BookWorm's MFW Chapter

BookWorm

Happy New Year everyone.    

Well that was a year none of us expected eh?  

Although it's been a hard year, I consider myself lucky as I've been safe and well.   I'm able to work from home, and whilst it does occasionally make things a bit harder, I'm grateful that it's even possible, as it certainly wouldn't have been in previous times.    The last few months I've personally found tougher, not helped by stricter tiers and lockdowns in my area.  It's meant that I've not been able to see friends very easily, if at all, and since I live alone, that is quite hard at times.   Also work is very busy and not being able to mentally leave it behind as well as I would when in the office (and the seperation that a commute provides), has been challenging for me.    I've been trying to stick to a proper schedule and packing up my desk in the same way as I would in the office, and that does seem to help.    I've also been trying harder to get a walk at lunchtimes, since it's not so easy before or after work now (unless I want to walk in the dark, which I'm not keen on).   I definitely seem to suffering from 'digital fatigue' in recent times, and spending more time 'offline' is something I've doing more of.  It is hard balancing that need for time out/away from being online, against needing to socialise online (as that's the only way for me to keep in touch with many friends, and some family.   I keep plugging away though

Reading has been a challenge for me at points this year.  In fact during the first lockdown, I could not read at all, for several weeks.  And I found that difficult.  I had more time to read, and became frustrated because I couldn't.   Though after talking to others, it seems I was not alone in that struggle.   In the end, I accepted it and did other things.   After a few weeks, I tried re-reading some old favourites, and that seemed to spark my reading mojo back off, for which I was massively grateful for.   My mojo seems to be ok now, though I am definitely leaning towards those books that are easier to read still. 

Like many other people the year's planned activities did not go ahead.   Out of the things I had planned, I managed 2 theatre visits, and the was because they were both prior to the first lockdown.    The others that I had planned have either been cancelled or rescheduled, some even as far as into 2022!    My holiday also did not proceed and I've opted to transfer it to July this year, and will just have to see if it proceeds or not.  

Even though I've not been around here as much, I have not given up my MSE ways, and have been trying to maintain good habits throughout.   My main downfall has been occasional online spending splurges, sometimes on books (yes, even when not reading I still seem to want to buy them!  I have a large TBR pile to go at - physical and digital) and sometimes on other random items.  I think some of this has come down to boredom.   It's been exciting getting deliveries, or sending things to other friends to break up their boredom too.    Whilst I may not have been as controlled as I could have, it's not all bad and I've not gotten into any debt, so consider that a win overall.    In fact I reined myself in towards the latter part of the year, and made a proper plan for Xmas spending.   This worked out so well that it's the first year in many where I've had nothing on a credit card in December (none of them!).    I'm pleased with this outcome.     I want to continue these better behaviours into this year. 

Ok, that's enough rambling from me I think.  (although I will be back to post the yearly update shortly)

I wish you all a safe, happy and prosperous 2021

BW x

BookWorm

Ok so here is a summary of where I ended up at the end of 2020:

LTV - 42.93% (down from 48.61 %).

Balance - £49,370 -  (down from £55,900)

End date - not been able to track this as the spreadsheet I was using is no longer accessible to me following a laptop change and no longer having access to excel.    However, I would estimate I've knocked off a further 6-9 months. 

Daily interest - £2.17 (down from £2.93) - that was helped in part my by remortgage, though mainly due to a nicely decreasing balance

OP's for 2020 - £3,235 (up a little from last year.  Mostly due to wfh savings and a couple of bank switch bonuses)

Total OP's since starting MFW - £25,876

Surveys - £607.42  (versus £618.89 last year.  I'm surprised this is so similar tbh as I feel like I've not done as much this year.   I've reduced the number of sites again that I use further again.  However, I still consider this 'free' money and so a thumbs up from me)

So still plodding, but continuing in the right direction at least. 

BW x

CathT

Lovely to hear from you BW. 

BookWorm

Happy New Year everyone.    

Well 2021 was not as we had hoped for at the outset was it?   I'm sorry that the pandemic is still here another year on (and as it stands no sign of abating yet!)

I've been continuing to work from home in the main.  From April til November it was voluntary return to the office, but I chose not to as saw no real need.   As of November it was a few days a month back in the office, but then as of early December we were back to work from home again.  Who knows til when this time?

For the most part it's been ok, but there are definitely times it's harder than others.   I've tried to make the most of opportunities to see family and friends this year.  Still being cautious as appropriate but definitely more social than the previous year.

Things I've managed this year:

- Indoor sky dive (this was a relatives present rescheduled from last year)

- 1 theatre trip

- Few days break in Shropshire - last minute whim decision in September to make the most of the lovely weather we had

- Trip to the SW to visit a friend that I was unable to see last year due to national & local lockdowns

- several meals out with friends

- a few small home improvements (new furniture and fittings) which have improved the look, feel and functionality

Reading has been better for me this year.   I've read more than double the amount of last year, which has been a great way for me to unwind.

The rescheduled theatre trips and holiday have sadly not taken place.  Each have been rescheduled for 2022 and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  The first is due to be early Feb, so guess will see then

Spends have been up and down throughout the year.   Nothing too OTT though and each time I've started to be very spendy, have managed to rein myself in.  For the 2nd year in a row, there has been nothing on the credit card by Christmas, and I'm really pleased with this.

I wish you all a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2022

BW x

BookWorm

Ok so here is a summary of where I ended up at the end of 2021:

LTV - 37.39% (down from 42.93%).

Balance - £43,000 -  (down from £49,370)

End date - no longer able to track this as the spreadsheet I was using is no longer accessible to me following a laptop change last year and no longer having access to excel.    However, I would estimate I've knocked off a further 7-10 months. 

Daily interest - £1.90 (down from £2.17)

OP's for 2021 - £3,156.73  (down a little from last year £3235 - but this is pretty close and there were limited opportunities for bank switching etc plus less cash paying surveys for me)

Total OP's since starting MFW - £29,033

Surveys - £603.35  (versus £607.42 last year - again very similar to last year.   I've not done as much of this as I could as digital fatigue is definitely an issue for me these days

So continuing to plod in the right direction.

BookWorm

Won £5 on the lottery last night, so made first OP of 2022 today.   A few more 0's would have been good, but nice all the same. 

BookWorm

First survey payment of the year - Pr0lific - £10.12 - sent you know where

BookWorm

A straggler survey payment from last year that I cashed in but had to wait 28 days for arrived today.  £25 OP

BookWorm

Happy New Year everyone.    

Well 2022 was another interesting one wasn't it? 

The biggest change for me was getting a new job, which I started back in August.  Similar role to old one but for a smaller company and so far going well.   Still hybrid working and tend to do a couple of days in the office (when no train strikes are on anyway!)

Other things I've managed this year:

- 3 theatre trips - 2 of which were rescheduled from previous years

- 1 week in Italy - which was also rescheduled from before

- Few days break in Cheshire - last minute whim decision in November to use up some leave.  Never been before and loved it so will definitely go back at some stage. Probably during the warmer months.

- Trip to the SW to visit a friend

- quite a few meals out with friends & family.  One of which was a lovely reunion that have been trying to sort for last few years, so great that it finally happened

Reading has been a bit hit and miss. Definitely been affected by work stress and moods for me this year.   I've read more than double the amount of last year, which has been a great way for me to unwind.

Spending has been steady, and mostly keeping to my own chosen budgets. For the 3rd year in a row, there has been nothing on the credit card by Christmas, and I'm super chuffed with this.  Makes me feel like I've finally gotten to grips with my finances.

I wish you all a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2023

BW x

BookWorm

Ok so here is a summary of where I ended up at the end of 2022:

LTV - 31.30% (down from 37.39%).

Balance - £36,000 -  (down from £43,000)

End date - no longer able to track this as the spreadsheet I was using is no longer accessible to me following a laptop change However, I'm hoping to have it gone by 2028. 

Daily interest - £1.61 (down from £1.90)

OP's for 2022 - £3,682.69  (up a little from last year £3156.73.)

Total OP's since starting MFW - £32,716.01

Surveys - £506.84  (versus £603.35 last year - I've definitely not done as much of this as I could as sometimes just don't want to spend more time on a laptop/online than I need to

So as ever, not big numbers.  However, continuing to plod in the right direction which is at least pleasing to see