The Case of the Overwhelming Mortgage

glass_half_full

Sounds like you are really focused at the moment. 

AgathaSquirrel

School uniform shopping - I miss the days of being able to go into M&S during 20% off and buy it all. £200+ down and still a school bag and shoes to go. Currently still in this month’s budget but possibly not for long. 

edinburgher

That's a lot! Mrs E was apologising for sending me £80 worth of M&S uniform to buy. We've still got 2 pairs of shoes to go, too. At least DD2 can wear her own gear to nursery 🙂

savingholmes

Try not to over focus on the mortgage.  Pay off highest interest debt first or avoid it altogether and you are still making progress. On the kitchen it depends how extreme a makeover you want. What doesn't work for you now?

AgathaSquirrel

Yes - my experience has been school uniform costs rocket when they reach secondary. This is my last year of buying 2 school uniforms but the younger teen is the very fashion conscious, expensive one so still likely to be pricey next year.

We currently have no debts (other than mortgage) but do need to save for garden and health related item as there will be bills due for those. We will start saving for a car soon. There will however be no choice but to take out a loan. The aim at the moment is to keep the current car going as long as we can but also saving as big a deposit as we can.

The kitchen is unsuitable for a family of 4. Tiny undercounter fridge and freezer, little cupboard space. This will however be the final job we do and probably after the mortgage is paid off. Teens will likely have left by the time we do this so our needs and thoughts around the kitchen may be different by this time.

AgathaSquirrel

Electronic pay slip is in so getting slightly more back pay than expected. Putting it towards health related item. This and holiday cottage almost covered but a work trip/taking my mum away for a few days still to be paid for. Hoping to cover this by end of August. Would be good as personal savings are nonexistent at the moment. Not a great one for buying myself ‘stuff’ but am beginning to feel deprived.

savingholmes

Definitely need to balance current and future self's needs. Make sure you are practicing self care now.

AgathaSquirrel

Pay day today. Have cut back a lot this month so hopefully by next pay day will have the health related item and holiday cottage paid off.

AgathaSquirrel

HMRC have contacted me with a £67 refund. This will go to health related item and holiday cottage. Only £49 left to pay this off now. Will pay this off and fund some work related expenses at the end of the month. Should be in a better financial position by end of September and can maybe consider buying myself something.

AgathaSquirrel

Can’t really boast too much in real life but our eldest just got 5 As in her Highers. So, so proud.