A plan, a budget & a good life

Tradcob

Happy New Year!!!

Here is my plan for 2018 (and beyond)

Plan for 2018

• Keep a spending spread sheet- understand what I spend money on and where I can make improvements
• Save for and plan our Wedding (yey!!!) (Target : £5k)
• Put as much money as possible towards Maternity savings (to ensure I can have as long off as possible but still able to pay the bills for whenever the time comes!)
• Ensure that I cook more homemade meals- especially things that I can take into work for lunches….. in fact on that point- NO spending at vending machines at work
• Have a go at growing some vegetables (when we move into new house)- something I’ve always wanted to do!
• And of course…. Lose weight, I’ve not stepped on the scales in a while, but I know what my target is- and I think I’m about 1 ½ stone away from that! But with the Wedding planning and homemade cooking, it’s bound to help? Isn’t it?!

Longer term plans to include

• Pay off Student Loan (ideally I’d love to have this paid off before we have kids, but may not happen around £4K to go)
• Build up a house savings pot in case anything were to happen to either of our jobs (3 month pot)

Tradcob

Dear diary,


I stepped on the scales... for the first time in about 3 months.... and as a result of our living situation, the weather, Christmas and (insert other suitable excuses here) I have piled on the weight. so not so good there!!!


But on the positive, we have a moving date, in fact, its in 2 weeks time!!! and seriously, it cant get here quick enough!!! We are so excited!!!!


Work has become a bit of a pain recently, I'm thinking of finding a new job (within the same company) we have some emotionally draining people in my team who like to vent at me, I mean, they never listen to my opinion or suggestions to improve thing, they just want to whinge- I've had enough of it! I don't see why my energy should be sapped by these people so, I'm thinking of finishing the project I am working on (probably takes about 6 months) then find something new.

Tradcob

Hello!

I’ve been quite busy at work this past week, lots to do and lots of people to try and keep on side despite differing opinions!

We are 1 week closer to moving in day (1 week to go!!!), we’ve paid up at the cattery so when we pick the darlings up that bit is all sorted (it came in at 3 digits rather than 4…. So that was good) it sounds a lot, but they have been there since November, and I’ve not had to worry about them being looked after- so I think part of the cost is piece of mind! Looking forward to having them back though.

I’ve managed to add some more cash to the Savings pot- which stands at £2436 which has increased due to Tilly Tidying bits and bobs every few days- I do like my banks accounts to look tidy!

I’ve also sent a token amount off to the student loan- because it makes me feel good- I’m looking forward to not having that anymore! I’m also looking forward to the account updating with how much I owe- they only do this once a year and I find it annoying.

I made overnight oats for the first time last night, I think this may become a favourite for breakfast on workdays, its simple to make, and means that I won’t go looking for something more substantial than fruit in the dreaded vending machine/ coffee shop! I’ll also be having lunch that I have brought in- Carrot and Parsnip soup- and I’ve brought fruit in for snacks…. So it should be a good day for eating healthy and not spending!

Other things- I need to call the storage people and let them know when we are leaving- see if they will do me a 3 week bill rather than the 4 week they sent me at the beginning of the month- and check out bedding that is available from Next to spend some more Christmas vouchers (I magically found another £20 voucher in my purse…. No idea where this came from, but I checked and it still has the full £20 on it- so it’s like a bonus!

So that’s about it for now, hope everyone has a great day!

Tradcob

Hi,


I've not updated for just over a week, but I have a very good excuse.... Finally, we have moved into our new house!!!!
Lots to organise, and am absolutely exhausted with all of the shifting boxes etc. but we're in!!!


I think all of the boxes are roughly in the correct rooms but beyond that.... well, we'll get round to it! We had a food shop delivered and I must admit that food went in whichever cupboard was closest! so will need to arrange with a bit more thought when I have time.


I've been Tilly Tidying spare cash to the savings account but nothing major as there been lots of things to pay for.


Savings are currently:


Wedding £1361
Maternity savings £ 2481


off to go and sort more housey stuff :-)

beanielou

Happy new house

Tradcob

Morning all,

I!!!8217;ve been a bit quiet on my diary recently, what with moving in, then not having access to the internet and just generally settling, unpacking and sorting out, then collapsing in a heap and trying to chill out a bit before coming back to work- it!!!8217;s been a tad busy!
I!!!8217;ve been back at work for a week now after our week off and I feel like I can concentrate on my job again, all this house stuff takes up so much head space doesn!!!8217;t it! Gad I don!!!8217;t need to bother estate agents, mortgage people of solicitors for a while!!!

So, we!!!8217;ve been in the house for 2 weeks now, and it!!!8217;s safe to say WE LOVE IT!

Sure, currently there are rooms that we are not using- so the radiators have been turned off in these rooms and doors closed for now, if we have visitors to stay we can turn them back on in plenty of time. We!!!8217;ve had fun trying to get used to new appliances- particularly the timer for heating and water.. think some more tinkering will be needed so we are not being wasteful. We have yet to receive the first bills/ payments coming out of the bank, so it!!!8217;s still a bit nerve wracking!!!8230; I mean, I know the figures, it!!!8217;s just until I see the impact in the bank account I won!!!8217;t believe my calculations (does that make any sense?).

All this talk over the past few days about increases to council tax and rates has me slightly concerned too, I had hoped I would have had a few months to get used to the jump up from our last bills before they increased, but I suppose it!!!8217;s a risk we have taken, we always knew the first few years would be tough and we now are just going to have to be super strict with where the money goes, and try and build up the joint account. It!!!8217;s what we said we were going to do anyway, just a case of implementing the plan.

I have a few things to put onto ebay this weekend, nothing of any massive value, but hopefully will raise a few pounds instead of me throwing out perfectly good things that I don!!!8217;t need anymore. Other than that I have a weekend of cleaning, and baking and chilling out ahead of me!!!8230; and I cant wait! J

therocket_2

Hi Tradcob!

Congrats on the house and the diary - it makes great reading! Look forward to reading how you get on!

Rocket

Tradcob

Thanks Rocket, its lovely to have a visitor to my thread
Im sure everything will be alright, had a chat at work today where my boss is asking if I would like to work on a bigger project as he really likes my work, which was lovely to hear, and will help with my ambition to get a promotion this year. Which in turn will help with money matters!!!

LadyGnome

Great start to your diary. You seem really focussed. Very best of luck.


Do the cats like their new home?

Tradcob

Hi LadyGnome, the cats do seem to like the house, they can get up quite some speed whilst chasing each other around. Just waiting for some nicer weather and then i'll have to be brave and let them outside to explore, i must admit to being a little nervous about it as i dont want then getting lost!