Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 3 - A New Beginning

SpekySquarehead

I'm desperate to hear how you're getting on with YNAB....?

Particularlly with your to-do list form the other day which had spends and returns on it.

beanielou

Hope you managed a good sleep

AspiringButAnxious

Sounds like things are going well -- though you need to learn to relax!

I'm sure the lost key issue will be fine. It reminds me of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, when Hilary says she's always losing keys and having more cut, but it's okay because she attaches them to a keyring with the address!

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all :hello:
Beanie and apple - thank you for asking. Better night but not brilliant, I'm still far too warm and wake up lots. According to my Fitbit I've had 7 and a half hours which is like the most massive lie in ever!

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

I'm desperate to hear how you're getting on with YNAB....?

It's going really well thanks Speky. I just couldn't get along with it when I tried it a couple of years ago to be honest, but this time round I've become mildly addicted to it. It's about the first thing I do in the morning - check my bank and match it with the budget. I reconciled it all this morning and am going towards the end of the month with money left over - whilst I know that I've got exam money, I also know exactly where I'm frittering my cash away (mainly food) I still have that divorce related credit card but I think I should be able to clear it quite quickly. Thank you for suggesting I give it another try. The only thing I'm not sure about just yet is the 'age of my money' - what it means and what I should be aiming for...

AspiringButAnxious wrote: »

Sounds like things are going well -- though you need to learn to relax!

I wish I could ABA - it's part of my anxiety, and kind of my default position. I'm well trained with my counselling and CBT to know that when things are tough in my life I keep busy in an attempt to run away from what's going on then keep going until I completely burn out and hit rock bottom. I need to try and do some proper relaxing and enjoying a bit of quality time - my counsellor says that I need to try and just stop for a little bit and appreciate the here and now. The trouble is, that I don't like the stuff that goes through my brain when I stop.
However, having said that, I have had a very lazy day today. I haven't left the house as yet, but I am going out in the next hour or so. DD is going to a party (which she has spent approximately the past 6 hours getting ready for) and I am being her taxi for the evening. I don't mind doing that if I know that she's safe and I'd rather make sure that she's door to door than relying on buses or taxis.
While I'm out, I'm going to have to do a little bit more shopping. The boys are actually eating me out of house and home, and I can't keep up with their demands for snacks and meals. I have written a list, and I know that there is an Aldee and a Mr M near to where I'm dropping dd off - so I'll go and see what I can get.

wishingthemortgaheaway

Any news on the mortgage application CCL?

I'm also a huge ynab fan and have been known to check the bank account early doors to ensure my financial mental health at the start of each day.

SpekySquarehead

Morning,

The age of your money, I believe, it just a counter to show how well you're saving. So if you allocate £5 every month for 6 months for a pair of shoes or whatever, then the age of it would 6 months. It's old money. It's not like as soon as you're getting paid, you've spent it all within a few days. The aim is to get that number as high as possible as it shows your planning and budgeting.

I'm glad you've gotten used to it. It does become a bit addictive, but there's nothing wrong with being addicted to having your finances in order.

Oh and I meant to say, those healthy takeaways sound like a brilliant idea!! Although I suspect they'll come at a cost.

julicorn

Hi CCL! I just came across your diary, and noticed your question on YNAB's age of money.

Imagine the cash you have is in a silo. Every time you get paid or get money from somewhere, you add it on top. Every time you spend money, you take it out from the bottom. Age of money shows how 'old' your money is based on the average of your last 10 transaction (so the money you've spent recently, how long has that been sitting in your account?). So if it's 3 days, you've got a 3 day money turnover, if it's 30 days, you're basically spending money you got a month ago.
When you first start off, AoM is super low because you don't have that much transaction history yet. It gradually goes up for a bit and then settles.
Generally, YNAB recommend having an AoM above 30 days (so spending last month's income this month). If you're using credit cards for most things, they actually recommend closer to 60 days (as the credit card essentially delays your payments).

Either way, all the best! :heart2:

crazy_cat_lady

Thanks for that Speky and Julicorn. Well the age of my money is just 9 days so I have a bit of a way to go to get a month in the bag, but it's early days still. I've already been on there and updated everything this morning very addictive indeed.

No news yet on the mortgage WTMA - I wish I understood the process better. Apparently there is a valuation booked in on the 7th of August, but I don't need to be home (good job because I won't be). The bank lady seems to think it will auto offer after that. I'm not sure what else I'm waiting for, but I'm sick with nerves about it all. I just think the worst about everything and I assume I'm going to get a big fat no. Hopefully it's just a combination of my anxiety and this being so important to me.

Still hot here today, although we've had a cracking thunderstorm. Cats are most displeased that they can't really sunbathe outside after so many lovely days. A couple of them are still basking on the windowsills though. I'm planning a fairly quiet day again today - I've been up since about half seven and haven't done that much. I need to wash up and hoover, and put a load of washing in. I'm also ploughing my way through a box set and trying to make big progress on a baby blanket. That's about it - quiet but kind of what I need - as long as my thoughts don't catch up with me anytime soon.

beanielou

Thought that they would do the valuation sooner.
I have a friend in a similar position.
I dont get how it all works these days at all.

crazy_cat_lady

I am surprised, and a little bit annoyed about how long the mortgage is taking Beanie. I really like the woman from the bank and have been happy enough dealing with her - but the process is taking ages. I would have gone elsewhere if I didn't have a £3000 early exit fee from my current deal - all I'm supposed to be doing is transferring it all into my own name, but it's needed me to reapply for myself and go through all the affordability etc. However, they are the bank that have had endless problems with their computer systems over the past few months so I actually feel a bit sorry for her because it's still not all sorted out by all accounts. I have an appointment with my solicitor next week though and I'm going to get the ball rolling on the assumption that I will get the mortgage - apparently they should be able to deal with the legalities of the house becoming mine rather than getting another solicitor involved. I really, really hope that we can get all of this sorted asap because I'm fed up of it dragging on now. I just want to get done and move on because at the moment I'm paying for a house on my own that he still has a claim on. He should have been paid yesterday, and now that he's back at work I'm really hoping that he won't be asking me for any money to sub him.

So, onto other news. We had more brilliant storms yesterday evening. I ended up with 5 cats in the living room keeping me company, which is rare - so they must have been more bothered by it than they showed... I'm pleased that it's quite a bit cooler today - much more comfortable for me that's for sure.

I had a very lazy day yesterday. It was quite nice but I have a lot of guilt about lazy days. Did the bare minimum around the house and a lot of crochet and box sets on telly. There really is nothing to report. Up early this morning to help bestie with the practicalities of getting her car to the garage and I'll be taking her to pick it up later as well. I've also done the basics - washing up, washing clothes, fed cats and changed litter. Ex is apparently on his way to see the kids - it won't be for long though as I'm off out again in a little while.

The flat pack furniture is still flat packed. I thought the kids would be so keen to get the new stuff on the go as well. It's just cluttering up my kitchen short term though...