Mortgage free & able to live the dream!

SWSEGirl

Thank you for this Socajam! This certainly puts my current savings in perspective...I keep thinking of our savings as a deposit for our forever home, but really we shpuld keep that money in tact.

On target for another NSD - although am getting close to needing some new toiletries....where I'd normally be straight into Savers to stock up - I actually cracked open a couple of bottles of shower gel with dregs in them. I'll start using some hotel samples we've got leftover if needs be before the end of the week! It's amazing what you do & can save when you rule out spending money! :money:

SWSEGirl

I'm painfully tired today - it was a real struggle to get up We can't seem to get our heating working on a timer, so I have to switch it on when I get up - it's only just taking the edge off by the time I come to leave!

In more positive news - another NSD yesterday & I have my lunch with me ready for today.

One thing I must motivate myself to do is take a walk at lunch time - I struggle to leave my desk unless I have to get food But a walk outside really helps to clear my head.

It'll be a late one in the office this evening, as I have a meeting scheduled for 7pm - but at least it's hump day!

Tahlullah

Happy Hump Day!

SWSEGirl

Happy hump day indeed Tahlullah!

I got in to work ridiculously early, and now have a few spare minutes to look at the upcoming month's finances.

Despite the fact I'll be making a considerable student loan payment :mad: I am determined to stretch myself early this month & make the maximum mortgage OP of £1000 as soon as I'm paid. This will mean that money is tighter for the rest of the month, but I'm hoping that will mean I'm forced to be more frugal.

I do find it difficult allocating such a large sum of money to the mortgage, when it would feel so satisfying seeing it in savings, and when I know I can't touch it - but I have to remember the difference it will make in the long run. It would help if my mortgage provider had an online facility for checking the balance - I think that would be pretty motivating for me. Sadly we just get one annual statement.

I'm also going to start allocating money to a holiday fund this month and to Christmas & birthday presents - I'm determined to be more efficient in my budgeting and not feel the hit on any one particular month. 6 days and counting until pay day........

SWSEGirl

It's Thursday & I feel like I'm on the downhill run now!

Another NSD yesterday - it's been surprisingly easy so far & I might try again next week! Batch cooking has been the key & I'm really enjoying my prepped meals.

I'm going to do some more prep this weekend - probably a shepherds pie & one other meal - maybe a curry or similar.

I think my wobbles about paying £1000 to the mortgage this month have been allayed by reading the Mortgage free roll of honour - such inspiring stories on there & great tips!

SWSEGirl

Friday! :beer:

So far so good on my No Spend Week (for the 5 days at work) I have lunch packed today so no reason why I shouldn't acheive my goal.

It's been surprisingly easy really - although I've run out of hot chocolate & squash at work - which are usually my necessities...so today might be a struggle. I might scour coupon sites to see if I can find any freebies...no holding out much hope! It's amazing how creative you can get when you take money out of the equation.

I can't wait for payday on Tuesday so I can juggle some numbers & try to sort out my Student Loan mess!

SWSEGirl

Wow I'm tired....so relieved it's the weekend.

No Spend Week is complete & has been a success - just planning required & I haven't missed buying anything. In fact, I think the bo spend rule makes me appreciate things a bit more. Watching a favourite programme at home feels like a lovely treat. Eating my pre prepped food tastes better than any shop bought sandwich.

Once I get paid I'm going to try & do as many NSD's as possible to make the month ahead as easy as it can be - rather than mindlessly spend my paycheck as soon as it arrives.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

Tahlullah

Congratulations on your no spend week. I can regularly do this, but that's because I disregard spends I must make such s diesel for the car. Casual payments out of my purse, then yes I am with you and it does become addictive.

The only problem arises when you are also trying to collect coins. If you don't spend, you don't have any. The same with moneybox, which rounds up and sweeps your spare change into shares. No spend, no sweep.

I am conflicted by this, but have accepted that less spend allows more savings across the board in other ways. Now I just spend my spare time doing surveys and ebay!

Congrats on your success. you are doing great.

SWSEGirl

Tallulah you're right - my coin pot is somewhat depleted :rotfl: - unfortunately I'm one of those people who spends cash if it's ìn my purse as though it were free (especially coins), so better for me to stick to using my card, or not!

A lovely weekend - we walked for miles through London on Saturday evening - taking in all the Lumiere exhibits - Westminster Abbey all lit up was particularly spectacular.

Yesterday I was at the spa with my cousin - a belated birthday present for me & a lovely treat.

Now back on the commute - but doesn't feel so bad since payday is tomorrow! I'm going to juggle the numbers one more time before I commit the full overpayment to the mortgage - I just don't want to leave myself short. Although keen not to chicken out & want to stretch myself!

SWSEGirl

So - I've just received my payslip a day ahead.

Slightly confusingly my work seem to have paid me a chunk of uplift for the 4 months I'll be acting up. The amount isn't the full sum for the time I'll be doing my promoted role, so I'm not sure how they've worked it out. Also I think being paid a big chunk of it has confused HMRC and I seem to have been taxed more heavily - although I don't seem to have the capacity to work it out! It slightly throws my monthly plans out, as need to work out what I should be saving this month Vs the months ahead. I'm sure I'll get there.

As expected Student Loans have taken £401 - so I've submitted my payslips, along with a covering letter and I hope to get a refund within 20 days. I had a really frustrating call with them, they never seem to grasp what I'm trying to say and their systems seem so archaic. I just think in this day and age surely there should be a better and more accurate way of knowing what we owe.

My pay should hit my account tomorrow at which point I'll make my OP and shift money around my various accounts. I'm most looking forward to updating my signature - and being able to see my progress. Onwards and downwards!