Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

@PennysIntoPounds - HL is Hargreaves Lansdowne.   I have taken my work pension 18 months early and as part of the options I had to chose on a scale between max annual pension and min lump sum through to minimum annual pension and max lump sum and all options in between.  After a few afternoons with copious cups of tea, paper, pen and calculator I chose a higher lump sum with the aim of really making that money work hard for us.  I'm fortunate enough to have a savings product about to mature - the first of the lump sum savings - and I'm using this to go through the HL savings platform to re-invest it which will earn us an extra £25.  The £25 bonus is paid in December.  Sorry that's a long winded answer to a simple question!
Thank you @savingholmes - it doesn't always feel like I'm very MSE. - at least I try I suppose.
@Spinayarn - this is such a nice forum isn't it.  The knitting chatter really motivated me to finish the garment all by myself like a big girl 😀I've started a new knitting project for another grandchild and I'm feeling more confident about ouecingit together in due course.  It's self patterning wool which makes it fun to knit.  

I'm not sure about inspirational but I suppose I try my best.

MSE things today - used 2 coop offers today £1 off shop and 25p off milk to buy ....milk and maltezers which must effectively mean there was a bargain somewhere in the basket.  

Had a Monday morning swim which was nice and gives a virtuous glow.  

PennysIntoPounds

Ah, thanks for the explanation! Not long-winded at all, always useful to hear how others are making decisions

savingholmes

Swim sounds lovely. 

Glad you are feeling more confident in piecing together your knitting. Exciting all those grandkids.

Blackcats

thanks PIP and SH.
money saving bits today include eeking out some more deodorant by storing the bottle upside down - 3 more days after I was going to bin it.  Washing dried outside.  Stewed the last of the apples from the garden although it sounds better to say I lightly poached freshly harvested, locally sourced apples in a light sugar and cinnamon syrup.  We will have them with our porridge for the next few days.  

I'm doing well on this month's grocery challenge and I think we will have £80 surplus.  This has been greatly helped by a 2 night trip away which came from a different budget and also by using up freezer stocks.  Oh and having wine leftover from our family gathering last month.  If we do have £80 then I will send £60 to holiday pot, £10 to Christmas and £10 to 2024 council tax.

Sun_Addict

Sounds good £80 is a great amount 👍 

Spinayarn

I have found you inspirational because my plan to go part-time and sort my retirement seems more real having read your journey, 

Blackcats

thanks @Sun_Addict.  It feels good to have more money than month.

I used to spend absolute fortunes at the supermarket.  I have no idea how much because I didn't track spending but kidded myself that I did a big shop and little top ups but the reality was that I had no meal plan, no idea of what was in the fridge so food was thrown away and duplicated because of a disorganised freezer and store cupboards.  The first thing I did when doing my weekly big shop was chose a bunch of flowers and tell myself they were only £6 or £7.50 etc and that I deserved a nice bunch of flowers that would make me happy.  Then I'd load up on fresh fruit and veg that often got thrown away because it had gone past itself.  Then, exactly as the shop designers wanted I would browse housewares and buy some tea lights or a new mug or a pretty tea towel.  By the time I got to the checkout the trolley was full and I had no idea what it would cost but felt safe because it was being paid for by a credit card.  I remember once OH and I estimated the cost of the trolley and we were about £40 under the actual cost. 

@Spinayarn -  thank you.  Today is the day my dreams that became plans have come to fruition.  It's my last day at work!  It's emotional saying goodbye but I'm so excited to have the freedom to spend each and every day away from the constraints of work.  

I've said it before but reading these diaries and the old style boards has truly transformed my financial mindset and enabled me to make this life change.  Thank you to everyone who supports and contributes.

lucielle

Happy last day!!
L

PennysIntoPounds

Many congratulations on your last day at work! What an achievement. Do you have anything planned to celebrate? Maybe in your Tiffany's necklace?! 

Sun_Addict

Hope your last day was a good one. How fabulous 🥳