regularsaver MFW journey - Achieving a dream.

Sistergold

@regularsaver
i understand what you mean about getting into the save mode and then you can not spend at all! I had stoped trying to save much but like you I started again during lockdown and I guess we had not much choice but stand back and spend less. I am now back into save mode, yes like when I was saving for
deposit! As you know I have started saving for the proposed extension but as the money gets together I do wonder once I get to £100k or £200k if I can then go on and spend it? 🤔 who knows maybe it will be better at that point to reduce my mortgage by half? 🧐 let’s see which way it will be but for now it’s good just to save so let’s keep up with that! XX 

regularsaver

coldcazzie said:

regularsaver said:

coldcazzie said:

I've found that I need the motivation of a "class" and that I just can't/won't find the time if I'm just doing something off my own back. BUT the class doesn't need to be in person, and zoom classes have worked perfectly well for me. Better, even, because it's cheaper which means I can do more of them.

Are the resistance bands the ones that you can secure in a doorway?

Hi Coldcazzie, 

I am with you on the motivation, and I love the classes to be honest. I had never thought of Zoom classes!! 

The resistance bands do have an attachment that you can secure in a doorway. I havent used them yet, because I havent found 5 minutes to unbox them lol. But I will in the next day or two. You slip them through the hinge side of the door then shut the door, creating an anchor point. 

Luckily I was already attending a weekly class which switched to online, but yeah, I have been very impressed with my ability follow through. I thought I needed to leave the house, but it turns out I need the kick of having to show up a specific time.

I know the kind of bands you mean - I've never used them but I've seen adverts and thought they look really great! Interested to hear how you get on (when you eventually unbox them 🤪)

Hi Coldcazzie, 

Totally get you about having to turn up! Being held accountable I guess for showing up and doing said class, not wanting to let anyone or yourself down. 

I dont quite know where I have got this from, but I have managed to get myself out for runs consistently now and I still need to get those bands out of the box. Hopefully later today! I shall keep you posted. 

regularsaver

Sistergold said:

@regularsaver
i understand what you mean about getting into the save mode and then you can not spend at all! I had stoped trying to save much but like you I started again during lockdown and I guess we had not much choice but stand back and spend less. I am now back into save mode, yes like when I was saving for
deposit! As you know I have started saving for the proposed extension but as the money gets together I do wonder once I get to £100k or £200k if I can then go on and spend it? 🤔 who knows maybe it will be better at that point to reduce my mortgage by half? 🧐 let’s see which way it will be but for now it’s good just to save so let’s keep up with that! XX 

Yep I think thats it regarding the choice, I think everyone began to worry about what was happening and so immediately reduced spending to insulate themselves, me included. 

I have, unlike me, just spent a little money on some things I wanted (not very money saving) but an extra monitor for my computer as I needed more screen space for my photo editing and my job so that will help massively being able to see more stuff at once rather than flicking windows open and shut. I also added some google smart home devices too, I had a special offer code from a company reducing them down from £79 each to £34 each, so rather than wait till later in the year I decided that that was an excellent price for something that I intended to buy anyway, so went ahead. I do not know what has come over me spending this money all of a sudden and being decisive about it too!

Back to saving and insulating again now I think! I am in shock haha!

coldcazzie

Buying things you were already planning to buy sooner than you planned at bargain prices is a good spending decision though (assuming you actually have the money). Good spending decisions aren't just about saving - they're about spending wisely. And it sounds like you have  

Sistergold

Yes I agree with @codcazzie regards buying something you need now at a good price rather than just sticking to a set date and the price has gone back up maybe. That’s the good thing about being in the saving zone as you can save money buy buying at the right time! With all this working from home it’s good to be able to work efficiently from home. 

“Spending shock”! 

regularsaver

Afternoon @coldcazzie @Sistergold

You are of course both right, by saving money on things I was going to get anyway, I have saved in the longrun. Me being me, I was just like, oh my! I have spent a bunch of money and I really didnt want to do that. However, after having the extra screen on my computer for both work and personal use its made a real difference in terms of productivity so I am really pleased with that. 

The geek in me has also enjoyed the smart home devices, being able to turn the lights on and off, ask the news, ask about my journey to work even though I am not leaving the house, ask for the news, my daily schedule, ask it to play music or whatnot, all by the power of my voice, has been great fun. Also when in the kitchen, I can ask it for recipes and it plays me a video of the steps to cook a dish or reads me the steps  need to take etc. I guess some might say its a bit lazy, but I see it more as helpful. 

I think in essence what I have learnt is I need to be a tiny bit more relaxed in terms of allowing myself to buy the odd thing now and again. Its great working hard and or a lot of hours, and trying to save as much as possible, but along the way a little treat now and then to reward yourself goes a long way I think!

In other news, I have consistently been keeping up with my running. 3x5k a week, and last week I ran my first 10k in 1hr 7 mins. Not bad for a first go. Wednesday and Fridays 5k times were also sub 29 minutes which is extremely pleasing also! 

How are all you guys? 

Sistergold

@regularsaver
10k in 1h7m! How do you do that? 5k in under 30minutes? Well done , my head spins from thinking of it! 

caeler

I don’t know if you ever found the SOA? https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php That is the link MSE share. I did mine years ago and still often review and refine depending on what I’m trying to achieve. Good luck with your goal and the running! 

coldcazzie

I appreciate that being mortgage free requires a certain amount of micromanagement, and I don't necessarily think that's wrong, but I do think we all need to be careful not to tip too far towards being almost miserly. I think there is a balance to be had, between achieving our goals and living good lives in the meantime. 

regularsaver

@Sistergold , its still making my head spin haha! Still not sure how I managed it but I am going to have another stab next week too and see how I get on. Ideally weekly training would then change from 3x5k to 2x5k and 1x10k.

@caeler I hadnt found it yet so a big thankyou from me for the link!

@coldcazzie I absolutely agree with you, and I know I have mentioned it numerous times throughout my diary here and I know you and others have given me tips on the balance of doing things. I guess I am still very much struggling with that as I am not relaxed about it if that makes sense. I am trying to go at things 100mph and full attack etc. Then I beat myself up when I spend a little money on something I want/need etc, which really isnt the best way to do things I know, but I am struggling to break out of it.