Third time's the charm...

lashie

Hi LMD

Long time lurker here 👋 just wanted to see if you had considered Speedo for your costume. I purchased a new one a few months ago from them and am v happy with it, much better quality than my supermarket one, think it won’t go see through as quick as will be able to take more chlorine as it is treated. Anyway just a thought. I ordered a few so I could choose one and the returns were easy (no stores anymore).

Happy searching. 😀

PS - I am tree handbag addict as well 😝 

LittleMissDetermined

Ooh a fellow tree handbag lover welcome @lashie! I'll defo have a look at Speedo thanks, I feel like need something more 'robust' for regular swimming and aqua classes  

My last PAD of 2022 has been made and £1 was sent to CC7, not a NSD today as we are having friends round tonight to see in the new year and the plan is to get a takeaway. I also need to pop to Mr T's to get some snacks, I love hosting

So, the end of the year review in short:

CC7 balance 4674 
This is my only remaining debt and is currently predicted to be cleared on 26th May with my spreadsheet budgeting. The final payment is over £500 at the moment so to be on the safe side my DFD is staying at 27th June until I can get it below the £500 mark. 

EF total £500
This took a hit with the Glasgow trip and windscreen shenanigans but as soon as the credit card is cleared then this will be my next priority, earlier if possible

I also have funds for our upcoming holiday in a savings pot so that is already taken care of rather than having to use the EF. 

Goals for 2023:

Financial

• Build EF back up to £1000
• Start saving my 3 months wages fund with a target of £10k
• Save £2500 to add to pension pot

Personal

• Drop a dress size
• Get fitter
• Worry less
• Find a new hobby

That's my update, I'd like to thank all of you for your support and kindness in 2022, you've been amazing and I definitely wouldn't be where I am now in my debt free journey.

Have a fabulous New Year, however you choose to spend it.
LMD x

AntoMac

You've had a hugely successful year LMD. Nice clear goals for 2023 too. Well done you.
 Now - A tree handbag? Is that a real thing or am I having a strange dream?? I might casually mention to Mrs Mac that I saw a nice tree handbag and see if she nods knowingly or gives me an odd look 

LittleMissDetermined

AntoMac said:

You've had a hugely successful year LMD. Nice clear goals for 2023 too. Well done you.
 Now - A tree handbag? Is that a real thing or am I having a strange dream?? I might casually mention to Mrs Mac that I saw a nice tree handbag and see if she nods knowingly or gives me an odd look 

No strange dreams @AntoMac lol, there’s a particular luxury designer brand that has a tree as a logo. I wouldn’t mention it to your wife as she may get her hopes up haha!

I think my goals are reasonable and more importantly they are realistic. There’s no point having a goal that can’t be achieved as it just obliterates any morale. I’d much rather under promise and over deliver  

I’m proud of the year I have had from a financial perspective. Here’s hoping it continues 
LMD x

AntoMac

100 per cent agree that it’s good to have achievable goals, although any goals I set myself are kind of woolly to put it mildly. I did mention tree handbags to her and she had no idea what one was, so I’m happy to keep it that way! 
I’m sure that now you’ve built the saving habit you’ll do very well in the new year. I guess it could be the part when the debt is gone and it might feel strangely anticlimactic for a while which might be a bit of a test.

Makingabobor2

Love your goals LMD.  My EF is going to be a priority in 2023 as well. 
With regard to getting a hobby....I started jigsaw puzzles in lockdown and still going with them. I did go through a couple of months where I couldn't be bothered, but I am back on them. Very relaxing and a great sense of achievement when you complete one. 
Happy New Year.x

gd55

Congratulations on your achievements in 2022, so close now to that debt free moment.

All the best for the year ahead.

jak

Wow, you've done so well this (last) year. I'm looking forward to reading about this one. Great diary. I'm off to investigate Padding... 
JAK x

LittleMissDetermined

jak said:

Wow, you've done so well this (last) year. I'm looking forward to reading about this one. Great diary. I'm off to investigate Padding... 
JAK x

The 2023 PADding thread is here if you want to join in. We are a friendly and support bunch and everyone is welcome. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6413218/payment-a-day-chapter-2023#latest

LittleMissDetermined

My update is late today, but there’s not that much happening. We were up very late (10am!) from having a late night, the dog still didn’t want to move from the sofa… 😂

We have now de-Christmassed our house. It would usually be next weekend but we fly out to the Canary Islands on Saturday morning so it had to be today. The house looks even bigger now haha!

My PAD today was a big one as the mortgage payment had been made. But it also included £1 regular PAD and £6 cash out from Prolific. I’m looking forward to the studies starting up again and then being more frequent.

I used my voucher from work to get myself a lockable book safe, someone suggested saving across 2023 by weeks, adding £1 for the first week and so on til £52 in the final week. I’m going to try to do this on cash.  I always pay by card and forget about any cash I have. So, hopefully I will lock it away and forget about it. I’ll have a reminder every Monday to add the next amount. I’ll include this in my sealed pot amount into October and then keep it to one side. 

Happy new year to you all, enjoy your days however you’re spending them
LMD x