Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

LadyWithAPlan

NSD finally  woohoo 3/13

Grocery spending £119.33/£150  grocery    + £0/100bulk 
Except Hell*fr*sh took out  last night £23.98 for the meals (£10 off - I need to use  this current week voucher and another with a £10 off before I can access my £30 credit!)
I did lower it from 4 meals to a min 3 this week. The 3 meals is for 2 people (ha! serves me about a meal and a half. However I will see what I have ordered and buy excess to bulk it up
Its fine when I got the free box but I will do this on/off for a couple weeks as a 'treat' but really I am ready to cancel it
So arriving Sunday is  as below ... - you will note all rice dishes as I am GF so loads of the hf meals dont work - I do need to get some GF soy sauce in to replace the soy that will arrive

It works out at £8 per dish - for 2 small servings per dish with the £10 discount (£23.98/3 meals)
I will buy extra chicken (thigh or breast) to up the protein and also extra greens on the side 

• Thai Green Style Chicken Thigh Curry with Baby Spinach and Fragrant Jasmine Rice had before and it was fabulous - not that I normally ever eat lamb 
• Sambal Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Jasmine Rice, Mangetout and Sesame Seeds
• Chermoula Spiced Lamb and Rice with Harissa and Mint Yoghurt

Entertainment costs - London - this weekend
As I have been away for over 2 weeks and not been out in 3 weeks due to travel and work beforehand  I am seeing friends Fri and Sat - however I have already blown my entertainment /treats budget away and with that £191 meal... which really should come under travel (also zero in there) as it covered my thank you for staying...
One eve is going to the opening of a couple members bars/clubs so prob a free drink or two but may stick to 2 then water as I am also looking to cut calories. The other is partially covered by a voucher.
Vodka soda fresh lime is my new drink for waistline, inflammation and can be easily hidden by sparkling water!

EDIT: It turns out my friend (male) has another single male friend coming along as he thinks I should meet him! Argh a secret set up!! My friend met the text ex and is almost as angry at my cowardly ex as I am... (his term) 

DONT BUY STUFF - I am reminding myself inc alcohol   As I want to buy a £450,000 thing Though looking at calculations and FI number £400k would be a better price for me to hit SIPP goals as well.  However I want to buy once for the next decade at least.

Savings in 3 years  
Nov 18th is a special day in the Buddhist calendar so I wrote down my savings Nov 18th 2020 on my £500/ sq hse deposit colour in chart and noted as I coloured in 2 sq last night - Nov 15th 2023 - a huge increase (I will update but cant see me saving more in the next 3 days) 
The swing is + £60k in hse deposit,  + £38,597 in SIPP and EF has shrunk by £3.34k  so a £95,250 increase in NAV over 3 years 

Of course there has been mkt movement and tax adv to the SIPP contrib and a pandemic when we didnt go out.. Plus I am sheba of virtual pots and tracking how my pots go down every month shows me when I have to stop spending or at least limit the spending
Just unbelievable.
Plus I am owed a fair amount as well.
I will do a full count off all my pots etc Nov 18th as its a good annual check in especially ahead of xmas spending.

HAPPY WHEEL - biggest win ever today  
I do casino offers (only do them when there is an offer and positive EV  (expected value) so I never just spin for the sake of it -so when they say wager X you get Y free .. There is a calculation you can use that shows long term value.. Happy to put on here if people interested.
Obviously its all long term maths as no one can predict exactly  the short term spin variance of red v black v green 0 in roulette, or blackjack even when playing perfectly or the ups and downs of slots as the house always has the edge unless it is giving you an offer with value..
I am MSE so I dont gamble.  I am v disciplined on football trading which I also do and MB and casino offers. 

 I say this as I don't want people to get the very wrong idea that they should go gambling on any kind of casino  to win money -thats the way to lose a lot -  I only do it when there is value so an offer. Due to the ups/downs one can be down one day and up the next so have to take the variance over a long period, some months you can be down - others up.   Do enough offers and over time you will make money as long as you don't spin more than you should and lose EV value.

Occasionally you do get a huge win .. always v exciting - same with footy accas  - am up there and extra places on horses that I am definitely on the negative on at present!
It has happened only 3 x so far that I have won in casino over £500 when wagering (in the 4/5? years I have been doing MB and casino)  And my largest one was today!  One huge win, 1 decent and a few losses. 

This will be going towards the house deposit and the Sipp - I wont use it or count  til the end of the month when I add it all up... as the variance may claw some back.. 

Still a lovely tax free push towards house buying! I think its a sign from the universe  from the goddess of home (Hestia) and Lofn (Nordic goddess of dice and love amongst other things), Thoth - Egyptian god of wise gambling, and of course Roman goddess Fortuna (on which the Wheel of fortune) is based.

beanielou

That's a big win!

LadyWithAPlan

beanielou said:

That's a big win!

I know! My biggest ever All helps with this house buying..

LadyWithAPlan

More brain health 
Just been listening to this scary podcast about alcohol effects on the brain - to add to my post from 2 weeks ago where  the documentary I watched on the plane another Doctor was talking about brain health.

I dont drink that much beyond holiday times when it is excessive and the odd mad night out but ... check it out at your peril On Youtube..

What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health 

Huberman Lab Podcast - highlights reel or there is a long version.

Minimalism Game  so far  was only 8/15 so just ran around before bed and found  7 more things  to declutter/trash - I do like this game for that - a short term easy goal esp as you can always find a receipt or scrap paper to get the numbers up I have a flat to declutter and make beautiful.
This includes a cheap pair of trainer I wore once and are v uncomfortable - think they are under sized  - had them too long to send back and wore out once before my trip - so they are going to charity -
so 15/15
Also tidied kitchen before bed

Nutrition -  today was a HM from the freezer yummy pork chilli with a grilled pork chop, loads of mixed veg inc broccoli, spinach, celery, cauli and also sauerkraut as had some in. Lots of frozen fruit as well and no sugar or DF milk in my coffee as not choosing not to and didnt get extra DF milk before I left.
Had to throw one pack away as was 6 months old .. it might have been ok but I had another one.

Pulled out more frozen pork chops for tomorrow (yes I need a shop) and some precooked brown rice - got college tomorrow afternoon/eve so will fry something up with veg and take it hot.. as otherwise I eat chocolate which is not good nutrition
College is near a huge SM so I will pop in after to gran some food. Got Hello Fr delivering sunday so will go easy on buying too much

Off to bed! Worked til gone midnight but at least broke the back of a work project so can get a decent night sleep - still jet lagged.

Sistergold

LadyWithAPlan said:

savingholmes said:

Glad you are enjoying listening to Dana

Sounds like you had a lovely time away. I think you were in an amazing location for relatively little spend. Go easier on yourself.

I would get someone to gift you the bag - that way you can enjoy it guilt free and clear down some of your recent spends. You are also reconfirming the delayed gratification lesson. (Although I splurged last week too...!) and it would be a meaningful way to start your 'buy nothing challenge.' There are great utubes on the latter too.

Good luck chasing those invoices - would be my highest priority.

You are right on both bag and invoice counts
I will look at buy nothing on utube!

I did only spend £1 today on a personalised xmas gift so almost a NSD..

MB round up - Profit /income £952.10 for  9th Oct - 14th Nov - woohoo!
this is really til end Oct as I couldn't do any whilst in the States  and did a tiny bit of happy wheel yesterday and today
- so 9th Oct - 14th Nov
Winning largely from casin* and accumulat*r offers on footy  - I tripled checked my figures I have avg £4.5k a year on this but it gets harder as more and more companies gub me...  so this year only over £2266 so far so lowest yet since I started - still tax free - some months I am negative cos of casino variance
Normally I take the excess over my float and split into SIPP 1/3  and home dep savings 2/3  but if a mortgage co did look at that bank - (has no salary coming in so unlikely according to the mortgage broker but better safe than sorry)  ... then I dont want to see loads dep/withdrawals - although some offers do require fresh deposits.
So I have left now a  bigger float but its added in the savings figures below

House savings is over £110,000! Finally ! £110,184.93  

Off to colour in 2 x  £500 box on my house savings chart... how fun!
Actually a bit more - maybe  £100+   but its the s&s isa (1/5th of my funds)  thats fluctuating so will wait til month end to declare that  - next tareget £110,500 ..

Nov savings £885.32/902.21    

£25 to S&S ISA
£75 PREM BONDS
£600 extra in my MB bank/ accounts - I will see what happens in Dec then may draw more down
(I now pay tax on my savings ..hence no normal savings for this)
So I am doing great in my savings challenge since I started tracking it on here again it goes up each month.

SIPP £52.10  so £462.10 Nov

Min Game 14/14 -
Just dashed around before bed to find 14 items to trash

beanielou said:

Look at Affordable Mobiles.
They are fab & were recommended by Martin in the newsletter.

I will thanks... I want an iphone as my macbook., apple watch and earbuds all are apple and its a pain when not. So will see if they have iphone as they are not affordable mobiles! I always have a refurbed old one to keep costs down but this battery is an issue for all the travel.

I managed with a v brilliant Huawe* for a while but apple watch only talks to iphone .. and my watch keeps me fit, I do use it for a side hustle -  and its a useable luxury...

£110k WELL DONE! Wow this is great. Nice to know you are safely back! 

LadyWithAPlan

@Sistergold Thanks - good to be home and catch up after my accidental vacation Still got golden skin but its hidden under layers of clothes!!

Back to my 2 courses today Looking forward to it even if I missed last weeks..

LadyWithAPlan

Did my 2 classes today - good to be back. One class I know a lot anyway as self taught but always find a nugget from the v experienced real world tutor. The other changed its tutor so what software it was covering  changed  so its interesting but not what I thought.. They both free so..

For next term I am on list for garment construction (as opposed to 2022 home diy construction.) as it was full in Sept  and maybe another course more on what I wanted to study for class 2.

I took some veggie meatballs with me - excess from the G*sh  for the break as there for 7 hours - I did buy a coffee there - df latte £3.75 but at least no Snicke** bar this week

£131.13/£150  grocery    + £2.25/100bulk 

£14.05 inc £2.25 tamari soy sauce (bulk) 
After college I  then went to the local  to there  massive SM to get some food in for week. Including a half price chicken breast joint and chicken escalopes half price plus loads YS stir fry veg..
Also YS houmous, passata.. and mexican spice ys

GF soy sauce also clubca*d reduced 

The only things I didnt buy that wasnt reduced  was
 some asafoetida ( a spice I have been trying to get for ages £1 - extracted from a plant of the giant fennel family used in Indian cooking a lot.
- a bag as for once I  forgot an extra bag,
2 x nuts (1.5 packs already eaten)
some kale.

I am on the hunt for mustard powder eg Colema** but cant find anywhere - I need the dry powder as its for the fabulous GF Leo* chicken nuggets recipe.



I then came home and fried up one YS stir fry veg with extra kale and some of the  grilled pork chop from lunch and  fruit/nuts
 

Non essential spending  £939.07 - £3.75 coffee - though its a long day (yes I could have taken a flask) I have never tracked it quite like this adding up thru the month and it is definitely a scary number 

I have decided to let my parents give me my vw bag for Xmas £103 - so I have wrapped it up and not use it before then... so I can theoretically take £103 off the £939.07 

Minimalism game 16  /16
I have not decluttered anything yet today - found it hard to sleep as in  US time zone still .. so this morning was a rush.. I however will find 16 things before bedtime Now I am back..
EDIT more than 16/16 things thrown or in donate box from paperwork to random beads 
plus put extra thing in Vinted pile / never sold only bought on V but I have maybe 10 clothes and 10 pairs shoes I can sell for extra free money and declutter 
my second wardrobe is full of stuff I hardly wear and not much joy but needs a slow and patient go thru  

Only been back Monday so 14 items Ties 14th  15 Wed 16 Thurs that’s 45 things out the house in 3 days! 

Busy day so no progress made on house hunting etc.

I have WFH tomorrow  - a early start to see friends tomorrow eve and then I need to get my accounts for taxes sorted this weekend and a few other bits inc the RM prep start amd seeing other friends and finally heading into the gym!

Free money - did my 1st survey in ages today 60something p as I waited for college class to start - just saw the email come thru.. I will have to get to £5 before withdrawing and also adding it to my total for Nov

KajiKita

Ooh, let me how you get on with V1nted. Even though I’ve had a huge clear out there are still some bits and pieces I could sell. 

And well done on the meal prep 👏 I find it is quite time consuming in the evenings for me (setting up breakfast, lunch and snacks) but so worth it! 😊

KK

LadyWithAPlan

@KajiKita I will once I actually get started on selling not buying on Vinted! 

Spending update as both Fri and Sat I was out and about in Londontown 

£28 on dinner - went slow on drinks and had just water in the middle  for 2 hours then had a final drink - Friday - bumped into lots of friends as well so  
Got the bus home at gone 1am  

Sat was  busy seeing lots of friends through the day and eve. 
£8.80 Starbucks bought a friend a coffee as he going thru stuff 

£15 on food out plus a mini food gift to either myself or someone else if I don’t eat it first ! £6.16 
plus Wait £4.05 on water & snacks as running around all day Sat  should get £2 cashback
there. 

Over Fri Sat 
so £52 dinner and ent 
£4.05 grocery but say £2.05 after cb
gifts £6.16

Just realised I have over £12 to claim from Green J*** so I will do that when current receipt cleared  

Spending Nov £999.28 - this is non essential 

plus £76 my half year water bill .. I am hardly here and don’t use much but it has definitely gone up as all my travelling meals at least a week if not two a month I am not here to use water. 

I plan to track a la frugal woods my essential, reduce-able (so grocery travel) and discretionary spending moving forward 

Nov 18 is a big day in our Buddhist calendar - the day of renewal starting afresh,  focusing forward on what we want and where we need to change to achieve our goals .. 

We also heard the news that Daisaku Ikeda died at 95 - he is the reason this Buddhism has travelled outside Japan so also to see a person who dedicated their entire life to peace and dialogue … he changed my life and millions of others so I am extra focused now on how I live my life and going after what I want and also working towards a peaceful,  respectful to all world. 

So further to my ‘time to buy ‘ decision in the States and finally over the jet lag  I am now writing down goals and taking the action I need as well as chanting for the wisdom to do right

so Fri and Sat was spend days .. today my help fre** box just arrived - quite exciting actually it’s a change from normal food !  
I am popping to gym shortly then will get some extra greens and extra chicken,  a roast etc plus I want to make that yummy squash lime chickpea soup
I have hugely cut down on my DF milk in the house since  reading on  UPFs. 

plus need to pick up a prescription so will also try that bo*ts recycled scheme for the first time  
as well as a Vinted purchase and drop some stuff off at a charity shop. 
so will be spendy day as well but relaxing as been a lovely busy london weekend 

I didn’t do the minimalist game yesterday 18/18 so let’s see if I can do 37 things today as 19/19 today - easy if I look at my desk - paper clutter is rife ! Already 13 things down… 
 

beanielou

Yes, was sad to hear President Ikada had died. 

Just missed the Tozo on Zoom as I got the time wrong!