The second hurdle - Nichelette v the huge mortgage

Nichelette

Still really busy. Attempt at being redundant has officially failed now because they've formally assigned me a new job 😆. Seems to be like expected but maybe more reporting (which I have no real experience of) but am sure I can learn. DH does loads of it so he can help teach me too. Am trying to approach positively. Though I'll obviously have to interact with others It's basically a standalone role. There is no team, just me and no one below so will just be the person I will report to. DH knows and doesn't hate him so 🤞🏻. Part of my issue is I'm completely peopled out. Don't get me wrong, I am happy being around people and chatting, and my current team are all great, it's just all a bit relentless for me as I'm a person who enjoys quiet and my own company a lot (rarely happens). I do try to believe things happen for a reason, and I think maybe this is what was supposed to happen (also not committing financial suicide as salary won't change).

I want to make sure that I'm happy in this job, but once I know how I feel we're going to actually commit to moving in spring irrespective of what I'm earning, but we need to know first as obviously it will impact what we buy. That is if we can actually sell ours in current climate 🙈

We've been really rubbish with life lately. Not done a food shop for 2 weeks, have just been living on what we had and buying fresh bits as we go. Anyway, am proud of myself, got to aldi for opening at 8 this morning and was out by 8.38. Have defected from lidl - no free massive potato bags anymore 🤣, and I prefer aldi food anyway. I think I got a bit sucked in as there is a lidl where we work and aldi store is small and car park and shop are always rammed which annoys me. Spent nearly £104. DH literally choked on his water but will last us ages and I think I did well! Considering there was £8 in wine alone plus steak etc. To be fair it's a lot if only for one week but it will past us longer than that. Anyway, list/pics below so you can make your own judgement as not played that game for a while 😆.

ladysummerisle

That is quite the trolley dash. I’m impressed you manage to avoid the chocolate aisle. That’s always my downfall. As a flexitarian house I can appreciate the mix of items. I need your discipline!

Nichelette

This is why we I like vanguard. This is our stamp duty/moving fund. Can't knock 98%! I know this can go both ways etc…

Am trying to be more disciplined with money as right now I feel like we are in a place where we fritter more than we should. We're not overly extravagant, but at the same time we are fortunate that if we want something we can generally just buy it. I'm in the process of reinstating my old forecasting spreadsheet which I'll share once I'm done (am being a bit lazy and not factoring in inflation for things beyond 12 months). I will say that the increase in our water bills is insane. I knew this already, but seeing it was 🤢. Drives me mad when they fine these companies too because it just goes on our bills.

Haven’t gone proper food shopping this weekend as we're still managing on big shop, just odd too up bits here and there. Should probably go this weekend though. I think I csn probably eek out meals to the end of the week.

Personally speaking I started c25k again. Am 7 'runs' in. It's hard to squeeze in. I am trying to go out early but am not sleeping well so sometimes doesn't happen in morning. I need to really be out by 6 as it's half hour then shower and sort hair, start work 7.30 then leave for school drop at 8.20 and back for work. Unfortunately mornings are getting darker so may need to stop mornings soon anyway as it's still barely light when I'm back and am struggling to see 🙃. After school clubs are good as I don't need to leave until 4 to collect which feels like a nicer day at least.

Nichelette

I can't sleep for anything. I've been struggling so much lately. I've been awake since 3 so I cut my losses and got up at 5. Pretty sure it's subconscious work/life stress. Have at least removed nail stuff so semi productive. Am going to do nightmare Before Christmas ones for halloween when I get the time. Maybe that's a tomorrow morning thing 😆.

Anyway, payday on Thursday. Have approx 1k left which am trying to decide what to do with. I've finished my spreadsheet. Behold: Forecast 2028.

Everything seems very gloomy in the news financially and otherwise. Suppose it's always that way of late. I know pensions are in the news a lot at the moment because of the triple lock thing. Anyway, I happened upon this which infographic.

We've never really prioritised pensions because it has always been about struggling to get a house then the nursery fees (I know that is stupid and we should do more, but to be honest I'm at a point where I feel like we'll never retire anyway so almost what is the point). Anyway, it has actually made me feel a bit better (possibly misplaced). We have nearly 200k between us but we're 40 & 41 so still lots of working years and compounding ahead. I know that isn't a lot for our ages compared to some, but I feel happy we'll manage moderate 😅.

South_coast

That's great news 👍!

Hope you sleep better tonight x

Merlin's_Beard

That's an interesting graphic - lots to think about (trying to balance everything and put all the money in the right time frame of now/later/retirement is a massive headscratcher for me!)

Nichelette

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82166984#Comment_82166984

I did, hurrah 🥳. Will admit did have a couple of glasses of wine to try and help. Obviously not a long term solution worked as a one off.

@Merlin's_Beard I feel the same. I also am aware that DH has lost both parents before 70 and they both had cancer so I don't really want him working until he drops. They were both quite heavy smokers though so hard to know if it's more genetic or environmental.

MIL was only 60 and had a brain tumor but it was in her lungs too. FIL was 69 also had cancer and heart failure. Both had COPD. DH is much fitter and doesn't smoke (though does vape and currently unsuccessfully trying to quit - he did actually manage before DS1 was born but I had a huge haemorrhage and I think he started again because it was a bit traumatising, but it has been over 5 years now)... He also eats far better than they ever did. Bit morbid bit it's an unknown and hard to know what is best when you're working on assumptions!

Anyway, payday tomorrow. DH filled his car and I went nuts and bought a new winter coat and couple of other bits so less left than before. Also just seen a good price on an aftershave I wanted to get DH for Christmas so will get that in a minute too. Have told DH we are budgeting hard next month!

Nichelette

Payday... Most bills have gone aside from mortgage which goes on 1st. Once things have been paid I mark them black on my spreadsheet. Have put 1k into nursery fund. Only 5ish-k left until we are done with that 🥳. I know this month the present spending will be over as it's my brother's birthday tomorrow and I'm starting on Christmas bits now. To be honest I like giving and I've probably underestimated that figure. It's saying potential OP of 1.4k but I am being cautious. That said, I'm tempted to OP half as not having the cash available does seem to make me tighter...

£4019 remaining in bank...

beanielou

Definitely OP half.

Nichelette

@beanielou I'm easily led. Please pray for me 🤣. We've already spent on the following non typical things so not the best start:

Flowers for DH's bosses boss who left yesterday (to be fair she was really good with him so he wanted to get her something on top of the collection - thankfully collection was from last pay month 😅

Drinks at a wake yesterday (no plans for more funerals atm 😆)

My brother's birthday was yesterday (no more sibling birthdays until Jan)

Fireworks on Thursday. It was a school fundraiser so I try not to be too tight at these things because like everything their budgets are are tight

In better news we're well stocked with cleaning bits and toiletries so may under spend there to claw a bit back. I may also have overestimated fuel as I don't drive much and only go through about a tank a month (£70ish), though obviously fuel is through the roof right now so will monitor. I have a bit over half a tank and DH filled up just before we were paid, though his tank is smaller.

Was out early to food shop again as it's far better than when the shop is rammed. Spent £66 which includes nearly £6 on Halloween sweets for local kids. Again heavy on the cheese as don't always go to aldi and theirs is nicest. Think I did pretty well. I'll post some of the things I'm going to make later maybe.

£2809 remaining in bank