Aligning the Stars

redofromstart

Thinking of you, and hoping everything is ok?

DrSpendLittle

Hope all is okay Starmummy x

Starmummy

Hi Folks.

Well I've been MIA for far too long. Home, work, study etc have all been so busy and stressful, something had to give. I really appreciate those who have checked in on me.

Money news-well I'm not debt free or even debt neutral but my whole attitude to it all is far healthier.
I've sat my final exam and I'm looking for the next step in my career, this combined with SC's ever increasing extra-curricular activities has meant I had to buy a car. This has eaten into savings and debt repayments but it should pay for itself soon enough.Being able to drive to work will open up the job search and should result in approx £10k increase in salary.

Things currently stand like this.
FD LOAN -£7,360.71
CC -£4,465.20
CAR Value £6,000.00
ALL Savings £3,210.47

NET WORTH -£2,615.44

To be honest it could be far worse- Yes debt has gone up- I put christmas on the credit card. I should pay it off next month. I won't dwell I'll just keep trying to make smarter choices.

This year I'm not making big money promises. My budget is based on my current salary, not including expected pay rises or child maintenance (i've not had a penny in 6 months CMS have been no help) I'm aiming to pay down the debt by the end of 2021- 2 years, sooner if I can but I still plan to enjoy myself.

I'm still squiralling a bit each month into savings (both mine and SC's) and the only real expenses, outside of bills and food, are travel and books.
I've joined the gym which I paid annually upfront working out at £23 a month. Between the gym and my back catalogue of reading I should have a healthy mind and body and a healthy bank account given theres now no time for spending money.

My goals for 2020:
* Read 1 book a week.
*run an under 30 minute 5k.
*run an under 1 hour 10k
*take 4 trips
*no spending on the credit card
*Get a new job.
* spend more effort on Mr S (our relationship really suffered last year with the changes with his job and both of our mental health).

So it's all progress, maybe slow and certainly not the direct route. I'm feeling good though, strong, determined and mostly content.

It's nice to be back.
I hope to catch up with you all soon.

Take care SM

Starmummy

Hi All,

I've been reading lots of diaries this month but I have decided to just post once a month so I can see my progress better.

At 1st Feb Things stand like this:
FD LOAN [STRIKE]-£7,360.71[/STRIKE] -£6,659.69
CC [STRIKE]-£4,465.20[/STRIKE]- £4,196.24
CAR Value £6,000.00
ALL Savings [STRIKE]£3,210.47[/STRIKE] £3,375.21

NET WORTH [STRIKE]-£2,615.44[/STRIKE] -£1,480.72

I should hit debt neutral in March/April...but this is likely to change dramatically.
The planning permission on our house extension runs out at the beginning of summer, we have been having a lot of discussions about how to go about it and put simply, we can't live in the house while it is done (we would have no bathroom/kitchen/running water.)

Our house is in Mr S's name only. I've never owned property. Our current thinking is for me to buy a two-bed property, giving us somewhere to live and me some independent financial security. Mr S's will sort me out with the funds to pay the debt off and boost my deposit - he wants to gift it but I would be happier to pay him back over the next 5 years or so, that way the property will be completely mine.

The timelines on this are driving me to distraction though. I have a second interview for a job this week which could see a 7k increase in pay. If I get it I don't really want to look at mortgages until I know what my salary will be. Obviously house buying takes it's time and the planning runs out at the end of May so this gives us a tight target. Technically the work only has to start by this date so we can dig a foundation trench rather than knock down the kitchen and bathroom walls, to buy us some time. I want to make sure that the gift from Mr S is used to maximise the government contributions in my LISA so straddling savings between tax years.

It's all just a little bit grown up, and scary, and expensive sounding. But the best things are never easy are they?

Groceries was the most up and down category in the joint account last year so I'm going to keep a gentle eye on it this year. The average spend for January was £61.17. I'd be happy if we could keep it around the £60 mark. I have started batch cooking on a Sunday for lunches. A vat of pasta for Starchild (she has a hot food flask) and a vat of curry/casserole for me and Mr S to re-heat at work. This keeps us full so we are spending less on snacks, it's also a good way to up our 5 a day.


On my 2020 targets:
* I read 5 books in January
* I've not really worked much on my running, it's pretty dark both before and after work and I just don't feel as safe with traffic etc. I've swam 3-4 times a week and done a gym session every Wednesday though.
*Working on the job target. Hopefully I'll report some good news on next months round up.
* We have our first trip at half term - a super frugal trip to Lisbon. We might not make 4 trips this year given the housing situation.
* Technically I have spent on my credit card, but this was only my professional fees that I've claimed on work expenses.

Budgets
I've decided to set an annual budget in 2 areas of personal spending.
CLOTHING £500/ £98.48 spent.
BEAUTY £400/£0 spent.

Clothing spends were £45 on new running shoes, my old pair had done 400 miles and I don't want injuries. I also spent $45 on Birkenstocks that I have had my eye on for a year. My current flip flops are 8 years old and now relegated to the swimming pool showers.

No Beauty spends in January, I have a haircut booked next weekend though which will come to £37. I don't think I will need to buy any skincare this month and I'm not one for getting my nails done often, or wearing much makeup (just eyebrows, bronzer and mascara) My biggest beauty spends tend to be skincare and the odd massage when the local spa has a good offer.

I'm pleased that I didn't spend any money on books this month (I'm determined to get through my to-be-read pile (currently 27 books I think). After that I shall only buy second hand, there is a fantastic Oxfam book shop in our town. I know I could use the library but I like to keep books. I do have a £10 reward voucher for a big high street bookstore for £10 though so I shall treat myself at some point.

Well done if you got to the end of that :T

Suffolk_lass

Good to see you 'back'. It all sounds very grown up, positive and planned out. You are right about digging the foundation trenches for the extension (and filling them, I believe, depending on your local planners).

Since the depth of the foundations is a sign-off item, your local planners will be able to vouch for the permitted development to have commenced within the requisite (normally 3 year) time window to get your time dilemma resolved. Best of luck, I look forward to following your progress.

Starmummy

Thanks Suffolk.

Yes, one of our friends runs a building firm with his dad, he is giving us tips as to what minimums we can get away with in the next 4 months to buy ourselves a little time.
We are away (in Portugal) at the end of next week for half term. I imagine the main conversation will be planning the next 6 months.

Now, i'm not one for shying away from stress but even I admit new job, house purchase and extension may be pushing our luck...it is all part of the adventure though.

I think we may have to book a trip for October half term after all, just to get away from it all and breath.

Starmummy

Just a quick update to say I got the job I second interviewed for this week.

It's with a large company that has won awards for being a great place to work. My pay will increase by just over 20% and they pay 10% pension if I pay in the standard 5%. Short commute, flexible hours. It will give me the management experience I want as well as a good chance of progression, they are already talking about putting me on an ILM course.

I'm really pleased with myself but I'll be really sad to say goodbye to my current team. I'm dreading handing my notice in, especially as I'm in the middle of a big project

DrSpendingLittle

Congratulations Starmummy!!  Really pleased for you!

It's all big change for you isnt it?? Sounds like a good set of really positive steps forward though. Looking forward to hearing more about the house purchase / renovation / new job etc. Exciting times!!

DSL 

DrSpendingLittle

DrSpendLittle said:

Hope all is okay Starmummy x

Oh look, its my old self

Suffolk_lass

Oh yes, congratulations. 🍾🍾 
Don't worry about leaving - your valued colleagues might want to stay in touch - few do actually, in my experience. It's a bit like moving house from one area to a new one. You find out who your real friends are