Nearly 60 - where did that time go?

MoneyWorry

My graduation ceremony was lovely. Felt quite emotional. Receiving it from Martha Lane-Fox of last minute.com fame was a real honour. Bless her, she looks so frail now after that horrendous accident. 

Spending has been brilliant. Taxi to station was £3 and return rail ticket £12 as I have a Railcard. Boyfriend paid for hotel. 

We are back in a hotel Thursday night as it’s my birthday Friday and we are having a meal and staying over. 

MovingForwards

You're sounding freshed and uplifted, it's done a world of good. 

Have a lovely birthday 🍰

savingwannabe

What a wonderful event and inspiring too. Congratulations.

MoneyWorry

Well, it’s been a quiet but lovely Christmas and New Year. A welcome change as I’ve been battering my savings big time. At end of November, I received a Black Friday offer for an annual gym membership at the gym I was going to join anyway. So in effect that was a saving. Then the week before Christmas, I bought a “new to me” car and had the fascias, soffits and downpipes replaced on the house. Today, the central heating guy has been, done the boiler service and installed Hive controls. Hopefully, this will save in the long term. I will update my savings when I pluck up the courage to look at them. Hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating. 

MovingForwards

The house items will pay for themselves as it's better to have them done at a convenient time rather than an emergency creating further work and cost.

Grab a glass or brew, take a deep breath and check your savings, then you can make minor adjustments.

Enjoy the new car.

gele

Well I have read all of this thread today with great interest as I am 58 and hoping to retire or at least just work a couple of days per week once I hit 60. I don't have much in the way of pension provision but have been saving from my not very well paid job since Covid struck in 2019. It has given me great inspiration to carry on and I look forward to further updates. Congratulations on all your successes

MoneyWorry

Financial round up done for January. Had to do some adjustments as I need new glasses and they will cost between £400 and £500.

Teeth and Glasses £680
Cat health £430
House Maintenance £300
Clothes £775
Entertaining £900
Long Term £8200
Beauty £400
Holidays £3900
Car Savings £100

Still pleased with the way finances are working out. As stated previously, I will probably keep this car 12 to 15 years, then not buy another. I will, however keep some small scale savings on hand for that time, just in case. . Long term savings are more big ticket items and house/garden refurb than actual long term. 

MoneyWorry

The only slight issue is that there seems to be a complete absence of part time jobs to apply for in this area.  Will just keep looking and hopefully there will be more at the start of the new financial year. 

MoneyWorry

Productive week this week. Had hair cut and lashes done. I’ve been decluttering and throwing things out ever since I’ve retired. I was sick of having photo albums and loose photos in the cupboard that I never looked at. So now, they are all scanned and stored in G Photos and I’ve binned the albums. Has to consult a couple of how to videos to get them in some semblance of order. Had latest energy bill. £320 in credit and still have £380 credit in a savings account which I pulled out early last year, so comfortable I can get through beginning of next winter at least.
Finally, treated boyfriend to a meal at a brand new fish restaurant in Liverpool. It came to £75 including tip which made me wince a bit, but he does treat me usually so he’s worth it. 

MoneyWorry

Slightly spendy week as I needed new glasses. I knew I needed them last year, but put it off as the optician was going to do a pre glaucoma test. Luckily, that came out negative and while I was waiting was able to choose. Cost was £395 which was only a tenner more than my last pair that I bought in 2020. Just got to wait 3 weeks for delivery.