Help to keep me honest

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Cumbria_lass wrote: »

Early night for you then. Another £1000 is amazing, you are so near the finish line.

Hi Cumbria,
Thanks! I was going to stay up again last night but in the end was too tired so crashed out early! Yes, the end is in sight, which is keeping me focused now.

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enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Looks like your DFD is getting closer.

Once the debt is gone you could do a MFW diary. We thought like you we would not want to work until 66 which is our State pension age so overpaid the mortgage, pensions and invested and OH retired last year at 58 and I retire next month aged 57. Getting to that point is much easier when you don't have debt.

Hi Enthusiastic,
Yes, when I get the debt paid off I will start a MFW diary. I'm aiming to be mortgage free by 55 ish. I want to have the option to do what I want rather than what I have to do. You have done so well to retire at 57, that's a great achievement! :beer: Do you mind me asking how you will manage the period between now and state retirement, did you both overpay into your pension?

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Good morning diary and all,
Starting to think about what we will do next year when debt free. Some of the carpets are at least 20 years old, we must have bought reasonable quality as they have lasted pretty well. So new carpets for stairs and landing, and two of the upstairs rooms. Redecorating of the hallway landing and stairs and one of the upstairs bedroom's is also on the list. We are going to make a list in February of everything and then plan what order to do it in.
Can't believe its just three weeks left at work until Christmas since I am taking the week before as holiday. :j
Have a great day all!

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Good morning diary and all,
Two and a half work weeks left. Somehow it is a real grind this year! I think I need a break to recharge my mojo. Did the budget for December, January and February last night. There are a few presents to budget for and so I shuffled money around between the categories and adjusted the planned debt repayments. I'm determined that we will meet the February target so this is keeping me focused in terms of saying no to any discretionary spend until then. At the moment we will still make it although there isn't much slack so will need to stay on the plan.
Have a great day all!

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Good evening diary and all,
So we have finally arrived at the last day in November. Spending has pretty much been on budget across the board. Particularly pleased that groceries have come in at £378 against a budget of £450. This is a result of DS not being with us and I think we are better at meal planning and using up what we buy when there are just the two of us. I’m sure we could cut this further. Eating out was above our budget of £50 at £65 as we took DS out for a curry and also had fish and chips a couple of times. Have made some savings this month on commuting reducing the train card by £25 per month. Also, reduced the mobile bill from £35 to £10 per month for me. I’ve received two insurance reminders for the house and the pet at £211 and £192 respectively. The cat is 8 years old so apparently the premiums go up as they get older. A quick check shows I can get these down to around £120 each which would be a saving of around £160 per annum so later this month I will switch both to a better deal and cancel. They rely on us not being bothered to go through the effort I guess. Aiming to make a debt repayment of £1200 at the end of December.

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Good morning diary and all,
Listening to the cricket and much cheered up by hearing we have bowled out the Australian captain which could be a big breakthrough.:j
Am in the middle of filling in a promotion application for work. The promotion process is quite involved, you have to fill in a long form and then it goes through a few committees and eventually you hear back. I am about 2/3 of the way through, hoping to have a draft complete by Monday morning to send to my manager for feedback.
Planning to go out this afternoon to buy a few Christmas presents.
Have a great day all!

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Good morning diary and all,
Did some reinsuring yesterday. Had the renewal quotes for pet and home and contents and both had gone up significantly. Using a switching site I managed to get better deals. It takes a bit of time but well worth it.
The number are Current cost, requote, new
Pet - £144, £198, £85
Home and contents - £144, £212, £112
So a cost avoidance of £122 over requotes and a saving of £91 over current cost. I also paid for them both for the whole year rather than monthly which was slightly cheaper and also out of the way.
Spent a bit yesterday:
OH needed a new handbag £20
Christmas presents - £50
Top up groceries - £10
Stopped in a cafe - £12
This morning going for an outdoor fitness session with OH and then this afternoon have to do the weekly shop.
Have a great day all!

System

Sounds like you have been busy , listening to cricket , work, talking about spending your money on your home when your debt free, which is very soon.

Love the OH needed a handbag, ladies like their bags! The outdoor fitness session , was this like a boot camp ?

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Cumbria_lass wrote: »

Sounds like you have been busy , listening to cricket , work, talking about spending your money on your home when your debt free, which is very soon.

Love the OH needed a handbag, ladies like their bags! The outdoor fitness session , was this like a boot camp ?

Hi Cumbria,
Thanks for dropping by!
OH has been really good with spending and keeping a lid on it for now. I realise I have become a bit boring over money so that will change in Feb when we finally have a bit more room to relax about it. The outdoor fitness is Nordic walking. Its really fun, an enjoyable and sociable way to get fit.

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Good morning diary and all,
Its been a busy week, struggling a bit with a cold that doesn’t want to leave.
I have an important meeting on Monday with two senior people at work about my promotion. They are gatekeepers, so without their support is isn’t going anywhere. Hopefully I have done enough over the last couple of years to convince them. Financially, it would help. I am on the same salary as I was on when I started there 6 ½ years ago, apart from annual cost of living rises which have been just about keeping up with inflation. I am not banking on getting it, but it would mean achieving the goals sooner and with a little bit of fat so I could relax a bit more over money, which would be good.
We have got all our presents, need to post some today overseas. This year we are spending about £250 on Christmas so far. £110 on presents for nieces and nephews including posting, £100 for DS, £20 each for a present for each other. I have no problem ignoring the advertising and general encouragement to overindulge.
Its beautiful outside in the garden this morning, the moon is framed by a huge snowy oak tree. Breathtaking.
Have a great day all!