Priorities and posteriorities

Raincoat

Thanks @Caeler! If you have the skills to cook a nice meal, then I'm inclined to agree

So month one nearly over and done. Surprisingly, I've managed to save more than any month last year, coming under budget in most categories. My saving percentage has come in at a healthy 62% (including overpayment and money allocated to investments), compared to an average of 44% in 2020.

Unsurprisingly I've also had a very quiet month outside of work. 

One thing I've been reflecting on is my choice of doing dry January. I've been keeping a short diary to see how my mood, sleep, diet and exercise are, and all seem to have benefitted noticeably. I almost wonder if it has helped with impulse purchases too - either directly or through less need to have a "reward". Food for thought.

In terms of small financial habits this month, I'm really enjoying using my library apps, I can't believe it took me so long to go down this route. I also switched from my regular gym to its on demand app (a moot point given lockdown). I miss the gym a lot but the app is a really good substitute, and saves me £67 per month - definitely a question of whether to cancel once we can go back.

Raincoat

Ok, slightly later than planned, but an update for February.

I look to be on track for my overall monthly saving and overpayment goal, as long as there are no unnecessary spends this week and I am careful with my grocery spend (there may be a few stern talkings I give myself in the week - "step away from the credit card Raincoat..."). However, everything is going to change in the next few months as I have sold my current place and had an offer accepted on a new place - the new mortgage balance will be four times my current mortgage balance  

So once it all goes through I will revisit my budget and target to work through a realistic MF target date. Until then I will pootle along with the current plan.

caeler

Good luck! Exciting times! I did this so took a brief break from the diary whilst the sale went through and things settled back but I was pleased to get back to it all! 

powerspowers

Exciting times raincoat!! I’m in a similar position, current mortgage is small but in process of buying a new place. 

I’m no longer over paying and just squirrelling money away for the move and buying bits and bobs for the new place. 

Good luck for a smooth move x

killerpeaty

!!! What is your new place going to be like?

Also I thought you were hilarious with your return to your diary. I look forward to following you on your journey.

Raincoat

Ok I am back on the diary-wagon. The sale and purchase went through and my May and June were expensive to say the least. I continued to monitor some spends but a certain joie de vivre took over! Now I am fairly settled in and I need to channel my energies into more frugal habits than supporting removal firms.

First things first. I have gone from just under £100k to nearly £400k, so it will take time to chip away at it. My mortgage payment has doubled, meaning I have less for overpayments - but that is where half the fun comes from, squirreling away savings and reallocating them! 

My first mission was to find my nearest discount supermarket, and joy-of-joys I have an A!di a short bike ride away. The bike ride is also primarily next to a pretty river, so all-in-all it encapsulates a real joie de vivre.

Have a wonderful weekend  

caeler

Great to have you back! You’ll settle in to the new regime, give yourself time. 

Raincoat

Maybe I should update my posting target to once every six months, that would be more realistic 

So I have just completed my year-end review and I am broadly happy with how my 2021 budget panned out - there were some overs and unders, but once the dust has settled I hit my target, meaning I also made my forecast mortgage overpayments. The big driver overall was pandemic-induced lifestyle changes, some of which will be temporary but hopefully not all.

• Holidaying in the the UK meant my spend was less than half its 2019 equivalent, with the added benefits of fewer queues and much reduced emissions too. Win, win, win. 
• There was less socialising in bars and restaurants, and more social walks, BBQs and dinners hosted, meaning my "fun" budget came in less than prior years.  
• Increased WFH undoubtedly helped, with a chunky decrease in dry cleaning bills and a halved transport bill. I was always a packed lunch fan, so no contribution on that front 

So the budget for 2022 has been drawn up and it is tight, as I expect to be impacted by inflation and (fingers crossed) a return to normality - a few more pub visits and more office work, both good for my sanity. Specific areas to reign in are my clothes purchases (I am addicted) and grocery spending (overall I am good at this but there is room for improvement).
Lets go!

savingholmes

Good luck with the mega mortgage. 

Raincoat

Thank you @savingholmes! I have started to read your diary, and it is very motivating - I have subscribed 

Small MSE tasks since my last post have included:

• Opting for a hot water bottle and my toasty duvet rather than the heating in my bedroom (easier given the unseasonable mildness);
• Sorting through my vegetable seeds to work out what can be grown in 2022 (it looks like I will not need to buy any new seeds but we will see!);
• Using a voucher for my online grocery shop and structuring so it was effectively 20% off (only buying what I needed of course ).

And as I write this I am listening to the birds tweeting away, quite possibly my favourite background music.