The end of the beginning - chapter 2 of my MFW journey

EchoDelta

I'm so rubbish at updating this! With just the one income in our house things are a little tight so theres no OPing going on and precious little saving. But hey onwards right!?!

So back at the start of the year I set some goals and I thought it was worth having a stock take of how I'm doing so far.

This was signature at the start of the year:-

Baby Fund Challenge - £2,940/£8,900 (£5,960 to go)
Sealed Pot Challenge - No. 117
Bank of Mum & Dad - £3050/£10,000 (£6950 to go) Bank of In Laws - £4250/£12,000 (£7750 to go)
Emergency Fund - £460.00/£1000
MFW - MFD - [STRIKE]5 Apr 2029[/STRIKE] 5 July 2027 : AIM = NOV 2019 (back up aim = MAR 2023)

And the goals I set:-

-fill emergency fund - not yet - currently on £350.00

-lose weight - I have actually made a blinding start on this and have lost 8lbs already this year (helped by being ill and losing my appetite with it) - I want to lose another 8lb to get to 11 stone by May and will then see how I am doing. - DONE! I now weigh 11 stone and think I will lose some more. Aiming for another 7 lbs off by the end of the year.

-reduce amount owed to parents and in laws by a total of £600 - only reduced by £100 so far but we've still got some months to go

-reduce mortgage term by at least 6 months - DONE! SMASHED! Reduced by 25 months since the start of the year. Thank you falling interest rates and increased standing order!!! :T

-fill baby fund - DONE - at least, after a fashion. Mr Delta got some statutory redundancy pay which we have stashed to allow 6 months off. It's not the 9 I would like ideally but it'll be fine. Not pregnant but that's okay, going to try "in earnest" again in a few months once things are more settled with Mr Delta at college.

-at least 10 nsd per month - probably failed on this one, I haven't been keeping note that's for sure. Need to knuckle down with this actually, have been buying too many lunches etc.

-become healthier - less coke, less sweets, more healthy foods - YES - doing pretty well here.

-go for at least one lunchtime walk per week - DONE - usually more like 3 strolls per week, not really calorie burning power walks but nice fresh air and better for me than sitting at desk.

-get fitter and stronger - to this end I have started the "30 Day Shred" (on day 3 - it is killing me!!) and have entered a sponsored walk of 26 miles overnight in May - DONE! Moonwalk went really well. I've started C25K and can now run for 20 minutes without stopping. I feel fitter and stronger. I have entered a 5k race at the end of this month, a 10k in November and have pledged before witnesses that I will do a half marathon in April. Pretty proud of myself actually

-dress more smartly for work - have become a bit of a scruff lately. Have got some new bits in the Next sale and also on good old Bay of Fleas so no excuse to be anything other than sharp!! - DONE - I am very fabulous indeed! :rotfl:

-keep a positive frame of mind, enjoy life, find something to laugh about every single day no matter what! - DONE! Apart from the trip to the pit in the Spring all is very well. And a bit of counseling later and all feels very positive. There is always something, lots of things, to smile about.

EchoDelta

- pay back at least another £200 to parents and in-laws
- reduce mortgage term by another month by the end of the year
- 10 NSD per month from now on - will start to keep note again
- lose 7lbs (aim = 10 st 7 lbs)
- complete 10k in November in 80 minutes or less :eek:
- get to £500 in emergency fund

Here is signature as it stands now :

Sealed Pot Challenge - No. 117
Bank of Mum & Dad - £3150/£10,000 (£6850 to go) Bank of In Laws - £4250/£12,000 (£7750 to go)
Emergency Fund - £350.00/£1000
MFW - MFD - [STRIKE]5 Apr 2029[/STRIKE] 5 June 2025 : AIM = NOV 2019 (back up aim = MAR 2023)

castlelough

Hi EchoDelta!

I didn't realise you had started a new diary! I just caught up!

Wow I'm astonished at how you've nailed your January goals despite having an exceptionally tough year! (which I'm sorry to hear about btw) And I can't believe you have cut 25 months off your mortgage since January - that's AMAZING!!!! :j:eek::T:beer:

xxx Castle

EchoDelta

Thanks Castle,

It's been an interesting one that's for sure! And pretty crap on paper. But generally, despite redundancy, broken brain and the like it has not felt that bad, still lots of good times and, sounding really cheesy, Mr Delta and the Small are good and that's the most important thing.

The mortgage term reduction is really due to a new fixed deal rather than any spectacular efforts on my part but still really pleased!

X

EchoDelta

The money saving gods were smiling on me today! Took Small to the zoo and someone in the queue gave me a free ticket! One of their party had been unable to make it and they wouldn't take any money for it.

Small was free as she is under 5 so we had a fab day out for under a fiver (ice creams and extra drink).

Watty1

Smiled at someone giving you a ticket. And its all going really well despite tough times. Great progress

EchoDelta

I did a 5k running race today. Didn't manage to run non stop (went off like a bat out of hell and then got a stitch, then repeated the same thing a couple more times like a total prat rather than pacing myself). Did it in 34 minutes 36 seconds. Not terrible but I am a bit disappointed to have gone over 30 minutes. Still, a kick up the !!!! to put in the effort for the 10 k in November.

Money wise things are ticking along. Pay day on Thursday thank goodness! We've got a busy August but will try to keep things vaguely under control!

Hope that everyone is keeping well.

EchoDelta

Hooray for pay day!


Budget drawn up for the month and - stop the press!!! - £78 moved to OP pot.


Should be okay to stick with what I have set for the month. We're off on holiday for a few days but that's all paid for and spending money has been put aside previously.


Festival this weekend so will have to keep the spends under control but I think we can do it.


I had a frugal and fit moment the other night and have registered with Park Run so will be doing some timed 5k races for free over the coming months. Feeling very motivated from a health point of view as feeling fitter and also losing weight (1lb off this week).


Also aiming for 10 NSD in August.


Let's see how I go!

EchoDelta

Spent £10 less than budgeted for at festival so moved that to emergency fund . Also Tilly Tidied some shrapnel to op pot.

Had such a great time at the festival. Small was so cute and cool - "Come on mummy, let's go to the dance tent, I want to hear some noise! "

giblet1979

Awww.....bless small! x