Small steps with a small budget!

Pearla*Merle

Sorry for all the posts, I'm on my iPad and can't copy all the links at once

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=FLQijU4X3y3-erhBvMX5ik5g&v=hq2-Krn0K6c I like this exercise, great for toning the tummy/back

niftythrifty33

Not been on here for a while but have still been keeping an eye on the finances, overpaying byt doing a Tillytidy & trying to be careful

I have an appointment with Santander next weeks to see if they can do a better deal on the mortgage (currently with HSBC). We're currently on non-fixed repayment at 2.39%.

I've just used the OP calculator and worked out that to pay off our mortgage when we're both 50 (8 years time) we'll need to OP by £200 p/m. I don't think this is doable for us If Santander can make this possible with a better deal & smaller OP's it will be amazing!

Spent a day baking yesterday: Millionaire shortbread, Lemon drizzle cake, Mary Berry energy bars (amazing!) chicken curry & chicken kebabs in HM BBQ sauce. It was lovely to get back into cooking. We've had a bad 12 months so I'm really trying to get back into things I enjoyed before life got, Um, miserable.

I'm loving the light mornings and daffodils. I even spent time in the garden on Monday. I used to love gardening but haven't managed it for a long while. I can't wait for some sun :j

niftythrifty33

Managed to sort LOADS of paperwork this morning. It's a job in itself, doing the admin for a family & home. No matter how much time I put into it, there's always something outstanding to do!

It's DH & DS1's birthday in March. I've saved up money for DH as he LOVES clothes shopping!! (very odd!) Not sure what to get him from the kids? This will be DS's first birthday away from home, at Uni. He can't come back as it's too far away. I have NO idea what to get him either??

Spening this month has been more than planned. DS2 needed sports gear and has grown at a shocking rate in 12 months. He's 14 years old and has gone from size 9 foot last May to size 13 now :eek: with new school shoes & footie boots with every size. I'm sure kids are bigger these days! I wonder whether it's from the additives in food or just more food in general?

DD owes 3 months mobile bills which is like getting blood out of a stone and owes me a new pair of shoes as she's broken mine :mad:

This week has gone so fast! Happy Friday everyone, I'm off to work...

niftythrifty33

Budget has gone a bit off track so far this month. HD and I went away at the weekend. The first time we've left DS2 with DD and her boyf'. It all went well and they we're all fine so looks like we might be able to do this again. It's very strange having new found freedom as a couple!

Great news, we got a PPI payment back from a loan dating back to early 2000. We haven't had the money yet but shouldn't be long.

Currently thinking of changing the mortgage to a fixed rate and trying to bring it forward by a few years. Our dream is to pay it off in the year we're both 50 (8 yrs time) but not sure this is possible unless I get a full time job. I'm happy to do this but as long as it's not stressful, after givign up my stressful career.

Budget is back on track after doing spreadsheet last night. I'm going to budget £150 p/w for rest of March. This is half of what we currently spend most months. I'm taking it out in one go (£600) and putting our bank cards away like in the old days when things were very tight. I quite fancy doing the NSD thing that I see on here sometimes

niftythrifty33

I've been inspired to start my old thread up since reading some other diaries.


In past year myself and DH have both changed jobs meaning more income


We didn't move to a fixed mortgage after all, we are being brave (or maybe stupid if the rates change).


We are getting used to feeding 1 less person since DS has moved away, it's taken ages of accidentally cooking huge meals but we're getting there.


My sig needs updating so I'll pop back later to do this. Good to be back

niftythrifty33

I've just updated my signature with the new motgage balance, very pleased with it and looking forward to seeing it reduce further this year, especially now we have more income coming in.

I just received a 9 year badge

NSD yesterday. Will take lunch to work today plus need to get new home Ins.
DH is currently in charge of the weekly cash to see if it lasts longer!

I haven't done a tillytidy as I'm thinking of setting up a standing order straight to the mortgage instead, not sure yet?

Meal planning going well, using up stuff from the freezer.

niftythrifty33

Just thought I'd share with you what I did for my husbands Christmas present. I've no idea where the inspiration came from but he said it was the best present he's ever had. This can be done as cheap or expensive as you want...


I ordered a calendar online with pics of us & family on each month. For every month I bought a voucher or booked something to do. I printed off details and put in an envelope with 'Happy January' 'Happy February' etc on the front and marked in the calendar the date we would do each thing. Some were pricey, some cheaper and some free...


As an example...
Jan-voucher for cinema & meal (good deal from travelzoo)
Feb-golf voucher
March-tickets to see a comedian
April-day out climbing a mountain or bike riding along the coast
May-city break
etc etc


It means that as we try and clear the mortgage, we still have something nice to look forward to each month. It did take quite a bit of planning but will save us doing things on a whim throughout the year which usually cost more

niftythrifty33

Today should be a NSD. I made pasta & homemade pesto last night using up (nearly in the bin) herbs, rocket, pepper and nuts.


Had to spend £140 yesterday on 2 months car insurance for DD as she's learning to drive. She's paying half so will get £70 back.


My mobile was due an upgrade last October but I just haven't got around to it. I've just been to the shop and I'm not happy with the monthly deals and my phone is in good condition so looking into getting a sim/PAYG. I currently pay £25 p/m but don't use any minutes or much data.


Looked at changing energy supplier but realised I'm tied in until Dec 2017 so will start nagging DH and kids to be aware of wastage (though this usually falls on deaf ears!)

niftythrifty33

Yesterday was a NSP and today should be too.


Found a good sim only deal with PlusNet but EE have offered a very good deal to keep me for £5 p/m. That will save us £20 per month.


Bought lunch to work today and cooking from scratch tonight.


DH has a lovely day out planned for us on Saturday, I wonder how happy he'll be when I suggest we take a packed lunch instead of going out for a meal!!!

niftythrifty33

Having a lazy day on the sofa so thought I'd post an update.

It's great reading my old posts and updating my signature. As well as being a little family diary whilst the kids grow up I can see how well we've done with our overpaying...

We've recently clearer our home owner loan, shaving a few years off the original end date plus a few thousand off the mortgage.

DD has gone travelling and needed extra money (not in our budget) which she WILL pay back!

We're really noticing a difference now to our finances from DH's job change and me now working full time for the past year. It's still hard to make decisions though, such as do we now start having package holidays, get a nicer car, do up the house etc. I feel it's a battle all the time as ultimately our goal was always to pay off the mortgage early. We both feel very fortunate to be in such a good position for our ages, with a low motgage, no debt and 8.5K savings. Although we say we're very lucky, it's not really luck, it's down to hard work and making good choices as when we started a family very young we had nothing, no money and no home.

I really will try and keep this diary up this time