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

South_coast

Are you maxed out on ISAs for the year, LaPlan? Just thinking you could use a flexible ISA for your easy access money and avoid paying the interest? There are a couple at a higher rate than you're getting

Watty1

LadyWithAPlan said:

I have decided fellow MSE'ers its all on board, cast off the anchor  and steaming ahead now for a 3 month of maximising earnings and being in a position to buy beginning Jan onwards

Just marking that this was noticed. What is the plan to maximise earnings?

TallGirl

Yes spotted that too very excited about that!!!

I use Premium Bonds as my emergency fund so easy to get money in and out and no tax. I am also going to be listening to the Budget re pensions today. 

Cheery_Daff

You can watch channel 4 catch up with no TV licence - tedious to sit through the adverts though, you can't forward through them!

Excellent detailed update and plans there 😊

Baileys_Babe

LadyWithAPlan said:

I have nearly £2k on my cc thats to be reimbursed as well but that may take a few weeks to get thru. Very annoying to see the red overspend in my ynab. If it hasnt got paid off by end Nov by the client  sending me the cash  I will have to pay  it off (I never pay cc interest nowadays) 

Regarding incurring interest on unpaid expenses, you could get in touch with the client in advance of the interest being changed saying that any and all charges you incur due to their failure to pay will be passed on in full (I would include the rate you will be charged) plus an administration fee - either a flat rate or a percentage of the expenses owing.

LadyWithAPlan

South_coast said:

Are you maxed out on ISAs for the year, LaPlan? Just thinking you could use a flexible ISA for your easy access money and avoid paying the interest? There are a couple at a higher rate than you're getting

Not maxed out yet as waiting on invoice payments …I will add more when I get it - 
only got about £7k in easy access cash  isa this tax year - this Mzo is only for my monthly bills and true expenses - I did look at a flexible isa so I can add cash back in but on the monthly spends not really worth the hassle 

Watty1 said:

LadyWithAPlan said:

I have decided fellow MSE'ers its all on board, cast off the anchor  and steaming ahead now for a 3 month of maximising earnings and being in a position to buy beginning Jan onwards

Just marking that this was noticed. What is the plan to maximise earnings?

Get a further contract even if not at my top preferred rate  whilst I get the software  courses done so I can get then a higher day rate . 

Grocery for Oct hopefully final spend!  £188.12  grocery + £0 bulk + junk (sweets/crisps £21.40 + £55.77 abroad grocery so £265.29 in total  and no meals out 

£22.84 spent in Morries on way home from training  to hit the £60 for a fiver voucher. I did not have to spend the whole £60 as a fellow shopper needed my more card to get reduced price on a bottle of spirits - so I got that £19 spend on my card whilst she saved £7..
£18.24 was on groceries inc some dried beans (still not found pinto beans dried or tinned anywhere but Waitr*se) - really its for next month but also got YS beef mince veg, tomato puree, YS herb pot etc
£2 on sweets (2 for £2 deal) ahead of my cheat day

MG - I did indeed manage to hit 29 items on 29th as I ran around after midnight finding bits of paper to get to 29 items...
MG  30th stalled on 15 as went out last night... I will hit my target though popping out to a launch tonight with DJs and no doubt drinks and canapes... I will avoid the possibly non gf canapes but will have a glass or two

MG 31/10 - nothing as yet - I am feeling a bit hungover as I work from my desk. Went to a launch last night and had a cheeky dance, then popped to see some friends in my building as they were up late and having a party with some other old friends.. Always love partying in my own building, feels v old skool and means an easy walk home

SandyShores

I was in the Boots queue the other day and ended up 'helping' someone out with my Advantage card so they could get a discount.  I think it got me a pound or two of points so I was happy to help out .  

Was reading your post about v1nted sales stalling, mine are exactly the same.  Its been a bit disappointing lately and I'm wondering if it might be worth trying fleabay again now that there aren't any fees.  I've also had a couple of dodgy purchases from there lately including some annoying person just messing me around and messaging me lots (!!).

Don't get me started on the menopause.  GP wanted to put me on anti-depressants so I said 'but I'm not depressed, just very hot at night'.  It took me a while (and part of my sanity) to finally get onto HRT.  Not saying anymore as swearing isn't allowed on here.  I eventually also had an appointment with a GP menopause specialist through work and I'm now on some really good ones.

Suffolk_lass

If you are going all in to max up savings ready to buy, you could post a sort of statement of accounts, so you can see how you are doing from today (1st Nov) to the end of the year, ready to buy-to-beat the falling SD threshold implementation in Spring

LadyWithAPlan

@SandyShores always good when you both win
 Has ebay cancelled all fees now or just v clothes - will look.
I hate annoying buyers  - my mum had someone via vinted try to return shoes as they were too high but as clear pics and in the description we had measured the heels it was an easy out.

I am thinking Xmas is approaching so may add some stuff up and also reduce some

Luckily you finally with the expert!  Which hormones are you on?
There was a menopause expert in my GP  so I went straight to her as was also having a coil changed at the same time - unfortunately my bloods were not there for the appt..
I already have the blood test form for mid Nov - I can see they are testing also for testosterone  as well.
My friend though had a nightmare getting bloods etc  (on hrt for the last 2 years) - they said we dont do that!!  I told her to kick up a fuss and insist - she finally managed to get through to the right doctor and get bloods 

Its a medical issue half of us go thru that massively affects MH, productivity, relationships..
Have a friend whose wife sadly committed suicide going thru menopause whilst being long term depressed.. and many people say how their marriages suffer/break up at that time ..



Last day of the month AND Samhain!
I have a fabulous dress up Halloween in a cool London members club  to go to with some fun friends - luckily its tomorrow night which I am glad as a bit hungover from last nights revelries  - a good dance and catch up was had.
So I will light a candle and send all MSE/MFW/DFW great happiness, health and good fortune

@Suffolk_lass tx for suggestion- I have YNAB so v detailed budgeted (11 months in and its life changing) 
I am tracking my savings on here but again waiting for invoices to be paid (grr) 

I will do an Oct spend round up later today as well as do my add all my bookies up to see my (hopeful)  profit on my MB casino offers etc 

LadyWithAPlan

£200 NOVEMBER GROCERY BUDGET  + £30 bulk + £20 junk (sweets/crisps)

I had got my grocery spend down to £150 (just me and food only no essentials) but what with COL and also switching to eating slow carb most the time - basically meat, beans and veg - my ability to buy YS foods (which are often pre made with added sugar or even sausages add bulk via flour etc) is reduced. I cant even eat  6 days a week thus  YS GF bread or fruit (hi carb) so I am requiring more good quality food to feel well fed I never weigh food etc so eat to happy

So I can see in YNAB that I was averaging £150  but last few months since eating slow carb 6 days a week I am now at £200 plus each month. However I feel amazing, having a lot less reactions to food and have lost weight just by switching to slow carb but it is more expensive which is fine. Feeling amazing is worth the extra £50pm and I do have a separate junk budget .. although if there is a competition on them I will buy that brand instead

Halloween dress up shenanigans
Had fun Friday out with friends in a London private members club where most dressed in catsuits (the new halloween costume it seems) . First DJ is famous but was really not good -  he missed a whole host of cool Halloween tunes /remixes that the next DJ capitalised on, so then the next 2  DJs got much better
Was good to try out various outfits and see how everything fits so much better - my look was v short and v low cut but where else can you do that but Halloween.. - the huge wig helped  

It turns out I also put some weight on dating MW(out)AP .. as in 2023 I dated text ex (he who dumped me by text but at least we both trained hard together so I was fitter when we parted) This years chap was not overweight but didnt have a training routine which meant I got out of mine, so I def popped on a few pounds, especially when we travelled. So between the slow carb/ems and back to 100% my time at weekends I am feeling and looking healthy, happy and fit
Good to know I can 100% add - likes training and exercise (in whatever form that takes)  and makes it a priority  -to my next partner shopping list
 
Sat cooking
I made myself a mung bean crepe for the first time by googling recipe, first one stuck to the pan as all pancakes seem to, but v tasty. I added flaxseed to the 2/3 batch. Tasty and filling in a good way - only had 3 drinks Fri night  so felt fine - I deliberately did not indulge
I sprinkled spring onion and fresh herbs on and fresh lime juice.