It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

Sea_Shell

Bravepants said:

Sea_Shell said:

Before we get to the end of the month, we now have all our notifications in of our new Direct Debits for our Utility and other monthly bills.   

These now average £409 pm
On top of that, allowing for a 10% increase in what we spent last year (ex Boiler), all our other spending (excluding holidays), would come to about £750 pm

So that lot comes to £13,900 pa.

Add in holidays* (finger in the air....£4000?), then we're getting up to ~£18,000.

If we can maintain a total pot of £600,000, and get a 3% return.....that should just about cover it. 



*For me, my "holiday" category includes days out, eating out, magazines, cinema, film rentals...all things "entertainment" really. 

If you are a member of your local county library you should be able to access electronic publications for borrowing including up to 3000+ magazines. I use the Libby app on occasion to borrow mags, saving about £5 a pop.

"Magazines" are very occasional purchases... It's mainly TV listings.   It's a tiny part of the budget.  72p per week!!

It was just to clarify what we put under "holiday".

And yes, I have used that library linked on line service before.

QrizB

Sea_Shell said:

So that lot comes to £13,900 pa.
Add in holidays* (finger in the air....£4000?), then we're getting up to ~£18,000.

Has "22 in 22" been put on hold for now?

Will it be "23 in 23" instead

Sea_Shell

QrizB said:

Sea_Shell said:

So that lot comes to £13,900 pa.
Add in holidays* (finger in the air....£4000?), then we're getting up to ~£18,000.

Has "22 in 22" been put on hold for now?

Will it be "23 in 23" instead

Well it would seem foolhardy to press on and spend willy-nilly at the moment!!

One never knows if inflation will do that for us!!  Although I'd hope I've accounted for that in the projections.

I suppose if we needed to spend an extra £4000, we could and would if it was justified.

I'll be happy just make it out of '22 fiscally intact.  

TBH, part of me feels like this thread is inappropriate at the moment, with everything going on, so really in two minds about it.☹️

I realise that we are in a fortunate position, but that's what long term planning and frugality can do and we have "small beer" compared to some posters.

Ho hum.

QrizB

Sea_Shell said:

QrizB said:

Sea_Shell said:

So that lot comes to £13,900 pa.
Add in holidays* (finger in the air....£4000?), then we're getting up to ~£18,000.

Has "22 in 22" been put on hold for now?

Will it be "23 in 23" instead

Well it would seem foolhardy to press on and spend willy-nilly at the moment!!
One never knows if inflation will do that for us!!  Although I'd hope I've accounted for that in the projections.
I suppose if we needed to spend an extra £4000, we could and would if it was justified.
I'll be happy just make it out of '22 fiscally intact. 

I'm still working employed but I can definitely sympathise with that.

TBH, part of me feels like this thread is inappropriate at the moment, with everything going on, so really in two minds about it.☹️

You don't need my validation but I enjoy reading this thread. It reminds me that despite the doom 'n' gloom in the news, life still goes on.

savingmore

please please do continue with this thread seashells. yes it’s tough out there at mo but these forums are crucial for support and learning and having posters of all level s of finance from in debt to my pension pot just exceeded the LTA is so beneficial.   i thoroughly enjoy yr thread, learn from it and get encouraged by yr figures.  let’s support each other in this way.  it’s a financial public service!

Sea_Shell

Well to counter all the "doom and gloom" we have, over the last couple of days booked 3 holidays!!!!

Just UK, and just 4 nights each self-catering (our usual MO), over a 6 week period during April-May.    We'll then book for September-October later in the year, hopefully for at least another 2 trips.  

An average price per night of £84....get in!!!

So lots to look forward to. 

Bravepants

Sea_Shell said:

Well it would seem foolhardy to press on and spend willy-nilly at the moment!!

One never knows if inflation will do that for us!!  Although I'd hope I've accounted for that in the projections.

I suppose if we needed to spend an extra £4000, we could and would if it was justified.

I'll be happy just make it out of '22 fiscally intact.  

TBH, part of me feels like this thread is inappropriate at the moment, with everything going on, so really in two minds about it.☹️

I realise that we are in a fortunate position, but that's what long term planning and frugality can do and we have "small beer" compared to some posters.

Ho hum.

Life has to go on, and I agree with others that it would be sad to see your very important thread come to an end. This is one of the very few threads that I have bookmarked and look forward to seeing new posts within.

Dizee123

Another one in support of this thread continuing.  It is good to read a wide range of perspectives on funding retirement.  Although I am lucky to be starting a DB public sector pension next year, I have children who will be reliant on building and managing DC pensions that will not be as large as many are on here.  Any tips I can pass on are much appreciated.

2022 has been a bad year so far on things other than the energy increase:
 - Catastrophic boiler failure due to sludge in January meant replacement of entire central heating system - circa £3K
 - February - both dogs needed vets treatment circa £500 (not covered by insurance).  However, counting blessings as the elder dog pulled through when we thought she wouldn't make it
- Mar - Other half kindly brought Covid home from work and gave it to me (he is very generous in that respect).  At least 10 days of avoiding everyone has saved money!

On the money saving front I have invested £70 in a 3 year railcard.  The price of petrol (and parking) has swung the balance towards public transport if I travel on my own, so looking forward to days out during the summer letting the "train take the strain".

Sea_Shell

Oh and I've just remembered that "magazines" include Puzzler books!!

I love doing them, but don't get through enough to warrant a subscription, so we buy as and when.

Kriss Kross, Codeword etc.

I know you can do those sort of puzzles free on apps, but I find the actual filling in of them therapeutic...rather than the click and drag on a screen.

moving_forward

*Humpth* I have just got to the end of your marvellous thread excited at the prospect of being able to read live so to speak and you talk of stoping it! Don't you bloomin dare 🤬 it's been extremely interesting reading how you manage your affairs and certainly educational to what life can be if you live to your comfort level without keeping up with the Jones. Well I want to keep down with the sea-shells as your humble lifestyle is a much better way to live happy and content with what you have even though you could afford more.