Lolu's Mortgage Free odyssey

South_coast

Ooh, the invasalign sounds good! As someone who had regular braces in their teens, they look like a much nicer option. And it's an investment in you, and one which will last. I can't recall how old you are, but if you live for another 50 years that's only £70 per year 😀! Much better value than a handbag, or other things people get into debt for 👍

misslolu

Aimingforthegoodlife said:

I think you are experiencing a bit of financial burn out! I have done this multiple times and I think it happens when we focus so hard on one thing, then it is all too much! Take some time out, set a fun budget so that it isn't all for the future. Also, if you are in control of your debt, it is 0% then don't punish yourself, work on having sensible debt, look at affordability of the debt, can you afford it if you can't get a 0%? I think finding the balance on this journey is one of the hardest things, the balance will also mean that this being a marathon feels more achievable!

I'm definitely feeling burnout i've been worrying about money for a good 4 years. First I was in debt and had to quickly find a job so I could get out of my expensive overdraft. Then I started saving for my deposit & fees. Last year I finally purchased my property, got a raise a few months after then was promptly made redundant.

I think my personal life hasn't helped either. I've had some real low points with my family over the past 12 months. I've also struggled with maintaining old friendships & making new ones. The relationship with the person I was dating earlier on has fizzled out too so i'm starting to feel a bit isolated. Not sure how to get out of this rut 🤔

powerspowers

💐 
Ive felt in a similar rut in terms of feeling isolated. I’m not sure how to get out but if you ever want to have a rant about it, pm me 

misslolu

Thanks @powerspowers it's so hard seeing all your friends hanging out with their friends, their partners, getting married, having babies etc. I really thought i'd be there before 30 (which i'm turning this year) but it's not even in sight. *sigh.*

killerpeaty

I found that approaching 30 was a really emotional time, that I expected to have done so much more and achieved more. I think it's natural. Comparing yourself to others is only a source of pain, so when you do it (as we all do), try reflecting on the things you are happy with. You are doing well in your job, you have wonderful friends who I'm sure if you reached out then they would want to do stuff with you. It's hard when you are feeling low but take it one step at a time.

Meetups is a good way of meeting new people, they have a group for everything.

savingholmes

Good luck with meeting people and your long term dreams. 

On the invisline thing - could you go half way - and save up half and just get credit for the second half. Debt can be a slippery slope and you are relatively new in role. I wouldn't want to put too much pressure on your finances given the shocking price rises this year.

misslolu

killerpeaty said:

I found that approaching 30 was a really emotional time, that I expected to have done so much more and achieved more. I think it's natural. Comparing yourself to others is only a source of pain, so when you do it (as we all do), try reflecting on the things you are happy with. You are doing well in your job, you have wonderful friends who I'm sure if you reached out then they would want to do stuff with you. It's hard when you are feeling low but take it one step at a time.

Meetups is a good way of meeting new people, they have a group for everything.

Thanks @killerpeaty, I realised not too long ago that when I achieve a goal, I only ride the high for a week or so before it becomes normal. Then i'm onto wishing I had reached the next goal. 🥲. I feel like marriage, kids, car & maybe a bigger house are the only big ticket ones I have left, but to an extent they're out of my control.

On that note I've started going for training for a sport I used to do back in uni. Lots of my old teammates are there so i'm really hoping this gives me the push I need to really start enjoying life again.

savingholmes said:

Good luck with meeting people and your long term dreams. 

On the invisline thing - could you go half way - and save up half and just get credit for the second half. Debt can be a slippery slope and you are relatively new in role. I wouldn't want to put too much pressure on your finances given the shocking price rises this year.

This is a good point @savingholmes and one I think i'll use. I have to pay a £300 deposit and then start the finance the next month or so. So I think, if I can pay half next month i'll feel a lot less antsy about having to pay the rest.

It's going to be a very expensive 6 weeks or so for me though. I'd love to get my teeth in a better state before my August as that starts off a huge chain of events. I have a holiday in August to see my family and have 2 big parties to attend. I also have 2 friend's wedding's in September. Then in October i'm planning a blowout birthday holiday with some friends.I've paid for the August holiday already, but i'm just about to book the October flights & hotel. Then I have to look at the September weddings which are thankfully in the UK but still looking to be pricey. Oh and Service charge becomes due in July as well ☠️. I really need to rein in the spending for a few months.

misslolu

So i've calculated that altogether i'm looking at a minimum of £6k for all the things I want to do, This doesn't include other irregular expenses like service charge (Pay this 2ce yearly so just take it out of savings) professional memberships, birthdays etc. Funny enough i've never really been a person to segregate my savings. I have the funds that I don't touch and everything else is intermingled and I take the money out as and when needed. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

This time i'm creating little pots for it so I can track how much i'm spending and where. I've also sent £100 and split it between the pots for the month. It's a small amount, barely 1% of the total I need but got to start somewhere. I'll be putting roundups from payments & any survey money into the account and my end goal is to have everything paid off (Including my debt) by December 2023.

Service Charge: £5/900
Summer events (wedding + parties): £51/1000
Invisalign: £26/3500
Birthday holiday: £33/1500

Total: 115/6900 1.6% 

killerpeaty

There are always new goals. Life changes in brilliant and/or terrible ways and suddenly your priorities and goals have changed. I've decided to start ticking things off of my list, the things I always fancied doing but was always too busy studying or saving to do them. Not great timing with the cost of living crisis but cutting back is worth it. It feels pretty good.

Sounds like your sportiness is a fantastic move!

Good luck with the teeth!

South_coast

Well done on the savings 😀! I'm definitely a splitter-outer of pots, it helps my brain no end to know what's set aside for what rather than look at a lump and having to keep working it out in my head