)....4.1
Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... Remaining- 311.12.....(155)......0 completes in March
Hubby's house-rented...........59870....(236.3)....4.5
Total secured & HP debts...... 131265....-.........- total now 130181

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly.. .APR
Santander CC...................861.5.....20........0 (til March 2014)
AA CC..........................3645.58...25........0 (1.5k til March 2014, rest til July 2014)
Capital One CC.................256.81....15........0
Diving holiday.................800.......400.......0
Yorkshire Bank Loan............12000.....352.4.....6.8
Nationwide BS Loan.............10000.....269.5.....5.1
Total unsecured debts..........27563.89..1081.9....-

^^^ I filled this in wrong as I didn't put the current amounts for the two loans! but the original loan amount. CCs have all changed, so here it is correctly-

Santander CC..........£1563.39....... 20........ 0 (£533 at 0% until 28/02/14
£1030 at 0% until 30/06/14)
AA CC.....................£3222.22.........33.85....... 0
Lloyds CC................. 2049.60 ..........20.70........0
Nationwide loan....... 9883..............269.63.......6 (until March 2017)
Yorkshire Bank.......... 8121.............352.48......5.1 (until Jan 2015)
Total unsecured debts....24839.21.....696.66

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 3,860 now 3580
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 2,926.69 now 2719.69
Available for debt repayments........... 933.31 now 860.31
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 1,081.9 now 696.66
Amount short for making debt repayments. -148.59 now +163.65

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 153,000 now 123000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -131,265 now 130181
Total Unsecured debt.................... -27,563.89 now 24839.21
Net Assets.............................. -5,828.89 now -32020.21


I think there is still room for improvement. I cut us back spending wise to the bone and it caused a lot of unhappiness with DH and our relationship so whilst our "entertainment" budget is high and higher than my previous it is keeping us happy and sane whilst debt busting. I have found this aspect the hardest to balance if I'm honest- as I said you have 200 and I'll have 20. I wasn't too fussed but then he'd want us to go out and have a drink (Wetherspoons is our local) and I'd not have any to do that as I'd usually be using my 'pocket money' for housekeeping. It's been a struggle. And even more so as this is my estimated salary from January when I start my new job.

Debt wise, they've reduced. I am currently paying minimum amounts to 2 CCs and then bigger chunk to Santander as that ones 0% ends soonest and also then has the worst interest when that does end. Currently we pay off £200 PCM to the CCs. But I'd like that to increase to £300. When the HP payments finish in March I feel this may be more doable as by then I'll know what my usual new pay is and DH gets his increment in February.

The main thing is the books balance. The debts are no longer increasing, but decreasing. And I feel in control.

Bringing me onto killerpeaty's questions, answered in red-

killerpeaty wrote: »

Regarding the insurance, it sounds like a great plan! Just as a reminder, you will need to save up to do the same next year. So (purely out of nosey-ness) what's the difference if you save up monthly and the monthly payment?
This is where we fall down. Currently we don't save money monthly for yearly outgoings such as insurances, mots, professional fees etc etc. We don't save anything. All spare money to put towards the CC debt. When we have a chunky outgoing we usually pay monthly, e.g. Cat insurance, indemnity fees etc. There is often enough give to cover larger outgoings as I know all the months each are due so I plan ahead and we can cover it, rein in one budget to cover it. But this is something that erks me if I'm honest, as I'd like to be able to/I'd like to put away £x amount a month to be organised and cover these annual expenses. I tallied it up a while back and it was a hell of an amount £300ish I think. Currently I pay £10 to a savings account I can't "see" (ie online access to), £10 to Zopa to lend out (approx 150 in there now) and £10 to DHs ISA which rarely gets to £50 as we end up needing it and moving it out. If I'm honest my problem is if I can "see" the money and know it's there. It's exactly the same with food. If I know there's carppy food in the house I eat it. So I employ the rule of not having it in the house! Poor self control I guess.

And paying lump sum will mean it's less as when we asked to pay them (car insurances) monthly they added 15% APR to each amount. So it's saving that interest and our money as that money we'll use is a gift.

Do you two need new clothes? If they're poorly fitting, falling apart, cannot be worn anymore then I'd say that sales time is probably one of the best times to get clothes. But if the fashion doesn't suit you or hubby then I wouldn't go personally. There's no point in buying clothes you don't look good in and won't wear.
Mine are mostly too big by 2 sizes, but I asked for and got some new knickers which fit for Xmas. They were the most annoying! Hah. I can survive with my clothes. DH needs new walking boots. But not sure about the rest. His clothes are scratty. He says he needs new shirts. He probably does, but his weight is so up and down I'm always a bit hesitant about buying him too much... We'll hang fire and see how it goes.

Congrats on the new sim! I changed contracts the other week, I'm now £10 richer a month. :beer: I'm with my old provider and paying a premium for the phone but my old one was dying a dignified death and I love having internet.
Yay to you too. My phone is pretty dead. The camera doesn't work and the screen is smashed, but it still calls, texts and browses web :T

:money:

lindsaygalaxy

Hi fyggy,

I feel for you re your DH, a friend of mine has the same with hers. He knows they have a lot of debt but isnt keen on cutting down the entertainment. However, you have done so well and made such good savings!

Hope you dont mind m asking, but why is your health and fitness costs so high? That works out nearly £50 a week?

fyggy

Hello hello! First post of the New Year:j

I have a few things to report. We got a cheque from my Great Uncle for Christmas to the tune of £2,500. Shocker. He is usually very generous but not a four digit figure. After much thinking and discussions we've done the following with it-
Paid off one of the credit cards - £1600
Got my cars radiator replaced - £200
Put away another £200 to our car insurance
Paid contents insurance outright (had been paying monthly) £150
New bits for our home £50 (towels, frying pan, laundry basket, glasses etc)
Spends for DH & I £300

I bought some things for my 2nd job & new work clothes in the sale. DH got some new walking boots and walking accessories. Happy all round

So now just 2 CCs remain totalling £5,271.82, all on 0%. I naively didn't realise that by paying our contents insurance monthly they stuck on interest for the privilege. I knew that was the norm for car insurance. Looking forward to paying that in full next month :T

I started my new job this week. What a shocker going from 13hour shifts to Mon-Fri 9-5! To be honest it's been a real shock to the system and I've struggled. It's upset all my routines. Whilst I worked shifts that varied each week that was normal to me and I did have a routine. I think it's going to take a bit of time to adjust!:rotfl:

I got my contract through and it's on the pay I hoped for and I'll get my increment still towards the end of the month so looking like I'll be £200 worse off. But, doing more in my 2nd job, so hoping that may start to be more lucrative in the coming months.

Had another sticking point with DH. As mentioned, we have 2 weddings in the Spring/Summer, both are his friends. I've been invited to both hen dos but declined them due to the cost. DH had already agreed to Wedding1's stag do which is in Germany. We've paid deposit which was for the accommodation. Priced up the flights and spends. We'd, I thought, agreed he wasn't going on Wedding2's stag until yesterday when we showed me an email of a list of names for the stag and his was on it! It seems he thinks he should go and rejects the idea that we can't afford.

I don't really know what to say. I know he wants to go and all his friends are going, but Stag2 is the weekend after Wedding1 which won't be cheap as it's back in N.Ireland. So it's not like there's time between them to pay from different pay packets. Wedding2 will either be an hour away or 4 hours away- not sure yet. So they will be cost involved there of course.

I'm a little annoyed if I'm honest as we discussed it and I thought agreed. It's making me be the bad guy. We're talking probably in the region of £300 for each stag, probably more when you add in airport travel and parking. Sacrifices need to be made in order to live within our means and pay down the debts. I wonder whether to say to him that he can go if he pays for it out of his pocket money? Or is that mean and treating him like a kid? Why is it a night down the local has changed into these long weekends in foreign countries?!

In other news, building on what was asked by another, I have decided to put away £50 PCM towards the costs of planned annual expenses. I know it won't cover them, but it's a start!