*sigh* this may take a while

EssexHebridean

Great analysis of costs -v- benefits there - especially putting a time-limit on decision making about things that cost you as well. On the face of it the gym sounds like a good deal - and if it was being used by all of you who were eligible even once a week then it would probably be pretty unbeatable but ultimately if only you are really getting use from it and you'd be content to do stuff at home rather than actually going to a physical gym then the money can potentially be best used elsewhere can't it. 

You're absolutely right about how easy it is to lose the focus on budgeting and tracking spends - particularly the smaller ones - once clearing debt has been dealt with as well - I suspect most on here have been there at some stage. I've been thinking for a while that a full on frugal couple of months with me looking at EVERY spend is probably overdue for us. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks EH, good points

ohdearhowdidthathappen

It's all a bit depressing in the money world right now, isn't it?  From bad to worse!
Some of the changes in the silly budget will benefit us - the drop in NI and tax especially. 
However, our mortgage is fixed until June '24 at 1.8%... not looking forward to where the interest rate could be by then.  Our mortgage is currently £340k, so any increase will be ouchy.  
Keep saying to DH we should sell up and buy somewhere that our equity (about £460K) would buy us a house outright. He mumbles agreement, but he wouldn't actually do it... I'm getting to the point that I'd really consider it.
Our gas/electricity are fixed until Nov '23 and I'm not looking to those ending either

ohdearhowdidthathappen

DD has had a lucky break and got another apprenticeship and has already started. 
One of my friends works at a senior level in the sector that she's interested in working in... they had someone drop out at the last minute, so she put in a good word for DD and after a few hoops to jump through she was offered it.  There are strict strings attached with regards to passing future exams etc so she'll have to work hard, hopefully it'll be good for her.  She's only 2 weeks in, but so far so good.
She'll be earning £1700 a month after deductions, we've suggested she saves £1k of it.

DancingInTheRain

Depressing is the word for the economy at the moment.

At least you've got time to prepare for when your energy/mortgage fixes come to an end and your equity will certainly give you options.

Great news about your DD's apprenticeship, hope she appreciates the opportunity and makes the most of it x

ladyholly

ohdearhowdidthathappen said:

DD has had a lucky break and got another apprenticeship and has already started. 
One of my friends works at a senior level in the sector that she's interested in working in... they had someone drop out at the last minute, so she put in a good word for DD and after a few hoops to jump through she was offered it.  There are strict strings attached with regards to passing future exams etc so she'll have to work hard, hopefully it'll be good for her.  She's only 2 weeks in, but so far so good.
She'll be earning £1700 a month after deductions, we've suggested she saves £1k of it.

Well done to your daughter. I hope she embraces the chance with both hands and realises that she has been very lucky.

Drawingaline

Great news for you daughter. My son will be looking for an apprenticeship, but no idea what he even wants to do.......

I am so glad we fixed our mortgage for 5yrs in July, it kicks in, in November. Hubby only wanted to fix for two years, I insisted on 5, glad I did now!

savingholmes

Great news on the apprenticeship. 

The mortgage situation long term is scary but a lot could change yet...

Lemonade_budget

It's taken me a while but I've finally caught up with your diary! Phew! What a rollercoaster your DD has been on. I'm glad to hear that she's got a new apprenticeship. These degree apprenticeships are fabulous - I wish they'd been around when I was that age, maybe I wouldn't have gone to uni and done a degree I hated.

Hope the new job is going well 

EssexHebridean

Well done to DD - as you say, fingers crossed she makes the most of it now!