Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

Moneyfordreams

We got rid of the 2nd car years ago. I had a year in a 8am-8pm job.... On paper it saved a couple of grand. In reality it made me resent things as OH had to drive the nice car as he works nights and not on a bus route.. commuting at peak times were hellish. Getting a 2nd car again eased my crossness at being the breadwinner  

SandyShores

Thanks Moneyfordreams.  We've had the car from new, so although its ten years old its a reliable well-looked after car.  And at the moment we don't know what will happen in July or how much I will need the car for work.  I'm thinking its probably going to be a small price to pay to keep it and have the freedom to drive myself around.

SandyShores

I've just set myself up with a stocks and shares ISA.  Decided to pay the minimum £30/mth.  They say to leave it alone at least 5 years - so hopefully in 5 years time I'll have at least £2k to use for something useful.  Not really got any plan for it but I'm thinking along the lines that the appliances will probably need replacing at that time so it might come in handy.

I'm definitely leaning towards keeping the car, but OH is up for getting rid.  We'll mull it over for a few weeks.

debtfreeoneday

Always figure a little out away each month soon builds up!

SandyShores

Definitely debtfreeoneday.   When we were living on our overdrafts and credit cards, a little just seemed like a drop in the ocean, so I never bothered, but I'm amazed how quickly it builds up.  My £25 a month saved into premium bonds came in handy when we moved last year.  I'm rebuilding again and already up to £300.  That's a good reminder thank you of how far the Shores have come

I'm also up to over £200 on the Xmas Saver.  We aren't huge celebrators, but it comes in handy for a couple of bills due then, and its nice to have a bit of cash to give for presents etc.  I just gather together all my shopping points and swap with my grocery money to put in an account.  I'm still doing two receipt swiping apps - it works out about 5p a receipt but I seem to make quite a few fivers over the year.  

I attended a short course this week, sort of self improvement.  Its really made me start to think differently and I feel a lot more hopeful/positive this week.  I've put a couple of things into action and already feeling more confident.  Same sort of concept - a little each month soon builds up.

SandyShores

Had a lovely family day out today, doing various things.  Spent a bit but not too much.  MrShores asked me to find something that I was going to put on ebay for him, but I never got around to it.  Whoops, I think it might have gone off to the charity shop.  Got that slight heavy heart feeling, but its not the end of the world.  Its prompted me to have a good clear out of some boxes - the problem is I have clutter in need of clearing out so it had all gotten confuzzled.  MrShores says he's fine about it being gone, but I'll keep decluttering just in case.  I am 99.99% sure it won't turn up - but it will be great to be decluttered and another thing to tick off the list

I've packaged up a return for Amazon today, will drop it off tomorrow.  Only a fiver, but its my fiver

SandyShores

Had a good declutter of two boxes and a couple of surfaces.  Going to do my desk tomorrow.  Then the bathroom is next.  MrShores needs to get on with some decorating and then I am going to treat myself to a new chest of drawers.  Its a move one thing and it will make way for another thing - and he's holding me up.  Good reasons at the moment though as we've been busy with one thing or another.  But, I really need him to make a start soon so he can get it all finished off, and then I can get on with my furniture shuffle.  

Edit - btw, it does make you feel better to get rid of clutter.  

SandyShores

Just realised that I'd made a mistake adding up the overpayments on the mortgage.  All corrected now.

And just realised we are onto quarter 3 for weight loss - and I've not made much progress.  Need to try a little harder here.

savingholmes

Well done on decluttering. I need to restart mine

SandyShores

Thanks @savingholmes it is definitely worth the effort.  Somehow I just freeze, as I know it means I'll need to make a decision about keeping or throwing etc.  So I avoid starting.  I'm going to try to do just 20 mins worth each weekend and to be ruthless.  The local charity shop isn't taking donations at the moment and I've a huge box in the garage that needs to go.  I will start taking a bagful into one of the town shops each weekend.  Its better to get rid of it a bit of a time than it sit out there taunting me  

Just been looking at how the mortgage interest is coming down slowly but surely.  It was over £12 a day when we first started and its an average of £11.70 now (£11.73 at the last count). About a £100 reduction for the year which means more going into equity.  

The car is going in for its MOT this week, so once that's done I need to concentrate on some appointments for me - including the dentist.  Is it just me that can't cope with more than one appointment at a time - not sure if that's happened since the pandemic.   It would be nice to have busier days and weeks again.