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

Cheery_Daff

You're doing a good job recommending these facemasks!! Do you have a link for your fabulous one?

LadyWithAPlan

KajiKita said:

Glad that the NSDs thread looks like it could be helpful 😊 See you over there 😊

Will remember to remind you reference ‘transcription project’ in January 😉

Love the idea of the gym streak! 🤩❤️

KK

Yes you do understand its a streak with clothes on I trust 🤩

I just saw gym streak on my to do list and I didn’t go this morning so i must make something happen exercise wise today - I found in my declutter my 2023 a4 diary hidden under papers and are using the calendar on the front page to track 

tx for the accountability! 

South_coast said:

LadyWithAPlan said:

....I have put a sticky note on my whiteboard  to remind me....

Write it on with a white board marker - a sticky note will fall off!!!

Ha! The heat /cold has made them fall off   I put them back up or write a new one ..  I like my stickies as I move them .
. I have whiteboards for ‘scrum’ agile work and home flows at home - it helps with my various projects.

Watty1 said:

Being self employed I get the time spent + time avoidance means I can't do things that are fun for me like riding.I need to eat my elephants and promptly.

Yes it’s a valued truth I definitely need to full keep in mind when I slowly start my work which is project based vs Sat in an office having to be there 
All the horse rides or gym sessions never taken add up whilst we allow our frogs to become elephants ! 

@savingholmes I love to travel so working abroad is my mse way of frugal travel - i love a random supermarket visit with things in labels I may not be able to read  I have googled wheat, barley and know the word  flour in a dozen different languages..I dont otherwise speak  
Plus working abroad is always more fun I think as its a different experience than being a tourist. Being in the States 2 weeks ago I can  get bored just by a pool

Yesterday -  lets celebrate free money, gym streak and 303 MG! 


Minimalism game MG  28/28  Nov total now 303! 
10 things in the day and a rush before bedtime to hit 28 as it is the 28th - I was too tired but really wanted to keep my MG streak going so found an extra loads papers, am odd messed up sock, empty jars, amazon packaging I will never use.
A small plastic man in swim gear with Brad on his bottom????
A sperm shaped keyring ..
I get given merch gifts at events and some I keep as gag / gifts but I have a fabulous home to buy and not dump old stuff from my former many cat lives

I also am trying to use up odd bits of toiletries so rather than mixing them up using one shower gel so I can Bo*ts reward point it and get stuff out the house rather than having loads half open bottles /jars on the go. I have 2 lots of hair masks - I never use them.. but they were freebies ... I comp so I also win random stuff ..I need to do a weekly hair mask or get rid of them.


....Catch up and shopping
Had a fun eve out with a talk - went with a friend but I saw 2 other people I have not seen since pre Covid there which was lovely 
I had one small glass of free wine 

Also on the panel were people I had all met and it was v interesting and part of my old pre covid career so thinking if I could pick up odd piece of work there again
I will drop some emails or insta to those I saw today .. 

Free money £20  - Nov £245.17 
I passed the huge mr Sains on way home and went in to use one of my double points vouchers 
I had swapped £10 of nectar points for £20 - twice and £20 into £40 but they need using up by Xmas 
it was fun spending money for  free and I bought a couple things I wanted to try but won’t normally spend money on
Mainly some GF puff pastry  £2.50! so I can try to make  a chicken pie from chicken left after I roast my FR corn fed one or something fabulous with pastry 
GF Schar bread it’s gorgeous but £3 for small one 
Plus some bulk stuff l can’t get in Mr L so GF plain flour, edamame frozen beans etc, frozen blueberries , GF pasta,
fresh mint and 2 x DF yogurt for the Chermoula dish 
rollmop herrings
red peppers on nectar savings

I did buy one pack of Fruitali***ous  by Hari**sweets and ate them and my bill was £23.23 so I only had to pay £3.23 - I had done shop and scan so didn’t know how to put things back 

so fridge and freezer are now fuller and feel better 
I have unpacked the veg in plastic and put in bowls in the fridge for longer life and it looks quite cute too - I have read about people putting damp kitchen towel  in there ? Ideas? 

Grocery spend (inc free money)  hard to split as we on 29th so much is for next month so 
£198.70/£150  grocery    + £29.13/£100bulk 
November Voluntary Spending  £1887.67  + £1.45 the harib* = £1889.12
Not inc travel - i will add up that at end of month

Anyone got a great savoury recipe for puff pastry?
As I am GF it’s rare I cook pies or with GF pastry as it’s difficult  but my £2.50 jusrol GF puff pastry deserves to be treated royally with a fab filing! 

Debsnewbudget

I use the pastry to make a pizza type meal.  Score around near the edge, put tomato paste and stuff in the middle and then bake.
I have also made a lemon and passionfruit tart with it.  (I tend to use BBC good food suggested recipes)
With regards fresh things in fridge, I use kilner jars for any berries/fruit and they keep for much longer. 

I need to use my led mask more regularly ..... 5 times a week is my mission !

triple_choc_chip

Thanks for the inspiration to get my tax return done this evening; that’s 3 hours I’ll never get back but I’m glad to have it out of the way.

I use dry kitchen roll to keep certain veg longer.  Things like green/runner beans and courgettes I roll up and with ready to eat salad leaves - I sandwich with a sheet each side and it lasts much longer, i.e. until I’ve eaten it all - so I now have far less waste.

I am soooo tempted to try an IR mask …

LadyWithAPlan

Cheery_Daff said:

You're doing a good job recommending these facemasks!! Do you have a link for your fabulous one?

Just looked on Tem* for current prices -as others have asked - prices   do go up and down on tem* so you can bookmark them in your cart and go back over a week

The masks with NIR will state 850mm (wavelength of nir)  as well as for the RED led  660m -  - those are the 2 you will use most. Blue is for inflammation and acne skin so most ,masks have red blue and yellow (healing etc)   I tend to do 5 min yellow, 3 min blue then 10-15 m in red - all with NIR (near infra red) its v simple as you press a button and the colour changes

Examples of the IR one -  I cant find my exact one but they all v similar - just look at if they have the nir 850mm 
Its coming from Spain (chinese made) Temu has a 90 day only replacement policy. 
I have ordered loads of things inc 5 led masks and had no issues ... However I suggest you pay by credit card.

If you are worried then UK suppliers do sell them but at 5 x the price eg the Current Body one is about £299 which does have NIR. Cheaper Uk ones so the £150 etc dont have NIR  

WITH OR WITHOUT NIR (near infra red)
Even without NIR these LED MASKS are also great - my friend - who got me started as his skin is so good -  has been using one without nir so just red blue yellow etc and has had amazing results - these are ,more like £15-£20
Nasa  started experimenting with red led and saw the increased healing in space so as long as your mask has red led you are already doing better. Blue is better for teenagers and acne.
I have examples of both kinds  below 

The more expensive ones are  also wider masks made of flexible silicon as opposed to being a set mask - see pics, some have remote controls others buttons on the face..

The following below have NIR 

£64 Thinner Silicon 4 Colors Led Mask, Facial Photon Mask Machine, Wrinkle Reduce Anti Acne Facial Light Infrared Red Light Therapy Silicone Led Mask
 https://www.temu.com/uk/4-color-wearable-face-mask-anti-wrinkle-silicon-photon-red-light-therapy-flexible-led-face-mask-anti-aging-skin-care-device-portable-face-masker-facial-spa-silicone-infrared-red-led-face-light-therapy-mask-g-601099529839096.html?top_gallery_url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/Fancyalgo/VirtualModelMatting/aa1beb6cb294fa453f5859cc458d6eaa.jpg&spec_gallery_id=4043111332&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=NjM0OA&search_key=led infrared light therapy&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_vst_scene=adg&_x_ads_sub_channel=search&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ads_account=3954917911&_x_ads_set=20030620447&_x_ads_id=145204447101&_x_ads_creative_id=656070467907&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNanBhDUARIsAAeIcAsYm1ea938QIhnW6LaZZwYyFAfnC1ZPVmJKtJoCEkR5jRxBmI0LmvcaAkIYEALw_wcB&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=e&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjkKCQjw3dCnBhClARIoAE9Tf9la4qzITxncQ-kn8JqF_Ia1fhNtkaTcaNaarojlBrJlsmbtqRoCE50&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICGmvotcCpi-s1ymIdrnJwEYH&_x_ns_keyword=temu&_x_ns_targetid=kwd-4583699489&_x_sessn_id=blb8766udg&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1701307189726_n02up9y251

£65 4 Color Wearable Face Mask, Anti Wrinkle Silicon Photon Red Light Therapy Flexible Led Face Mask, Anti-aging Skin Care Device Portable Face Masker Facial Spa Silicone Infrared Red LED Face Light Therapy Mask
 NIR https://www.temu.com/uk/thinner-silicon-4-colors-led-mask-facial-photon-mask-machine-wrinkle-reduce-anti-acne-facial-light-infrared-red-light-therapy-silicone-led-mask-g-601099529835918.html?top_gallery_url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/Fancyalgo/VirtualModelMatting/189d4593072eab68943fa85bf0bc2d48.jpg&spec_gallery_id=4042478056&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=NjQ0OA&search_key=led infrared light therapy&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_vst_scene=adg&_x_ads_sub_channel=search&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ads_account=3954917911&_x_ads_set=20030620447&_x_ads_id=145204447101&_x_ads_creative_id=656070467907&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNanBhDUARIsAAeIcAsYm1ea938QIhnW6LaZZwYyFAfnC1ZPVmJKtJoCEkR5jRxBmI0LmvcaAkIYEALw_wcB&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=e&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjkKCQjw3dCnBhClARIoAE9Tf9la4qzITxncQ-kn8JqF_Ia1fhNtkaTcaNaarojlBrJlsmbtqRoCE50&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICGmvotcCpi-s1ymIdrnJwEYH&_x_ns_keyword=temu&_x_ns_targetid=kwd-4583699489&_x_sessn_id=blb8766udg&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1701307189726_n02up9y251

£99  - has more led lights in https://www.temu.com/uk/new-led-beauty-face-mask-face-photon-skin-rejuvenation-mask-instrument-household-whitening-acne-freckle-spectrum-instrument-red-blue--light-near-infrared-light-skin-rejuvenation-mask-g-601099526085280.html?top_gallery_url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/Fancyalgo/VirtualModelMatting/4e85f7d0092c6dff449b7ed52a76fe53.jpg&spec_gallery_id=4034400048&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=OTc5OA&search_key=led infrared light therapy&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_vst_scene=adg&_x_ads_sub_channel=search&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ads_account=3954917911&_x_ads_set=20030620447&_x_ads_id=145204447101&_x_ads_creative_id=656070467907&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNanBhDUARIsAAeIcAsYm1ea938QIhnW6LaZZwYyFAfnC1ZPVmJKtJoCEkR5jRxBmI0LmvcaAkIYEALw_wcB&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=e&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjkKCQjw3dCnBhClARIoAE9Tf9la4qzITxncQ-kn8JqF_Ia1fhNtkaTcaNaarojlBrJlsmbtqRoCE50&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICGmvotcCpi-s1ymIdrnJwEYH&_x_ns_keyword=temu&_x_ns_targetid=kwd-4583699489&_x_sessn_id=blb8766udg&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1701307189726_n02up9y251

WITHOUT NIR

£19  7 LED Face Mask for Acne and Skin Rejuvenation - Blue and Red Light Facial Care Mask for Face and Neck - Skin Care Mask for Photon Therapy and Skin Rejuvenation

https://www.temu.com/uk/led-face-mask-light-care-7-led-light-facial-skin-care-mask-blue-red-light-for-acne-photon-mask-skin-care-mask-for-face-and-neck-skin-rejuvenation-facial-care-mask-white-g-601099515932240.html?top_gallery_url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/Fancyalgo/VirtualModelMatting/c2972efe7ac5de173d8475e869e412cc.jpg&spec_gallery_id=23189565&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MTg0NA&search_key=led infrared light therapy&refer_page_el_sn=200049&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1701307189726_n02up9y251&_x_sessn_id=blb8766udg

£41 0 no nir but does have a neck piece
7 Colors LED Facial Mask With Neck LED Light Therapy Mask Skin Rejuvenation Anti Acne Beauty Device Face Lifting Firm Massager

https://www.temu.com/uk/7-colors-led-facial-mask-with-neck-led-light-therapy-mask-skin-rejuvenation-anti-acne-beauty-device-face-lifting-firm-massager-g-601099522635988.html?top_gallery_url=https://img.kwcdn.com/product/Fancyalgo/VirtualModelMatting/88bd9ed46d2190cf9a82f5047fd108f4.jpg&spec_gallery_id=4023097796&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=NDA5OQ&search_key=led infrared light therapy&refer_page_el_sn=200049&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1701307189726_n02up9y251&_x_sessn_id=blb8766udg

LadyWithAPlan

Debsnewbudget said:

I use the pastry to make a pizza type meal.  Score around near the edge, put tomato paste and stuff in the middle and then bake.
I have also made a lemon and passionfruit tart with it.  (I tend to use BBC good food suggested recipes)
With regards fresh things in fridge, I use kilner jars for any berries/fruit and they keep for much longer. 

I need to use my led mask more regularly ..... 5 times a week is my mission !

Thats sounds great - tx! Yes to the led mask  more

triple_choc_chip said:

Thanks for the inspiration to get my tax return done this evening; that’s 3 hours I’ll never get back but I’m glad to have it out of the way.

I use dry kitchen roll to keep certain veg longer.  Things like green/runner beans and courgettes I roll up and with ready to eat salad leaves - I sandwich with a sheet each side and it lasts much longer, i.e. until I’ve eaten it all - so I now have far less waste.

I am soooo tempted to try an IR mask …

Triple choc the links are above Nothing to do with me  as In no commission my end! Glad you got your return done. I have one pesky acct to figure out then I am done.. 
I will try the salad leaves - in between the courgettes? I have never heard that.

Yesterday I lost my streak - no gym as long day and not happen today ..

MinGame 310 in Nov
Also only did 6 of my 29 MG..
Today been out all day or busy -- and now doing my eom and YNAB for Dec .. I will find some more stuff before bed to declutter at moment only 1


Spending last day of month  £2.75 + £6 lights + travel £4?
November Voluntary Spending  £1921.29 + London travel over 2 weeks £41.10


Today was wfh this am and then 2 college classes. 
I didnt get my coffee and took a sandwich (go ynab) but I did pop to tes*c and get the 200  xmas led lights for £6 main op and look great - i had a £3.50 T voucher... plus I send £2.75 on harib* and crisps .. ouch 
+ Travel - tube = think should be £4 but on cc so.

I had planned to go out after but its cold and I knew the £15 for a single drink in my friends bar could be best spent else where - given I haveyet to fund some essential food/utility categories for Dec  - ynab is already making me think and I was late finishing so class so feeling lazy anyway.

Free money £3.50 tesco voucher so 
Track extra income from ebay/free money/refunds etc  £248.67 

YNAB - why I think it might change me )
I set up my ynab yesterday - having watched loads of videos before hand. I both feel much poorer than before and also quite wealthy - I forsee a new obsession .. I couldnt sleep for looking at it !

- I feel Poor as my categories for Dec are largely unfunded - my rent which is going out tomorrow is fully funded however the food etc not and I do have large hse depoist which I dont want to touch and now a small ef of £100 only
- I have not been paid by 2 clients - one - small amt is struggling, the other I will do work tomorrow for ask for some...which I will use for Dec
- i have done a paper budget for 13 years or so ... my income has gone up in that period and my savings have as well , I run lots of virtual savngs pots and when I spend on any category I draw down from the pot. however seeing it all covered by a database is v exciting and I am choosing to track all spending for 12 months  so 
-I have to keep a large float as I never know when I get paid and so my bills need to be covered. However I thus at times over spend on my budget but its ok as I have the room.
However I can quickly see that ynab will not be letting me get away with this... which is a good thing.
It clearly shows me in red my cc balance - all new transactions this month and I have more than fully paid off what was due last month - however I can see that I have £630 to psy against my cc as soon as cash comes in. Nov was an expensive spending month for me.
and as it demands you assign all cash when it comes into you banks into your various spend/save areas 

- I feel good though as I added in tracking my house deposit bank accts and my 2 sipps .. so my NAV looks great.. Reminds me of the big dream

LadyWithAPlan

End of Month Nov 23 round up
 Next month will be clearer as more comprehensive as ynab will kick in

House Savings now over £112k    £112,155.72 !!    
EDIT Dec 1st  - I used a £960 other savings (tax) in this figure so really only £111,200
- I added in this figure.
However I am not taking it back - I will now save that £960 back up instead first

Partly increase in s&s isa, partly amazing MB win,
Thats FOUR boxes to colour in as my ynab journey starts..
The EF is now down to  £100.47 (was £360 ) though  - EF £100.47/£2000 target - YNAB future planning makes this less urgent  + plus I have £112k in savings in various places ..

Track what I save in my hse deposit  
Nov £910.32/902.21    +    £752.16 today  = £1662.48 saved in Nov  - last chunk  of this was from my mb income though but am also waiting to be paid..
In Oct saved £630.51




Knowledge gained: If I spend less on voluntary expenditure £1900+ this month and in Oct spent  £1625  - I can afford a large  mortgage  - I am managing to save as well. 2024 is my year of buying my own home.

FIRE   SIPP  £462.10 + £250 extra     =£712.10 saved this month    and mkts up 
SIPPS now £47,218.84
 
(not inc db and sp + deposit)                     Extra lean fire £1k/m  15.74%   + £24K Fire   7.87%
Inc hse deposit                                              Extra lean fire 52.57%   + £24K Fire   26.18%

Track my NSD's - Target 13 days/month  6/13   310 items in a month
Track my Grocery spending in GC thread £198.70/£150  grocery    + £29.13/£100bulk 
Track what I save in my hse deposit  Nov £1662.48/902.21    +     SIPP  £712.10
Cashflow EF  £360/£2000
Track extra income from ebay/free money/refunds etc  £248.67
Track Minimalist game  310 in Nov   Gym 2 x swim 6 . Gym streak 1
November Voluntary Spending  £1921.29  + £41 London travel in 2 weeks 

Voluntary spending 
Oct  was £1625.38  vs my £1921.29 Nov
My extended trip to the States - £400 flight change though I did get £82 back from Hotel plus the £191 thank you meal plus Xmas shopping kick in 

NSD'S 6   ARGH. Dec target is 13 


MB income Over £1k in last  fortnight ....alone 
9th Oct - 14th Nov was £952  - was away so couldnt add it up
15th Nov - 30th Nov (2 weeks)        is £1002.16! 
This £1k is going 75% hse and 25% sipp
I need the cash for my dec budget but I am sure I will get paid something tomorrrow and my MB income is my side hustle for my house and sipp not living expenses..

triple_choc_chip

I will try the salad leaves - in between the courgettes? I have never heard that.

No don’t try that, it would be a soggy mess, probably.  Sorry, I really didn’t write it well, I’ll try again.  I roll courgettes in kitchen paper and I sandwich salad leaves between 2 flat pieces of kitchen paper.

Cheery_Daff

Thanks for all those links, will investigate! 

Good to see you're getting on with YNAB. I love it (although my budget isn't as complex as yours!) Not for everyone of course, ad plenty of people manage with spreadsheets, but I like to have the app and be able to easily see what's in which pot. I can't stand having red categories, and it's good that it makes you cover your spending deliberately from a different category - you can see whether that extra coffee or whatever is worth raiding the holiday fund for 😂

I like to empty everything out and start again at new year, purely for the fun of planning 😂😂 As you say, it makes you feel rich, but also poor, but for me I think it's because I can't say 'I have xxx in savings' and mentally allocate that to lots of different things 😂 I have to allocate x to a new car, x for household emergencies, x for boiler replacement etc. Anyway, I'll be starting from scratch again at new year, probably won't look much different, but it all ends up with random amounts in and I like to at least start the year looking tidy 😂

ruby_eskimo

I used YNAB when it first came out and did like it but wasn't very good at updating it so had to keep resetting to work out where I was.  Might be tempted to revisit it but then again I do have a spreadsheet that seems to be working when it comes to tracking savings and mortgage 🤔