First Steps to Solvency

alt80

Thanks all, yes it’s day 101. Not fallen off the wagon. Big thank you for the well wishes can hardly believe I am where I am myself. Next target probably does need to be 125 days @RelievedSheff - thanks. 

My wife had organised a spa break for me reaching 100 days. Knew nothing about it. Know I’ve despaired on here about her being a hopeless romantic but idk what’s wrong with me it’s been wonderful. She told me we were going in MG for a drive and maybe have lunch, she’d drive there and me back, didn’t realise the drive back would be today lol. She’d spent Friday packing the car etc. Been an absolutely amazing weekend and thanks to my in-laws not cost anything apart from a few drinks and two additional treatments. Dinner and breakfast were included. Wife had them book to keep it a surprise with intention of paying them back. I’ve offered them the money back this evening but been told they won’t accept my money, pleased their least favourite son in law is behaving for once haha. Take it on face value rather than getting angry about it, actually been a really nice gesture tbh.

alt80

@enthusiasticsaver think all my goals are material tbf can’t really think of any that aren’t. FIL reckons I should set a goal to complete a full month of the happiness calendar thing lol. Idk maybe he’s got a point should try to stay as calm as possible etc.

@SanguineGina thanks. I think she needs to have her own budget tbh. Did discuss it with her a little this weekend idk how far I’ve got but she seems to agree we might need to take the option of her having her own budget. Said to me she wouldn’t be able to buy stupid stuff then. Had reflected on the brush and agrees it was a !!!!!! ridiculous purchase, told me she didn’t think it was value and they have put a stupid price on it for the colour and branding 100% she’s right on that one.

@woahsoah back to telling me how well you’re doing for yourself again? I’m made up for you tbf but I don’t need you to put me in my box. Yeah, ultimately I’m not in a position to make any larger purchases until I’ve got my car paid for as that’s a choice I’ve chosen to make - paying the car off in full by the time the balloon is due. I know what I need to do to get to that stage and clear off the inevitable 0% amount that’ll build. After that I’ll make some considered purchases - I don’t see the point in telling people I never plan to spend anything on myself ever again. 

@Jellytotts I don’t know what enough is lol. 

@RelievedSheff tbf I did say I know absolutely nothing about vans lol. Had times of being concerned about not knowing when to stop seeking the next level ruining me financially myself tbh things have been a bit of a house of cards I don’t know any different but am aware I’ve never really been the most financially secure.

@Grumpelstiltskin it is a bit of an obsession and has been for a long time tbh. The rarity and historical significance factors are all part of what appeals. I’m finding all the time with family difficult, it does feel like it’s taking me away from work. Maybe is a good thing idk but the past week or so it’s been making me panic. 

@Legs21 my own home does all that lol. Nowhere to go in terms of what you’re taking about should be the aim, I’m onto working towards the next level now. 

Thank you re recovery though I def don’t want to have to start at day 1 again now I am at day 101. 

alt80

@FootyFanDan thanks mate. Lot are saying the same re not monitoring her spends beyond allocating some pocket money amount idk. I have made the choice to not spend money on myself until my car is paid for or it is part of a one in one out deal. In terms of day to day spends I just don’t need anything and would rather buy something seriously nice once in a while after the car is paid in full than spend on smaller things each month. Just not something I want to do anymore.

@RelievedSheff/ @maggiem / @Sun_Addict/ @annabanana82 thank you.

@Hazelnutty I get where you’re coming from and I’m not going to say it hasn’t crossed my mind. I would love my Mrs to get a job, not even about money. I know what the pressure is like its not pleasant to always wonder if my wife is going to leave me, find someone who can give her things I can’t right now in some cases and forever in others. Can’t say I want that for my boy.

@warby68 thank you. That’d be really nice tbf thanks for suggestion going to have a think on that and might surprise her so thanks again. 

mark55man

Well done @alt80 - 3 figures.  Your next target is 1000 days (900 days from yesterday) 28/Feb/2024 - or maybe 150 days which is 31 Oct 2021.  Maybe just aim to do it month by month and celebrate round number anniversaries as they occur

Glad you enjoyed your weekend break - sometimes money can buy you  nice time (and when it turns out its someone else's money well you should regard it as a bonus)

alt80

@mark55man thanks mate. 1000 days if I get there I’ll nearly own my Range Rover outright on 28/2/2024. Had to smile 150 days being Halloween though lol back in the old days fml that used to be a big one. Going back a lot of years though tbf last year took my son for a walk around town early evening and got a silly Halloween Starbucks good memory of that. I want to think I can get to those round number anniversaries but a bit reluctant to work out dates etc. Tbh I’m scared I’m going to fail, attempted to stay away many times over haven’t managed it before so my confidence in staying off it is very low unfortunately. Lots of times I have set ‘1 year’ reminders on my phone they have pinged up from time to time after forgetting to delete one not nice to be reminded of all the times I failed. Don’t do reminders of anniversaries anymore. Just make a note each day I keep on the right road.

I’ll make sure I pay my in-laws back tbh all their support over the past year they deserve something properly nice for Christmas this year. Will have to !!!!!! with the budget but they’ve saved me money in weekends away twice now.

getmore4less

Good to hear you had a great weekend.

Because it came as a surprise there was no time to have a period of anxiety.

Next mini milestone 105days==15weeks.

Our trip went well but matching your 3kg added due to over eating.
Turned out we were more socially distanced on the ship than anywhere we go on land.

Will let it drop off naturally just go back to normal levels of food and try to walk a bit more.

You have to remember any leveling up comes through building the business first.

That means finding more people not trying to do it all yourself and losing sight of the bigger picture due to overload.

One route I had in my fantasy head years back was to own that large building with loads of rental apartments but have the top floor(s) paid for by the rentals as our home.
Basement being the large garage.

Willowtree222

Congrats on the days Alt. 

Sounds like a wonderful weekend. 

102 days today! Think another short target is good. 120 makes it around 4 months, which is 1/3 of a year. 

Sun_Addict

How lovely of your wife to arrange the weekend surprise. Glad you enjoyed it. Shows how proud she is of you for getting this far.

warby68

What a lovely reason for your absence.

Your wife's belief in you is building and her parents are great. I know why you want to get them a great Christmas present, you feel in their debt, but I bet they don't really want that. I'd try and think of a way to thank them that involves your time and effort and something they like doing, rather than a thing.

Keep counting however you want - its working. One way to measure it is to get to each significant day, like birthdays, holidays and then the celebration is 'built in'.

Also sounds like you had some productive conversations with your wife. Time does seem to be doing its thing for her.

ladyholly

The best Christmas present you could give your in-laws is to stay clean and build that relationship with your wife and son.

With regard to your wifes spending could you ask her to put any spending over, say, £25.00, on a 24hour delay so that (a) she can discuss it and (b) give her time to think if its sonmething she really wants/needs.

So glad you had a great weekend and I am sure there will be more to come. So kind of your in laws and I think it shows how pleased they are with you. You will have to be careful though or you may become favourite son in law.