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I am the obstacle and I am the path (to debt free...again)
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Reporting 5% (1060) off the debt - paid to 1CC as per snowball calculator. πππππππ
About to ordrer a desk for the 'hall office'.ΒSigniture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)2 -
So it's been a tough weekend. Too much wine, but not that much whining.Β
I sorted out the budgets.
Done some batch cooking, and made a meal plan think all I may need is some spinach and milk to last me to the weekend food wise. So should be able to squirrel some money into the 1% pot.
I am considering moving my currennt account that I use for bills over to M0nz0, where I spend from. It would reduce the amount of accounts I have messing about with, but still really not sure.The Santand3r 123 account isn't so attractive anymore. I also have a Smil3 account for my sole trader / self-employed money.Β
I am on 3 NSD's.ΒSigniture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)0 -
I hope you find a good solution. I have moved things around in my living room to create a temporary desk/office corner - so I feel your pain.ΒAchieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 Β£202K now Β£171.8K Equity 36.37%
2) Β£2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC Β£27.9K + Lump Sums DB Β£4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 34/Β£127.5K target 26.6% 10/10/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 60.35K or 47.6%)
4) FI Age 60 income target Β£17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum Β£15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP Β£5K updated 10/10/251 -
It's a challenge isn't it!savingholmes said:I hope you find a good solution. I have moved things around in my living room to create a temporary desk/office corner - so I feel your pain.Β
Not much to report really, struggling with anxiety. Calling the doctor at 8, to get something for it.Β
Had communicaiton with the lawyer, and gave a good steer. Looks like I have got 6 months of that drama as well as the working from home.Β
Have a whole day of admin today. Yoga already done, and doing my best to not drink too much after work each day,Β
Another NSD yesterday, I thiguhtI would pop to the shop, but then really thuought about it and didn't!. Go me.Β
Had an email form NS&I saying I have a message....about premium bonds...had a little fantasy that I have won something in the draw, but I expect it will be jsut confirmation of my premium bond investement - it's where I put my tax money.Β
Signiture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)0 -
So yesterday was a spendy day, and today - need to get a prescription, and paid forΒ weekly yoga pass.
Yesterday I bought some gin, to make another batch of sloe gin - sloes in the freezer, still enough for another 2 litres- it will be 5litres in all when I have finished!
I have bought some hair dye - a new one I have not tried before from Sup3rdrug. Nearly half the price I was paying before...we will see. Also got some dead sea and epsom salts, I have loads of essential oils and bits from N3als Yard to make a lovely soak for myself!
I asked for extra hours after christmas, bringing me up to fulltime, plus the training course. They agreed immediately. Great news, and they also asked if I would consider an empoloyed role. It is a dilemma. Pros and cons on both sides.Β
Suspect I will be wrestleing it for a while.Β
That's it today.Β
Signiture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)1 -
Gosh, it was quite a tough day yesterday. Couldn't get out of the flat to get my prescription. There was a lot of spare in the day, so I didn't have as much structure, and therapyΒ Cue lots of anxiety re relationhsip and the legal thing.Β
Did however, dye my hair - tis quite good, make the bath salts (just about to get in after yoga), and didn't drink that much. These are good things. Well done DrCarrie.Β
Just going for a no spend day today on my personal account - the work one will get a hit, as I need stamps, but nit account my self-employed spending.Β
Took some things out of the freezer to eat, struggling to cook at the moment. No takeways though please Carrie!
Signiture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)0 -
It sounds like youβve been very productive, well done.
I gave up on the hair dye in April, I have high hopes for lovely silver streaks, but itβs slow going and Iβm just battling a few inches of manky frizz....itβs ok if I donβt look! Maybe in another year it will settle into something lovely! I was so fed up of dying the bathroom and was a bit worried about all the years of chemicals on my scalp. I havenβt noticed much cost saving from stopping though!
Not all who wander are lost - J.R.R.Tolkien
π A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor π
My WW and friends diary is here π β¦Β
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6259606/must-try-harder/p11 -
Silver streaks sound gorgeous!Suzanne54321B said:Β I have high hopes for lovely silver streaks, but itβs slow going and Iβm just battling a few inches of manky frizz....itβs ok if I donβt look! Maybe in another year it will settle into something lovely!Β
So news on the path to debt free...not that much. Had a call about the job offer, still no offer of salary for me to consider so, that is still parked.Β
NSD no. 5 yesterday. Ate from the freezer mainly.Β
Ikea arrived a day early, and have a desk to assmble, for my new hall office, get cracking in that tomorrow.Β
Thank goodness for Friyays!Signiture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)1 -
Satruday was a NSD - 6 now this month.Β
I hae my new dest areas for working at home, amd it feels pretty good to sit at, so far.Β
Some movement back to not meal planning for just one all the time, and feeling a much better as a result. Not sure what this will mean for the budget yet. But I am happy.ΒSigniture dated 23/09/2025
3-month emergency fund (Cash ISA and PBonds): Β£5,382/ + Β£1,500 = Β£6,882 /Β£7,500 (Target 1)
Stocks and shares ISA: Β£2,232.94
Additional pension contributions Β£0 (target Β£450pcm)
Overpayment on mortgage: 1% at a time (Β£1,518)
Big Renno...and appliances. Front of the house, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine)0 -
Excellent. My NSD s are 3 so far, you are winning π¬Not all who wander are lost - J.R.R.Tolkien
π A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor π
My WW and friends diary is here π β¦Β
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6259606/must-try-harder/p11
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