Penny by penny...brick by brick!

PennyJar

Hi Lumina,

I think your wise having that much as an emergency fund-with the financial systems being so volatile I would keep that secure (however tempting it may be). As you nearer the final MFW stages you could use part of it to clear your mortgage off. But if I was you I would rather OP with the peace of mind knowing that should anything go wrong you have a significant contingency fund.

I came up with £3K (baseline) as a starter for 10, but will be looking to add to it gradually. We've been married 6yrs and never ever really had a contingency pot (bad risky practice), probably because I am confident (over confident at that), should I lose my current job I would find another one fairly quickly (sound a bit too sure of myself there I think) - because I am a hardworking, driven person. Plus I know if we hit crisis point then I would be able to drop at least £16k in salary and still be able to live as we do now. Also, shamefully, there is a touch of the bank of Mam and Dad attitude with me too...even though I'm 33 (again - bad egg practice).

Never been a propert saver and starting to really regret the way I managed my money in the past - but on the positive at least I am on the right path now :beer:

PennyJar

vicsmiles

Penny Jar


I also really regret wasting my salary before children on nights outs/ holidays/ clothes you name it I wasted it and got myself in debt I think to myself if I hadn't done that I would be so much closer to paying my mortgage off now BUT my light bulb moment is at least I have realised it in my late 20 early 30's than in my 50s so you are already ahead in some respects!

PennyJar

Hi all,

Quick update from me - still on a streak of NSD days...CHA CHING - I'm going strong at the moment.

Really looking forward to next pay day as will have a nice little pot to sweep away into our emergency fund...feeling a bit like Silas Marner at the moment, counting and stashing away the gold lol but it's been a good week and I've really enjoyed this week just being able to spend quality 'free' time with my family - a little giggle from my DD is priceless!

Other news - I received my bank stationary today to send back so whenever I make an OP it will reduce the term, unless I say otherwise. The form was simple, but I must of checked it over 10 times to be absolutely sure that I had filled it out correctly. Will wait for confirmation from them and then I'm all set up and ready to OP (hooray!!!). Couple of things I found out from the bank though today e.g. can't pay between 10th - 16th every month as they would class that as my normal payment and not an OP. My interest is calculated daily, however online it's shown as a monthly figure that goes out.

So I'm assuming the more I OP, the less the interest will become as the months go by.

That's all for now...

PennyJar

PennyJar

Hi all,

Had an expected £12 spend - for a lovely digi clear blue test (no expense spared) as cheaper test showed DD2/DS1 on their way.

Looks as if it was a false alarm - i think!!!

PennyJar

MissCreative

Oh wow PennyJar!
I hope that was the result you wanted. Or if it wasn't, that you get another little addition to your family soon :T

Sounds like you're really on track with all your NSDs - well done! :beer:

vicsmiles

I echo what Miss Creative said!
Well done on the NSD

PennyJar

Hi all,

Looking to boost my income and wondered if anyone had given this a go (upcycling/reselling) with some success?

PennyJar

PennyJar

Hey all,

Had some extreme food bargains tonight...

Asda

Granary loaf - 2p (x2) (froze 1)
Brown buns - 2p (froze)
Olive bread rolls - 3p (x2)
Pancakes - 2p (x4 packs)
Large Salmon fillet - 50p
Tiramisu- 99p
Danish pastries - 15p (x2)

M&S

Roast potatoe trays - 50p (x2) froze
Bag of Gnocchi - 10p
Side salad - 30p

Good deals...

PennyJar

MissCreative

Wow! Those are some awesome deals!
I might try and go shopping around 3.30pm tomorrow and see if there are more yellow stickers available
What have you got planned to eat this week?

PennyJar

Hi MC,

Last night I had the gnocchi, I lightly coated them in a tomatoe/herb sauce (jar, Aldi's) sprinkled with cheese, basil and rocket - served with my portion of salmon fillet and this fancy side salad with Apple and coriander dressing.

This week I've got planned:

Chilli (batch cooked) (low fat made with quorn)
Thai fish chilli (batch cooked)
Tiger prawn noodle dish (M&S)
Pizza buffalo mozzarella & tomatoe
Fish n Chips

I've got £9 left of food budget this week - picked up those bits above at the 7pm reductions slot, but noticed not many meals to freeze left then. So my tip would be to get there for second round of reductions at 3pm.

Hoping to pop down tomorrow.

P.s. Me and other half tend to eat fairly light meals for dinner and healthy breakfasts. I wouldn't always go for bargains if I thought we were always getting unhealthy (delicious mind) meal choices.

Let me know how it goes.

P.s Asda was 7pm for reductions on pastries and chilled food.

PennyJar