After years of debt journey through my sensible 40s... and save a deposit for a house

lantanna

Been so busy with my new job, I’ve become pretty rubbish at posting. Not much going on just work and a few social events on the cards. Had car serviced yesterday £350. Off out today going for a wander round town and to the cinema at 3pm.  Joined a work walking challenge this month and ashamed to say I’ve only done 40 miles. So focus now is on building this up. Would like to see 200 miles a month.  Reading has also fallen to the wayside so need to get back on track with that as well.starting book 6/12 today, Safe and Sound by Philippa East. Off now to get ready for town, don’t plan on buying very much but who knows. Takeaway and bottle of wine tonight after : )

lantanna

Been enjoying a bit of normality and really busy with my new job. I’ve been spending quite a bit, payday on Friday, out twice this month for lunch and drinks, getting hair and eyebrows done as well, plus it’s a 5 weaker so need to keep a handle on it. Still on track though, it’s nice to set aside a bit of money to enjoy myself as well. Looking forward to a relaxed Sunday making plans for the week.

lantanna

Been flat out with work, finishing on Tuesday for 8 days. Much needed though I’m going to have to get the laptop out and do a bit at home. Plans are to get the house into some sort of shape, have a good rest and get back into the gym. 

June was a very spendy month, July and August need to be very lean!. 

Must update my figures soon but there hasn’t been much more saving done.

lantanna

Woohoo, 12 days off work starts today. I am really going to enjoy the break. Got to run into town today for something but that’s about it. May the peace and quiet continue. 

lantanna

Bit the bullet today and sat down and did my figures. Not great, but I’ve had fun and enjoyed buying a few bits and getting some beauty treatments and hair done etc, fair few days/nights out as well. Least I know where I am now.  Need to exercise strict control when I get paid next Tuesday. Budget is done ready to go and realistic. 

Have one confirmed night out next month and will probably sort out another. Going to try and keep that to £140 for both. No more beauty treatments or makeup/skincare spends planned now for July & August. Will try to hold off getting hair done now until after August 20th payday. 

Week in Lanzarote coming up in October, pandemic permitting. Squirrelled away £150 spending so far, it’s my save the change on my account so I’ll just keep letting that grow. 

This will be the first month I get to see what my actual new salary is as I’ve had some arrears last 2 months with my promotion and we actually got a 1 per cent rise last month.  Looking forward to having a specific figure to work with now.

£375 going straight into mortgage savings on payday and I’ll move some over as the month goes on and I can see where I can make some cutbacks, hopefully in petrol and food. Least it’s a 4 week month, this is a 5 for me and a def feel the pinch. 

Off all this week and back to work on the 19th, enjoying the break and the peace. Do have to do some work bits to get ahead as I’m still technically doing 2 jobs, cleaning the house and just generally relaxing.  Going out for lunch on Friday and a bit of shopping, £ set aside for that and up to a friends on Sunday for lunch. 

Once I get my probationary period over in October I’ll be going to see the mortgage advisor to see what options are available to me and il no more then about whether or not I need to hit £20k depending on the type of house I wish to go for. 

Haven’t seen any houses in about 4 months that I’d be seriously interested in, timing will dictate but I def don’t want to spend another summer in this apartment....

Reading has also gone out the window, going to finish the last book I started .... 6/12 and then il be back on track. 

Slowly trying to use up stuff and get rid of stuff that I won’t want when I move, it’s a long process but I guess I’m not working to any timescale so I’m in no real rush, just ploughing away slowly and steadily at it.

lantanna

Out for lunch today, saving is hard in this weather and I just want to be out doing stuff atm, feeling more social these days. I know it won’t last though. 

£ has been moved across for this month. £200 for groceries, £190 left for fun £ and shopping etc until the 20th of August. Have to make sure I make it last. Credit cards are not to be touched! Finished that book but not started another yet. Need to do work tomorrow finding it hard to concentrate in work in the heat

lantanna

Figures done for July and updated. Hope to get over hit 11k next month. 

lantanna

Taking myself off today for a couple of nights up the North Coast, fresh air, sea and solitude .Perfect after a busy month or two at work. Back home on Saturday so will still get a bit of a weekend at home as well. Just decided and booked it yesterday.  Literally going to throw some stuff in a bag here and go in the next hour. Perks of being single and having no responsibilities. Going to have a look round the shops, take a book, have a couple of tasty meals, go for some coastal walks and drives and just generally chill.  In more of a spending than saving phase again but happy enough with the way the figures are coming along overall. Just trickling the odd bit over into savings here and there til the urge returns

lantanna

Started book 7/12 the flat share at the beach yesterday in the car with a coffee. Pretty sure I’ll finish it today. Good news today, entitled to another year of student loan deferment, was panicking I’d be over the threshold and a £25o a month payment would massively effect my mortgage. Think I’ve three more years and then they are written off

lantanna

Back from my travels, was a good little 2 night break. Great to clear the mind and get some fresh air and a change of scene. I’ve updated my figures for AUgust in advance of payday on Friday. Happy enough with how they are looking. Haven’t seen a house I’d be interested in in so long. Was saying to Dad today I’d be hoping to be in by this time next year or at least be waiting. Market seems to have gone dead for now. Still really pleased about missing the student  loan threshold that’s going to make a massive difference to my affordability. 

Booked to get my hair done on sat, managed to hold off until August as planned but it’s about to hit the dire need stage of needing done now. 

Think I have one boozy day out this pay cycle so have factored that into my budget and the cost of my hair. Hopefully will be able to keep costs down this month while enjoying a reasonable balance so I can send a bit more across to savings. 

Still need to decide if I am going to Lanza in October or moving it again, hard to know what to do.