RTB's *stop cluttering up the challenges* thread

Roundthebend_2

We will debt free by Christmas 2016
Hopefully earlier but will give myself a bit of a buffer zone because we don't want to be miserable for the sake of clearing debt a few months earlier. We have young children and would rather be happy.

I would like to be mortgage free by 2020.
This will be a huge challenge. Massive. But there is good reason for this goal, because...

...We want to start saving for our dream house in the country.
It needs to also house my mother in law and her husband. We want them to enjoy their retirement years in a beautiful rural environment, in a house we all love. I want to be able to afford this dream house and not cripple ourselves financially to achieve this dream.

I want a career
I left my career in the forces when I had my first child. Once I have finished my degree, if I do well enough, I'd like to use it to go into secondary teaching.

I would like another horse
This is at the bottom because obviously it isn't the highest priority. However, horses are my life. until this time I will help friends with their horses, but my dream is to own my own again.




All of the above are what will keep me motivated, so I must keep checking back on them, remind myself why I am doing this

chesterroo

Good luck with your new diary I will be subscribing. Great summary so far I feel like I already know you lol.

Roundthebend_2

Thanks Chesterroo, I can talk the hind legs off a donkey, can't I!!

Roundthebend_2

Money Goals

* Overdraft not to be used to cover any shortfall at the end of the month (ie don't spend more in any month than there is in the bank just because we know we have an overdraft there)

* Put money into the ISA each month (no matter how small an amount)

* Put money away for Christmas each month and Grab bargains for Christmas as we see them, using money from xmas savings account

* Work harder and smarter to make more money at work / spend less on diesel

* Sell anything we don't use, need or want

* Save up loyalty points for Christmas time

Personal Goals

* Go to choir on a Tuesday again. Due to work and family commitments I just didn't have time. I will make time.

* Study 30 mins minimum 3 times a week, and twice a week for at least an hour

* Spend more time riding, make use of British Showjumping and Forces Equine membership before it runs out (because it cost a bloody fortune!!!)

* Be more organised

* Love bomb the kids. Things have been stressful, it's not their fault.

Birdseedsandpoundcoins

Guess who?:T

Roundthebend_2

Birdseedsandpoundcoins wrote: »

Guess who?:T

Yey! Welcome to the mad house!

Roundthebend_2

So far I have:

Tesco: 1,486 points worth £14.50

Sainsburys (Nectar): 1,332 points worth £6.66

Coop: don't know until they send us a statement

Roundthebend_2

Been meaning to switch my gas and elec back to a cheaper tariff since SEPTEMBER when my tariff ended

My dual fuel bill is now £157 :eek: and I've just applied to switch to the lowest tariff ( staying with same company as still one of the cheapest but not switching fees and I'm very happy with the customer service) so fingers crossed it brings my bill down by a decent amount!

Roundthebend_2

So life got in the way. January was a massive month money wise and we struggled.

Because of this I am going to drop 2 challenges for a while; the grocery challenge and the make £10 a day challenge (although I am going to try to stick to it in the background)

I have 'made' a bit more than this list shows but I lost count

January Update

Money made
£54 Interest saved on loan
5p roadkill
44p Asda price guarantee
£6 Appbounty (in Amazon vouchers)
10p found in house
£14.66 from TopCashback
£25 birthday money
£20 selling birthday voucher
12p wombled Tesco points
£36 interest saved on loan
£5 Amazon vouchers
£8 saved on diesel


Payments made
Car finance £259
Loan £118 + 110
Mortgage £458
Sofa £48
Very account £124

Overpayments made
14/1 £110


Sealed pot
£16.27

Sealed pot is going well though, Even my husband is well on board with this one! Only small amounts but even if it only hits £50 then that's a couple of xmas presents for the kids at Christmas, or half the Christmas shop. Well worth it!

Roundthebend_2

Tesco points are now up to 1900, these will be going towards my daughters birthday present so really want to get to the 2000 mark so I can double up to £40