Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

SandyShores

That sounds great @Chiglepig I hadn't heard of those before.  Focus on something is definitely better than trying to focus on nothing for me and I need to get walking.

Autumn feels very close to us at the moment, and I've got to say I'm actually looking forward to it.  There is something about snuggling close inside with my family that sounds very comforting at the moment.  

SandyShores

Almost time for payday and the much looked forward to account shuffle

Debt neutral day is also almost here and, in the meantime I'm planning on putting £6k of the 'savings' into premium bonds for the emergency fund.

Mr Shores has had his payslip through already and I'd calculated the new wage after tax etc. correctly.  It means that pretty soon we will be able to start making serious overpayments.  It feels good to have the major spends over, although Mr Shores did mention the blinds we had priced up last year, but when I reminded him they were £500, he dropped the subject.  If we do buy them I want us to save for them rather than dipping into savings again.

I need to redo my calculations again for the overpayments, including the overpayment calculator.  It all got a bit lost what with all our spends on the house.  Luckily we've been able to keep pace with the spends, but it will be good to redo the overpayment plan calculations now its all calmed down.

SandyShores

It was really good to have an extra day this weekend.  Got plenty of chores done and the account shuffle is complete for August.  Although we haven't made the overpayments I was planning to make, we have made some small amounts and we will be debt neutral at the end of September - if I can curb MrShores' spending habits.  He's keen to get onto the next diy job already - but I just want a bit of a break from the disruption.

I am feeling quite pleased with where we are financially at the moment - I know we are in a lucky position, and I'm not being smug its just because it is such a turn around.  I'm also well aware that things can change, so need to take advantage while we can.  I had a go at re-doing the mortgage overpayment calculator, but it all depends on what happens to house prices.  I do know that we can, if we wish (partly using MrShores' pension) pay off the mortgage by the time we retire.  I've also made a note that a certain building society has increased the upper age limit to 85 years old, with a maximum loan of £150k and no more than 60% of the value.  We won't be in that position when our fixed term ends next time, but its useful to think that if for some reason we need it we would at some point be able to extend the mortgage and pay it from our pensions.  Its useful to have all the information to hand, but its not something we can decide on until nearer the time.  At one point I thought that cashing in the pension would be the best option, but I'm veering towards keeping the pension if at all possible now - even if it means extending the mortgage into retirement.  I think it will all become clear at each stage.  If I've learned anything at all from our turnaround its that you should keep going in the right direction and it might just all come together. 

SandyShores

Made the mortgage overpayment this week and then sent £6k to the Premium Bonds today.  We are almost at debt-neutral again (long story).  But fingers crossed for the October draw.

Healthy exercise and appointments have seen good progress, just got to get on with the decluttering again.

Christmas Saver is building up, nicely on target to get to the £304 aim for the end of October.

Nights drawing in now, although its still pretty warm.  I'll be sad to say good bye to the summer but I'm hoping that we can finally see an end to this flipping pandemic in the next few months.

savingholmes

Well done on the mindfulness, OP and the savings... coming together

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes.

The bottom of the food budget is looming faster than the end of the month again.  I'll top it up from my personal funds, and I don't mind as we'll be back to normal spends in the new year.  We're debt neutral next month, and will be debt-free with a £6k emergency fund planned for June.  It seems a long way off, but I've been planning a decent emergency fund for ages, and it means the OPs can start seriously without any distractions.

Did another mindfulness session today, I need to keep going with it.

savingholmes

Mindfulness can help. I am not great at being in the moment... Good that your net worth is improving

SandyShores

I struggle with being too much in my head.  Its very difficult to get the balance right.  I spent a lot of years rushing around trying to please everyone, and then I realised I'm actually happy just being.  I think I'd like to be a bit more social, but I hesitate to commit to things as it can be difficult to un-commit - and I don't want to go back to the madness of trying to please everyone and do everything.  And I feel like I'm out of practice at making lengthy small talk.  I'd love to do something that involved learning as well.

savingholmes

We sound similar

SandyShores

At times I feel like I'm having a mid-life crisis, at other times I feel that I've finally seen the light and just can't be ars*ed with carp.  So I'm on the look out for things with meaning, but its easier said than done.  I've had a few opportunities to join stuff, and when I was younger I would have accepted everything and gone to see if it was any good, but I'm more particular these days - time is so precious.  The new year is my target to start in earnest.