Twinklie returns to the property ladder

twinklie

Well I appear to have gone AWOL for a while there. Nothing much happened, just summer, kids, puppy and holidays. Then returning to reality didn't quite go according to plan because DS2 has been really poorly with tonsillitis. But I think we are out the other side now. 

New (but same) job role has started at work so it's all change again, but it's going ok...I think.

I've been out twice in the last two weeks. Took mum for a pub lunch for her birthday which was nice. Then went out with my work mates (who I haven't seen in the flesh since March 2020) for a meal to say goodbye to one of my work mates. All felt very weird. Nice but weird. 

I've not OP'd the mortgage for the last two months. August was because of the puppy expenses, September was both boys birthdays, Mum's birthday and catching up after going on holiday. I just thought I'd feel better with a little extra cash in my account rather than OPing. And this month I have the house insurance to fork out for, but I'll probably start OPing again. 

Status at work remains work from home until at least the end of the year I think. DH goes back in the office one day per week from new week, which is a bit boo. 

I'm also one of the lucky ones who's energy provider went bust. I was with Arvo and so am moving to Octupus now, whom I've heard good things about. So just waiting for that to sort itself out so I can work out my new budget. Everything is so expensive now though, prices just appear to be going up and up. 

Not sure there's much else to report to be honest. 

twinklie

September Round up

DEBT 

Car Loan - Was £8,602 - Now £5,735.58 *Not updated because DH hasn't told me the updated total.

DH's Phone (0% interest) - He got a new phone - Now £411 *Not updated because he hasn't told me what his repayments are yet.
My Phone (0% interest) -  Was £27 - Now £0 

Total debt at the start of 2021 = £6,842.25, Now = £6,147.75 

SAVINGS
Aim to save £400 per month to build emergency fund and for rainy day expenses (car, house maintenance etc.). 
113% of target achieved again. 

 

MORTGAGE 

Current daily interest is £14.35

We now own 21.87% of the house - current rough valuation actually puts us as 28.5%.

3 rooms owned (4 if I go with the higher valuation).

Paid off 12.73% of the mortgage. 

Current MF date - Oct   Sept 2037.
Mortgage OP - £0

twinklie

Slight additional bit of MSE news. I just managed to get my home insurance £150 cheaper than the renewal quote. Happy days. It's also £50 cheaper than what I spent last year and that's before I factor in the £40 cash back. 

twinklie

Eeek I'm on a roll. Just OP'd £200 as I couldn't help myself. I'm going to log of the computer now before I do anything else.   

twinklie

I’m contemplating applying for a new job now as well. Same job I’m doing now just for a different council who pay a lot more. 

twinklie

I'm having a financial decisions crisis. 

My 2.75% regular saver matured and I need to move my savings to a better paying account. I was looking at another regular saver but the interest rates are minimal. As they are in savings accounts. My friend mentioned stocks and shares, they do theirs via Vanguard. I should read more into it, but I'm not sure. 

Then I was looking at AVC's for my pension. I'm all flustered and don't know what I want to do. Then there's the potential new job. I just don't know what to do. 

I've got tonsillitis too and feel a bit rubbish, so probably not the best time to be making such decisions. 

TallGirl

Have you thought about premium bonds? Quite safe and easy to access but not an amazing return either although I enjoy checking to see if I’ve won. Stocks and shares are not that scary worth a read as you look at funds like Vanguard. 

SandyShores

Hope you feel better soon Twinklie.  Definitely take the financial decisions one step at a time, I don't think there's any rush.  I've put my £6k emergency funds into Premium Bonds.  Like TallGirl says, there isn't a great return - there's some info on the main site about this I think.  But whilst, I'm working out what to do with it, its nice to think I might win something.  Pensions always good to look at - I've learned a lot about pensions on this site too, such as what I'll need to retire on for a comfortable lifestyle, and what I need to put away to make sure I've got that.  It really helped me to realised that while I won't be buying a boat and moving to the Bahamas, I should be okay and I've worked out a few options depending on what happens between now and then.

The job will have a closing date, so that's probably the most important in terms of deadlines.  If you aren't sure, you could always put in the application and withdraw it later.  More money sounds good, but don't forget the interview process is two way.  (This is all advice people have given me recently I'm sure ).  

twinklie

Ok so I took your advice and moved the money into Premium bonds to join the other money I had there. 

Job application needs completing. I’m in the fortunate position that I have a particularly strong skill set. But at the same time I’m not that bothered if I don’t get the job. I’m happy enough where I am, it’s just a punt on earning more as this LA pay more than the one I currently work for and the commute would be a tiny bit shorter if I was back in the office. I don’t want to work full time though and that might be a deal breaker for them. 

My pensions ok. I’ve got part in a teachers pension and part in a LGPS. I’ve been paying in since my 20s so I should retire on an ok amount to live off. It could obviously be better, but it could be a lot worse. 

In other news, I got a positive on an LFT last night. So having a PCR test today to see if it’s finally got me. Would explain where this headache I can’t shift, that painkillers won’t touch has come from. 

twinklie

School have also just messaged to say DS2 has been a close contact as someone in his class has tested positive. 

Doh!

PCRs all round because DS1 played with the same kid after school.