“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” - the second instalment.......

in_need_of_direction

brilliant news re the run.  Some things are worth the cost. Just see what you can do to claw it back

savingholmes

Glad you are getting to do a bucket list item.  
Good to that you are boosting your health with vitamin D and fitness. 
Have a sparkling weekend.

[Deleted User]

Thanks both. Still can’t believe it! Although after seeing the programme about the Newcastle Metro on Great North Run day last year I’m beginning to wonder what I’ve let myself in for  looks like the run might be the easy part 

 Weigh in this morning and I’ve maintained. Really really pleased with that as I’d had a pants day at work yesterday and snuck out for a cheeky McD drive through at lunch and then consoled myself with a lovely doughy garlic flat bread, creamy pasta and gin for tea  - yes  I’m an emotional eater and got away with self sabotage!!! Drawing a line and looking forward to a more positive week! 

Got loads to get listed on eBay - will try and get some done over the weekend. Don’t think we’ll be up to much as DS is under the weather and storm Dennis is due to arrive. The plus side is there should be very little spent other than the food shop. 

Have a great weekend and stay safe x

savingholmes

Hope you are having a fun weekend to make up for a pants day yesterday. We have huddled at home but with Am* deliveries it hasn't stopped us spending

[Deleted User]

Morning! 
So 6 days until payday. Not sure whether it’s due to the 28 day month or my new “pots”, or a combination of the two, but financially I feel a lot more in control this month (great north run splurge aside). 

I’ve taken the decision to put my yoga class on hold for now. They’ve started doing it as a block course - pay upfront for 6 weeks at a cost of £48 rather than £8 pay as you go. Either that or my gym membership had to go, and given the gym membership gives me access to swimming and classes too (yoga included), the gym stays and the yoga goes. I’m going to make the effort to follow some you tube videos at home in the mornings too as yoga will definitely compliment my running. 

Need to book car in for new brake pads next month - I’m guessing it’ll cost in the region of £200 - but as we’re not paying council tax next month and I’ll have money in my car pot, it’ll all balance out hopefully. 

Last day of half term, feel sorry for DS as it’s not been a very exciting one for him. It’s been so wet here that we’ve not ventured out much. On the plus side it’s not been massively expensive either but I’ve still got mum guilt.

Right, best get moving - it’s Friday - we can do this!!!

savingholmes

On the yoga - sometimes teachers may give it you free if you offer to assist them... just a thought.

[Deleted User]

Thanks savingholmes - I’ll definitely bear that in mind. I’ve been doing some YouTube videos this week (Yoga with Adrienne is fab!) and really enjoyed them. I’ve been doing them first thing in the morning and have found they set me up for the day quite nicely.

Brakes have been done and £80 under what I’d budgeted (I’m clueless on all things car so probably way over estimated  ) so that’s a bonus! 

OH had an extra £200 in his wages this month. Hopefully will use this to get an storage unit for DS bedroom - just a cheap ikea job and then the excess can be popped in the EF.

£5 Morrison’s voucher claimed towards next shop and airtime rewards claimed to cover next months mobile bill (third month running - I love this app!), so total of £25 saved there.

Renewed OH car insurance and knocked over £100 off his renewal quote - monthly payment will actually go down by £5 and  hopefully should get £30 cash back into the bargain. 

Not a very interesting update - but good to keep my mind focussed!

Have a good day x 

[Deleted User]

Morning!
Again not much to report. The financial positives so far this week.....
1. £10 Morrisons voucher off next shop
2. £5 amazon voucher from work (will use towards a friend’s b’day pressie)
3. £9 eBay sale

I’m part way through listening to Rich dad, poor dad. Whilst a lot of it’s fairly similar to the likes of Dave Ramsay, it’s really hit home how my own financial education and careers advice was lacking. I’ve very much fallen into the trap of being a slave to the wage (like 95% of the UK population I guess!) but going forward definitely don’t want DS believing this is the only way.  Once this current mess is behind me, definitely want to start focusing on F.I.R.E. I only wish I’d had my lightbulb moment 10yrs earlier!!!

savingholmes

You can only go from where you are. I like both books you mention - but RK is very in favour of using debt to grow wealth - even though he too got burned and lost at least a million at one point. I struggled with that at one point as I felt the pull of both. I think in the end you have to find your own way through. I also enjoyed B@r3f00t Investor and CH's everyday m1ll10naire. The part I really disagree with DR is on stopping pension - I don't agree with that unless you are at risk of bankruptcy. I'm on my own version of a FIRE journey - but like you need to clear remnants of the past too. 

[Deleted User]

Completely agree with you re. finding your own way and the pensions savingholmes. I’ve also read barefoot investor and find him probably more accessible although obviously it’s a very Aussie bias. Since the age 18 when I got my student overdraft I’ve been in a viscous circle of debt. Whilst we’ve had debt free periods during this time, we’ve only ever been one emergency away from slipping back - constantly fire fighting. It’s time we started controlling our money rather than allowing it to constantly control us and I’m determined to break free and this time.