All I want to be...is Free!

juststuff123

Hello MSErs

Fairly quiet month for me I think. So hopefully my post will be a bit shorter than my last few!

1st Regular saver has matured so I’ve swept that into Santander and I’m starting a new one. I opened a BOS vantage account, that’s been fully funded and the Direct Debits have been sorted that brings my current account total up to 11!

My Pole class had a show this month. I couldn’t participate because of my wrists, but I went to watch and took tickets on the door. The girls (and guy) did great and raised £1300 (I like to think I made a significant contribution to this sum with my raffle ticket selling abilities)

On Black Friday I bought £340 of gift vouchers for cloths and groceries – (at a discount) This will sku this month’s figures but it’ll all be spent over the next few months. (or less)

I tried Micro Derm Abrasion this month, I didn’t really notice any effect so I’ll not bother again. I decided to try a different toner/cleanser instead with seems to be improving my skin (purchased ½ price at Superdrug)

I had a haircut and colour last month, but I think I’ll grow it out now and when the time comes I’ll revert back to my original colour (much cheaper). I had a ‘free’ make up lesson which ended up costing me over £50 in products! Well you know what these things are like before you sign up to them so I can’t complain.

I bought my 1st xmas tree (this will be my 6th Christmas at my flat) £3 from Tesco – just a 2ft one but it’ll suit me just fine, (and I won’t have to spend so much on decorations!) But since this is the first year I’ll be spending the day at home I thought I should make an effort. I finished the last of the gift buying and they’re all wrapped up. I even made some body scrub for some people. I haven’t done cards yet – I always hate doing those.

It was my birthday this month, I was actually away working on the day so I did make full use of ‘expenses’ and order food that I usually class as too expensive even on the company’s dollar!

Well that's me for another month, See you after the Christmas fuss.

My updated signature:

MFW & DFW - Goal - to be Debt Neutral by Dec 2018 Feb 2017 Dec 2016
To pay: Mortgage -£42616/£66445 (started Feb 2010)
To pay: Parent Loan £3700/£15000 & Student Loan - £1241/£9479
To pay: Credit Cards (Stoozing) - £3359
Savings - £48474
Debt Neutrality - -£2342

jodles16

Wow you are still doing amazingly! Love your updates, so much going on!

You are so close to your goal, must be such a buzz!

Jodles

juststuff123

Hi Jodles, Thanks for popping by and for the encouragement & feedback! You're never really sure if anyone's interested in your own ramblings.
Yep very close now, there is a very slim chance I'll hit target at the end of the month, (bonus dependent) but it's more nerve racking than buzzing! I'm just itching to get there, I hope I get that psychological high when I do. But I'm already planning my next goal...

Kittenkirst

Fingers crossed for the rest of December and achieving that target, you're doing fantastically well, well done!

Looking forward to see the new challenges that you set!

juststuff123

Thanks Kittenkirst! I’m looking forward to seeing what challenges I set too!

Sorry guys this is a long one!!

Well this is it. This is my goal target month. Did I achieve my goal? … well no unfortunately not. Due to a delay with the company auditors the accounts couldn’t be closed. These are needed to calculate the bonus. I needed the bonus (and a good one to hit target) I’ll still get one but I’ll have to wait. Plus, I made some accounting errors (see below) So It’ll probably be February now.

I had a bit of a tidy up on my cash back accounts. I emptied what I could and popped about £150 in the bank or into my amazon account.

I discovered I’d made some accounting errors on my spreadsheet. I get paid on the 28th of each month but purposely never included that in my figures (I always considered that the next month’s money) but I have a lot of standing orders flying about at the same time and I’ve realised that some of these could have been double counted, since I’m a bit lazy, I usually take the figure from the 27th of the month so it’s not an accurate snap shot of the end of the month. Now I can’t decide whether to take the end of month figure and minus my salary or take the end of month figure exactly as it is. I think I’ll continue to minus the salary for now to keep the pressure on. But any opinions welcome!

I have a little bit of money with Hargreaves Lansdown I invested in a few funds a few years ago, and never really did anything since. Mainly because I had no idea how to. I had a bit of a play this month. I took out about £75 that had been sitting in the account as cash and hadn’t been accounted for on my spreadsheets and I sold the shares I owned in one fund and used the money to invest in another. The fund I sold had been pretty much losing money since I bought into it. This month I’d broken even so I took the opportunity to dump it and try something new.

I also signed up to funding circle this month. I got referred so I’ll get £50 for that. I hope it works I’m not sure it tracked properly. I thought I’d dip my toe in the P2P market I got sick of waiting for the ISA version to be available and just got on with it. We’ll see how it goes…

I did the TCB & £co Christmas daily clue giveaway. I mentioned it at work and was laughed at but I won 10p so who’s laughing now!

In exciting other news, I’m going on holiday. The first proper one since Feb 2012! (which I didn’t enjoy anyway). That’ll be over 5yrs by the time I go away. My parents are going to St Lucia in May and my sister and I decided to tag along for part of it. I only needed to get flights and spending money. I kept my eye on the flights they were around the £620 but I got lucky and I managed to get the flights for £515. I just need to work out the best way to get to and from the airport…

I told my sister that I’d booked the flights she asked if I wanted her to get me a bikini for Christmas. I said no that’s ok I already have one. She said I’d need at least 3, I’m only going for 9 nights! She said ok 2 absolute minimum. I’ve never been on holiday anywhere like this before – it’s going to cost me a fortune!

So I was going to let my heart rule my head for once, with all the savings accounts and their pitiful interest rates I’d decided to pay the remainder of the balance on my interest free parental loan. Not the logical decision but they know I’m secure and drip feeding the remainder of the balance over another two years just felt rude. I had planned to put the money into my Dad’s account on Xmas Day! However, since I didn’t get the bonus, started P2P and with the purchase of flights I don’t have enough spare money. It’s going to have to wait perhaps I’ll do it on Father’s Day instead.

I’ve seen plenty of old friends over the festive period mostly catching up over lunch(s) I went hunting for bridesmaid dresses with a friend, hopefully we’ve got that sorted now. We just need one bridesmaid to confirm she’s happy with the choice. I hope she does it quickly, I only have a few days left if it’s got to be returned.

Happy New Year & Good riddance 2016 fingers crossed for a better 2017!

My updated signature
MFW & DFW - Goal - to be Debt Neutral by Dec 2018 Feb 2017 Dec 2016
To pay: Mortgage -£42343/£66445 (started Feb 2010)
To pay: Parent Loan £3552/£15000 & Student Loan - £1126/£9479
To pay: Credit Cards (Stoozing) - £3632
Savings - £48427
Debt Neutrality - -£2218

juststuff123

Hello February and the MSE/MFW crew I’ll keep it short this month I promise…:D

I was a bit silly. I opened another current account. I read on one of the diaries you can have 3 BOS vantage accounts. So, I opened one more with one more to open when I’ve got some spare money to put in it. That brings my current total to 12 current accounts, 6 regular savers & 3 credit cards (only one in use). It’s like an addiction!! :eek: Problem is I’m running out of cash in the main account to pay all the required standing orders and direct debits! I was also going to pay my Dad back soon, Oops he’s going to have to wait a bit longer!:o

I’ve been perusing the comparison sites for utilities, broadband & Contents insurance. I decided to get contents insurance for £44 I went through the meerkat website so once I get the toy I’ll stick it on ebay hopefully get £20 or so for it.;)

I’ve pretty much decided on the energy tariff I’m going to switch to, I’m holding off until the end of the week to see if they do an MSE collective and whether it’ll be worth my while.:cool:

I had decided to switch broadband to a more expensive tariff because the cashback made it a very good deal but for some reason the I couldn’t place the order the webpage kept kicking me out during the process. :mad: I’ve contacted £co to see if they’d honour a deal if I ordered over the phone. I’m just waiting for a response. If not, then I’ll stay where I am for now.

In other news I had a free full body massage & luxury pedicure. I used a beauty school I volunteered for the students while they were being assessed. And a skincare workshop worth £60 for £7.50. The massage was absolutely wonderful. :A

As you’ll see from my signature I have just one month left to hit my target. Head back next month for party time!!! Hopefully…


My updated signature


MFW & DFW - Goal - to be Debt Neutral by Dec 2018 Feb 2017 Dec 2016
To pay: Mortgage -£42073/£66445 (started Feb 2010)
To pay: Parent Loan £3404/£15000 & Student Loan - £1012/£9479
To pay: Credit Cards (Stoozing) - £3792
Savings - £49434
Debt Neutrality - -£848

SuperSecretSquirrel

Sooooo close to neutral now - well done juststuff123!

juststuff123

:hello:Thanks Squirrel! This last month has really dragged!!:mad:

Well, am I debt neutral? ...

I sure am baby! _party_ I smashed it! So please enjoy a virtual glass of bubbly with me.:beer:
:j:dance::j:dance::j:dance::j:dance::j:dance::j:dance::j

Right that’s enough of that back to work!

I made sure I had a very frugal month to ensure I hit target :Abut I also got a small inheritance / gift and I finally got the last part of my work Bonus this month. I’m pleased that I’d have still hit my target without these extra’s. Otherwise I think it would have felt like I’d cheated.:p

I’ve had a good long think about the next target and it’s going to be as follows. The mortgage at £0 and my savings at £40k I’ve given myself 2yrs to do this in. :eek: Right now, the spreadsheet says that won’t be possible. So, let’s see.;)

A slight change in strategy is likely to accompany this new goal. But I’ll detail that next post. This post is too exciting to get bogged down with details.:D

I’m really pleased (and a little bit smug) to update my signature.:cool:

My updated signature_party_

MFW & DFW - Goal - to be Debt Neutral by Dec 2018 Feb 2017 Dec 2016
To pay: Mortgage -£41803/£66445 (started Feb 2010)
To pay: Parent Loan £3256/£15000 & Student Loan - £737/£9479
To pay: Credit Cards (Stoozing) - £3925
Savings - £54475
Debt Neutrality - +4752:T

SuperSecretSquirrel

Wow excellent news, that's crossing the neutral line in style!!

Love the bit about setting a target beyond what the spreadsheets calculate as being possible, exactly what I do when setting a target

Can't wait to hear more about the new strategy.

Well done!!! :beer:

juststuff123

Thanks Squirrel, I really do appreciate you taking time to read and comment on my diary!

I thought I’d feel different when I reached debt neutrality, safer and freer or like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders but I don’t. Perhaps debt neutrality and debt free are more different than I thought…………………

I had a bit of a wobble at work last week. I’d been struggling with stress and anxiety for a while, I thought I was getting better then I had a bit of a meltdown and couldn’t stop crying! It was so unprofessional and very embarrassing. I took the rest of the week off, I’m still deciding whether to go back on Monday. I can feel the panic setting in just thinking about it.

Right nicer things: Mother’s day – I cooked my Mum Steak & Ale pie and ginger cake. She has very high standards when it comes to Steak & Ale pie so I was a bit nervous but she said it passed so I was chuffed with that.

I had a lovely Spa day earlier this month with a couple of friends as a birthday treat for one of them. The package was originally £94 but I went through groupon and a cashback site and got it for £42! And I went to Cardiff to visit a friend and have a bit of a nose around the shops. It was nice to have a catch up.

I booked the painter to come at the beginning of June to paint the communal areas of the flats where I live. I’m really looking forward to having this work done.

I did my annual interest sweep into the main account this month and took out all the payable cashback from the assorted cashback companies (about £50)

I booked the Airport hotel & parking for my holiday at the end of the month. I spent £9 more than I had planned to. I listened to my Dad and booked it later than I planned and the price had gone up. Doh!

I had a good read of the Martin Lewis advise regarding holiday money and decided to get a specialist credit card. I went for the creation one he recommended. I applied and was accepted. I was shocked with my credit limit. It’s a holiday card I thought £1200 - £2000 would be plenty. They gave me £12,000! I always wondered how people managed to rack up tens of thousands in credit card debt – well now I know, the banks set them up. I was going to get the limit lowered but my Dad said not to and that the whole family could use the card while we’re away. The villa has broadband so I can pay the balance each day to avoid the interest charges.

I’ve made some decisions. 2 regular savers came due this month. I set up another with Nationwide but I’d decided not to renew the 5% M&S regular saver. I don’t have enough Direct debits. I could set up charity payments but £24 to get £81 interest plus the fact that I’m exceeding my £1000 personal savings allowance so I’ll end up paying extra tax just didn’t make it such an attractive offer anymore. Then I opened a 3rd BOS account just in time to find out they’re dropping their interest rate! So I might open another M&S saver in June? If ever I needed a sign to change tact this is it.

I mentioned I was going to change my strategy for this new goal. I’ve spent the last few years concentrating on savings (the bulk being in an assortment of bank accounts) now I’m going to put more effort into debt reduction and alternative investments. Especially with the worsening interest rates. I decided to pay the balance of my student loan this month (£736) and I paid off the balance I owed my dad (£3254). I used the Inheritance he’s just given me plus my bonus. I’ll take the money I would have paid my dad and the student loan each month and set up a standing order to go in the mortgage – the tried and tested snowball technique.
I think I’ll ditch at least 2 of the BOS accounts in June. I’ll use the money from one of them to pay off my credit card which comes due in July and I haven’t decided yet whether to put the other £5000 into the mortgage or increase my stocks and shares Isa fund since I’ve started to think I need to start planning for further into the future.

This personal allowance thing is a bit pf a palaver! Apparently, the banks are supposed to tell HMRC what I owe. But it doesn’t seem to work like that. I’ve had to spend quite some time working out what I owe and telling them. This new system is a sure way for some major ‘mess’ ups. And this paying back through the tax code system, it’s like being in debt again, I’d rather pay the lump and have it off the slate.

I’m still questioning the usefulness of the Santander 123 It’s not a good account anymore I’m just not sure what to use in its place.

I’ve been thinking that I need to start planning for further into the future and investing more in stocks and shares. I just need to decide on a strategy and a quantity to invest.

My updated status:

MFW & DFW - Goal - to be Debt Neutral by Feb 2017
To pay: Mortgage -£41525/£66445 (started Feb 2010)
To pay: Parent Loan £0/£15000 & Student Loan - £0/£9479
To pay: Credit Cards (Stoozing) - £4231
Savings - £54037
Debt Neutrality - +6100