Debt busting into 2015, but not beyond!

PiggyBankShaker

Had a really lovely weekend. Some friends came to visit. We went for a rather exciting walk on Sunday, during which I learnt that I need new wellies. Then we toured a local distillery and sampled some whisky. Yesterday we went to a spa and used the saunas and pool. It was a bit costly, but not as expensive as it could have been and we had budgeted for *most* of it.

Back in work today, which was mostly boring, but I did do my expenses, which I can post tomorrow. I'm off work again tomorrow and a taking DD and a friend on a 'own a pony' day as a treat for her birthday.

Not much else to report, I've been making a list of bits to sell on ebay, just need to get around the listing them now.

PiggyBankShaker

ATS did his tax return today and owes less than he had budgeted, which means... ta da! We have now filled up our 'emergency savings pot' with the excess! It has taken us six months, but we have finally saved up £5000.

We have £65 'left over' which can go into the 'home improvements' pot. We need to build this up to £10565 asap. Flippin' eck that is a scary figure...

PiggyBankShaker

PBS Spending log

Diesel - £10
Pony day - £127 + £20cash

Dobbibill

PiggyBankShaker wrote: »

ATS did his tax return today and owes less than he had budgeted, which means... ta da! We have now filled up our 'emergency savings pot' with the excess! It has taken us six months, but we have finally saved up £5000.

We have £65 'left over' which can go into the 'home improvements' pot. We need to build this up to £10565 asap. Flippin' eck that is a scary figure...

Excellent news PBS :T :T :T

You've done your emergency fund in 6 months, so although it looks like a big figure, given what you've already achieved means it can be done in approx 12 months without much change to things, a little sooner with a bit of a shove

That's a very specific figure, have you got it earmarked for anything particular?

DB

PiggyBankShaker

Little 'real' news, but lots of little things I'm feeling positive about.

Firstly, ATS has made us a brilliant new spreadsheet to track income, outgoings, savings etc. This will really help us to get a firm grip on the ol' finances, which I must admit do run away from me from time to time...

Secondly, we have actually done a BUDGET! We have worked out that IF we can stick to the BUDGET we can save £2800 next month! :T

Day off today. Visiting the chiropractor and ATS and I are giving blood at lunchtime. Chiropractor is free as it is paid for by work, other than picking up some tomato puree and some pumpkins we don't need to spend any money.

I have two library books to return and a small amount of cash to pay into DDs account from her birthday.

Then there'll be some gentle pootling around the house tidying up, ironing etc and a lovely relaxing bath as a reward.

PiggyBankShaker

PBS spending log

£5.60 on a train ticket for work

PiggyBankShaker

Dobbibill wrote: »

Excellent news PBS :T :T :T

You've done your emergency fund in 6 months, so although it looks like a big figure, given what you've already achieved means it can be done in approx 12 months without much change to things, a little sooner with a bit of a shove

That's a very specific figure, have you got it earmarked for anything particular?

DB

Hi DB,

This was me saving up on my own, so if ATS and I pool our money together we should be able to save it by March / April. However, that means we would need to be really disciplined and that isn't my strong point.

We will be spending £5125 on new windows and a front door, £3940 on internal insulation, plastering, painting etc, £1000 on tiling and £500 on materials. This will mean that our downstairs is completely finished and that all the windows in the house are A rated. We could save money by going with cheaper options, but after a LOT of deliberation we decided not to. Some might not call it MSE, especially as it won't add more to our house value than we are paying out. But having a home where I can truly relax and enjoy myself is important to me.

Dobbibill

PiggyBankShaker wrote: »

Hi DB,

This was me saving up on my own, so if ATS and I pool our money together we should be able to save it by March / April. However, that means we would need to be really disciplined and that isn't my strong point.

Wow, that's really quick but would be fantastic to achieve it in that amount of time.
To keep yourself disciplined, you need to be thinking of what you WON'T get if you don't do it. So focusing around the consequences of it all. :A

We will be spending £5125 on new windows and a front door, £3940 on internal insulation, plastering, painting etc, £1000 on tiling and £500 on materials. This will mean that our downstairs is completely finished and that all the windows in the house are A rated. We could save money by going with cheaper options, but after a LOT of deliberation we decided not to. Some might not call it MSE, especially as it won't add more to our house value than we are paying out. But having a home where I can truly relax and enjoy myself is important to me.

This shows me you have done significant research for all the things you need and the budget needed to do them.
Although not opting for the cheapest option seems un-MSE, you have to think value for money and sometimes if you buy cheap, you buy twice. You do not want to be replacing windows in 2yrs etc, so go for it, relaxing and enjoying yourself is worth it :money:

PiggyBankShaker

Had a really busy day, but not really feeling like I got *ahead* at any point.

Chiropractor and blood donation went went. ATS couldn't donate as he has been the the USA within the last 28 days.

Returned the library books, did a bit of shopping (ATS to report as he paid for it)

Did pumpkins and general halloweenification of the house.

Listed 4 things on eBay. Did one v. small mystery shop and a £3 survey.

However, the house is still messy, there is still a huge pile of ironing to do, the car stinks of horse poo.

Still tomorrow is another day!

PiggyBankShaker

Listed another 2 items on eBay, so up to my target of 6. ATS has dug out something brilliant to sell, which he is going to list tomorrow.

Tidying has been going well, we have now reclaimed the living room from the chaos. The kitchen is better, although not finished. Our bedroom is still the worst, I'll do some tidying in there this afternoon.

Need to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine and walk the dog too.