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Update Paid off! - Six years and counting!!
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Had a virtually spend free bank holiday weekend in the sunshine. It has been glorious. DH has taken FIL to the cricket (expected entry £24 but he was given a free ticket outside the ground), taken my dad to the snooker (ticket was a birthday present) and the football with FIL and DD1 (he has a season ticket). He will have spent a bit of cash on refreshments but only a small amount as he has been doing the driving.
The wedding was amazing - the most wonderful food I think I have ever had. A fine dining experience that we would never normally have. A beautiful venue and a very happy couple - must have cost a fortune and not an MSE wedding at all! We only spent £12 on drinks and I drove home so no overnight accommodation expense.
I am up to £22 on Prolific Academic now so will cash out via Circle. DD2 did a YouGov survey this morning for me. The girls love it when a survey comes up that asks for a child to complete it.
I've got to work a long day tomorrow and then I'm off again until Monday.
A belated Happy Easter to you all!MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
I still haven't spent anything since a supermarket shop on Good Friday. DH has been to B&Q today to buy some paint and a sprayer to paint the fence that he has put up. He has also bought a beautiful frame for our nephew for his 18th next month. It only cost £6.99 and he got the print to go in it for free with his football season ticket reward points. It looks like a £30 or £40 gift now. :j
I need to ring up and pay a deposit for our holiday next Easter - about £350 I think.
As well as being accountable on here for our spending, I am going to try to keep track of my exercise as I had a bit of a shock :eek:on the scales on Monday evening. I am 6 pounds over my preferred weight. I am only small so every extra pound really shows!MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
Confession - I just realised I was kidding myself about the no spend since Good Friday
On Saturday, DD1 needed new cricket spikes £40, DD2 needed new trainers £23 and we bought some shuttlecocks for £5.99 for garden badminton.
But other than that no spends!MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
Exercise diary
I was too tired yesterday after a long day at work so today is Day 1. My aim is to fit in some cardio exercise and some yoga every day. (mainly via YouTube videos)
Day 1 - completed 15 minute cardio/arms and 10 minute standing abs workout. Then Day 24 Dedicate yoga (Balance). I did it all in the garden and the standing meditation, with the birdsong all around me and the sunshine breaking through the cloud, was really special. I don't think I have ever felt so relaxed and chilled. Need to be extra careful about limiting my snacks - I'm terrible for snacking in the evenings and when I'm preparing food.MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
Day 2 - 15 minute cardio barre workout done. Also due to do a 45 minute body balance gym class this evening while DD1 has a tennis class.
I am doing well with reducing my snacking, keeping portion sizes down and having fewer treats.
Disappointed to discover last night that, due to my pacemaker, I cannot use my body fat analyser scales anymore. I don't think I need to replace them though as I can still use them to weigh myself, I just need to keep my feet off the electrode pads.
My only spend today will be £5.75 on the gym class. Holiday deposit yesterday was £370. DH is going to buy some bread rolls, ham and a shelf to store our borrowed sewing machine on.MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
This board is for anyone who dreams about being mortgage free, I took a break overpaying the mortgage for over a year and have only just started overpaying again. I have other debts as well as the mortgage, but overall, I wannabe mortgage free
Sounds like you are already making great inroads!
JodlesMFW2020 #115 250/3000 J-250
1% challenge- /1525Save 1k in 2020- /3000
Joining in UberFrugalMonthChallenge set up by the Frugalwoods!
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Day 3 - exercising late tonight and really didn't feel like doing it but I was too embarrassed to have to admit on here that I'd given up after 2 days. 10 minute cardio blast ballet done and now going to do 15 minute yoga before bed.MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
Pay day today. I think the change in tax bands has given us a rise in take home pay.:j:J DH had about £20 more than normal. I got about £150 more than normal :dance:. I think this is because I used to earn some self employed money and I was paying the extra tax through PAYE but I haven't done any locum work for a couple of years. So my tax code is no longer adjusted for that and I am getting more net pay. Hooray!
Our savings pots are looking pretty healthy...
EF £500 (£250 added in April)
Summer holiday fund £1600 (£50 added in April)
Xmas / car tax fund (need to double check) ~£320 (£100 added in Apri)
Unfortunately, we have another monster credit card bill due mid May ~£2300 but I feel that we are getting back on track.MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0 -
Wow that’s amazing! Congrats on the extra pennies, it’s a nice feeling isn’t it. Good luck smashing that credit cardSPC #023 SPC 12: £125.86[/COLOUR]:SPC 13: £214.98: SPC 14: £297.41 SPC 15: £237.27 SPC 16 £335.39; SPC 17 £662.09 SPC 18?MFW #21 Mortgage start Dec 2015 £79,950; January 2025 £21,798.00 2025 OP £145/COLOR]/£2,000 MFiT T6 #3 £17,355/£25,500 (68.02%)0
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Dedicate Yoga Day 25 (Alive) done. This 30 day yoga was supposed to be started on 1st Jan and finished on 30th. I stated it on about 10th Jan and won't have finished it by 30th April!MFW since March 2019Mortgage-free 30th June 2023
My Budget and Savings Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543308/making-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it#latest0
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