These things take time.....

There_Is_a_Light

Thank you for the Christmas Wishes. Thankfully I managed to kick the head cold with copious amounts of honey and lemon and sleep.

I have just purchased the YNAB software and I am so excited about my plans for the year ahead.

Last year overall was a really good year filled with proud moments and achievements for my boys and 2 fantastic holidays. Next year will be much more frugal with a little fun along the way

Here are my health, wealth and happiness goals for 2016

Health

• Get back to and remain at my goal weight (only need to lose around 5lbs to do this)
• Start Yoga classes on 5th Jan, this will cost £2.50 a week but is something I can do with my Mum. I also pledge to do at least 2 more Yoga sessions between lessons independently.
• Continue to keep my home life and work life separate, I have not looked at an email or even thought about work this holidays. That is a huge improvement for me which I will continue to do in 2016.
• Go out for a walk with OH at least once a week, it is something that we both enjoy doing and is a good time for us to chat and discuss all sorts of things

Wealth.

• Become debt free by 31/3/16:j
• Save in high interest current accounts and maximise switching bonus opportunities to earn £1000 in bonus/interest/incentives. I already have £250 pending so am a quarter of the way there already. More on this later:) I also have some grand savings plans.
• Use YNAB to its full capacity, I have really enjoyed tracking everything in Dec and I guess if I can do it in the most spendy (is a word) month of the year then I can continue.
• Stop taking money to work, I will start off the year with a stash of tea/coffee soups etc for snack /caffeine attacks.
• Only eat out in happy hour or when vouchers are available. Take aways are always a disappointment so we have agreed to knock them on the head altogether.
• Involve OH much more in the finances, he is happy to let me get on with things but I value his input and he has a very logical mind and notices things that I miss.

Happiness

• Speak to my boys as often as possible, I have loved having them home for Christmas.
• Spend more time with the people I care about
• Enjoy our UK holiday (already booked)
• Enjoy watching A-Ha in Manchester in March (all booked and paid for)
• Try not to worry about the small stuff, most things I fret about turn out to be fine. I must remember this.
• Decorate our bedroom (for under £500) so that I have a tranquil place to sleep with enough storage.
• Spend more time in the garden, this has really been neglected this year.

lcc86

Loving the goals TIAL!

beanielou

Wow your yoga is cheap.
Wishing you everything you wish for in 2016 xx

Buffythedebtslayer

Happy New Year my Lovely friend

Good goals XXX

crazy_cat_lady

Happy New Year and brilliant goals for the year ahead.

There_Is_a_Light

I have spent a significant amount of time over the holidays reading and researching about increasing our net worth. I have come to realise that as OH is heading towards retirement within the next 10+ years (he is 51) and I would like to retire when he does at around 55 so to achieve this I reckon we need in the region of £200,000 in wealth. I have a decent pension but cannot draw from it until I am 65 to get the full benefit and OH has a smallish pension pot predicted at £60K which he can access at 55 + another even smaller pot of around £20k accessible at aged 60. Sheesh this is scary thinking of retirement but putting our heads in the sand is the worst possible thing that we can do. There are obvious gaps in time which need plugging with cash so one of my main focusses financially this year is to start off our savings.

I was thinking of paying down the mortgage too but we are currently only paying 1.49% interest and at the moment I can get a higher rate in savings so it seems a bit pointless, of course I can re-assess this should the rate change. Current mortgage balance is £23770

Savings if the focus of the year so here are my plans:)
Stocks and Shares ISA
[Goal - B]£14,000[/B]
Currently stands at £10,870 monthly contribution is £200 If I achieve a 6% return on this at the end of the year it should be at £14,000 (ish)

FDirect Regular Saver 6%
Goal £3720
I started this in November at £300 a month and will get £120 interest at maturity .

2 x TSB current accounts 5%
Goal £4180
Just opened this over the weekend and managed to put in £1400 and will open a second one for OH as soon as I have another £2k

Save another £2,000 but not sure where yet as will wait to see who is offering the best deal.

This brings my saving target to £12,000 for the year:eek: or £1,000 per month.

In addition to this I will generate the following free money/bonus
FD switching £100
Yorkshi*e switching £150
Hfax switching (OH when YB comes through) £120
2 x £5 Hfax monthly rewards £120
2 x £5 TSB contactless card rewards £120
= £610 added to the interest that I should receive (exc S&S isa) brings free money up to £900 ish:T If I can get this to £1000 then I will be more than happy.

Total accumulated wealth goal for end of 2016
£24,510

YNAB is in full swing and even with clearing off the CC I believe that I can do this.

:jBring on 2016!!!!:j

There_Is_a_Light

Another NSD today. Managed to get out for a 4 mile walk with OH which always helps with my mood.

Mixed feelings about going back to work tomorrow but mainly positive. Food all prepared and in fridge ready to just grab and go in the morning. 6.15am will be a bit of a shock to the system.

Spoke to both of my boys today and am impressed that they have both signed up for the 34 day free trial of YN@B, DS2 can get a free copy for a year as he is still a student.

I need to start thinking about additional streams of income as I have not included anything in the budget for Christmas 2016 but do have a starting balance from surveys and £uidco of £79. Still have plenty of stuff I could sell and am thinking of giving F@ceB00k selling a try as I have a couple of bikes and some gym equipment that needs to go and a few pieces of furniture. The attic is totally full to the rafters of toys and all kinds of stuff but not sure of the best platform to sell these. At the car boot people seemed to want things for next to nothing.

Hope everyone has a good week.
Light x

There_Is_a_Light

Another NSD today. Managed to get out for a 4 mile walk with OH which always helps with my mood.

Mixed feelings about going back to work tomorrow but mainly positive. Food all prepared and in fridge ready to just grab and go in the morning. 6.15am will be a bit of a shock to the system.

Spoke to both of my boys today and am impressed that they have both signed up for the 34 day free trial of YN@B, DS2 can get a free copy for a year as he is still a student.

I need to start thinking about additional streams of income as I have not included anything in the budget for Christmas 2016 but do have a starting balance from surveys and £uidco of £79. Still have plenty of stuff I could sell and am thinking of giving F@ceB00k selling a try as I have a couple of bikes and some gym equipment that needs to go and a few pieces of furniture. The attic is totally full to the rafters of toys and all kinds of stuff but not sure of the best platform to sell these. At the car boot people seemed to want things for next to nothing.

Hope everyone has a good week.
Light x

There_Is_a_Light

Another NSD
30p from a PA survey.

First day back at work was fine, mostly staff training and a bit of catching up on emails. No teaching until Wed so I have some time to get my head together. I also walked between campus sites twice today so I am counting that as my exercise for the day as it is now tipping it down. Starting Yoga tomorrow which I am looking forward to.

Had a healthy dinner of (use up veggies) fajitas with home made potato wedges. All well within my WW points for the day. Got a bit of a shock when I stood on the scales this morning as I have appeared to have gained 8.5lbs during December!!!! Doing Dry Jan again which will help with the scales and my purse. OH isn't joining in though

All looking quiet on the budget front, need fuel in both cars tomorrow.

beanielou

Glad that first day broke you in gently