Fat, forty and financially f**ked

mothsinmywallet_2

Every amount that is not a direct debit on the above SOA will now automatically transfer to my savings account on the 1st of each month. Yes, I have just set up 17 standing orders and yes, I did need to enter multiple passwords and generate a security code for every single one...

Chrystal

You have my sincere sympathy regarding the passwords/security codes etc... and a lot more patience and organisation than I have! 

mothsinmywallet_2

It won't last chrystal 

teapot2

Well done on the admin and insurance wrangling

missymoo81

Wow super well done! 

mothsinmywallet_2

I'm in the boring nothing happening bit. Everything ticking over nicely. Child benefit went in yesterday, all allocated. Get paid on Friday. Is it sad that I'm really looking forward to giving all those pounds a job? It will be interesting to see how the new standing order system works out, it should be ok but I'm sure I've forgotten something important! 

Nothing money saving really going on today. I did mention before that I would keep track of no spend days but they are happening more often than not without being tracked. I don't think I have made any unplanned spends for ages. Age of money at 25 days. Hope to get to that elusive 30 days soon. 

Have restarted slimming world - just doing it using a couple of websites so I'm not paying anything. It's going really well, I'm eating way more fruit and veg and feeling great today. Felt a bit nauseous and weird last two days but I think it's just sugar withdrawal. 

Need to do a mammoth meal plan to take us up to the Christmas break. Have done this in past years and it takes away so much stress, definitely worth the couple of hours it takes. I also need to make a start on buying presents. Would love to have them wrapped and stored by the end of November. Suspect when term starts again I will remember why this never happens. It's easy to make grand plans when you're lying in bed, halfway through a week off work...

I am thinking ahead a lot. I would like my next diary to be called Fit, Fifty and Financially Free. 5 years may seem like a long time but I think it's a realistic goal. 

Goals 
Short term - continue using YNAB to control finances. 

Medium term (by Jan 2022) - pay off credit cards, no new debt, home improvements done 

Long term - all debt paid off, 5 stone lost, total control of finances maintained for 5 years.

Seems doable when I put it like that 🤣

mothsinmywallet_2

Just putting a note here to remind me that I picked the very last of this year's runner beans today.

Running_man

Hi
looked at your SOA
£75 for holidays?

£27.50 massage ?

So over £1000 per year even taking into account not having a massage every month
But the one that stands out to is £65 per month to daughter.Why at her age (13 now if I remember from earlier posts) does she need this ? Nearly £800 per year ?

Also because it makes me think as other children get older they will require the same
Please do not take this as criticism as it is up to you what you spend your money on.
But on an income between you of over £2000 you should be relatively well off

mothsinmywallet_2

Thank you for your comments - fuller explanation of SOA coming up!

DD is 17 in December and it's her third of the child benefit - it covers everything from clothes and shoes to mobile phone and bus fares. We buy basic underwear + toiletries, uniform, rugby kit and bus fares to school.  She's never had regular pocket money before and I think she well and truly earns this! She paid for her own Duke of Edinburgh award last year, bought her own laptop and has decent savings from babysitting earnings. Never asks for anything, very aware of how to budget and always supportive so it's really nice to be able to do this for her.

£75 for holidays = £900 a year. This does a week self catering uk if we're lucky (and that has to be Easter not summer holiday). Maybe a weekend or two camping. The joys of being a family of 5 and limited to school holidays. And when I say holiday, it includes petrol and day trips while away. We can do Eurocamp to France cheaper (eurotunnel paid for with clubcard vouchers) and up the camping in the UK but obviously not possible at the moment. Would love to hear any ways of getting ot cheaper though! 

Massage is every 2-3 months and non negotiable. I've tried going without but my back gives up. I realise this probably sounds like I'm making excuses but I slipped a disc a few years ago and it recurs if I don't take care. I'm under huge pressure at work and at home so have no trouble justifying this. If I can't move, I can't get anything done round the house etc and it's not fair to put it all on the kids. It's as much about my mental health as my physical health really. 

Don't forget this is the SOA of someone who has lived like this for a while. It is extremely realistic. In fact, I'm surprised you didnt pick up on the unrealistically low groceries budget! This is because DH pays half of the food shops from his PIP. 

We could cut this SOA right down quite easily and pay off the cards faster but it wouldn't be realistic. And when you live with someone with long term health problems you need a bit of joy!

enthusiasticsaver

I think the soa is a good balance of spending and saving for annual costs and holidays and if you can manage to find room in your budget for things which make you feel better then that is good. No reason for you to make excuses if you feel massages help your back. The debt is coming down , you have a surplus and you have paid insurances upfront which is fantastic and will save you money.