Back to basics with pavlovs_dog: the £6k sprint

edinburgher

I am about to go in the opposite direction PD. Mrs E has started mat leave, matched betting income will be going down slightly and I'm thinking about changing jobs at some point. Is the money diet a MSE thing? I think I need to revisit our budget

pavlovs_dog

edinburgher wrote: »

Is the money diet a MSE thing? I think I need to revisit our budget

it is the phrase Martin uses for going through your budget with a fine tooth comb, making sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck with all your outgoings.

I try to do it once a year, normally when contracts for broadband, phone etc expire.

For experienced MSErs like us we're talking marginal gains, but better in our pockets than theirs

pavlovs_dog

have run the usual price comparisons for the car insurance renewal. There are cheaper quotes out there... for a lower level of cover from providers with lower defaqto ratings. So we'll be staying put with Aviva. Our premium is £5 lower than last year. We should get just shy of £4 cashback for going via Quidco to use gocompare and confused

CathT

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

it is the phrase Martin uses for going through your budget with a fine tooth comb, making sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck with all your outgoings.

I try to do it once a year, normally when contracts for broadband, phone etc expire.

For experienced MSErs like us we're talking marginal gains, but better in our pockets than theirs

I think we may have got a bit lax with this. Have been with current broadband provider for a few years, bill has steadily been increasing. I finally got around to 'switching' yesterday. Food spends increasing, maybe need a mini challenge. Definitely pays to be organised with these kinds of things.

pavlovs_dog

I've limped into half term and am relieved at the prospect of some breathing space to re-energise and simply 'be'. We hosted family for the BH weekend. Was lovely to see them, but equally lovely to get the house back to ourselves IYSWIM.

For once I have no substantial plans for the hols. I feel like I ought to be doing things, but equally I've come to realise the restorative effect and benefit of doing little. Today has been spent pottering, which is always good for the soul.

I've seen my provisional timetable for next year which was grim beyond words (one week saw me free period 1 Monday then teaching every single lesson up until Friday lunch - 22 lessons with no PPA). My HoD has now managed to get this down to about 18 lessons with no PPA in between. Still grim, but I suspect that is about as good as it will get. This really throws into sharp focus the need to use gained time wisely to prep for next year. I cannot cope with another year like this.

I think that there will be many lists written and plans to be concocted over the coming days. If we take half term out of the equation, there are 7 weeks of the summer term left (yes, I most definitely AM counting ) and 4 weeks of summer hols to play with (I'll be accompanying a school trip for the first 2 weeks). Small, incremental steps can achieve a lot in that time frame, and I'm determined to make it happen.

pavlovs_dog

money diet (a.k.a getting the financials shipshape)

*spending diary - I think this may prove enlightening

* shop best deal for
line rental
broadband
gas
electrickery
2x mobiles

*renew life assurance to reflect new mortgage balance and term
* check savings vehicles - are we getting best rates?

If I only manage to cross one job off a week, that's a job a week until we break up meaning I don't have to worry about it over the summer.

edinburgher

Do you only have life insurance to cover the mortgage PD? I used to think like that, but am planning an overhaul where it would also provide a buffer above this should the worst happen. We both have some form of death in service benefits, but a little extra is not going to help. Having a baby has made me realise just how hard a single parent would have it!

pavlovs_dog

edinburgher wrote: »

Do you only have life insurance to cover the mortgage PD? I used to think like that, but am planning an overhaul where it would also provide a buffer above this should the worst happen. We both have some form of death in service benefits, but a little extra is not going to help. Having a baby has made me realise just how hard a single parent would have it!

our current policy is a decreasing term policy with the sole aim of clearing the mortgage if one of us croaks it. Because there is just the two of us at the moment, that has suited us fine. Because we've had a few £000ks behind us in savings, we've looked at this as a kind of self insurance. Once we have littlies on the scene this would certainly need to be reconsidered. We'll be using London and Country's life assurance arm to look for deals, so no harm in pricing the difference.

edinburgher

I never actually considered them, but seeing as they've helped with our last 2 mortgages, sure there's no harm in asking them for a quote

Alchemilla

You are a wise woofer Pavlovs.

I will need half term to get over half term at this rate.