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

Ibrahim5

I took a bond out at 1.33% I keep wondering why I did that. They were talking about negative interest rates at the time so +1.33% must have sounded OK.

jimi_man

Sea_Shell said:

jimi_man said:

It's an interesting subject, so I think a small diversion to cycling is allowed. 

To you maybe...not to me!!!    So please don't. 

Well that's told me!

Ibrahim5

I knew you were going to get into trouble. Discussion of cycling on this thread IS NOT ALLOWED.

jimi_man

Told off by the teacher! Ouch!

Sea_Shell

Ibrahim5 said:

I took a bond out at 1.33% I keep wondering why I did that. They were talking about negative interest rates at the time so +1.33% must have sounded OK.

What length for?   How long has it got to go? 

It seems like every week at the moment a new fixed term account is being launched, with ever higher rates.   We're dropping money in a bit at a time , (after dropping a chunk in at 1.7% for a year), so we'll end up on a rolling monthly maturity down the track.   

For simplicity, I'm using the Raisin platform.    (cue short intakes of breath from some!)

MallyGirl

jimi_man said:

Told off by the teacher! Ouch!

This is @Sea_Shell's diary thread so I think she can comment to keep it on track.

Dizee123

As always, Seashell, you put our spending to shame.
Our 6 monthly spend is £10,653, but we have frontloaded vehicle costs with insurance, MOT, car tax in the first part of the year.  Also needed 3 new tyres on my car. Noticeable is food spend is up around £40 a month and energy is up nearly £80 a month pushing household bills up.  Elderly dogs keep the vet spend high.
Our social spend is up £60 a month, reflecting a return to theatre trips and more days/nights out from this time last year.
My very small DC pension (low risk level) needs to last 13 more months before I reach NRA for my DB scheme supplemented by a small cash reserve which I can dip into if I need to.  Despite a 10% slump it is holding up well.  If the worst happens a part time job over the winter is my contingency plan (or draw the DB early and accept a reduction).  Thankfully, my energy costs are fixed until 31 Mar 23 at just below the current standard variable rate.
Still no regrets at leaving 2 years before my main pension NRA of 60.

On the savings front, I have a 1 year ISA at 1.5% and a 1 year Coventry bond at 2.7%.  Really nice to see some better returns on savings.

On the cycling front (can't resist it), I haven't had a chance to take my bike out this year yet - must rectify this soon

Ibrahim5

Sea_Shell said:

Ibrahim5 said:

I took a bond out at 1.33% I keep wondering why I did that. They were talking about negative interest rates at the time so +1.33% must have sounded OK.

What length for?   How long has it got to go? 

It seems like every week at the moment a new fixed term account is being launched, with ever higher rates.   We're dropping money in a bit at a time , (after dropping a chunk in at 1.7% for a year), so we'll end up on a rolling monthly maturity down the track.   

For simplicity, I'm using the Raisin platform.    (cue short intakes of breath from some!)

It was part of a 'bond ladder'. Every year I put money into the best paying bond for 3 years. It still has a year to go. It was the best 3 year bond 2 years ago.

Audaxer

Sea_Shell said:

So far this year, we’ve spent £6500.   Including 3 UK short breaks.   The second half of the year is backloaded though, with insurances, car service etc all due later on.   Hope to have another 3 short breaks in Sept/October.

Well done, but I don't think you are going to reach your target spend of £22k in 2022 

We've only had 2 UK weeks away so far this year. I thought we were doing quite well but total spend to date is about double yours at £13k.   

As for my investments, they are down 9.2% this year. That has now wiped out my 2021 gains, so hoping that things pick up, or at least don't get much worse in the second half of the year!

Sea_Shell

22 in 22 is off.   😉.   Batten down the hatches... storm's a comin'

If inflation carries on, it'll be £30k in 23, without trying! 😂😲😁