Making savings before it's too late

[Deleted User]

sometimes my heart is in my mouth, when I get rid of something expensive, I did that yesterday, gave something away to strangers, cost me loads and I still have a bit of sinking feeling as in, why on earth did I buy it! but I cannot live like that, looking back doesn`t do me any good at all. What I do know is that those who cannot let go of stuff end up in houses that are dangerous places full of trip hazards and clutter. We aren`t the first and will never be the last.

Tori I am not surprised that your money aim has changed for now, keeping out of debt is foremost, spending on your needs next and savings really are last, almost a luxury tbh.

I do love the door chat, yellow and red doors, wonderful and cheery, reflects the people inside

I have over £170 stuck in paypal, I have a linked cc but cannot get pp to add a debit card to withdraw, I have tried with 2 different banks, had the security ring back, passed that but no card on there, just that cycle of `add a card`. Oh well, no more craft stuff to sell anyway

moneyistooshorttomention

I know that one Kittie - I've landed up several times giving something pretty good and/or not cheap away to strangers and one sometimes feels they barely pause to say "thank you" for it.

Will probably be tossing up in my head to try and think if any strangers have ever given me anything much in my lifetime - and first thoughts are "I can't think of any:cool:".

Message to Universe = Hello there...this sort of thing is supposed to go two ways....ie not just outward bound only.

cuddlymarm

Hi Lessonlearned
I think you aren’t the only one to decide shoes that hurt aren’t worth keeping. I volunteer in a CS which always has nearly brand new shoes that people have decided aren’t for them. I decided years ago that beauty isn’t worth the pain. I tend to stick to comfy shoes and sandals in summer and ugg boots in winter. I don’t mind paying a bit extra because I get at least three years use out of most of them.
It’s hard getting rid of stuff you’ve had for years but it’s worth it in the end. Less to tidy, less to clean. We moved to a one bedroom flat just over a year ago and it’s wonderful. If visitors announce they are coming it takes minutes to whizz round. Also cheaper to run.
As I said I volunteer in a CS and we get regular customers who get such delight in their purchases. Often it makes their day and the money goes to a good cause. Win win.
Cuddles

lessonlearned

Cuddles.......Glad your move worked so well for you. Sounds perfect. I keep telling myself it will be worth all the upheaval.....;). My new house will be a lot easier to maintain in the long run.

I used to volunteer to a charity shop, loved it. I'm hoping that once I've moved and am settled I might be able to do so again.

Money - I do think the universe listens......and that it does repay .....eventually. :rotfl: we might not always see it straight away perhaps but I do think there are forces at work. I am great believer in karma.....good and bad. At the risk of sounding all new age hippy dippy I do believe we get back what we put out into the world. Karma always repays. I'm sure you will reap the benefits from your generosity, probably just when you least expect it.

My buyers popped round this morning, First time buyers, a young couple and I get the feeling that they are really stretching themselves to buy this house and that the budget is very tight.

I mentioned that I was leaving the Window blinds, some light fittings and a few bits and bobs, including the left over paint for touching up. I warned them that the removal men would probably mark the walls so they would need to touch up if they wanted it to look half decent before they got round to decorating in their own preferred colours. Their faces lit up and they were really grateful.

I'll chuck in a spare paintbrush.....:rotfl:

Well I've made a good start on the paperwork and have just had a late lunch. Time for a rest now.....I'm done for.

moneyistooshorttomention

LL - well you've "put yourself in a good light" offering to leave paint for retouching purposes. A gesture that costs nowt - but will "make its mark". Those buyers sound pretty keen.

I think one can figure out to some extent just who "really means it" and they sound like they do.

I'm recalling when would-be buyers came round for a 2nd viewing on a house I was staying over in at the time. The vendors boyfriend had been left in charge and I was busy thinking "What does he know? - he doesnt have normal human reactions (ie he's not been "diagnosed" but.......). I do though...".

I duly informed vendor when they came back that those viewers were most definitely visualising themselves doing this/doing that/placing such-and-such a bit of furniture there and really "meant it" and they should overcome the bit of prejudice they had against them and sell the house to them - as it was going to be a trouble-free sale to this particular couple. It was....they were "good as gold" as buyers go.

[Deleted User]

It was worth complaining or rather `informing`. Re the big totes that I ordered, tracking said one day so I waited in all day, tracking then said they tried to deliver and I was not in, liars. E mailed the carrier and emailed the big company sender and posted a scathing review about the carrier on trustpilot, who has a one star from many.

Totes came next day, young man said that the last few days had been easy, not rushed off his feet, he looked sheepish. Tote company have refunded carrier cost plus extra and today an extra £24 was in my cc account, wow. Looks as though I will be zero in 10 days but still sitting tight, any spends have come out of pp balance

Blackcatsreturns

Well done for following up on poor service and a good outcome for you. I've been overcharged by BT for 4 months now. I raised a complaint about 6 weeks ago but no refund and continued over charge. So difficult to even find the phone number to complain. I'm sure big companies make it hard to contact them on purpose.
My months spending started like a runaway train and brakes were applied last week so hope that I'll get through just about within budget. Tracking spending is such a revelation. I use a free app on my phone so it's easy to record the spends as they happen.

[Deleted User]

my cc balance is the same now as it was 2 weeks ago and I have not had to take anything out of my cash wallet, I have stayed close to home but that hasn`t been a problem because I have had plenty to do. I know that I will be able to pay cc off in full, to end the month at zero, having paid last month statement a couple of weeks ago. It gives me another clean start and I will also be able to put some into my safety net savings. Once that has built up again then real savings here I come and it could well be as early as next month


It has taken me since february because of the additional expenses but these expenses in one shape or another, will happen out of the blue. I am very glad I don`t use contactless, waving a card at a machine does not have the relevance to spending actual real money. I had parcels to post this week, took the cash needed and was not at all tempted in the shop, I might have been with a contactless card. It is about will power, while in the house ie to only take the cash

lessonlearned

Well done Kitty. That's a good position to be in. There will be expenses in the future when you do move house so it's a good idea to get your finances in shape now.

Well I've received my mortgage offer. It may sound crazy taking on a mortgage at this stage in my life but although I'm a bit nervous about it I still think it's the best way to go. If I were to buy my new place outright then I would have to more or less wipe out my entire savings to do so. I don't think that's a good idea.

Once you dip into savings it can be very hard to put it back. In my case i think it's better for me to take out a small mortgage and meet the payments out of income so I can let my capital grow for future needs. I've gone for a 5 year fix so I know exactly how much I need to budget for. At the end of the fix I can then review my situation, and either redeem the mortgage completely or reduce the sum outstanding. It will all depend on future interest rates. If I really struggle then at that point I could always sell and downsize.

I've worked out a rough budget, it will be tight for a while so no fancy holidays or extravagant treats but I don't mind. I will be busy turning my new house into a nice comfirtable home anyway. I am quite happy to live simply and modestly, as long as I can pay my way, stay out of debt and keep warm and cosy then I'm happy. Most of my hobbies and interests are low cost, some even help me to save and even occasionally make money.

I have started packing and am making good progress. As I pack away my possessions I am reminded just how fortunate I am. I really don't lack for anything. Yesterday I packed away most of my clothes. I really had to smile. Apart from replacing underwear etc I probably have enough clothes to last me at leat 10 years......so I can certainly make savings there.

I'm still having to part with money but it's mainly moving expenses at the moment. The costs do mount up but at least they are a one off.

It's not the retirement my husband and I had planned and saved for but frankly now that I'm a widow I just don't want to do the same things. Ive tried fancy holidays on my own, I've tried travelling with female friends. They're ok, but tbh I'm just as happy not bothering. Its just nit the same without him so I don't want to gad about or live the high life or do loads of socialising. So for the time being living quietly on my modest income is just fine by me.

[Deleted User]

It is the aspiration and the achievement LL, this is what will give you immense satisfaction going forwards, not been handed to you on a plate, worked for, planned for, saved for. There is something very very fulfilling about doing this