Marginal Gains

twinklie

@PamelaDurden I round down my payment at the end of every month to make sure it finishes 00.00. I say I do, I've only just started, but that's the plan anyway. Then if I get any extra I chuck that at it too. I do a lot of surveys etc and do that to make a little extra. 

Cornish_mum

Dear G, debt free and Pamela,

Thanks for the good wishes and stopping by.  

Pamela; I wish I had a magic trick to pay off a mortgage but for us it’s just been a mixture of luck (educational and healthcare opportunities), hard-graft and a lot of sandwiches, and I feel super fortunate to be able to put money aside. 

One thing that I often think about is how we (and our families) have chosen to move around a great deal in pursuit of educational & financial opportunities, which has some major downsides but has meant I have spare money above the minimum needed to keep body & soul together. This attitude to pursue financial security at any social/emotional cost is in part because my mum’s family were very badly affected financially, when her Dad died (after accruing a lot of debt because of a prolonged illness) when she was child. The worry about a rainy-day coming was a big part of my upbringing. My mum just worked and worked and saved and saved - as she was so fearful of going through that experience again. (Her siblings were the same). That worry rubbed off on me - hence my ludicrous emergency fund and my motivation for being a MFW. 

South_coast

No harm in channeling a little bit of fear - I think The Escape Artist positively encourages it. Best wishes for the new year x

Cornish_mum

Copying ShanghaiJimmy and BusyMee I thought I’d do my gratitudes for 2020.

I am really thankful that my family are all safe and well.

That I have had the opportunity to spend a lot more time with DD and DS. That they managed during the lockdown and have settled back into school and both seem really happy.

That MrCM seems a lot more positive and that we were able to help each through the difficult times.

That I have been well and my treatment is continuing to work and keep me healthy; so I have not needed to spend time in hospital this year.

That I could work from home on full-pay all year; so thankful to have not have had to commute or travel for work and could keep earning.

For the garden, all the things we have grown to eat and cheerful flowers.

That MrCM and I knew lots of handy life skills - thanks to my DM, BF and the Girl-Guides for mine. It has made it so much easier to manage and do homeschooling this year.

For the MSE MFW community and the frugal bloggers I have enjoyed reading this year.

Happy New Year everyone! 

Busy_Mee

A great set of positives CM. I hope you have a very happy and healthy 2021 x

Cornish_mum

Thanks BusyMee nice to have you pop by.

2021 Goals

MrCM has been given permission to reduce his second job work-load substantial next academic year. It’s really good for him to have a break to focus on job 1 and the 6-days a week workload was getting too much for him. 

Because of the financial situation at my work; I am going to volunteer to take a 10% salary cut, as long as the cost saving can be redirected to the deficit in my primary team salary budget; caused by a extremely deep reduction in income. Not sure if management will agree but MrCM and I think it’s the right thing to try to do.

This will all around result in an around 10% reduction in take-home income for a few years. We are super lucky to be able to have this sort of wiggle room in our budget. To make it easier we will pause our planned increases in AVCs and will reduce the holiday budget; so the 2021 goals are set with this in mind. 

Money goals 

Education fund: save a further 10k.

MrCM and CMs AVC maintain current rates of contributions. I hope we can match this years gains of 30k but who knows what the market will do.

MOPs 4K and reduce mortgage to £165,000 by end of December 2021.

House and Garden 

New windows installed; 6.5k left to save.

Power wash the patio.

Use what we have to grow veggies, herbs, flowers and strawberries even if things go back to normal (budget £200).

Fun

DS birthday treat, I really hope he can have something more normal by May.

DD birthday treat, she wants a soft play party. I will try to steer her towards a more frugal option but as she missed out this year if she has her heart set-on it come autumn we will do it.

2-weeks in Cromer in August (need to book this).

Trip to London Zoo.

A real in person Panto.

New category this year “Me”

Lose 5kg. 

Go to the hairdresser once vaccinated.

Buy new winter boots and coat.

Have the wisdom to know what I can’t fix and make sure I don’t let my work effect our home-life. 

Put myself on the local allotment waiting list.

January goals 

Lose 1kg and try to increase my exercise.

Save £2000 towards windows fund.

My cupboards and freezer are rammed with food so I am going to try to only spend £55/week on groceries during January. 

Declutter kids rooms (did DDs today).

becky170

Happy New Year Cornish Mum. Sounds like you have lots of nice goals for 2021

debtfreeoneday

Good goals. 

Grogged

Happy New Year, what a great set of goals.
Hope your management give your plans the thumbs up.

caeler

Good luck with the cupboard and freezer challenge, I’m doing the same!! @Cornish_mum
Groceries is one of the last things I can try to reduce.