Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

debtfreeoneday

Merry christmas!

Kittenkirst

SandyShores said:

Thanks debtfree.  Just 18 months ago we weren't in a position to buy without H2B and now we are - it feels really good - more choice if we want it.  I'm really thankful we took the plunge when we did.  We'll be focussing on the emergency fund for the next 5 or 6 months - we'd planned to have that saved last May, but we've spent such a lot on the house - well worth it though.  

I was reading someone's thread yesterday that they were now under £200k on their mortgage.  Made my heart sink a little as ours will be a bit shy of £300k when we take on the H2B part.  Such a lot of money, but we can do it!  It always makes me chuckle when I'm saving 5 pences here and there, and then we owe so much to the mortgage people.  But every little helps and it feels good to be paying it down.  I think we own the downstairs loo now - maybe we'll move onto the hall and front door next

Try not to be downhearted; our new mortgage is £301k now following the new house purchase. It seems so much money, but it will come down and with your determination and focus you will smash it right down soon enough I am sure

Merry Christmas!

  

savingholmes

You will get there Sandy. There's lots of good ideas on the board - and just getting on the ladder again felt an impossibility once yet now you feel able to buy out the H2B as well. That's really good. You are doing really well and have time yet.

Have a lovely Christmas

SandyShores

Thank you Debtfree, Kittenkirst and Savings and a Merry Christmas to all!

You're right Kittenkirst, no point getting down heartened.  I have to remember that Christmas only two years ago we were still in our rental, we have made such progress.  And I think it was savingholmes that said every payment is a step forward.  I think I've just been so tired these past few weeks, I've been enjoying the day today and I'm looking forward to three more days of rest!!  I'm already feeling more positive and am motivated to get back on with my healthy plan too.

Hope you all have a good rest of the holidays too.

savingholmes

Hopefully by the end of the holidays you will feel a lot better. You are making good progress. It just takes time.

SandyShores

Thanks for the encouragement savingholmes, I was just reading your boxing day post.  It resonated with me, as I feel I know what to do too, but it just doesn't seem to come together.  And then I make progress and something throws me off.  I'm going to keep going though, I must be really near a breakthrough .  I'm going to start with these for now:

Three gratitudes every day
Drink enough water every day
Exercise
Stretch
Reduce Carbs/sugar and increase veg
Meal planning to stop mindless eating
Read before sleep

My three gratitudes today are my health, my family and that in hindsight my problems are really small ones

Edit, I also want to start breathing exercises and meditation but I think this is where things start to go wrong for me and it all starts to become so much and I give up.  Definitely need to devote a bit more time to planning I think.

SandyShores

Just popping in for an update.  Just cancelled memberships to a few online things and saved about £35/mth.  Its amazing how these things add up.  I will also won't feel guilty about not using them any longer!

debtfreeoneday

Well done on the cancellations. 

I too want to look more into meditation this coming year. Always feel a bit overwhelmed with it though 

SandyShores

Thanks debtfree I actually feel a bit lighter for ditching those subs too.   I did an online intro to meditation a few months ago and thought it went well, but I'm not sure how to make it become a habit.  I also went for a run earlier and realised that its not only a good exercise but its a form of meditation (especially with my music on) and helps with my breathing too.  If I'm really clever about it I could fit my three gratitudes in at the same time too.

I've found a stretching video on youtube - need to start doing this every morning.  My list feels a little bit more manageable now:

Running = meditation, exercise and breathing (and gratitudes)
Stretching - youtube video
Drink lots of water
Reduce Carbs/sugar and increase veg
Meal planning to stop mindless eating
Read before sleep
Creativity (Craft/Art/Sewing/Decorating)

SandyShores

Just trying to get my plan organised:
Running = meditation, exercise and breathing (and gratitudes)
Stretching - youtube video
Drink lots of water
Reduce Carbs/sugar and increase veg
Meal planning to stop mindless eating
Read before sleep
Creativity (Craft/Art/Sewing/Decorating)
I'm planning to start off with exercising first as that seems to cover a lot and if I can get the exercise habit I'll be a long way there.