The Four D's

FootyFanDan

Evening All

Today as been a NSD

This week will all be NSD days - we have daughter's residential school trip to fund. It is only a few days away with her school but I think will do her world of good. It isn't a massive cost in grand scheme of things at £99,  but we have until April to pay it off, however the quicker the better haha. I will pay £45 this week and then the remainder when budget allows. I have target in YNAB which means it should be funded well in time

I managed to ensure I got my steps in today a nice healthy 6k! . Also started taking some vitamins just try boost my energy a bit, as lately just been feeling so tired in general.

Breakfast - Peanut Butter on toast and a nice Chai Latte - Home style WHOOP WHOOP!

Lunch - Pasta with chicken and cheese 

Dinner / Tea (depending on north / south divide haha) - Quick pizza unfortunately as didn't get home until late and couldn't be bothered doing full on meal.

I have also managed to keep up intake of water. I have just started listening to podcast around health in general hoping to pickup some quick tips. I am also thinking of signing back up for gym, I really wanna go running again but the thought of running around local park on a dark/ wet Monday morning doesn't fill me with joy. The gym of course is an extra cost but I think one that would be worth it for my own health and also my mind, I need some outlet to destress which sounds weird written down but it has helped before.

I am starting to see the benefits of been on track with my YNAB again as it makes me so much more aware of what we have in the budget and makes it easier to make financial decisions, I just need to keep on track

On a more positive note we have managed to get our shopping for well under budget this week. We went to our local Aldi on Sunday morning (never again like!) but we saved a fair bit. I want to try keep this up if possible but I haven't always liked some of the stuff from there (at the risk of sounding a bit picky). So I always have seen it has well yeah we are saving but if it is getting wasted what is the point, but we are at the stage where I am happy to try anything to help bring down the costs. Major supermarkets are just costing us more each time, or maybe we just need to make time to plan better.

FootyFanDan

Evening All, 

Sorry for the disappearing act, been hectic in everyday life. I need to get back into the swing of things here, currently muling over a new job offer but not sure what to do. Money or happiness in a job???

Finance wise things are going okay, but personal wise feeling very drained. No massive overspends anywhere and a successful service and MOT done hahaha with only budgeted money

mark55man

Hey Dan - good to hear its going OK..  Always a difficult thing to choose between what you want and what you need.

Not sure I have any advice but you always make good decisions so trust your gut 

FootyFanDan

mark55man said:

Hey Dan - good to hear its going OK..  Always a difficult thing to choose between what you want and what you need.

Not sure I have any advice but you always make good decisions so trust your gut 

Yeah too true, heart tells me I need out of my current role despite it being more money. There is both health / mental health reason and moral reasons. I guess its difficult as my current role is more money but to get that money its meaning less time with family and spending many hours outside normal work doing extra. So in effect my role is 3 people's job haha. New role starts less but is less work / responsibility and a good progression. - they have said they are really keen for me to join. The chances are after probation I will get pay increase. I had convinced myself that if i was offered it then it would be an easy choice but it rarely is lol

FootyFanDan

Evening All, 

Well another month as flown by how on earth is it April already!. I need to try my best to get back into the habit of posting as it keeps me honest and keeps me accountable. The finance side of things as ticked along nicely in the last month and although I haven't really 'tracked' stuff we have managed to stay within budget on things. It has taken some real adjusting to with the house move and having extra expenses as a result but I finally feel like we are on a good routine and track with things financially.

There as been quite a few changes in life since my last update and these will impact us in different ways that mean I need to try make the budget work in a different way. Firstly I have decided to stay with my current company, despite being tempted to move on. After discussions with my account manager they offered me a promotion to site manager which is a big responsibility given the client we work for, however a challenge I am very much looking forward to and something I have worked towards for 5 years, in the end despite some concerns it was too good of an opportunity to turn down - it also came with a massive increase to wage which will be nice on the budget

Secondly my daughter has been given a role for a upcoming kids tv show (she had her first studio recording today) which is such an amazing opportunity, but is also going to come with costs due to travel/hotels and things. Although we will get expense stuff back it will have to be paid upfront by us to start. Luckily today we were in a position to stump up the costs but this is something that is going to be a test to begin and not something we are used to.

In house budget world - most things we are okay, although energy costs are a nightmare (hoping for some respite soon). The property we are in as a basement area and the house constantly feels cold so probably more cost than I would like but needs must. We do have electric blankets which get some good use.

I am thinking of possibly starting a new diary to start a new chapter - however feels a bit silly having a Debt Free Diary without the debt but it does keep me going. The next diary is more of a savings sort of diary on the goal towards home ownership which could be a possibility now. I am wanting to ensure that despite the increase in wage it doesn't get wasted, also very aware that this role is going to be straining at times so I need to make sure I am eating properly ( another area i need to watch - my office is close to a few food places and easy to be lazy and 'forget' lunch) Last week I spent £20 that just wasn't budgeted on fast food due to pure laziness on my part. 

Hope everyone is doing okay - here is to the next chapter  

alt80

I'm so pleased to read this update mate, it's wonderful to hear you're doing so well, congratulations! Your promotion sounds very well deserved and on your way to being able to buy a home for your little family; I'm absolutely buzzing for you. If it helps keep you on track to document the ups and downs with a bit of encouragement from likeminded people, a new diary would be brilliant - a lot of people (myself included) have been inspired by your progress and there are people with no longer in debt diaries on here. I'm going to be here cheering you all the way to picking those keys up and know you'll get there.

FootyFanDan

Thank you @alt80, very kind of you to say.

Yeah, having the diary here focus my efforts. I see you are still making great progress, also liking the idea of you getting away with the family for some down time too

mark55man

agree with Alt80 - well done Dan

reads like a happy ending - except the work bit that never ends

FootyFanDan

mark55man said:

agree with Alt80 - well done Dan

reads like a happy ending - except the work bit that never ends

Thank you Mark, yeah the working bit is no where near ending yet haha.

Things are starting to look up, I need to ensure the extra funds are not just frittered away but I want that balance of having the option to have a spur of the moment break away and also saving for the What If moments if that makes sense. If I am sensible and committed there is no reason where the balance can't be found

DancingInTheRain

Hey Dan good to 'see' you back. Congrats on the house move and promotion, very well deserved! I'm sure you'll find the balance for your future plans, good luck