And so it begins: The Pig Vs The Mortgage

LadyWithAPlan

I have found the same with the CC - I always pay off in full but spending is definitely more - research shows no pain sensors go off in your brain when you pay by CC whereas it’s a bit painful if you use debit and the pain sensors start flashing if you use cash! 

So it’s a biological thing as well as psychological 

I run a zero based budget it works great as a starting point and have loads pots. 

Maybe try a monthly net asset value as a way to track ? 

So add all savings, spending pots, bank balances, (& pensions if you want separately) vs what you owe

as that way you see if at the end of the month if your wealth - your NAV- has gone up or down - it helps show your spending and saving 

pinkypig

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh, all good things here! I love reading about your small steps, as well as your bigger plans 😊😊 Lovely to have the option to retire at 55 too if you can (I'd like that too!) 😊😊

We’ll get there one day Cheery.  Just need to follow Karma, SC and SL’s excellent examples.  What are you going to do when you get there?  I’m going to travel near and far in a motorhome  full of books, good food and my favourite person 😍

pinkypig

LadyWithAPlan said:

I have found the same with the CC - I always pay off in full but spending is definitely more - research shows no pain sensors go off in your brain when you pay by CC whereas it’s a bit painful if you use debit and the pain sensors start flashing if you use cash! 

So it’s a biological thing as well as psychological 

I run a zero based budget it works great as a starting point and have loads pots. 

Maybe try a monthly net asset value as a way to track ? 

So add all savings, spending pots, bank balances, (& pensions if you want separately) vs what you owe

as that way you see if at the end of the month if your wealth - your NAV- has gone up or down - it helps show your spending and saving 

That is a fabulous idea!  I did a full net worth calculation this year after hearing a Dave Ramsey podcast but that was quite complicated and involved property and pensions etc.  Keeping a spreadsheet of just my savings pots will definitely keep me motivated to do more.
I’ve done my £0 budget for October and I think I’ll hide my credit card.  When I’m feeling braver I will cancel it completely.
Thanks for the tips - much appreciated x

pinkypig

Hello 

Monday and the first of my late work nights done.  This week is seriously busy and it was playing on my mind a bit over the weekend so it’s good to get one of the bigger tasks knocked off.

The rest of the day was good as my class are really nice .  I just need to keep on top of the huge pile of marking they generate and we’ll have a great year 😱

I’m so glad I did a whole week’s prep last week.  It’s lovely having everything ready in advance, I must keep this up!

I’ve no money news other than a small TT as I’ve hit that mid month lull.  However, I haven’t spent anything either 😀

Today’s small steps to happiness and financial freedom included;

A NSD

Took breakfast, lunch, coffee and water to work.

Cheap healthy eats (cocoa and banana overnight oats for breakfast, HM soup and a sandwich for lunch, batch cooked veggie moussaka from the freezer with some salad for dinner).

Breakfast and lunch prepped and in the fridge for tomorrow.

Laundry done and on airers as it’s pretty much rained all day.

Classroom tidy and marking up to date.

All lesson prep done for tomorrow.

Nice chat with OH who will be home soon 😀

Areas for a improvement 🙄

Slept really badly despite getting to bed on time.

Drank some but not enough water.

No exercise done - I was very late home and just wanted to eat my dinner and relax.

Forgot to post something important 🙈

I’m now off to bed for a quiet read and an early night.

Happy Monday 😀

PP x

South_coast

pinkypig said:

We’ll get there one day Cheery.  Just need to follow Karma, SC and SL’s excellent examples.

Sadly, I'm not retired just yet - still got a long way to go down that particular road 😥!

Cheery_Daff

pinkypig said:

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh, all good things here! I love reading about your small steps, as well as your bigger plans 😊😊 Lovely to have the option to retire at 55 too if you can (I'd like that too!) 😊😊

We’ll get there one day Cheery.  Just need to follow Karma, SC and SL’s excellent examples.  What are you going to do when you get there?  I’m going to travel near and far in a motorhome  full of books, good food and my favourite person 😍

Ooh, that sounds lovely 😊😊 I'm going to scythe my hay field, tend my veg patch, hang put with my chickens, sew my own clothes, get involved in all kinds of community projects, and generally just hang about. Do swing by in your motor home to say hi! 😊😊

In reality, I'm likely to go more and more part time, rather than ploughing on and then giving up altogether. Mr Cheery is 18 years older than me, so if we wait til I'm 55, he'll be 73 😱  So instead I'll likely continue to work 4 days a week for a few years, then 3, then maybe 2, allowing for many interim adventures without having to wait til we've got enough for me to give up forever.

Still all feels very far away though! 

pinkypig

South_coast said:

pinkypig said:

We’ll get there one day Cheery.  Just need to follow Karma, SC and SL’s excellent examples.

Sadly, I'm not retired just yet - still got a long way to go down that particular road 😥!

Oh I’m so sorry, I misunderstood 🙈. At least now you can join us for the ride!!! X

pinkypig

Cheery_Daff said:

pinkypig said:

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh, all good things here! I love reading about your small steps, as well as your bigger plans 😊😊 Lovely to have the option to retire at 55 too if you can (I'd like that too!) 😊😊

We’ll get there one day Cheery.  Just need to follow Karma, SC and SL’s excellent examples.  What are you going to do when you get there?  I’m going to travel near and far in a motorhome  full of books, good food and my favourite person 😍

Ooh, that sounds lovely 😊😊 I'm going to scythe my hay field, tend my veg patch, hang put with my chickens, sew my own clothes, get involved in all kinds of community projects, and generally just hang about. Do swing by in your motor home to say hi! 😊😊

In reality, I'm likely to go more and more part time, rather than ploughing on and then giving up altogether. Mr Cheery is 18 years older than me, so if we wait til I'm 55, he'll be 73 😱  So instead I'll likely continue to work 4 days a week for a few years, then 3, then maybe 2, allowing for many interim adventures without having to wait til we've got enough for me to give up forever.

That sounds infinitely sensible Cheery and in reality that will probably be me too as I rather like my job but not the relentless grind.  A shorter week for a few years followed by a bit of supply here and there would be lovely.  As soon as Mr PP joins me though I’ll be motoring off into that sunset , possibly via Cheery Towers 😂😂

pinkypig

Hello 
Tuesday and another late night done - two to go !
I’ve had a good day with no drama (adults or kids😂) but was glad to get home as I feel so tired.  I’ve not done a full week yet 🙈

I have had a small spend today.  Managed to get a TGTG box from Morrisons.  I’ve reserved one after another in the last week and never got to pick one as they kept getting cancelled due to lack of surplus food.  This was worth waiting for. 2 cauliflower, 3 courgettes, green beans, rhubarb, 4 corn cobs, iceberg, Chinese leaves, celery, satsumas and a large punnet of raspberries . £3.09 well spent!  Need to re jig my meal plan a bit to make sure nothing goes to waste.
I also had to fill up the car so another £41.13 spent.
Other small steps to financial freedom included;
a good sleep that left my feeling ready to tackle the day 🥳🥳
took breakfast, lunch, coffee and water to work.
cheap, healthy eats ( overnight oats for breakfast, HM soup and a sandwich for lunch and LO pasta bake from the freezer with salad for dinner.  I also had the raspberries from my TGTG box with yogurt for my pudding 😀
marking up to date, classroom tidy and tomorrow’s resources ready.
swallowed a frog - admin 
had a super quick shower to save water and gas 😱
went to see mum
Organised to see DD later in the week  
did a quick clean of the bathroom and kitchen before I left for work - so nice to come home to a clean, tidy house .


However, not enough water drink and no exercise done 🙄. Must try harder!
Happy Tuesday 

PP x

pinkypig

Morning 😀
I seem to have lost a few days 🙄. Last week was so busy!  I’m sure it’ll settle down as my routines become established and I get over the shock of being back at work after 6 weeks off 😂
I’ve got some bits of money news.  A regular saver matured so that plus the pitiful interest have been transferred to long term savings.  I’ve set up another which is offering a rate of 3.3% so that’s an improvement on last year’s.   

I’ve just had an email from Raisin and they have some decent one year fixed bonds which I’m considering for some of my long term savings. With rumblings about another interest rate rise I think I’m going to wait another month whilst doing a bit more research before I decided.
I’ve had some spends as there has been family celebrations but they were planned and budgeted for.  The only thing I didn’t think about was a get together at home and a lot of celebration cakes that were needed which notched up my grocery budget.  I’m still under budget though  with about £30 left for the rest of the month so I should still be ok as there is enough food in the house for the next week at least and then a small top up should see me through until pay day.  Fuel is under budget by lift sharing and it I’ve only  had one very small personal spend so I’m pleased with that.
This weekend will be focused on getting outside jobs done, getting out for runs and walks and relaxed evenings at home.
Tonight is pizza night and I might even light the wood burner as it’s been getting a bit chilly here the last couple of evenings.
My small steps to freedom over the last few days have been;
No spends apart from a meal out from another budget and a food shop.
entertaining at home - food was lovely and I made life easy on myself by buying ready made sides, rice to heat up and ready made sauces.  Much cheaper than a take away and the food was nicer and there was more of it too so we had leftovers for lunch.
took breakfast, lunch and coffee to work.
Meal planned the next week based on what is in the house.
Classroom tidy and everything ready for next week.  I’ve got some marking to do but not much .  I’ll get that done over the weekend.
Happy Saturday 😀
PP x