First OP made. We're on our way!

Ellie78

Yeah the mechanic said exactly that.   A lot of his call outs had been flat batteries and flat tyres from cars sitting unused for months.  My battery was so dead I couldn't even unlock the doors!  

Ellie78

UPDATE POST
I think my last update was mid July.  Here's a round up of the last few months -
July
OP - £157.32
SIPP - £250
ISA - £100
NSD's - 14

August
OP - £27.94
SIPP - £300
ISA - £200
NSD's - 17

September
OP - £187.40
SIPP - £1,800
ISA - £1,700
NSD's - 14

So far this month I've made two OPs totalling £234.01 so we're out of the 29's and into the 28's! Just.   Balance is £28,990.
Daily interest is down to £2.85.
My regular saver ended in September so I split the monthly deposit money between my SIPP and ISA and used the interest as an OP.  

I was expecting to pay out several hundred pounds on repairs to get my car through its MOT but it passed without a problem which was a huge relief.  Although it is going into a different garage next week to get something electrical fixed.  Won't do anything with the money I set aside for the MOT until I get the bill for the electrics.  

Almost at my yearly OP goal of £3,000.   Just £213.49 to go!

ruby_eskimo

Wow you're so close to the £3000 OP's!  I just managed to tip over into the £1000 OP this month so have a long way to go.

Ellie78

This month has been expensive.   My car electrics ended up costing over £200 and today the washing machine decided to die a bit dramatically!   It lasted over 10 years so it's given us our money's worth.   New one has been ordered, with cashback via TCB.  Gone for a larger drum size to hopefully fit the duvets in.
Now crossing my fingers that nothing else breaks or bursts into flames before pay day. 

Congrats on reaching your first £1k OP @ruby_eskimo ! 

caeler

Don't you hate the unexpected! @Ellie78 Great focus on the OP savings. 

ruby_eskimo

Thanks @Ellie78 didn't think it would happen really!  Sorry to hear about the washing machine, fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong for you!

Ellie78

I've had a good couple of months since my last post and managed to beat my £3,000 OP target for the year.  Feeling very thankful that my work has carried on throughout lockdown(s). 
New washing machine is great.  Much quieter than the old one.   And doesn't smell of burnt electrics   

UPDATE
October
OP - £334.01
SIPP - £300
ISA - £700
NSD's - 17

November
OP - £915.60
SIPP - £300
ISA - £200
NSD's - 13

So far this month OPs total £920.72.   We're into the 26's!  Daily interest is down to £2.65.

And I won £25 on my Premium Bonds!  Had 3 months with nothing since opening the account which was expected.  I've been slowly adding more each month, using it as my emergency fund and savings for when we're ready to buy the other half of the house.  We're hoping to start the ball rolling on that soon but I'm not looking forward to it as the housing association are totally useless.

ruby_eskimo

That's such great progress you're making and congrats on the Premium Bond win!  I really must get my PB details from my mum - they opened a bunch for me when I was born but I have no idea what the details are!  Might have won something and I don't know it, although I really doubt it.  Best of luck with the housing association!

Ellie78

If your mum chose for winnings to be added to your account as additional bonds you might have been winning here and there for years and not know it! 

Ellie78

I was really hoping we could get through the rest of this year without any other disasters but 2020 had other ideas.
My car went back into the garage yesterday and the repair bill was almost as high as the value of the car!   So annoying as it passed the MOT in September and had £200 spent on the electrics since then as well.  

Decided not to get it repaired and will try and sell it as is. Had it for four years with no other major repairs needed so I've been lucky really.  With its age and the high mileage I'm reluctant to spend huge amounts of money on it.
We only need one car at the moment anyway with both of us being at home. 

Tax and insurance have been cancelled so will get some money back for those.  Will set up a new savings pot for future new car and decide in the new year if I'm going to buy second hand or try leasing.

I hope everyone else is having a better week!