The mindful MFW: A healthy, happy journey to a mortgage free life!

museumworker

Betterthanever wrote: »

Do you ever stop!!!!!????

I bloody well need to :rotfl:, am exhausted today after this work week. Talk went well, second one postponed, got to catch up with dear friend - travel paid for by conference and work will pay for dinner so an almost free trip :money:.

I am doing badly at drawing boundaries between work and home life and really need to work on this. I knew this month would be crazy but it has really impacted on my energy levels and I've had no time to myself.

Today am off with DD2 - have DBro coming to stay for the weekend so hoping for a potter kind of day where get back on top of things but at an easy pace.

OH gets paid today :j so can top up the pots and get a little more MFW focused in March.

museumworker

Gah! Getting chased for DS party hire costs - last year!! Am sure I paid in cash but can't find receipt (I had major paperwork sort out just after so wouldn't have kept it) and they have no record of it. I was in ill health at this point too so my memory is shot and I was very distracted. £137.50 to find...

museumworker

Had lovely social weekend with DBro, had friend over for dinner last night and another over for lunch and sunny walk this afternoon.

YNAB updated for Feb but do need to check through Jan to get records completely up to date.

Furniture selling for £29 :eek: so looking like will have a good amount more than expected.

This week MSE ambitions:
* print and return train tix (£63)
* complete work expenses (£900)
* send off for train fare (£67)

These three things will make a major dent in our finances!

themadvix

Glad you had a good weekend - those bits will definitely make a big difference to your funds this week!

That's rubbish about the party hire though Is there anything online about them trying this on with other people? (I've no idea what sort of party it was, whether a small supplier/big nationwide chain, so don't want you to think I'm casting aspersions about someone you know!)

tootallulah

Well done on the selling MW my star item sold well but all the other bits currently add up to under £20!

museumworker

themadvix wrote: »

Glad you had a good weekend - those bits will definitely make a big difference to your funds this week!

That's rubbish about the party hire though Is there anything online about them trying this on with other people? (I've no idea what sort of party it was, whether a small supplier/big nationwide chain, so don't want you to think I'm casting aspersions about someone you know!)

I didn't get the expenses in but will do so next week. It was a bit of a crazy one and I'm just glad I'm through it. I did some big (for me) things this week and I think they went well so that's a relief.

The party venue is a small local place, I think they're just badly run. We love it there and use it regularly so I've just paid up and chalked it up to experience. :mad:

tootallulah wrote: »

Well done on the selling MW my star item sold well but all the other bits currently add up to under £20!

The chest of drawers went for £37 :eek::T all paid and collection tomorrow. Must list some more junk this weekend!

Went to DS woman's day event this morning, was meant to be giving a talk this evening but the beast from the east has put paid to that!

Just having a bit of quiet time before drop bag off at charity shop.

Been offered a lovely villa in Spain for Oct half term as a house swap but flights and car hire will take it to about £1.2k. I don't think we can justify that (we were hoping for less than £500 hol) but will talk to OH to get his opinion on it. Oct half term is a tricky date as doesn't match most of Europe's school holidays this year. Plus we do like to go somewhere mild and I'm not sure we will be able to go away much during DD1's exam year next year. I think I might be talking myself into it :rotfl:.

museumworker

Did some number crunching with the salary calculator online, based on OH's predicted salary increase. We can reduce his pension contribution to 32% in the new tax year. This will bring home an extra £500-600 a month compared to now, and all of his take home pay will be in the 20% tax bracket. Going on the last two months of outgoings I think we will have around £1k a month to look at saving, investing and overpaying! Such an amazing place to be compared to this time last year. We just need to sit down and agree our financial goals and work out what will be the best vehicles to get there.

(And hope our car passes it's MOT ok in May!)

pinkypig

That all sounds fab MW:j. I'm off to root out a salary calculator as my pension contributions keep me at 20% tax but if I'm honest they are a bit of finger in the air guesstimates:o. Need to do it properly, thank you:A

Hope you're all well (if frozen :eek:) xx

museumworker

pinkypig wrote: »

That all sounds fab MW:j. I'm off to root out a salary calculator as my pension contributions keep me at 20% tax but if I'm honest they are a bit of finger in the air guesstimates:o. Need to do it properly, thank you:A

Hope you're all well (if frozen :eek:) xx

I found this calculator the most useful for working out which tax bracket OH's pay falls into with various deductions https://listentotaxman.com/

It is VERY cold here, just did the school run and DD2 cried all the way home because of the weather we're currently at home watching telly but hoping to get her playing and off the screen soon. We have the heating on constant today, it's that sort of day!

In other news, DD1 has landed an internship at a prestigious law firm :eek::j which means she won't be coming to Finland with us this Easter. It'll be a shame to not have her with us but it's what she wants and is a great opportunity. She will now be eligible to apply for a bursary of £5,000 per year to support study at university :eek::eek::j:j!

So this weekend I'll be speaking to her dad to confirm she'll stay with him whilst we are away, and checking out the local Oxfam to try and get her an office ready wardrobe together. Last of the big spenders, eh? :rotfl:

ETA: just spoken to school. she has an interview, not a place - won't know until end of month for sure about place.

museumworker

Theme of the year: the year of recovery

Exercise - integrate three exercise sessions into my week didn't do so well this month - only one run (which was 5k though) and one cycle to work. Work has been insane due to Feb delivery date. This needs work!

Financial - maximise our pension contributions for tax efficiency, restart overpaying the mortgage, start investing in the stock market. pension contributions going well, had a few unexpected expenses like car battery going and last years unpaid party hire fees, and overspent on home stuff (new plate set anyone?) but did ok overall on finances. Looking like OPs will recommence in April :j

Relationships/family - deepen relationships with key friends and family Had MIL and DBro to stay, plus friend over for dinner and another for lunch/walk in the woods. Also had lovely gathering with new set of friends. Pretty good considering how crazy busy I've been at work

Diet - reduce carb intake and quit sugar. Lose 2 stone Still on diet, have stalled this month probably due to lack of water intake and having the occasional cheat (like square of dark choc) too unoccasionally! Am starting to see some movement downwards so fingers crossed March will see more losses.

Spiritual world - develop understanding and practice of self-care done nothing on this

Fun/interests - make the most of what we have and where we are Had great trip to local outdoor play centre (back when it felt like Spring!). Took two trips to my work with family, saw Barbican conservatory, and free walk in woods.

Home/Surroundings- make our home fresh and clutter free Sorted DS and DD2 wardrobes, and chest of drawers listed and sold :j. Paint for living and dining room room bought, new rug, sofa covers and cushions purchased. New set of dining plates also bringing much joy. Cleaner quit :eek:.

Career/Skills - develop mentoring and coaching skills Training undertaken and session booked fr March

Positivity/Confidence - learn and practice CBT, develop a joyful mindsetNot done formally but have overall made the most of this challenging month and really tried to enjoy it.