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Unsure whether to consolidate - please advise

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  • I'm definitely sure I did an end of Jan update on my savings though!  Have to update for February now, whatever they may be!
    Savings as of April 2023 Savings account - £26460.50(14474.88)Current account - £2140.24(4576.79)Total - £28600.74(19051.67) £1010 (£65pm CS/BS) £250 CS/BS/JS
  • Humdinger1
    Humdinger1 Posts: 2,295 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Look forward to it @zippygeorgeandben.  Hope all well? 
  • Monthly update!
    So so sorry everyone.  I spent so many months/years updating regularly and I have stopped. Special apologies to those of you (you know who you are) who have responded regularly over the past couple of years.  But I'm here!
    How can I sum up the first third of the month?  Well: fallen in love and that has meant lots of spending money on dates/weekends together/travel (BIG rise for me) and three day break in Paris and other stuff.  We have briefly had a discussion about money but I know we need to discuss it further.  It is not that I cannot afford to have takeout/meals everyday but I choose not to.  It took me a long time to shift my mindset into not spending too much and yes, I do seem to splurge out on a lot of coffees these days (Greggs has got more business from me than in the previous 20 years) but because I spent years sorting out my finances (snowballing etc) that I don't seem to overspend when I tot up my money.  I am still putting money away into the HTB each month and a savings account with my sister; so I do put roughly 9% of my salary away.  I'm just grateful that I do not really have any outgoings.  I am still enjoying living where I am and I only pay 28% of my salary on rent/utilities.
    We went looking at properties yesterday (for him to buy with an outlook of it involving me in the future) so maybe I will have to frequent other boards on MSE!
    Thanks for reading and I promise I will try and update (although I do update signature each month)
    Ben



    Savings as of April 2023 Savings account - £26460.50(14474.88)Current account - £2140.24(4576.79)Total - £28600.74(19051.67) £1010 (£65pm CS/BS) £250 CS/BS/JS
  • Dobbibill
    Dobbibill Posts: 4,193 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! Name Dropper
    great update Ben, 

    how lovely for you to have fallen in love  <3 Congrats!

    Your mindset did a complete 180° from before you snowballed and well done on keeping it at the forefront of your mind with the memory of the overspending. You are keeping everything in budget now....if those Greggs are within your budget then enjoy  ;) (I do love a cheeky Greggs occasionally).

    Dobbi  
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Budgeting & Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Credit File & Ratings and Energy boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    If you can't be the best -
    Just be better than you were yesterday.
  • Humdinger1
    Humdinger1 Posts: 2,295 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ben

    Wonderful news! You can enjoy being in love without debt hanging over you.  Love Humdinger x 
  • Hey everyone! I'll do my update in the next couple of days but the relationship has now ceased! Plenty more fish in the sea, and this boy deserves a salmon x
    Savings as of April 2023 Savings account - £26460.50(14474.88)Current account - £2140.24(4576.79)Total - £28600.74(19051.67) £1010 (£65pm CS/BS) £250 CS/BS/JS
  • Humdinger1
    Humdinger1 Posts: 2,295 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    @zippygeorgeandben indeed there are and you certainly do! Looking forward to the next installment love Humdinger x 
  • Hello everyone, (or maybe just Humdinger and Dobbibill!)
    How is everyone?
    2nd week of the Summer holidays for me, as a teacher.  I have finally found out my login detail to my HTB today.  I realised I was sticking £200 into a savings account each month but did not have any paperwork showing what it exactly is.  If I ever get on the ladder, the Government pay 25% extra up to £3,000.  Does that mean I could transfer the surplus (£2660.09) into my savings account (which has 1.25% rate compared to the HTB 1% rate)?
    So July come and gone - split from the boyfriend this month.  A lot to deal with emotionally, however, from a financial point of view (this is why this site is so good for me as I can spout off to my friends/family about the emotional side of things) I have saved myself from potential issues.  In June, my flatmate, partner and I had agreed (worked out all the finances) to move to a new build in Walthamstow.  Everything was sorted, but the agents did not know whether an HMO license was required. I am very well versed in HMOs now.  So it got put on the back burner, then we split, then they came back to us to say the license WAS NOT required.  It could have been a potentially tricky situation now for all three of us. I could go into other financial stuff now but it's irrelevant really.
    So I am still living with my flatmate and loving it.  We spend too much drinking/eating socially but I am not eating into savings.  This month I started driving lessons, that cost me £360 but again, that is factored into my budget.  If I decide to buy a car, I'm going to have to take a look at how to go about that.  Any easy links for a first time car owner anyone?!
    I am massively concerned about these bills though moving forward from October.  Not just for me, but for those who really do struggle to pay bills.  Surely it cannot continue?  The longer I can stay with my flatmate and paying what I currently do, the better!
    I hope you are all well and thanks for reading.
    Ben x
    Savings as of April 2023 Savings account - £26460.50(14474.88)Current account - £2140.24(4576.79)Total - £28600.74(19051.67) £1010 (£65pm CS/BS) £250 CS/BS/JS
  • Humdinger1
    Humdinger1 Posts: 2,295 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    A bullet dodged @zippygeorgeandben! Keep going; I agree re cost of living.   Much as I despise them, the government will need to do more out of pure self-preservation I think.  Love Humdinger x 
  • Dobbibill
    Dobbibill Posts: 4,193 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! Name Dropper
    Everything happens for a reason and it seems the HMO issue was a reason for an event to take place.

    Well done on the HTB ISA savings. It may be worth considering a LISA to run alongside the HTB ISA to see which is more beneficial from a bonus/home purchase angle. This link will give you info but please make sure you read the criteria & penalties as it's not for everyone. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/help-to-buy-isa/

    The energy bills are heading towards disaster and there is huge pressure for government intervention so finger's crossed that something happens for everyone's sake. 

    Great to hear your update.

    Dobbi
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Budgeting & Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Credit File & Ratings and Energy boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    If you can't be the best -
    Just be better than you were yesterday.
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