My 5 Year Plan to a better life!

MuffinTops

Another new diary!  One I want to stick to now though as I'm about to take on almost £50k of debt that will be paid off within 5 years.

I won't go all into the whole boring back story of my life, as this is all about a new start.  I have a decently paid job where I work part time and although I'd like to describe myself as frugal, quite frankly I can't anymore.  When I've regularly contributed to a diary I've done really well with my finances, and I need that mojo back.

The house I'm currently in is one I've never really been comfortable in.  It's always needed such a lot of work doing to it, but I've never been motivated to really invest in it.  I realised recently that I do really like my house, I just hate the area and as a result have always felt in limbo here as my long term life plans never really included living in this house, and I didn't know where I wanted to live so stayed put.  I put my house up for sale in the new year, and it sold very quickly.  The couple buying it are lovely and I think they'll inject the TLC into the house that it needs.  I managed to find a beautiful house in the area I want to live and am now in the process of all of that.  I don't yet have specific move dates, although I'm hoping it will all happen by the end of April/beginning of May.

Having lived in my house for over 30 years I have accumulated so much "stuff" that I'm currently working my way through.  At the weekend I was in the loft and have cleared around three quarters of that.  The only issue is that all that I brought down is now cluttering up the house.  Thankfully the vast majority is rubbish and bad memories, so I can throw it all out.  There's also a lot of furniture I need to dispose of too, so I need a To Do list of clearing out as much as possible to make sure I don't take anything unwanted with me.  I'm ashamed that my loft contained so much unwanted junk and wish I'd faced it sooner. 

Financially I'm only doing ok - just about.  I do have a hefty credit card bill, but have been paying a large amount on that each month and it's interest free for another year so it's not a worry.  I should also fall within the Stamp Duty Holiday so that will be a bonus and money I'll put aside for emergencies.  The £50k will be for various reasons and is on a great interest rate, so I'm happy with that.  I'm really trying to keep my mind open on what work I'll get done as I want to live in the new house for a few months before I make any big changes, just to be sure.  I also need a new vehicle and a few other things.

I think that's it from my introductory post.  I will have a look at creating a signature with my current situation and then when I have a move date I can update it with the new debt.

Let's get this party started!

MuffinTops

Keeping for any relevant updates

RelievedSheff

Sounds like you have some big changes afoot.

Looking forward to your updates.

MuffinTops

Pay day today!  Phew!  I managed to go shopping before work started today, which is a great bonus to working from home.

I have £108 in a cashback account, so I've redeemed that in food shopping vouchers.  I also have other vouchers in the house, so I'll try to use those as much as possible rather than money during April.

Tomorrow I'll go through all credit and debts so I have a real grasp on what money I have.  I'll then set up YNAB so I also have a proper view of where I'm really spending my money.  

Happy Hump Day!

MuffinTops

Thanks Sheff.  I'm hoping they will be big changes.  I certainly feel like I need that in my life right now!

MuffinTops

YNAB set up and looking rubbish this month as the car tax, insurance and MOT are due.  I'll be getting rid of my car in the next few months or so, so will only get 6 month's tax and will pay monthly on the insurance.  I also plan to use a cash back site on the insurance so that should help.

Fortunately I shouldn't need to find any grocery money as that's accounted for with the vouchers, when they arrive.  I also don't plan to go out much this month, other than this weekend, as I really need to spend my time junk clearing and decluttering.   The one thing I am struggling with is how much my hair appointments cost.  I feel I need to go this month as my hair is out of control in both colour and length.  After that I'll research some decent home colouring and a cheaper cut as I only tend to get a trim and my hair has a basic style.   The only thing I haven't yet budgeted for is the clearance company to remove everything, but I'll just have to put that on the card or free overdraft this month.

I don't think I have any birthdays to worry about, but writing that did remind me I have subscribe & save set up and today is the last day to make amendments - amendments have now been made.  I just have some parcel tape coming and that should be the last I need. 

Right, now to get the day started.  I'm currently cooking some eggs and hash browns for my breakfast as that's so easy and quick.  Work suddenly became really busy and although it's a shock to the system, it's good to know I'm still needed there.  I'm also finding that my calendar fills up quickly with "general" meetings taking me away from actually being productive and doing the work so I've started blocking out time to work in my calendar so I can also get some actual work done! 

RosaBernicia

Happy new diary MT, lovely to hear from you. 

RB xx

bellevie

Happy new diary MT
Xx

MuffinTops

Thank you Rosa and Bellevue.  I'm really hoping I stick with this diary now!  My finances do so much better when I do.  I still have lots of diaries to catch up, so will be over and commenting soon.

MuffinTops

How were your Easters?  I had a great weekend.  I met up with some friends outside and we had a park walk for a few hours and then something to eat.  Yesterday was a picnic with different friends.  It was freezing, but we had blankets to wrap up in.

Spends weren't too bad.  I was given some Easter gifts so returned the favour.  Fortunately, only one of those gifts was chocolate!  We had some photos taken and I was so embarrassed when I saw ones with me in!  I really need to lose a lot of weight!  So that's my other mission now!  I've got lots of leftovers from our picnic, so I won't waste those, but after that I need to really focus on getting healthy.

Regarding my house move, there are some issues along the chain, so I'm hoping this weekend they managed to sort out those issues.  One of the houses lost their purchase for some reason so I'm hoping they spent some of the weekend looking for an alternative as I really want to sell within the Stamp Duty Holiday window.  There's still time.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

MuffinTops

My MOT is booked for tomorrow and I'm praying it will sail through.  I'll be replacing it in a few months, so I really don't want any unexpected expenses. It's been running well, and hasn't been used a great deal this past year so I'm very hopeful.  I've over budgeted for th eMOT 

YNAB is still up to date, and I'm happy that I've kept on top of this.  I think I just need to create a habit of checking and updating each morning.

This weekend is going to be very hectic.  I need to complete the massive clear out so I can book the rubbish clearance company to take al the excess things.  I also had a note from British Gas today that my meters need replacing urgently.  If I can, I'll get those done before I move as the house should be virtually empty within the next few weeks.

Work is really busy again, but that's a really good thing as I like having lots to do as it makes the days fly by.

Hmmm!  I need to find some dancing lady emojis to celebrate that we've reached Hump Day again!