My Lightbulb Moment

bexster1975

Hello Trixy

Monthly budgeting seems designed so as soon as you do it, something comes and scuppers your plans! If the work needs doing, get it done. Replace the money in your savings as a priority. If he's a good workman, they are worth their weight in gold so keep him happy

Good luck with car service tomorrow.

Payday Tuesday here so will tidy away leftover money tomorrow night.

Bexster

Trixysticks

Thanks Bexster, I think I will go ahead with him. I'm really lucky with my tradesmen, especially as I could be easily ripped off- I don't have a clue! :rotfl: how do you organise any pennies you have left at the end of the month? I usually fritter these away but realising they could add up to a big chunk over the year.

Just checking in quickly as my car is being serviced. The budget is finally done!

Very well behaved this morning- woke up late so I grabbed some fruit from home rather than stopping at the shops. Then used my costa card for a free tea whilst waiting for the car. Forgot all about my costa card till it was mentioned in the DFW forum, it's been lurking unused for about two years. Ahh the points I could have added up!

Mortgage advisor is about to ring as I'm up for renewal soon and hoping to get organised with that asap.

Right, fingers crossed for this car service! I always feel it's a good sign when they haven't called... :rotfl:

bexster1975

Good luck again with car!


I put money into savings at the start of the month, but then say I'd like to save another £X at the end of the month. If I can do it, great. If something important comes up, or a great deal I can stash for later then I'll spend it. When I get paid the extra goes into my 1,2,3 account with Santander. This is mainly because I forget about this account and use it as my cash savings ( rather than regular saver). I'm in a bit of a funny situation at the moment as I quit my job about sux weeks ago ( I'm still working until Christmas). I managed to pick up a part time job for the new year so my savings rate will reduce quite a bit. Great news is I can pay all bills on two days a week work whilst I set up my own business properly. The money I save from the next three pay checks will go towards supporting the business, so good motivation there!

Bexster

louloubelle79

Good luck on your MF journey, I was 37 when I had my lightbulb moment so your doing great... I realise things don't make me happy but being financially ahead of myself and enjoying the simple things in life does.

louloubelle79

Trixysticks wrote: »

Hi everyone! So I'm feeling a bit nervous making my first diary but it's been a long time coming.

I've always thought of myself as a money saving queen...and felt (embarrassed to admit this now) smug when I had saved a deposit and got on the housing ladder at 27- something my friends would be a while in doing. However, after getting the keys I acted like I had unlimited money and dipped further into my savings, fueled by the jealousy of others (very stupid!!!) :mad:

Anyway, after being in the house a year I've suddenly realised that my savings have taken a battering so I have no emergency fund and I drive a car on finance which is (to quote Dave Ramsey) 'stupid'. I don't pay into a pension and I haven't saved a penny for months.

My aims after giving myself a huge kick up the !!!!:

1. Save an emergency fund. £6000 is the first target (3 months pay)
2. Overpay on the mortgage
3. Contribute to my pension pot
4. Log every penny I spend and BUDGET
5. Focus on me and my family and don't worry about what others are thinking

It's been a very expensive year- lots of social engagements due to a run of 30th birthdays and hen/stags and weddings. I realise now I didn't need to do it all- or at least should have worked out a budget.

Right, I'll be back with more figures :j already feel lighter for having this written down.

Thank you for reading x

Have you looked at getting a LISA?

Trixysticks

bexster1975 wrote: »

Good luck again with car!


I put money into savings at the start of the month, but then say I'd like to save another £X at the end of the month. If I can do it, great. If something important comes up, or a great deal I can stash for later then I'll spend it. When I get paid the extra goes into my 1,2,3 account with Santander. This is mainly because I forget about this account and use it as my cash savings ( rather than regular saver). I'm in a bit of a funny situation at the moment as I quit my job about sux weeks ago ( I'm still working until Christmas). I managed to pick up a part time job for the new year so my savings rate will reduce quite a bit. Great news is I can pay all bills on two days a week work whilst I set up my own business properly. The money I save from the next three pay checks will go towards supporting the business, so good motivation there!


Bexster

Thanks, that's good advice. I often wait to save till the end of the month which is really silly because I tend to find lots of things I "have" to buy! Splitting the savings makes sense, I'll give it a go.

Trixysticks

louloubelle79 wrote: »

Have you looked at getting a LISA?

Hi louloubelle!

Thanks for your comments, I'm a simple life champion these days :rotfl:

Yes I have considered a LISA, I think when I was first looking it was all a bit new and unknown. Perhaps I'll research further. Have you got one?

VDOT47

Trixy - good luck with the car service. I had mine done last week and what I expected to cost about £150 came in at just over £500!

Trixysticks

Just time to update on my day before a friend pops over for tea.

It's been a good day on the most part- more cheap eating from my cupboards and no extra spends. Had a great chat with my mortgage broker who's going to start looking at options for renewal.

Car bill was £200, eek! So £50 over budget, not horrendous but I will need to steal this out of another budget (usually I'd just steal from my savings but much better to take this out of my going out pot I feel.)

Hope everyone has had a great day x

Trixysticks

VDOT47 wrote: »

Trixy - good luck with the car service. I had mine done last week and what I expected to cost about £150 came in at just over £500!

Nooo! :eek: cars are horrible, I wish I could cycle and walk everywhere but it's a daily hour in the car for me