The march to financial freedom

in_need_of_direction

Quite possibly the most beneficial LBM you'll ever have. Well done you.

Ali-OK

You know what...tonight is the first time in a long time that I've sat here and thought there's nothing I need to do.

The only thing hanging over me at the moment is the thought left by ex-SIL that DS's Dad *might* turn up unannounced next week as he's back in the country. I made my views clear so he hadn't better :mad:. Not going to worry about it - will deal with it if it happens.

beanielou

Glad that you have had a different kind of LBM
Counting down to your 13 days off :j

AlexLK

Glad to hear you're feeling somewhat better.

Ali-OK

Another work day crossed off the calendar yesterday and just the half day Tuesday to go :j. I'm still feeling better as well - double :j:j

Had a No Spend Day yesterday, but am heading to town shortly to stock back up on Wilko's own brand ibuprofen and get the January birthday cards. Need to post a December birthday card too and that's going second class. Free parking still - a nice bonus.

Won't be tempted to window shop or treat myself as need to be back home for 11am - the start of the time window for the washing machine delivery and installation :j

DIY mate was here last night - he disconnected the old machine and sorted/cleaned pipes and also swapped the outside porch bulb for an energy saving one - was going to order an LED for it but had a spare 8w curly one laying around and saved spending. Another job crossed off the list

Forgot to add last week that I ordered an LED dimmer switch to replace our old dimmer in the lounge - it doesn't work with the LED bulbs so has been just an on/off switch since early this year. With cashback through £c0, discount, free delivery and the supplier paying VAT too, I've made a cracking saving from £33 to £23. :T

Nothing exciting to report on the financials. Still playing with January budget - think I'll reduce the amount going to the regular saver down to £200 from £400 and £260 still allocated to the CC.

First of the 3 annual personal pension auto increase letters has arrived - so that's up from 1st Jan to £100.39 per month. I'm considering matching the amount and putting it in an ISA for retirement. Less than 20 years to 65 so have to give this some thought and focus. As I do from time to time :rotfl:

Ooh the hopi candles arrived yesterday too, so will start on those again tonight.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend - this is day 1 of 2 off for me and boy, am I enjoying it

Ali-OK

Town was not quite the £5-10 I thought it would be. Wilko's is a den of bits and bobs and soon adds up to a whopping £22.70.

Made up of:
£7 - 2 new knives to replace my 30 year old paring and chopping ones. A bit broke off the small one last weekend so had to be binned and were as blunt as could be . Hope these Kitchen Devils ones last as long.

£4.25 - reading glasses as recommended by opitician. Kept forgetting to buy some. Maybe my eyes will improve or at least less strain on them.

£5.75 - half price table cloths and napkins for next year's big do

£3.80 - various dog treats stock
£1.90 - stock of meds

3 birthday cards came in at £1.77, so almost £25 parted company with my purse in less than 45 minutes :eek:

Rest of day staying home and pottering - if I feel up to a bit of relaxed housework or tidying up I'll do it. If not, it doesn't matter.

Brogden

Ali-OK wrote: »

Another work day crossed off the calendar yesterday and just the half day Tuesday to go :j. I'm still feeling better as well - double :j:j

Had a No Spend Day yesterday, but am heading to town shortly to stock back up on Wilko's own brand ibuprofen and get the January birthday cards. Need to post a December birthday card too and that's going second class. Free parking still - a nice bonus.

Won't be tempted to window shop or treat myself as need to be back home for 11am - the start of the time window for the washing machine delivery and installation :j

DIY mate was here last night - he disconnected the old machine and sorted/cleaned pipes and also swapped the outside porch bulb for an energy saving one - was going to order an LED for it but had a spare 8w curly one laying around and saved spending. Another job crossed off the list

Forgot to add last week that I ordered an LED dimmer switch to replace our old dimmer in the lounge - it doesn't work with the LED bulbs so has been just an on/off switch since early this year. With cashback through £c0, discount, free delivery and the supplier paying VAT too, I've made a cracking saving from £33 to £23. :T

Nothing exciting to report on the financials. Still playing with January budget - think I'll reduce the amount going to the regular saver down to £200 from £400 and £260 still allocated to the CC.

First of the 3 annual personal pension auto increase letters has arrived - so that's up from 1st Jan to £100.39 per month. I'm considering matching the amount and putting it in an ISA for retirement. Less than 20 years to 65 so have to give this some thought and focus. As I do from time to time :rotfl:

Ooh the hopi candles arrived yesterday too, so will start on those again tonight.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend - this is day 1 of 2 off for me and boy, am I enjoying it

Very pleased you're feeling well and enjoying the time off

You mention the pensions / ISA's / savings,,,,,,it's all a matter of allocating the ackers to the right places isn't it? I think about this all of the time but my debt has to come down to a more respectable level although maybe not eliminated altogether before I become a little 'unfaithful' to it. My first call then is the mortgage which has been on 'interest only' since the awful LBM !! I have now started making tiny additional payments - mainly for the reason that I can ramp these up at any time - the bill payment and standing order is already there, keyed in and verified with the card reader etc etc. Silly I know but I have the arsenal in place now to start shooting extra little missiles at the mortgage Shortly I will.

The ISA has to be an idea Ali......it probably doesn't pay to get too hung up on your pension payments being fully tax deductible.....at least the ISA fund is fully tax free and under your control which could be useful if you are buying a nice holiday home down the line .

I am totally in awe of your organisation and management and everything is possible.

Brogden x

Ali-OK

Thanks Brogden - you are spot on about allocating to the right places as well and it's all a bit of juggling and balancing.

I want to save for:
- DS driving/Uni (3 years until he's 17)
- Pension provision - I think split as is with current PPP and match in ISA to provide an extra lump sum/cushion
- more house things - fasica/soffitt replacements, lounge (sofa, carpets etc)
- over structure extension (enlarge a bedroom and put an en suite in above the garage/kitchen/utility)

And overpay the mortgage!

I doubt it will all be possible and I don't need a separate shower in an ensuite - it would be a "nice to have" but it does give me a long term focus for staying frugal

Ali-OK

So the new washing machine is now installed and working - the old one the bearings had actually gone, a good job I changed it when I did then!

This afternoon DIY mate was here and he cleaned my car inside and out for me - it looks fab all polished up and like new again

I gave the kitchen and utility the once over and steam mopped the floors, so they're all clean and tidy. Washing from airer put away and Christmas presents all under our tree now. Looks great.

Dinner was pork steaks and veg.

All nice and relaxed today - a few jobs done, no rush and no stress. Tomorrow I think DS and I are going to see Paddington. Unfortunately Imitation Game isn't showing any more at our cinema.

Think that's it for today, just got to work out when to take the next turkey out of the freezer and we're sorted for Christmas Day

Skinnylatte

Can you do hopi candles on your self?