2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

mark55man

Well a little bit more detail, now we are safely back home.  Our XMAS was slightly challenged by the fact my FIL was due to travel to us for XMAS but he chose (and we agreed) to isolate rather than expose himself to travel and our busy family unit. 

He lives sufficiently far away that OH and I decided to go and visit him there for XMAS week, rather than collecting him, especially as my two eldest had made other plans.  So it was sad not seeing any of the the kids of xmas day, but FIL was very grateful on balance and in hindsight it was the right decision.  Plus a super relaxing do nothing and watch telly eat a lot sort of xmas.  That meant we travelled back Monday and had a great day yesterday with the kids who were (bar DD1) back - although didn't have a second xmas dinner.  I did enjoy a quieter Christmas but hopefully next year will be more traditional. 

mark55man

In other news,  I have completely cleared all the CCs not a single £ owing - even though it will be super tight next month - especially with MOT and insurance.  If I need to use the CC a bit I will allow it but the goal of 2022 is to not use CC at all for personal spends, and where possible not even for work spends  

savingholmes

Glad that you had a relaxing xmas overall even if it wasn't the one you'd originally planned. I'm sure FIL was grateful. 

Congratulations on being CC debt free!!

mark55man

Thank you @savingholmes and thank you for all your support over the year, which has been a difficult one for you (and us all)

doingitanyway

Well done on clearing your CCs. 
I cleared mine in full each month despite the pain sometimes as having a clear CC feels so good!

Glad you enjoyed your quiet Christmas although I recall last year, and remember you are happier at the heart of a bigger family crowd. 

mark55man

Yes DIA - I do prefer a livelier house, but we had a lovely day!!

Am looking forward to not seeing any long term CC debt any more.  As f0xholes suggested though, I will keep hold of the cards and keep them active (eg one fuel purchase a month) as an emergency tier of emergency funding, but I really do plan not to use them - I am aiming at simplicity and better tracking.  Its been chaos and my spreadsheets can't deal with it.  I have to do my December reconciliation and not looking forward to it

savingholmes

Ah but it's an excuse to spend some time with a spreadsheet - a lot of satisfaction in that...

mark55man

Ending 2021 with a run of MSE - already got the XMAS rubbish and some other stuff out the house and down to the tip with all bins empty which will help as we declutter further over the remaining days of the break.

My car got through MOT with no failures, only needing two new tyres and a check over for a warning light for £200

renewed my OH car insurance ahead of the new rules coming in on Saturday and got that for £150 which was less than last year.

So both the above went on my CC3  (so my momentary 0 balance is now gone).  but I still want to keep my OD free streak of 18 months going so I would rather have a +ve bank account and a bit of a CC balance at the end of Jan.  

I have been squeezing all the other accounts (my distributed EF) into my main account so I should have enough and then I will work on weaning myself off the CC completely

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Well done on clearing CC (I'm ignoring your last post!).
I'm twitching at your averaging 4 units a week comment, my alcohol intake is considerably higher (one of my missions to correct in 2022).
Sounds like you had a lovely albeit quiet Christmas Day... my eldest is only 17 so we have them all at home on key days. I'm aware those days are numbered as they get older and have other pulls on their time... I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

mark55man

Yes indeed OSHDTH my secret is very much enjoy it while it you can, and take the best from it and not fret about the bits that weren't perfect

in other news 1000th  post in this diary - yay !!