Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

debtfreeoneday

Sewing bee??  Have I missed that totally this year?

How many wind chimes is too many? 😂

SandyShores

debtfreeoneday said:

Sewing bee??  Have I missed that totally this year?

How many wind chimes is too many? 😂

Sorry debtfreeoneday - I've been missing for a whole week (not sure how that happened) - but yes you have totally missed sewing bee.  It was the final last week!

I had a quick look on the internet and it could be as little as 1, but as many as 24 😂

SandyShores

Well, I'm really not sure where the week went.  Definitely watched the final of Sewing Bee - I enjoyed watching, but I didn't feel as inspired this time (although that's a good thing as I've no room or energy to do any sewing at the moment).  I can report that I am very much less stressed, as things seemed to have all worked out in two areas.  I'm even feeling less stressed about the annoying neighbours - although they are just as annoying, I think we are all just a tad calmer.

Made a few fleabay sales this week and am almost £300 richer.  Had one large item which we have been dithering about selling for ages.  MrShores wanted to just give it away to family, but I wanted to have one last try at selling it and it worked.  It took up quite a lot of room, so feels nice to have made more space.  I'm going to use some of the cash to overpay the mortgage.  And its very nice that payday is nearly here too!

Edit - just updated my Xmas Saver - made the £212 June target, moving onto my £243 July target.  Can also report losing one whole pound in weight!!  I really need to concentrate on my stretches/running/walking now.

savingholmes

Fab progress. £300 sale.amazing

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes it just goes to show you just need the right buyer to come along, so I'm glad I kept trying.  The garage is a lot clearer now too.  I drove by the charity shop last weekend and noticed a sign saying they are not accepting donations at the moment, which is a shame as I have another box to go.  Atm I'm waiting for Mr Shores to finish some diy and then the garage is getting a good sort out and reorganisation, but progress is slowly being made.

Just filled in my equity chart again and we are now at 9% equity.  4% up on last year.  I'm also considering selling my car and making do with sharing Mr Shores'.  That would boost the emergency fund and speed up the mortgage overpayments.  I need to have a good think about it, but financially it does make sense.

Chiglepig

@SandyShores, MrChigle and I decided to go down from two cars to one over ten years ago (as an ethical/eco choice). Since we work in the same institution, it is easier than for some, but we haven't always had compatible timetables, and it has meant some compromises and occasional headache inducing planning . . . BUT it is a huge money saver - only one MOT, only one service, only one road tax, only one insurance, one lot of depreciation, one lot of repairs to anticipate, only one replacement (not to mention, only one planet). Only a couple of times have we needed to hire a replacement, so less than £300 in all that time. If you can make it work, you really should!

debtfreeoneday

Interesting comments about as we are due to do the same in a year or so. 

SandyShores

Thank you @Chiglepig when you lay it out like that it really does make sense.  We are in walking/cycling distance of so much, but if the car is there I tend to use it.  £300 expenditure in ten years is very attractive and I do like being more eco friendly.  My thoughts are that I would save the cash from a sale in premium bonds and then build it up, so that if I decide I need another car it will be there as a deposit.  But the likelihood is it would eventually go to the mortgage - and bring us at least 3 months closer to MFW date.

It also means I would only need to build the emergency fund to £3k (rather than £6k) for now, so could make OPs to the mortgage sooner.  I don't think we'll achieve the £4k target OPs this year but I'll keep trying.   And next year I'm planning to pay start making double payments.  Just made a £180 overpayment from the fleabay sales so over £500 OPs this year so far.

savingholmes

Well done on the equity increase.  On the car we went down to one plus  a motorbike for a while. When DD increased her transport requirements we bought a banger for £750. It's doing well almost 2 years on... That could be another option for flexibility in winter if you think you will need it

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes.  I've had a bit of a u-turn today and I'm thinking of keeping my vehicle.  There's just something about having access to my own car which gives me some freedom/mental freedom.  I'm going to do a spreadsheet of costs and then make a decision.