It's not a lot, but it's enough

joeyjimbles

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

Yeah, Joey - totally achievable and then I'll go into 2017 saving, saving, saving!!!

Do you not find though that you're less productive late a night than early in the morning? I'm more likely to be awake at midnight - but staring at the TV than doing the ironing.

It depends - I'm quite good at getting reports and financial stuff done late at night. I think its the quiet. But the physical stuff is much better done during the day. I use the flylady thread to help keep me straight.

SpekySquarehead

Morning all,

Thanks Mothership - that sounds like just what I need, thank you.

Yesterday was pizza and pasta for dinner followed by a relaxing one. I think I've passed my cold onto the GF so she felt a bit under the weather and was sleeping in bed for 10, so I turned everything off an joined her.

Today looks a lovely day, the kind of day that I wish I had off to just be super productive. I'll save that feeling for the weekend.

This morning the alarm went off at 6am. I snoozed once and lay there awake, encouraging myself to get up. I eventually did which gave me time to have a coffee and a big bowl of granola. The GF said to me this morning, "why were you up so early". "I'm trying something new", I responded. Let's see how long that lasts.

Tonight I'll go to a boxing class with my friend which we've not done in ages (with that goes my NSD) and then afterwards my other friend will come over for our usual Thursday night in.

I've remembered that I've got a black tie dinner next Thursday, so I'll need to hire a tux. £70. I've probably hired the same tux about 6 times now, so I really should allow myself to save up and buy one for myself given the line of work I am in means I get invited to awards dinners and the like. I'm sure I can get a good yet affordable one from M&S.

Anyway, back to work for today. Speak soon.

crazy_cat_lady

I hate getting up early. I have to get up at half six during the week and at the weekend, getting up at 8 seems like sheer bliss.
You will be debt free by Christmas - that was my goal last year and I got there early. Good luck :j

louby40

Well done on getting below £1k! Great achievement.

joeyjimbles

Just a thought about the tuxedo - Debenhams are doing 25% off this weekend. I got DS1s dinner suit from there last year on a similar promotion - compared to rental I think it cost me about another £20 for a suit that is actually very similar in quality and since he's worn it half a dozen times at least its much better value. Might be worth a look in store or even online.

Also if you order online and do click and collect there is another promotion that gives you a £5 voucher when you pick it up.

SpekySquarehead

Joey - Good shout. I'm going into Glasgow tomorrow so I'll have a look. Also the MSE newsletter mentioned Next might have a sale too so I'll check there while I'm in.

Well everyone. I have some HUGE NEWS...

Roughly around the same time I really started my debt free mission, I spoke with my gran about how I'm desperate to move out and buy my own place. I explained to her about the Help To Buy accounts and that I'll put away what I can each month and my gran then offered to match whatever I put into my account (whilst keeping it under the maximum allowed of £200 per month). I refused. I felt hugely guilty that I was taking money from my gran who had worked all her life to have these savings, she insisted and it was left without resolve.

Since then I opened my Help To Buy and I have been putting my own money away each month. £50 here, £75 there. Plodding away until I get rid of this ruddy debt!

My gran phoned me yesterday on my way back from work and asked me to pop by. After a cup of tea, a biscuit and damn good chat, she handed me a cheque for £1,000.00 which was a back payment for all the months she hadn't given me money!!! I was speechless. Again I felt enermously guilty, I handed it back to her and said I couldn't take her money but she gave a speech of how she's in the winter of her life and she won't be here for ever and in the time she has left she wants to see me happy and fufill a life goal of owning my own home. She explained the money was of no use to her, her only expense is monthly bills and groceries and her and my grandad had been fortunate to save money during the working lives to do things such as this. She insisted and said she'd be offended if I refused. I'm not an emotional man but I was close to tears as I gave her a huge hug and kiss.

Went I got home I said to my mum about it and expressed my feelings again and my mum reiterated what my gran said. I said to my GF and she was astounded. I must admit, I still find it hard to accept.

I would need to cash the cheque tomorrow and once cleared, I can then clear my debt with it and from then on I would set up a standing order to save the maximum of £200 per month into my Help To Buy and a further £150 into another savings.

I can't quite believe it..

SpekySquarehead

Good morning,

Had a busy weekend however it was unfortunately and spendy one - well at least Saturday was.

On Friday my GF and I were treated to a lovely takeaway from her sister and partner.

Saturday was a day spent mostly in Glasgow as I got 3 watches fixed, a haircut, a tuxedo and new shoes then a celebratory dinner and drinks after.

I went to Slaters to get my work suit fitted so while I was in I spoke to someone about a tux and I was fitted with one for £60! It used to be £70 to hire it! Also, I had won £100 in vouchers in a raffle ages ago so I used the vouchers for this and a new pair of shoes, so it essentially only cost me £20!!

I exchanged the Euros I had left over from the holiday and got £80 back. I won't even record this on YNAB and I'll put it straight in my tin to be forgotten about until Xmas if it's needed.

I also started my KonMarie tidying up yesterday evening. Not even finished and I've got 3 bin bags of clothes sitting ready to go to a CS. Amazed!

Back to work this morning, so moustache.

joeyjimbles

What a weekend - and what a fabulous Grandmother.
And it'll be great to have your debt gone plus you've learned so much about why you spend, how to manage your money etc that I look forward to you being mortgage free in no time. OK, maybe that's a bit premature but you know what I mean.
Fantastic news about the dinner suit, that's a great bargain and so much nicer to have your own suit. Remember to factor in dry cleaning in your YNAB, oh and find a good one that won't overpress it. The place that sold you the suit and does rentals might have a good recommendation. DH's old one was ruined by the dry cleaners (national chain) to the point where we complained and got compensation.

SpekySquarehead

Yes, I've got plans to save a chunky deposit to try and keep the monthly costs down. Cannot wait!

That's a very good idea actually Joey, something I hadn't thought of. I'll ask the question of them when i collect it on Tuesday.

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

Not too much happening since the excitement of last week.

I banked the cheque on Saturday and the member of staff told me it’d be 3 days before it cleared. Sure enough, yesterday my bank balance increased by £1,000 however my ‘available balance’ hadn’t. Never had this before but I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation. I’ve rarely used cheques so I assume it’s something to do with that?

I was cited for jury duty however I called last night to check if I was needed and I was told no, but to phone today after 5pm – so there’s a chance I may still be.

The new job is good. Very sales focused however that’s not a bad thing. The staff are what makes it really. I’m in a office of guys my age with similar interests so there’s a good bit of banter going around. Also, they’re good at their job so everyone is on the same page and aiming for the same goal. It’s early days, but I could get comfortable here.

I get paid tomorrow, so I’ll do my usual audit of how my spending has been the last month and budget for October. May have to make some changes as it’s my GF’s birthday so I need to account for a bit more in that category. Although I’ve already got her some things, I do need to pay the balance for our trip away to the lodges on the West coast of Scotland and some smaller things.

Anyway, back to work. I’ll check my bank before I finish and see if the available balance situation changes and if so, I’ll pay my CC off. If not, I’ll maybe give the bank a call after I’ve checked if I’m needed in court.

Take care.