What do you want to achieve in 2015?

northerner999

northerner999 wrote: »

I've been putting off updating this after feeling like I wasn't making any progress this year on debts despite lots of approved moneysaving practices, but after looking back at my monthly finance tally over the past 12 months realised just how well I was actually doing.

My credit card debt still stands only marginally less than this previous update. This is still £1,000 down on May 2014 (LBM was summer). I was feeling this was not great, but the main reason this has not been reduced more is remortgaging in January - had I not done that, I would almost certainly have paid it all off.

I remortgaged when I thought deals were going to worsen, which they haven't, but am still happy with my deal which took me below 60% LTV (should always guarantee access to best rates until paid off), secured a really affordable minimum payment which was £80 less a month than before (£200+ PCM less than renting identical property in same building) and, most importantly, ensured budgeting security until early 2019.

The payment took out my emergency fund and vital repairs to car and flat, which I pre-empted in the last update, meant I then couldn't pay off a Barclaycard balance when it came up earlier this month, and instead used their offer of cash to a bank account at 0% until Dec 1 to buy more time.

So while I am frustrated the c-cards are not being paid off quicker, the figure which I am happiest about is the combined mortgage + c-card debt is down EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS on this time last year.

May 2014: 97,742.64
May 2015: 89,759.21
(Property worth anything from £120-£140K)

So definitely feeling more upbeat after viewing my finances through this viewpoint. The same kind of combined debt repayment would have even my mortgage paid off in 11 years - when I'd be 42. Don't want to start letting myself believing I'm actually in strong financial shape, but definitely allowing myself positive thoughts - celebrating my making my sandwiches for packup at work this afternoon/evening!

Ditto above. More unexpected but prepared for expenses (new boiler, new smoke/fire alarms) mean my c-card debt is not reduced as much as I would have liked, but am making steady progress and 0% deal that ended Oct 1 was paid off in full. I will have to roll some over into next year, but still satisfying seeing the figure reduced every month and using the method above (mortgage+c-card)...

May 2014: 97,742
May 2015: 89,759
Oct 2015: 86, 593

So 2015 won't be the year I cleared my c-card debt, but it will be the year I really took control of my life finances. As the figures above show, I have taken £11,000 off total "debt" in 18months. I even found the cash for a little (cheap) holiday. It just shows what can be achieved with a bit of planning and perseverance, even with unexpected events like boilers blowing up!

Knit_Witch

Use the Est** L*uder perfume and body lotion daily - this is happening and cheering me up a LOT
Finish the boxes on the Winnie the Pooh Calendar stitching - done :j
Finish one more colour on the needlepoint - done :beer:
Lose 7 lb in weight - 5 lb gone :T
Wear make up three times - not yet

theresamum2

Hi everyone haven't been on for ages thought i would update my post.

1.Pay my rent arrears off ALL PAID Still in no arrears

2.Pay off my council tax arrears which are currently at £1480.41 i pay 45 pound a week of it but going to increase it to 50 pound a week when rent arrears are paid off i know its going to go back up in april with new tax year so we have to rearrange how much i will be paying. Now its a new tax year i phoned them i am now currently paying £ 25.29 for this years tax and £ 21.00 for my tax arrears my arrears is down to £1290.41. This went a bit down hill so it went back up but back on straight and narrow and down to £1000 pound left to pay of it.


3.Not to buy anything from brighthouse. Keep getting asked keep saying no doing well still havent got anything else from brighthouse

4. Hope get the house decorated. On a back burner dont think going to happen this year.

Also have booked a family holiday for next year only 400 pound left to pay on it did really well my fiance got his holiday pay from work a big chunk of it and half went on holiday we would of spent it on rubbish but we said need to pay some of holiday of and we did it. Also saving change now and pound coins its going away for holiday next year.

in_need_of_direction

well done you. one debt down and others definitely in your sights. why not contact brighthouse and ask that they remove your details?

as for me, i'm working on a mini goal to lose 4lbs by new year. If wonderful NYD decides to redo the thread for 2016, hopefully I'll have a much clearer picture of what I'm doing

FlacosFloozie

Well, 2015 kind of ran away from me at the end but I thought I should come back for a final update.

1) Stay debt free Managed this one
2) Save 12k towards house deposit The drop to one income when we moved meant it ended up at 6.7k but I'm pleased with that.
3) Start investing for long term I have a plan but no spare cash so fail.
4) Run 5k in 30 minutes Best time 33.05
5) Run 10k without stopping Managed 8k
6) Run in an organised race Nope
7) Keep on top of housework Better than I had done before
8) Declutter the house Did a lot but more to go
9) Be more organised about life in general Getting there
10) Be more sociable Still a massive introvert but did manage this.
11) Look more put together Did well to start then tapered off
12) Finish my course module Fail still 4 assignments to go.
13) Start my next course module Need to finish 12
14) Get my course log up to date Done
15) Have a holiday abroad Moved back to Scotland, does that count?

So not major successes but more progress towards long term changes. I'm going to carry these over to 2016 and add eat more healthily :rotfl:. Best wishes to all who took part in this and hope you have a happy 2016.

racing_blue

Mine:

2 really good family holidays - yes we actually managed 3. I am so pleased we will all have these memories.

Organise work better to reduce stress- well, it is a work in progress but I would say more yes than no.

Bring net investible assets up above £-200,000 : No, I did not manage this & the goal is carried forward to 2016

Stereochild

Stereochild wrote: »

My goals for 2015

1. Become debt free (Feb/Mar) Done!
2. Save £3k into my full Emergency Fund Saved £2.5k
3. Stick to my budget Big Fail
4. Lose 1 stone in weight Big Fail
5. Read the books I have before buying more Big Fail
6. Save £10k towards my house deposit Done!
7. Write a letter every other month to my sponsor kids Big Fail

I think I get a D grade for my 2015 goals and a 'needs to improve' note from the teacher.

[Deleted User]

Hi,


Is there a thread running for this year? I love to take part.


Thanks


Pmo2
x

Newyorkdreams

Hi Everyone! Sorry I'm a bit late with my final year update but I have been suffering with Norovirus and the cold so Ive been totally floored the whole of the New Year period!! Here is my final update - I think I've not done too badly! Maybe a grade B??!!


I hope you will join me on the new thread for 2016?


Happy New Year to each and everyone of you xxx


Pay off 2 credit cards, 1 loan and £5,000 of debt. Achieved
Save £500 for emergency fund. Achieved
Sort out mortgage. Achieved
Finish Mini NYD nursery. Achieved
Begin Mini NYD memory book - Partly Achieved - carry over to 2016 goals.
Go away for our first weekend/mini break/week as a family in October 2015 paid for by cash, not credit. Achieved.
Write business and marketing plan for life coaching business with clear milestones, to start in April 2016 by September 2015. Not achieved and goal deleted for the time being.
Spend quality time with my daughter when on maternity leave, make an effort to go to classes, walks and activities and not dwell on things that don’t matter (as much) e.g losing weight and getting fit from week 6. Achieved.
Continue to support my dad 100%, research rehabilitation techniques and never give up hope. Achieved.
Read the influence blog and apply it to my professional life. Not achieved but carry forward to 2016 goals.

angelbob

Hi I haven't been on here for ages but wanted to give my years update:
1. Pay off £5000 of debt Paid £885.22 so far didn't do well at this will knuckle down in 2016


2. Loose 2 stone at Slimming World (lost 1&1/2 stone Sept - Xmas) Yep done got my 2&1/2 stone award.


3. Sell treasures on facebook, bootfairs and ebay Made about £700 throughout the year.


4. Paint bedroom done


5. Lay patio done


6. Sort & tidy attic done


7. Develop all photos and put into albums Have nearly finished albums but need to develop last 100 pics, will do this in 2016




Thanks, now I'm of to look for 2016's thread x