Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Thanks PIP - £31.00 surplus in the grocery budget.  It's not based on forensic accounting principles but it seems to be there so that's good enough for me.  And this approach has been used by many governments over the years I'm sure.

had a good swim today achieving my new 2025 target of 22 lengths.  I normally do 20 lengths so this is a 10% uplift.  Actually when I was doing my 20th length the slow lane emptied leaving just me so I carried on for 4 more lengths.  

The swim helped me to continue to formulate plans for 2025.  When I got my tax bill I was panicked into thinking I need to replenish those savings asap, however on reflection for quarter 1 of 2025 I'm going to work on getting 2 of my savings pots up to £500.00 each..  These are the replacement appliances & tech pot and the health and well-being pot (which covers dentist, optician, physio, vitamins etc).  I'll keep doing my top ups of other pots and regular savers etc.

so first up is replacement tech which stands at £105.46/£500.

badmemory

I'm still waiting for my tax bill.  Tha PA302 is normally sent in mid July due for payment at the same time as self assessment 31Jan.  I normally put it in the post as soon as the xmas post is done.  Still not complaining the later they send it the later I need to pay it the longer I get interest for.  Just think if they hadn't refused to permit me to do self assessment it would have gone in the post yesterday.  Expect news stories about how late revenue is coming in this year.  According to the simple assessment line there is nothing showing on there for my pensions or savings.

EssexHebridean

Great that having the time in the pool to just empty your mind of distractions and focus on the one thing can help you to clarify things and make a clear decision isn’t it - it’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about swimming too. Good plan to work on one pot at a time too - getting the emergency fund stuff into place first ahead of longer term savings is actually basic MSE principles when you think about it, isn’t it! 

savingholmes

Well done on the swimming 🏊‍♀️ 

Blackcats

@badmemory - good that you can keep your tax money a bit longer and keep earning interest.  I have an accountant who sorts my paperwork out for me so I'd guessed roughly what my capital gains liability would be but forgotten about paying tax on interest earned.  Anyway I'll sign off the paperwork and pay the bill when festivities are over.  Nothing like paying a tax bill to draw a line under Christmas and New Year celebrations 😉

nice to see you @EssexHebridean.  You are right about the emergency fund and I do have one in place which probably makes me a bit complacent.  I suppose my thinking for 2025 is that a replacement phone or dentist's visit isn't really an emergency and can be factored in to proper budgeting.  Just like a grown up would do 😀

thank you @savingholmes .  Those extra 2 lengths seem like a big deal at the moment but I think it's because I'm used to doing 20 lengths and know roughly how long it will take.  The good thing is that 3 sets of 22 lengths is a mile so I'll be in France by the Spring 😂

invited 3 neighbours round today for coffee and cakes.  It was a spontaneous thing but they were all able to come and as they live alone they said it was a nice way to break up Twixmas.  I was also able to give them a little gift each.

a big spend today because we booked our ferry for our Channel Islands holiday next year.  The 2025 sailings have just been loaded onto the website so that's another task completed.  Really looking forward to the trip.  We have paid a 25% deposit for the cottage with another 25% due at the end of January.  Final payment nearer the time.  


 

lucielle

That was nice, inviting the neighbours round. 

L

redofromstart

How exciting on the Channel Islands ferry. We went by ferry on the motorcycle, and actually enjoyed the journey. I wouldn't hesitate to go back, even on my own. 

RebeccaPearsonRevived

@Blackcats - waving and sending greetings!!!!  I couldn't get into my account (and still can't) so am back in another form.  I have, however, been dipping into your diary from time to time and now need to catch up.  Just popping in to say hi in the meantime (will set up a new thread for myself later with renewed goals!) and wishing you a wonderful 2025!

savingholmes

Happy 2025!

How nice on inviting the neighbours round. 

Lovely to have holidays to look forward to as well. 

Blackcats

@redofromstart - we went on the ferry for the first time last year and really enjoyed it.  Easy journey for us to Portsmouth and then a relaxing sailing.  I bet it was fun visiting the Channel Islands on a motorbike with it's lovely winding roads and fabulous views.
@RebeccaPearsonRevived - HELLO!  Lord knows what transgression you committed to get yourself expelled 🙀.  Lovely to see you and looking forward to catching up with your new diary.  Please tell me that the builders weren't with you for Christmas dinner.

another lovely day catching up with some more family.  

Filled up with petrol today but didn't buy sweets for the journey.  I deliberately didn't bring any of our sweets from home for the car so it would have been ridiculous to buy more at the petrol station.  Luckily we didn't get too held up on the m25 so I managed a sweet free journey.  Remembered my water bottle which is something I'm trying to get into the habit of doing.