Hope is not an Effective Financial Strategy

Humdinger1

@shangaijimmy thrilled to see you posting again! Can I add to the tales of dog redemption?! Our 15 month old pup ran into a metal cattle trough hidden by long grass. Was on a ventilator for nearly 1 week, on and off; couldn't even stand.  We went to say goodbye to him after 10 days of hell and what do you know, he'd taken a major step forward that very morning! Now breathing alone, on his legs; we collect him on Friday! The vets say it's a miracle and so do we!!  Before we got him, I was a cat person but am totally in love with the glorious pup.  So delighted that you are back and with such splendid news Humdinger 

savingholmes

@Humdinger1 that sounds traumatic. Glad your dog is now on the mend.

Humdinger1

savingholmes said:

@Humdinger1 that sounds traumatic. Glad your dog is now on the mend.

Thanks @savingholmes it was! I was waking up to cry every few hours through the night.  Add to that the fact I'd just been diagnosed with diabetes and it was a perfect storm! All under control now and I stand a pretty good chance of reversing the diabetes by the end of this year but what an ash-heap I was burrowing in for a while...sorry @shangaijimmy, don't mean to hijack your diary.  Onwards and upwards Humdinger 

Aimingforthegoodlife

I had been looking for you @shangaijimmy, on my original name I used to follow you and several others who aren't around as much at the moment, had a quick catch up- only since Dec 2021. So glad pooch is ok, they are such big parts of the family! Hope all is well in other areas and that you will be back soon

shangaijimmy

So... took a few more weeks than I'd initially planned. I had a few financials to put 'in order', and then hit a technology pickle. I'm one that can't do long typing on a phone and really need a keyboard.Thank heavens for google drive saving all my spreadsheets.

Despite taking my eye off the ball for a few months I'm happy to report that I kept on with TT's and payment round ups which has kept a few OP's going (along with a couple of PB wins which I OP'd as well). 

Some highlights:

• Mortgage Balance - £61,892.24
• LTV - 27.51%
• House Equity - £163,114.25 (this is based on remortgage 3yrs ago and doesn't account for recent house price rises)
• % Loan to go from diary start - 50.12% (doesn't account for neutral pot in case we use it for something else)
• OP's for 2022 - £157.59
• Mortgage Neutral Pot - £18,809.34
• Savings to Neutral Pot - £1,250 (this has slowed due to pooch medication - expected for 2yrs but hoping for 4yrs)
• To Neutral - £42,509.82
• Hopeful Neutral Date - Aug 2028 (my age 50 & Mrs SJ 47)

Diary Stats - 89 months

• Cumulative OP's - £34,163.48
• OP's + Neutral Pot - £52,972.82

So that's a kind of snapshot progress report. I am keeping keeping on and as ever pretty much stats driven. Our next big point on the horizon financial wise is our 5yr fix ending in 18months, and hopefully the whole inflation thing will well and truly have settled by then. Whatever happens we're in a strong position and will have some good options to work through.


I have a graph from my spreadsheet to try and paste into here, so off to investigate how to do it!

Suffolk_lass

shangaijimmy said:

I have a graph from my spreadsheet to try and paste into here, so off to investigate how to do it!

I think you could take a screenshot then paste and save as a .jpeg then add as a picture - that's my route anyway

Good to see you back. Yours is one of my favourite journeys to follow.

Our pup is 9 months old on 7th August. He has totally changed our lives and expenses! Love him to bits, he is affectionate, loyal, defensive of us, friendly and gentle. He gets us out exercising and has been away with us twice now, once to  Scotland and once in the (sadly little-used this year) motorhome. - I totally get where you are with your dog

shangaijimmy

Thanks Suffolk. Think I've sorted it. Revolutionary info!!

We could never imagine our home without a dog, and currently reviewing our insurance(s) for them both. I suppose I got caught out by never considering they would be able to treat such illnesses and really we were under insured.

Right...rather than posting our full budget I thought I would just post a graph of where our monthly money goes and I'll put of few notes to what each section actually covers. So here goes:

• Mortgage - this is our contracted payment without any OP's
• Daily Living - everything including bills, food, petrol, insurances etc...
• Savings - short term cash for School uniforms, Christmas, Holidays, Car maintenance and car replacement fund. And Kids Uni/adult help fund.
• Retirement - 1 DB pension, 1 DC pension, 1 x SIPP, 1 x AVC fund & 1 S&S ISA.
• Surplus - This was at 5% before the the current energy & fuel issues (Mrs SJ works at one of those industries involved in a pay dispute so hopefully this surplus fund will increase). This fund is used for unbudgetted/unexpected spends birthday presents, takeaways, sponsorships for charity, new tyre etc... Quite a fluid fund that helps to keep the short term savings in tact.

Baileys_Babe

Thanks, @shangaijimmy for posting your graph and notes, it is making me review our finances and see what tweaks we want to make and those we need to do.

savingholmes

Thanks for sharing your graph. It's fascinating seeing how others divide their money up. Always thought provoking.

Hope your DW gets a decent settlement.

Suffolk_lass

Ooh, how much do I love a good graph!?