The march to financial freedom

millionaire_in_training

So glad your Mum managed to join you. Merry Christmas xx

supersaver1000

Love your list.

Rain here today so hope it clears up for next week and more walks xx

Ali-OK

Good afternoon Diary,

I went to post an update last night, only for DS to announce his laptop wasn't working right - Windows 8.1 has caused lots of problems for him and the apps/tiles won't work/show up on the screen. I spent 2 hours working on it and have more to do, but seems it's a common problem so plenty of forum posts to glean information from and different things to try this afternoon to see if I can resolve it.

Took INODs advice on the spare bed bedding and left that until we have people due - does make sense and it'll be nice and fresh. Got the other beds done though (including DS!) and all the normal washing done too, plus the hoovering upstairs and the stairs.

Also got done 3) Cut up rest of turkey in readiness for turning into curries and pies (sat in a fridge box), 4) Write January birthday cards, add a cheque to one and address all, 5) Get Christmas money/cheques ready for banking.

Which meant this morning I've done 6) Bank Christmas money.

I think DS's laptop is going to wipe the rest of my afternoon out so might not get anything else done today from the list.

An update on the financials as a few things to report and keep track of:

- bank account checked, regular saver amount reduced from £400 to £200 for January, £760 mortgage capital payment on 30th
- freepostcodelottery being checked daily
- Nectar - card value up a tad to £24.34
- Inbox Pounds - sits at £3.39
- Qmee - sits at 13p

I did a TT of £6.51 earlier in the week, so that TT Savings Pot is now at £59.11. With Child Benefit due in again next Monday 29th, I will do a TT then so start the New Year on a round figure in the bank account.

Been thinking lots about plans and goals for 2015, but also what I've achieved in 2014 and will write a post or two dedicated to those. My diary and returning to MSE was about the small things making a difference - I've slipped a bit in recent months (food shopping, surveys and so on) but I'm hoping to have a total of what all those small things added up to in free money this year.

Most of the things to do on my list are not time critical, but more about getting on top of stuff, getting organised and starting the new year in a really good place.

To steal INOD's saying - today I'm thankful for the space and time to get well and to get ahead.

millionaire_in_training

Because you are technically debt free you can afford to let things slide at times. You will get back to meeting your goal in the new year xx

Ali-OK

I agree MiT - I can think of 2 chip shop dinners that if I'd been more organised we could have avoided and that would have been another £10 in my pocket or to the CC.

It's that rushing around and being tired and doing stuff on the hop rather than being planned out. Got meal planning and freezer inventory on my 'To Do' list - that does make a difference so is a priority for 2015.

On the upside, the spend was so low on clothes in 2014. That could be my age and finding trendy clothes 'urgh' for my liking :rotfl:

beanielou

Agree with mit.

Brogden

Ali-OK wrote: »

I agree MiT - I can think of 2 chip shop dinners that if I'd been more organised we could have avoided and that would have been another £10 in my pocket or to the CC.

It's that rushing around and being tired and doing stuff on the hop rather than being planned out. Got meal planning and freezer inventory on my 'To Do' list - that does make a difference so is a priority for 2015.

On the upside, the spend was so low on clothes in 2014. That could be my age and finding trendy clothes 'urgh' for my liking :rotfl:

Yes Ali.....I have been caught on the hop recently too with 'Non-MSE' quick fixes to food problems and since my 'change' it hurts like hell !!

It happened on Christmas Eve when to argue could have brought the house down and ruined Christmas Day so I obeyed. Tonight the DD's tried to make a home made pizza, put so much water in the pizza base mix it became a liquid and then put a whole tub of baking powder in to try and thicken it - the pizzas were inedible - I was forced to try some so I understood !! I was sent out to the take away....another MSE nightmare !!

The best thing is we're over the hump and the festive season will shortly be history and proper budgeting much easier :T !!

Brogden (Humbug)

Ali-OK

Over 6 hours spent trying to fix DS's laptop - to no avail So we'll take it to the repair place - I've a feeling it's the hard drive rather than software - but time for the pro's to sort it. At a cost which isn't budgeted for (to discuss with DS if he contributes or not).

Which means DS is now a very unhappy bunny, the upside being he's started on his thank you letters.

A couple of things crossed off the list tonight 7) Ironing done and put away and 8) Batch chilli made - 5 boxes of it gone in the freezer and we had one for dinner.

Box of chocolate biscuits has been opened... yum yum.

beanielou

The joys of technology~ not!!

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

:rotfl: There is no doubt your car sanctuary choices would be very carefully selected Alex .

Hope the Landie AND sledging with Little K are on your agenda if the snow arrives and settles. Double fun

Great to read you had a good day too yesterday.

There's nothing wrong with having discerning taste, Ali.



Did you get any snow? We've got quite a bit up here and yes, the Landies have been out. No Sledging today as we've been out and didn't get back until this evening but it's planned for tomorrow.


Thank you, I've had a nice Christmas time this year. Sad to hear about your sons laptop, especially as my wife bought me one this year with ... you've guessed it Windows 8.1 :rotfl:. However, so far it's utterly brilliant, very fast and I cannot help but be amazed at just how much computers have come along in the past seven or so years.