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

PennysIntoPounds

Make sure to do any Vinted listings since it's prime party/gifting time (she says with it on her to-do list for tomorrow 👀)

LadyWithAPlan

KajiKita said:

I remember when I *finally* found our current place. We’d been fairly seriously looking for c. 2 years after selling to be chain-free buyers, I was living away from home during the week, Mr KK was living in a rented place he hated and I would join him at the weekends to do that housework as well, in all honesty we were really struggling. 

I was in work one morning, fed up, frustrated and honestly a bit depressed. I was having a break between tasks and randomly, went onto Purplacious Bricks, having not really looked at it before, drew a wonky circle around the area we wanted and 💥 there it was!!! I literally couldn’t believe it …. I had a really strong feeling it was the place and immediately sent Mr KK a link …. Many, many months later (in spite of neither buyer nor seller being in a chain and us having a pre approved mortgage) we were in ✨❤️✨

KK

@KajiKita
I love this story - makes me have faith in the process and hopefully a sense of wonder about the right house showing up at the right time


@LeighofMar You are so American you want a fireplace, 2 beds  and parking! Even for £600,000 its unlikely in London I think the general American has bigger/better houses than we do in the uk even swapping $ for £'s straight.

Watty1 said:

The Stirling Road EoT is my fav.  Sledgehammer house has potential but I suspect the budget might get out of control!

I am also liking sledge hammer time but yes those red walls with ivory brick - !!!
Stirling is lovely!! - west ham so  pretty  far but look what you can get - and its freehold!  I may go for a gander at it and the area,..  need to sort out where I am with the company with lots of unpaid invoices but I could happily live there even if its a bit further out.. its on the tube line so ...

@SouthCoast the 3 bed is actually near where a friend lives and as you say it has potential though I might need sunglasses to move in .
Not sure what I would do with 3 beds - i pay extra to live on my own .. maybe I could learn to play the drums

Its made me think a bit wider.. so tx  and my trusty new toy ynab is going to help me squeeze my dollars

KajiKita

“ I love this story - makes me have faith in the process and hopefully a sense of wonder about the right house showing up at the right time”

What makes it even weirder - the first house we bought, I knew, literally as we stepped through the door that we would end up living there. I literally just knew it. 

The second house, this one, I just had this really strong sense of “what is this annoying woman doing in my house” about the vendor …. 😳
Really strange, strong physical feeling both times and good that I had them as both buying processes were drawn out and awakened thanks to the vendors, but that sense of … predetermination (?) helped me to persist with the process, that I wasn’t throwing away effort on something that couldn’t work. 

KK

LadyWithAPlan

PennysIntoPounds said:

Make sure to do any Vinted listings since it's prime party/gifting time (she says with it on her to-do list for tomorrow 👀)

Yes! Thanks - will do some today - got a couple party dresses that need to go .. plus new never worn shoes

@KajiKita how reassuring it must have been - 
 am hoping I have the same sense of homecoming and I will know the right one as too many flats in london with big price tags … 

Watty1 said:

Interesting on the competitions. I used to have fun doing them, just concentrated on the horse stuff and won supplements and tickets and a few small things but best of all was winning a rug that is probably 20 years old now and has been worn by 3 different horses but still is fabulous.  I might look up the comp thread as it might be a better use of my time when I'm struggling with work than playing games.

The rug sounds great and nice to remember you won it I won my DS some hay (luckily in vouchers!) some small horse treat buckets, a dressage experience thing she loved...  where she saw Charlotte Dujardin on that Olympic winning horse..  (dont ask me its name ..)
Her xmas list this year is largely horse stuff! 
Day to day items I won my clever chef 6 in 1 pressure cooker (used daily in the winter), my nutribullet., vouchers enough £250  to buy both sisters kids bikes ... i like seeing the things that are free to my life... and add value - not junk .. my current water bottle. a kettle and toaster both  still in their box

I used to do a lot of comping  when I had more time and less income then I was able to make life more fun... A friend sells loads of her wins for her more like a PT job -  but I am a bit lazy on selling things  -  so would rather win gifts for family and me  plus those one off experiences/gigs/meals you cant buy...or wouldnt spend the cash 
Yes do comps - you can always just pop onto instagram and spend the odd ten mins there each day as dozens of comps at present..


MSE free money £220.01 (dec 8)        extra £10!
Despite hali saying they would give me £50 as a goodwill after my complaint  and it would arrive next week on my cc - they actually sent £60 arriving 2 hrs later so result!
I have realised through due to pending I have £96 of amazon returns to do this weekend but still  after this £60 and after my assigned via ynab scheduled I still owe like £30  but I will get that flat today beyond the returns.
I dont like that red on my cc showing I owe them - my cc float is offically going.
I wouldnt have a cc - I travelled for years without it but I got it to build my credit score ahead of house buying ...

Charity - Crisis at Christmas 
 just bought as I always do the annual Crisis at Christmas  where you buy for £29.98 each  a xmas hot meal, somewhere to sleep for xmas, a warm shower and health check and advice on getting out of homelessness . £30 pp is fabulous.
There are so many causes to give and it seems to be getting worse, it almost becomes I cant help everyone.. so I will donate to more causes but I live in London and see the homeless people and I woke up hearing the rain at 5.30am and thought of those poor people outside ..


Minimalism Game  53 in Dec not including dec 9
I am slowly turning my attention to my clothes,  shoes etc as over the last few months of the MG there is naturally less stuff and small bits in the flat - the flat is just feeling clearer without it being stressful-  just my daily game of
  'lets find x amount of things  today to declutter -ooh there are 2 old paper clips and 3 old bills thats 5...  '
My desk in study is largely clear, drawers are looking better but I can see there are some hotspots of stuff to  tackle as I have too much of one kind 
boots 
shoes 

Stilettos 
clothes
clothrs I’ve  not warn in a decade (old me)
makeup 
handbags not used in years 
expensive toiletries I was gifted and never use 
office stuff  - stationery etc
books 
kitchen ware - did get rid of a cast iron pan that always burns no matter what I do 
Bits of old tech eg phones and a still working iPod!! (Not used in years but it works!) 

To be tamed Hotspots include
my hall cupboard - 9 x 3.5 ft of largely junk plus shoes
my bedroom wardrobe I wear maybe 10% (and has shoes in the bottom)
My second double wardrobe - I wear far more of this as dresses but handbags in there and stuff stuffed at the bottom,
my printer desk.
My study inc empty boxes for the  postage for selling of items I have not
My makeup cupboard looks today but so much in there I dont use and am hanging on to - I think there is a makeup charity I will gift stuff to  but looking on line there is nowhere local
Some clothes that were on bay and never sold.. either vinted or charity
lovely lounge cupboards but do I need whats in the drawers....?


So aim is to get a few things on Vinted this weekend so a MG win and a free money win.
Having Payee categories in ynab means I can easily see my mse wins and track them over the long period which is again motivating 


My bo*ts stuff arrived -  and the gift set for mum is lovely  and has a voucher to choose your own lipstick colour and the bigger £60 box (worth £198) if you spend £35 is fabulous - some things for me  I use anyway eg Future Renew serum and day cream, some makeup I will gift as part of xmas but question is will keep the cute purple makeup bag .. or give as a gift .. its so cute but ....

Planning  to finally hit the gym today, seeing a friend later, maybe drag her to some shops in Cov Garden first before a drink  or Selfridges .. and also need some food in the house and down to a tiny bit of toilet paper... As HF arriving tomorrow and probably will only be here in London another 8 days need to not buy too much stuff. Will use Sains voucher as exp 24/12 - both the £40 and £20 one. That double points offer was great.

skint_spice

The decluttering of clothes is something I need to get on top of as I am constantly looking for things but there is just too much to sort through. This will be my 2024 aim!

LeighofMar

LadyWithAPlan said "You are so American  you want a fireplace, 2 beds  and parking! Even for £600,000 its unlikely in London  I think the general American has bigger/better houses than we do in the uk even swapping $ for £'s straight."

You are so right😅😅. Seriously a 450k budget in my area gets me a huge 4bed 3ba house with 2 car garage and possibly a pool. But I guess I was expecting a lot on my search in one of THE most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I don't know if anyone here has seen a classic movie called Midnight Lace with Doris Day and Rex Harrison. That was my first introduction to what a flat was and just figured I'd see something glamorous like theirs, lol. My gosh something like that must be close to $5M US by now!

PennysIntoPounds

Oh @LeighofMar, how to depress Londoners 😂😭 
450k in my area gets you one bedroom one shower, a tiny patio if you're extremely lucky and you'll still likely be paying thousands a year to the freeholder and in service charges (for which you get no services)

LadyWithAPlan

PennysIntoPounds said:

Oh @LeighofMar, how to depress Londoners 😂😭 
450k in my area gets you one bedroom one shower, a tiny patio if you're extremely lucky and you'll still likely be paying thousands a year to the freeholder and in service charges (for which you get no services)

@PennysIntoPounds yes I am avoiding high service charges - not even considering flats over £100 pm service charges - so I need freehold or ex council.. I am thinking you are Camden or Kentish Town.. or I suppose Islington way - though not sure a patio would come at £450k ...

skint_spice said:

The decluttering of clothes is something I need to get on top of as I am constantly looking for things but there is just too much to sort through. This will be my 2024 aim!

Great goal .. its hard though getting rid of some clothes I find.. I have stories about them all.. Easier if I have never worn them or always had a certain fit issue with them. Hoping to get on this Clothes making course to learn how to fit clothes better...

LeighofMar said:

You are so right😅😅. Seriously a 450k budget in my area gets me a huge 4bed 3ba house with 2 car garage and possibly a pool. But I guess I was expecting a lot on my search in one of THE most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I don't know if anyone here has seen a classic movie called Midnight Lace with Doris Day and Rex Harrison. That was my first introduction to what a flat was and just figured I'd see something glamorous like theirs, lol. My gosh something like that must be close to $5M US by now!

I have never seen Midnight Lace but I do love Doris Day - Pillow Talk film is one of the ones I return to time and time again especially if I need cheering up/hungover or if a new partner hasnt seen it. That 'you lied you dog' scene  is just wonderful as is the entire movie.. (google it on youtube if people havent seen that scene) 

Just looked at the Midnight Lace trailer - the apartment looks a cool few million worth from what I can tell.
Mind you even on Pillow Talk DD's apartment as a single girl in NY seems unlikely even as an interior decorator  - its huge, the furniture is so stylish and she has a daily though drunk housekeeper...

Doris Day had a incredible life and even went back to work in film after a 2nd husband basically left debts and he had let a dodgy lawyer use all her money in shoddy investment schemes with kick backs etc, her first husband was violent, yet she retained this incredible class and sweetness, and her singing voice... 


Yesterday was a spend but fun day  ..
Ran to gym quick - nearly didnt go in - but did for 30 mins then quick lidl then popped home and went out 20 mins later --
Saw a friend for a drink and ended up on one of those random brilliant nights that unfold
Ended up meeting some people and even ended up at a gig some great music.... We also pre bought some tix for next Saturday night for a big Dec dance - she will send me half of that  .. feeling hungover but was a v fun eve out..
Had friend back for a bit  after as we were dropped off at mine  and they fell in love with my v cosy faux xmas tree (free) and £6 Mr T lights.. and my heated faux fur throw ... she is googling one as we speak as a Xmas gift for herself.. 

Track my Grocery spending  £52.27/£200    grocery +   £24.29/£100bulk 
Grocery   £25.30 across lidl and Mr T 
Plus £1.79 toilet rolls 
HF - I am waiting for that to be delivered.,,, EDIT they just dumped it outside my door without knocking despite clear instructions - I was in my lounge so no way I couldnt hear them knock ...
Plus Nisa £5.28 but  £2.30 was  on  some junk food - sweets and a soda today as went to get sparkling water .. and eggs
Definitely the less I go out to buy the less i buy junk 


December Voluntary Spending   £389.33 (£24 twice as HF is really here...)
Drinks out and I will pop out to get some water etc  shortly  so will add 
Drinks out  last night   £13.45 (2) + £31.95 round for 4
All local and got a lift home 
 

Amaz returns  £95.97
The 2 lots of tech to be returned p- my local Mr T doesnt do the printing postage thing - so have now organised for the Post office  to come collect both - will no doubt be in the building anyway as so many live here and this way its done quick for a refund to card 

CC/ynab
I will not using the CC as a float again to cover my excess spending 
i will use it to buy xmas gifts but have money ready to spend but I know I will blow that budget so it will have to come out elsewhere. 

I am owed work expenses I have already prepaid on a cc - so once that comes in I can use as this months savings ...
I am showing as using a large % of my credit (always paid in full) as I do use my CC to buy stuff I want Sect 75 on  .. so I will need to stop using it to help credit score and keep below 10%

I am liking all the YNAB toolkit reports - showing quickly % of my spending on essential vs fun stuff etc


Regular Savings /Wealth building
I have a Cov acct from a regular saver a few years ago so set up the new Covent** regular saver  max £250  pm paying 7% - I will have to pay tax probably on interest  unless I have bought by then. So transferred the £250 over for this month on 10th - will have to sort for Jan a dd or some kind 
There are a few  good regular savers 8%!!! on MSE but this was easy and as I am buying soon I don't want to lock too much away .. I can always move cash around...


MG  13/10 today
Track Minimalist game  (Nov 310)   Dec  70  items -  
just 4 things Dec 9 - 
Dec 10th- 13 items so far added on

Yesterday I resend back  to sender 2 letters for people who not lived in my flat for over 5 years ... plus got rid of a Mr T gift card I won £250 years ago and used up -  loved each time I used it - I needed to check I had used it all up - I had ... so thats one less thing I look and think I need to check that balance..

Today using up some last bits of a jar  in the fridge.
There was a lot of paper clutter in the HF box - the selling leaflets 8 of them, the magazine that just sells the next recipes.. went thru some receipts from spending last few days, processed them and got rid of those ...

My Dec streaks to track


Gym streak  -  1     I went Saturday woohoo! Sunday was hungover .. so just going for a fresh air walk - only 10 mins so will start streak again in morning

YNAB days:: Target 13 days -Age of money 5 day - still there and sorting thru YNAB as my Sat night out cc charges emerged  was a good focus and also good I can leave ynab alone for a few days and not difficult to catch up

Track my NSD's - Target 13 days/month  4/13  (friday) I got some water and sweets sunday  and may do some Xmas shopping this eve online

daisy_1571

I too LOVE pillow talk.  Love her apartment, love that scene you talk of, love the housekeeper in all the films ive seen that she did, love her little romance with the lift man. 

Also never heard of midnight lace, will need to check it out.  I thought I was aware of most of Doris' films.

Dxx

daisy_1571

Oooh, its got myrna loy, another of my favourite actresses.  Love her in mr blandings, one that, like you lwap, I put on as comfort viewing  ❤