Tidying up the mess

Aaleigha

Happy new year I am so happy for you
Real anxiety is so hard to deal with it makes you check more anxiety so you check more and keep rolling

Hubby is right and if you think it need checking more than once a month then get hubby to do it and you try to stick to no more than once a week to start then when you are comfortable try a bit longer if you don't already learn to knit or crochet
Don't buy the cheap yarn it feels horrible in your hands
Go to a charity shop find a chunky jumper you like the feel of and unpick it (check you tUBE for how tos) then ask them for needles some don't stock them chunky yarn needs about size 6-8 needles look on ravelry for patterns I will find you some if you want me too
Make simple hat instant X as presents should get several from one jumper then move to two colours with stipes xxx and it keeps the hands busy so you can't use a key pad and knit

[Deleted User]

Happy new year Babystepper!! :beer:
You've done fab in 2018 and I'm convinced that 2019 will be even better for you.....I'll be here cheering you on and celebrating all your achievements! :T

BabyStepper

Thanks for the suggestion Aaleigha. I have a 'to do' list that is miles long so plenty of things to keep me busy. If I run out of things I'll get back to you about learning to knit.

Thanks for the support squirrelgirl, very much appreciated.

BabyStepper

So far the budget is going well. I'm giving it slight checks every now and then but otherwise it is taking care of itself. :T

I am going to take enthusiasticsavers advice and set a target to be paid by February 2020 when 2 deals run out. I've rounded it up to £5k and it's a little over a year away, but I think it is a realistic goal. Whenever I think about this goal I feel much calmer, it's not too ambitious so the pressure is taken off. That can only be good, right?

We're challenging ourselves with the budget envelopes and trying to further reduce the amount we need to use from them. No harm in having some left at the end of the month.

Our toilet seat cracked yesterday. I sold some wallpaper on gumtree and we now have £20 for a new toilet seat. Picking it up on Saturday. :T Also need to top up the house maintenance fund first chance I get, and all the sinking funds could do with some cash in them. We'll see how this month goes and if my clients pay me in good time.

Me and OH have had a lovely few days at home eating leftover Christmas food and drinking leftover Christmas wine. So relaxing, and free.

Hope everyone is enjoying 2019 so far.

DD265

Great update, sounds like you have a great plan in place

Aaleigha

Great target and sounds really doable in the time
I too use sch envelopes and sinking funds
I keep the money in cash at home and try to keep the amount constant if some gets used it gets replaced once they are up to their target they don't get more money that will be going to mortgage over payment

So now to fill the sinking funds hopefully by mid June that will need extra income from somewhere look at eBay as soon as we move I will be selling what we don't need for the new place then touring craft shops to see if they will take my work on a commission basis

Dood luck with sinking funds they have really helped us

enthusiasticsaver

Great update and glad you have set a debt reduction target. I always think it is good to aim for something although I appreciate as you are self employed your income may be erratic.

I agree with moneywhizz that keeping things simple is the way to go to alleviate stress around finances. We keep an internet saver for replacement cars, large home improvement projects and big holidays. Our current account pays interest so we keep our annual bills money in there, car and house maintenance fund and white good replacement fund, weekend away and entertainment fund and gift fund. We also keep our emergency fund in there although I appreciate not everyone would be happy keeping it altogether we have a large buffer so there is usually enough when we need it. Direct debits go out from there between 1st and 6th of the month and we have a joint credit card for food and fuel which is paid off in full by direct debit monthly. An envelope system would work as well though either cash in an envelope or virtual envelopes on a program like clear checkbook.
We keep our personal spends in sole accounts and allocate a monthly amount which varies according to how our finances are looking. That way DH knows if he spends too much on beer or takeaways or in screwfix one month there will be less personal money for us both the following month. Keeps him focused on saving money if his hobby money is reduced.

BabyStepper

Aaleigha and enthusiasticsaver, thanks for sharing your money management arrangements. It's so helpful to know what other people are doing and it seems like there are many different ways to keep it all organised. I have opened separate savings accounts for all of my sinking funds, some in my name, some in OH's. I keep tabs of how much is in there on my new spreadsheet I took from the frugal living challenge, saves me having to check them ever. This is working for now but I will review as we go. Nothing like money in the bank to help me relax.

I'm looking forward to the Barclaycard statement coming in, after paying off so much I will be able to reduce the monthly DD and make sure any extra is going to the right place. (Barclaycard at the moment but it's good to have the option.) I've reduced Lloyds by £5, and maybe BC can reduce by £40, bringing the total minimums to £237.50. If everything goes wrong for some reason then the debt is a bit easier to service. I like that. :T

Nothing much else to report, everything ticking along nicely.

VadersDad

Just reading through your diary. Excellent work on getting yourself sorted out.

I have been on the site for about a year, getting there slowly myself.

Carry on the good work.

Silver_Queen

Posting on here so that I don't lose your diary when I go to read it later! You sound like you really have everything sorted out