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

LadyWithAPlan

Baileys_Babe said:

Well done on setting the ground rules.

I use a stainless steel mesh filter with my Aeropress, it works very well, I like how I can never run out of filters and I can store it in the press which is so convenient when traveling.

 Good to know though whilst xmas travel packing I had managed to remember my aeropress and my bulk bought Lavazza Creme e gusto coffee - but managed to misplace my packed filters ! ARGH ... So had to buy some more filters to be sent here (overnight amazon) as steel mesh is not arriving for a week and to London.. Bets laid plans... I know I wrapped the filters but as to where they went ...maybe the Xmas elves are out early in mischief

Sistergold said:

Well done on the ground rules. Always good to make things clear. You you doing well with the decluttering and you will appreciate this effort more when you move to your new house/flat. At that point you will know that almost all the things you have are things that you want to keep. Savings goals are going well and you are ending the year on a good note. 

I would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new @LadyWithAPlan and all the wonderful people on here. 

Thank you Sister Gold!  Merry Xmas and I look forward to watching you kill that mortgage with OPs  in 2024. You have been such a positive influence on me getting into DIY and also have built some home/side hustle  things off the back of the first DIY course  - so tx to you.
You are a great example of just how fabulous, supportive and inspiring  this MSE  community is ! So tx to all on here (and happy xmas to all lurkers as well!) 

I have so much more decluttering to do but I have done a fair amount so good to draw a line and then start again.


Spending   600 Aeropress filters   £6.79  and will pop out with mum to pick up extras inc wrapping paper today.

I had a fair amount of stuff sent to my parents so just sorted through that so can see now what else I need to get.
I also found in the cupboard under my sink some gifts from last year that didnt get given or arrived late etc inc some socks so that filled a few of my need to get lists - eg some funky socks.

Ground rules - I am not sure where I am with that side hustle booking now - I have said lets have a phone chat as it might read that they wont need me til later  but it can wait til the new year..

Work trying to finish a thing off this year to a certain point ... we will see ...

LadyWithAPlan

Hope everyone enjoying the last week before  Xmas..

Wrapping paper Check
Sellotape Check
Gift Tags   Errr. nope forgot them again and  wrapping/identifying  is so much harder without them..
Actual wrapping done 0

YNAB working brilliantly thru Dec 
YNAB is clearly showing me what happening as I go through the month  -   I certainly wont be caught out by the Jan CC bill - as it is also looking at me getting larger but so is the money to pay for it.
Ynab works that  if I spend £50 from xmas shopping category but pay it using  the credit card it moves that £50 into 'waiting to pay credit card' so whilst my CC is £700 there is £700 waiting in my bank to pay it so it really removes the idea i have loads of cash  to spend frivolously even though there is a fair amount of money in my bank accts it all has a job. So YNAB treats a credit card like a bank acct as in when money is spent on it the funds assigned to the spending is clearly shown as you already spent X here without having to move lots of bank transfers around as I did before..
Lots on reddit about this credit card float  and when one first starts ynab many people realise they live on  the cc float and are actually behind on their bills. This is why it will definitely help me save more for the house.


Voluntary spending - fun/social Dec £850.55 - ouch  Xmas £365 this month (but spent loads last month as well)
Doing those last few bits of xmas shopping for people I am not sure what I am getting ... and cost is mounting up...as I pick up x as a maybe for someone etc.... so need to nail that down today. 

Moving money in
Got paid the dollars invoice and did the fx so had the fun of assigning the  money into ynab - I am forgoing fully funding all my sinking fund pots such as travel and future tech in order to get my rent for Jan fully funded - got some more to go there but should have more cash coming in pre Jan 1st.
Aim is to get essential spending only funded  for 3 months forward as a first goal from cash in. Then I will start looking at my other categories such as the sinking funds.
Therefore whilst I have put 15% aside for tax  - PB's and 15% off my income from the money into my SIPP. (had lots of expenses paid up so excluded that) I havent increased my house saving goals as I redirect extra cash first to getting this 3 month forward sorted. Certainly makes me feel that my budget is 'tight' but as I believe South Coast says - its good to feel your £'s are squeezed and all have an important job rather than partying in my current acct as a float and disappearing on on a whim as opposed to my decided goal.

Age of Money 11 days
NSD -not moved from 5/13 

South_coast

LadyWithAPlan said:

Certainly makes me feel that my budget is 'tight' but as I believe South Coast says - its good to feel your £'s are squeezed and all have an important job rather than partying in my current acct as a float and disappearing on on a whim as opposed to my decided goal.

Did I? That sounds very profound of me 🤣!

PennysIntoPounds

Can you use a bit of wrapping paper taped to the gift with the name on instead of gift tags? Or if you have last year/unused cards, cut them up for tags?

beanielou

I have used white sticky labels before as tags. 

LadyWithAPlan

South_coast said:

LadyWithAPlan said:

Certainly makes me feel that my budget is 'tight' but as I believe South Coast says - its good to feel your £'s are squeezed and all have an important job rather than partying in my current acct as a float and disappearing on on a whim as opposed to my decided goal.

Did I? That sounds very profound of me 🤣!

Or words to that effect! I am sure it was  you who said that you like to move money around  to make yourself feel a bit short rather than having money swanning around as  then you spend more - maybe I misattributed this brilliance to you and it was  someone else though?


Voluntary spending £885.86 in Dec  .. xmas cost keeps rising - I have stopped tracking £ per person the last couple days ..I will have to update

More spending 
Just bought my parents a heated airdryer  as a xmas gift - used cashback and did via Robert d***s in the end so hopefully that will arrive by xmas.. Seeing my mum struggle with damp clothes on the line today ... £54.94 includes a cover and opens out longwards so good for bedding - a review site said 1hr 40 to dry bed linen. and 4 hours all clothes.. only about 4p an hour to run (july 23 elec prices)

FREE MONEY £25  SO £233.40 in Dec  
I managed to swap a  year long survey site points  to get £25 M&S voucher that my mum then used shopping  so will get £25 cash in hand against that ...

beanielou

Blimey, that is a lot!

FlacosFloozie

Just catching up. Glad you're enjoying YNAB. It really was a game changer for me- i was so guilty of spending 'extra' money several times over and it forced me to stop cold turkey in a way my spreadheets never had.

LadyWithAPlan

FlacosFloozie said:

Just catching up. Glad you're enjoying YNAB. It really was a game changer for me- i was so guilty of spending 'extra' money several times over and it forced me to stop cold turkey in a way my spreadheets never had.

Tx for the feedback I think this is exactly the ynab 'x factor' Sad for all my virtual pots that I would drain down and my s/sheets but just seeing my main bank balances with my credit card balance and they all totalling up as a snapshot is pretty powerful - I have a few more bits to get for family xmas gifts (to balance the kids stockings) and YNAB definitely stopping me doing too much excess..
Merry Xmas FF  

LadyWithAPlan

I have now been paid again so 3 decent invoices plus couple extra bits .. so received more money in my banks this month than any other month this year .. should get an extra from company 3 (though still £00000s due) 
so the current bank  balances make me look rich .. however YNAB had stopped me thinking that .. ! 

I have assigned all money to next months bills and categories, got tax money to put into PBs and SIPP money to add. So at least I am finally a month ahead bar a few optional pots to fill which is great. 

So woohoo to me 30 days  in YNAB 

Only held back £200 for house deposit 
Savings in case my MB float goes down this month ..  after £2k+ winning Oct/Nov in casino /sport it feels like I have given some back on Dec - I will count Dec 31st 
I really want to get ahead by a total of 3 months - all essential and iregular pots then I can start chunking the house savings.  

Though my tax bill could be fun .. paid plenty on account but first year for corporate tax as well so guessing 

 may still need more re Xmas .. food gifts of turkey and champagne  towards the my various family events 

I managed to get some great large games on the Work* to bulk up a stocking but  now another kids stocking looks small. 

So it will be sweet boxes and bulky crisps gifts 
£457 spent on Xmas gifts this month .. and did fair amount in Nov 

Off to spend my £40 double points voucher, may also get a voucher from the tv survey as well  and chance the SM  Xmas brawl .. 

I hope all have a fun Saturday before Xmas