Moving forward and upwards

doingitanyway

Well done on your pension savings
Your Christmas sounds nice

MovingForwards

Thank you DIA and lovely to see you back this side of the New Year.

There's not much left to do at 3rd home, most will be dealt with after my final client appointment this month, with furniture clearing in the NY when charity shops are back open.

🎂 day was a lot of fun. We went for a ruby and it was delicious; I had a sides of lentil and spinach, paneer and peas with chapatis, hubby had goan fish with coconut rice, no space for pudding. 

Don't think I've said but I've now got a handyman picking all the jobs off at home. I removed those dreadful wall tiles (mosaic style) that were fitted to the floor to keep costs down, he's put the new flooring down (lino); it's warmer and nice to walk on barefoot 🤭. He's done other things for me at home and 2nd home and will be back from next month to work through my list incl repainting the flat.
- it was difficult to come to terms with as I was determined to do it all, however it was part of my 'something has to give' to stay employed plan.

I've wrapped 95% of the presents and delivered them. The rest will be done this week in time for visits.

Hubby has started transforming the garden and I've approved the space / size needed to tend it. I'll start looking into flowers / plants February for the flower section. I've got a new strawberry patch already to transplant them into.

I was at 2nd home this morning, harvested chilies, repaired the greenhouse and planted the remaining elephant garlic. Subject to weather I'll be back again tomorrow to get the remaining onions in and do some weeding. I'll potter about throughout winter.

debtfreewannabe321

Well done for making a decision that will hopefully help you improve your health and wellbeing and balance in life. Sometimes that's the hard part. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and some downtime. 🎁🎄♥️

doingitanyway

A really good handyman can make such a difference to our homes. No one person can do everything, so I am glad you have some outside help.
Have lovely Christmas

Skint_yet_Again

Hope you’re having a wonderful time MF. 🎄🎁💖 Wishing you health and happiness for 2026 😘

MovingForwards

Thank you DFW321, DIA and Skinty

I hope you all had a relaxing Christmas and here's to 2026 🥂 

Hubby has told me to get the handyman in to do everything and I'm beginning to think he is right.

I had meant to pop in before today.  I've been swamped trying to clear out things from 3rd home, distribute as gifts and stashing things to organise. Hubby is looking to go over this week so we can finish the closure and return keys next week; LL will then return my deposit. Hubby will list equipment for sale.

Anyhow, entering 2026 I've started as I mean to go on!

Finally set up my spreadsheets, which took hours as I've one for monthly budget and one for savings / pensions, just want to double check I'm happy with which account I've allocated to what purpose.

Paid £300 into savings, £25 into PB's, £20 into furbabies account and donated some to where we got the furbabies from.

As to be expected finance took a massive dive the last 2 years. I've £1389 in savings and a lot less in various current accounts, not including my normal CA. PB's I did have a £50 win in November (auto reinvested) and have a target to get my holding to £1k by April.
- as when I was originally saving I've set little £100, £500 etc steps rather than focusing on reaching £1k, £5k etc for each pot.

I've already changed (increased) the DD's for my S&S ISA and SIPP.

I owe £2000 on my CC and will ihave it cleared by April. While I've hated carrying a balance, I can see where the money is having tangible items staring at me (including furbabies giant climbing frames and musical instruments, a small part of this relates to 3rd home).

The outstanding mortgage is approx £43,325 and I'll start overpaying it when my annual statement arrives. I'm still confident I can clear it by the end of 2029.

I've organised the retail products from 3rd home I'm keeping and prepared others into b'day gifts for family.

Just relaxing with my feet up, looking at an amazing sunset and thinking of the poached eggs and toast we're having for tea 🤭 (reading this paragraph back before posting has helped me see I'm a lot less stressed now than when I first starting writing this morning and updating as I went along with my day).

jwil

Happy new year!

Skint_yet_Again

You do sound a lot more relaxed. Happy 2026 😊

Handyman sounds like a great idea 

doingitanyway

Happy New Year! Yay for the handyman!

MovingForwards

Thank you Jwil, Skinty and DIA

3rd home is now closed. Savings took a dive as I enlisted handyman for dealing with bulky things; charity very happy with the furniture, another charity was given loads of smaller items and I've a few things to sell. Only one admin thing to do, cancel phone contract, but that can wait until Monday; I've re-budgeted for an extra month of it.

Needless to say I've been continuously ill, getting over my 6th 'cold' in just over 2 weeks and fatigue is continuing to get worse, I've booked a GP appointment (end of next month).

This has been my first real week of only having my part-time employed hours. Admittedly, I'm thinking about dropping a day as a 5 day weekend would be nice 🤭

I've got the CC down to £1300.

Savings are at £1404.

Current Accounts are at £919, not including my normal / everyday CA. These balances are my car pot and a mix of money held for the start of next month when it goes into the regular savers.

Mortgage is just reducing by the contractual monthly payment at the moment and it may be best to wait a few more months while finance settles again before I begin overpaying.

From next month I'll be more active here, just wanted to be a little refreshed xx