Starting to budget after years of wishful thinking

moving_forward

We had one when dog was younger and we had another dog. It was a bit cumbersome but worked well. She used to run alongside mainly unless someone was coming as she's as antisocial as us 🤣
If going on canal path get a disabled access key so you can ride through the gate rather than have to lift bike and trailer over. Always lock gate behind you obviously. 

powerspowers

Congrats on being so close to debt free, you’ve made fantastic progress and I love the diy ebike conversion! 

LegoHead

moving_forward said:

We had one when dog was younger and we had another dog. It was a bit cumbersome but worked well. She used to run alongside mainly unless someone was coming as she's as antisocial as us 🤣
If going on canal path get a disabled access key so you can ride through the gate rather than have to lift bike and trailer over. Always lock gate behind you obviously. 

thanks for the reminder, I do have a key but always forget to take it. Might tape it to the bike so I dont forget.

LegoHead

powerspowers said:

Congrats on being so close to debt free, you’ve made fantastic progress and I love the diy ebike conversion! 

thanks, getting so close to the end now. The next chapter starts next week.

LegoHead

Worked alot towards my efforts to declutter this weekend by going to carboot with my mom. Made about £200 between us and let my mom keep most of it as she needs it more than me. Kept about £50 so I can get a haircut and pay for my treat this week.

Looks like my savings bond might clear into my account today so might also be able to pay the final settlement figure today too!

Next steps and goals after this I think will be 

1. Build up savings pot for yearly bills. Want £1500 minimum always in this pot.
2. Probably in parallel build up emergency fund of £3000. Need about £3000 to cover bills for 6 months if I still have a lodger, will cover about 3 months if lodger moves out.

Will aim to have this done within a few months or so. Ebay could help build this up quicker. 

moving_forward

Brilliant new goals. £1,000 a month for bills sounds good. 

LegoHead

Just signed up for Santander 1,2,3 account so I can take advantage of their cashback. Wasnt worth it before but now I have a Santander mortgage it will give me a little cashback.

savingholmes

It all helps. I don't have a sant mortgage but do like seeing little bits of cashback in there anyway.

LegoHead

Just done it, paid the last payment and had HSBC confirm the loan has been closed.

Might take a while to sink in. Still have £2k NS&I and about £500 spare this month when all other bills are paid. 

Time to relax and not look at the numbers for a few days.

   

joedenise

Well done.  That must be a load off your mind now and you've still got savings and spare money.

Make sure you don't go back to your old ways and end up in the same position again.