Ongoing Journey to being a Frugalista..

AdventureWanted

Hi,
Have just finished reading your diary. You're doing really well, especially with your savings rate. I've been reading the barefoot investor (about 3/4 of the way through) and have found it really interesting. Can I ask where you hold your S&s isa? I've never invested money before, but quite like the idea of it.

Looking forward to following you on your journey (not in a creepy way :rotfl:)

brizzlegirl

Thank you AW. That’s quite a feat!! Very much appreciated.

I hold the S&S ISA with Hargreaves Lansdowne not just because they are from Brizzle and one of the founders owns one of the footie clubs here :rotfl: but also because it’s so so easy. It was the nudge factor with me. Having easy access on my phone or laptop about 3 or 4 years ago made me more likely to pay into the pension or ISA. I used to check it’s progress most months and pay in most months and it’s help build a useful cushion.

The HL fees are higher than some I agree and I have started to look more closely now at the fees of the platform as well as the funds eg. I moved money into a tracker for my pension from Woodford (ironically last month ) on the basis that so many FI people suggest it but I also like active investments that I have chosen to ‘support’ as you claim the dividends and negligible fees after the initial deal. Not all mine are stellar performers at the moment but I am playing a long term game.

The ISA funds are more boring - a couple of global funds and a European one. Deliberately so as I can’t really play such a long game with this as some will be taken to pay university support for DD1 who leaves in September.

Best shake a tail feather!! Thanks for dropping by and reading. Will be back soon as need to get my thoughts in order. The pressure is on as the requests for payment grow so I need to get back to having a very firm hand on the finances. Work has been crazy which I think has affected my spend pattern. Am certainly of the view that a lot of our relationship with debt and money is psychological!

Love to all and have a happy Friday!!

Brizzle xx

AdventureWanted

Thanks for all the info. Will have a look at HL. Im finding it such a daunting thing to do, especially as there's so much choice, but something I want to do to save for the future. Thanks again .

brizzlegirl

I think it’s a great idea. We all need to invest as well as save. Start small but do some. It’s important. Some of the apps which round up purchases and the transfer it into a savings account could be a starting point for investments.

A lovely weekend but super spendy. Been with my girls on a shopping trip to the Big Smoke. We had a great time. But with Mum flashing the CC it wasn’t cheap. But we stuck to the agreed budget (one had a birthday), and made some compromises such as staying in a student hostel (in bunk beds as hotel prices were crazy this weekend...must be something on, maybe a start of the tourist trade as loads around) and shopped the sales. We also had a plan before we went to try and curb any impulsive spends. We also had a few unexpected surprises, like discounts just for being nice to staff...that one shocked me! But not knocking it.

Need to do a reconciliation later this week and see what the proper damage will be. May have to adjust the payments into debt payment which will set me back. But will just have to adjust.

I am also facing into a large tax bill...that was finalised last week..way after we planned this weekend, but even so, plus a deposit on the side hustle idea. So do need to get real. At least the last 6 months we have been super good with debt repayments. That’s putting us in good stead.

So have loved this weekend but do need to make sure it’s not the start of slipping back. I have also noted that I haven’t been as obsessed over my spreadsheet as much as usual, so maybe I need to start looking at it every day again! :rotfl:

Have a great week everyone, thanks for popping by

jwil

Your weekend sounds fab. Have a good week

Sun_Addict

Sounds like a great weekend. Don't feel guilty about taking your eye off the ball now and again, we all do it at some stage, especially when we're busy.

PurpleFairy26

Weekend sounds fab and the girls will have some fab memories from it. These things are all part of the journey. Have a great week, hope you manage a run.

brizzlegirl

Thanks lovely peeps.

One item is going back, as in two minds anyway as thought it swamped me, and have now decided it does so it’ll go back. I may try and find a better fitting equivalent one this weekend, or I may just try and save money instead, :rotfl:

As I said in XS’s diary (great to have her back) I am having real difficulties in sticking to the 30/40% savings rate this month though, there have been lots of additional big lump sums, car stuff g. MOT and birthdays and school events which have had to go on a CC, but the overall direction is always down which is one of the important things. If I can do the scores on the door next week then I will, it won’t be over the weekend as would need a laptop and I am not taking that on my weekend break!

My savings into the ISA have also taken a hammering but I will try and make that up next month although also conscious I have POA tax that month, in common with lots of others I know, it’s not exactly a surprise, and a final holiday accommodation instalment to pay for. There will be some Prom dress returns (we did the whole order 8 and send back 7 idea which works better than trialling round the shops getting frustrated) which should however help the card total. Am also away on a short break with OH this weekend, but much needed. Ships in the night and both on crazy work schedules...another late work night tonight but it all pays the bills.. divorce would be much more expensive..;) :rotfl:

HMRC have finally given me a new tax code which makes much more sense and means they will adjust my PAYE to get the deficit back in year. However I will only find out what the monthly deduction amounts to when I get paid next month. Hope it’s not more than £200 p.m as otherwise that will seriously affect my proposed debt repayment planning.

Going to relax only way to work now reading the paper and reading diaries...small joys.

Have a great day folks

Am enjoying this better weather, hope it’s all good where you are too.

X

jwil

Have a lovely weekend away

beanielou

Have a fab weekend