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

LadyWithAPlan

TallGirl said:

Thanks that is lovely to read all that progress and how well YNAB has worked. Very inspiring. Here is to 2025 and new home for you!!

Yes I am planning to make 2025 the year LaPlan's of home buying is actioned..
It is good to look back and review, you can see how far you have come!.. I may look at the end of year at each Dec EOY reporting on here ..

dawnybabes said:

You’re cooking on gas here ! Glad one client is paying but grrrrr to the big one ! Are you charging them the interest you threatened ? 

Yes I am charging  interest  charged monthly (and back tracked it to start of the underpayment as I have had regular payments but not in line with my invoices) - but lets see if I get paid the interest - so wont declare it in my tax return just yet!

I have been apologised to and promised that the deal is part way through and cash is arriving  part one at least  imminently today/tomorrow - he did though need some of my  next level maths doing ...so told me re the money and in next text asked re some work - its a part of one of the 2 huge deals that will close off and the business gets restructured - how much I will be part of that remains to be seen. Also how much I want to be part of it...

I havent said I wont do this extra work  unless there is a moment of 'Show me the money' - however there will be that  tomorrow if I dont get paid as more to do later in week.


I am missing class this afternoon to do it as I need to get my income up in Dec.. annoying but got side hustle tonight



Face mask/winning
Had to have my 3 month bloods taken today to figure out whether the new HRT is working or if I need testosterone as well.. The nurse after said she could not believe how I looked vs my DOB - she said I looked incredibly young and it was unbelievable that  my actual age was what is stated on the form  I had no makeup on at all and she was raving about my perfect v young looking skin..
She then asked the other nurse how old she thought I was - the guess was 15 years younger.
I then gave them a lecture on my face mask - the science behind a LED mask and why better to have infrared NIR as well as red/blue in it... Mine is still going strong since my purchase vis T*mu Sep 23.
I also stressed the importance of beans and exercise ! I can really see how I look leaner since the ems/beans end summer start and much fitter.

Soups
Made some bean extravaganza and now got the remains of chicken thigh bones with various frozen/fresh veg and fresh coraiander and dill, onions, carrots, bit of old broccoli. This is to make a stock but may do a sauerkraut bean soup from it 

CS /declutter - today after the dr I dropped 2 bags of clothes including  a perfect condition suit thats been in my wardrobe for decades unworn....  I cant be bothered with much more vinted - my time needs to be spent job hunting and software studying. that sunk cost fallacy I need to face. 

Vinted - sold a thing for £3.50 (was up for £5) but its at my mums so she will post.

XMAS - not really feeling the Xmas shop/spirit what with all going on. Until I see some serious money in my acct I dont want to buy much plus we always say in the family that  we will spend less and then never do.. This year I dont want a lot of stuff especially as I am moving next year.

Xmas spirit activities
However I have planned  hosting one Xmas dinner at mine for one group of friends, just planning  a second  group and may do a third Xmas dinner at mine as well.  I am never in London over Xmas itself so.
Thinking to turn my study into a Xmas dining extravaganza whilst I still have the space - a neighbour gave me her huge table with 2 long benches this year when she moved out. I didnt want it at first but it really increases my productivity and will make a great entertaining space as well
I may end up having a flat mate in next year depending on the rent increases, I have not lived with anyone in years but could save me £800 per month so .. we will see

FLAT DRAMA
Is @sandyshores psychic ?
 I also found that some people the landlord used for repairs and servicing were quite disrespectful, which was very uncomfortable.  When you own, you decide who gets to come into your home and when, and that was invaluable to my peace of mind.

The drama continues for my friends in first stage - I am trying to focus forward, they had an unexpected random aggressive PPH  gas man  from the new company checking today  who apparently said 'if you dont let me in i will stop you getting into your flat and turn things off(!)'  Noone has even signed a contract yet with the new company, we all still in contract with the old on... Complaints have been made.. 


 Time to move asap, I dont want to deal with these PPH's . I just want this block amount of cash from current company then I can look at flats knowing the bank wont laugh me out of town when they go though my MIP paperwork.
I dont want to look and find 'the one' home-wise  until I have 2 months regular money coming in
Am currently on an abeyance from dating -  so 'the one' is definitely home not partner related right now.

SandyShores

LadyWithAPlan said:

FLAT DRAMA
Is @sandyshores psychic ?
 I also found that some people the landlord used for repairs and servicing were quite disrespectful, which was very uncomfortable.  When you own, you decide who gets to come into your home and when, and that was invaluable to my peace of mind.

Don't think so but I'm really unimpressed with the flat drama.  Its not just a place, its people's homes where they should feel secure and safe.  Sending positive vibes to all affected.

Another one here who has gone off vinted.  I've just dropped the price on a designer dress to £5.50 and the suggested similar items price was £1.50.  I'd rather take it to the charity shop (and get some good vibes) than sell at that and have to be bothered with wrapping and posting.

The face mask sounds fab, I have seen a couple lately and may have to treat myself.  I'm also back to exercising after my recent bout of flu/cold/chest virus and will definitely try to incorporate more pulses and lentils.

Watty1

Another off Vinted. Have donated a few items rather than sell, the wrapping posting feedback loop seems time heavy for me at the moment. If I had more time I'd possibly go back to it but right now, with the dark days and winter everything seems a struggle and I'm on a declutter mission which is better for my mental health.

Cheery_Daff

So sorry about your flat fiasco, and also that your invoice still hasn't been paid - what an outrage! Definitely refuse any more work, they are taking the p1ss. Grrrr. 

Beans and exercise is a good strategy!

LadyWithAPlan

SandyShores said:

Don't think so but I'm really unimpressed with the flat drama.  Its not just a place, its people's homes where they should feel secure and safe.  Sending positive vibes to all affected.

Another one here who has gone off vinted.  I've just dropped the price on a designer dress to £5.50 and the suggested similar items price was £1.50.  I'd rather take it to the charity shop (and get some good vibes) than sell at that and have to be bothered with wrapping and posting.

The face mask sounds fab, I have seen a couple lately and may have to treat myself.  I'm also back to exercising after my recent bout of flu/cold/chest virus and will definitely try to incorporate more pulses and lentils.

tx SS. 
 My face mask has NIR (near infrared) as well as the normal blue and red lights - there is a big price jump it seems for the NIR - but thats the led light  thats v good for older skin as it penetrates deeper.

I bough my mask from T*mu last Sept 2023 - with NIR  - it was about £85 I seem to remember - a friend has the one without NIR - cost £15 from the same place and he loves it.
If you want to get not via T*mu then suggest the B**ts  - they have a sensse8 fpr £199 at present  (with NIR) or the one without NIR for £100. It always states if NIR is included.

Vinted
@Watty1 @SandyShores I am with you  Vinted - I have a £5 necklace to post and sold a designer skirt on for £5 and offfered £3 - said £3.50 - I have a lot on including finding a new job, and the whole hassle of posting etc - I dumped lots of stuff on CS - the pet one as then I know pets are getting surgery and vet help they need.

I think if one has time to spare with Vinted great but this is not a time for me to phaff about selling things for £3.50! - I have a new job to find and all the home drama plus study and work. - I am keeping a couple of still new with tag dresses on there  but the rest is going to support pet hospitals.

Cheery_Daff said:

So sorry about your flat fiasco, and also that your invoice still hasn't been paid - what an outrage! Definitely refuse any more work, they are taking the p1ss. Grrrr. 

Beans and exercise is a good strategy!

The beans are a great daily addition to my diet - been 3 months now and they have helped me lean down quite naturally. Plus the kale /greens from last year - I keep adding in healthy foods so less room for junk ..

The invoice situation argh - I have done a bit as they trying to close a deal and so I get paid from it  and need my figures but ... it keeps dragging on - I have said its affecting my ability to buy a home and even my ability to prove I can afford to stay in my home (!).  Was promised some by today - Monday I will be on the phone if not as getting to meet the new mging agents next week and start that process..

Flat fight
We are getting a few concessions - some rejected on the affordability ( on Universal credit /freelance) meant to be homeless next Friday have been given  an extension 3 weeks - but still where they going at the beginning of Jan? However one tenant - the old agent says she cant approve the 3 week extension, the new agent has to  but then the new agent says talk to the old agent...

 As a community   though it gives us more time to fight, to get lawyered up, to get in touch with councillors etc. Some went to a big tenancy meeting so more to email. There has been a slight decrease in rent increase for some from an extra £520 per month to £400pm extra ! Luckily (and unlike most)  I have huge deposit savings which I am planning to wangle at them like a big fish (but not all of it as yet to negotiate the new price of which I am clueless!)  I may also be homeless in Jan  on affordability or refusal to pay a mortgage like rent .... not that I will be going anywhere.

Crisis Xmas Appeal
I always buy a few of the Crisis Xmas Appeal- which gives the homeless a meal. somewhere to stay over Xmas , an appointment to help them move their lives forward, and showers etc  - its £29 or something per person - it feels even more close to home this year
https://www.crisis.org.uk/crisis-at-christmas/
They are saying on the website  'Rough sleeping alone has increased in England by 27% in the last year.'




Finally got a PB win £100!!
It takes it to £325 for the year - i had £16.45k but took it down to £13k in Nov to add towards cash isa
Avg luck at 4.15% is £575 or £450 so I am unlucky (i pay taxes on my interest)

savingholmes

Sounds a lot. Keep plodding  

SandyShores

Thanks for LED mask info, I am thinking of a Christmas present to myself.  I saw a Sh@rk one advertised with eye cooling but it didn't state NIR so will look into it.  Its a lot of dosh, but I'm at the age where a little help with the wrinkles will be really appreciated.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Woo hoo nice one on the PB win!

Absolutely gutting on the rent situ This is probably totally unhelpful but I saw a YT video this week where a property developer in Croydon his strategy is to focus on flats with short leases. The seller has the section 24 (lease extension) paperwork completed but the developer buys without lease extension. He covers that cost post purchase but ulitmately saves on stamp duty, solicitors etc as the purchase is much cheaper.

Keep fighting...!

LadyWithAPlan

tx @savingholmes the fight goes on - meeting these new agents this week they coming round to view y flat - am thinking how to make it look darker and dingier !!

Queen_of_the_Hive said:

Woo hoo nice one on the PB win!

Absolutely gutting on the rent situ This is probably totally unhelpful but I saw a YT video this week where a property developer in Croydon his strategy is to focus on flats with short leases. The seller has the section 24 (lease extension) paperwork completed but the developer buys without lease extension. He covers that cost post purchase but ulitmately saves on stamp duty, solicitors etc as the purchase is much cheaper.

Keep fighting...!

Interesting thought - guess you need the cash handy. Really trying to avoid leasehold and get at least 'share of freehold'if possible 

Its been a while on the PB wins!

SandyShores said:

Thanks for LED mask info, I am thinking of a Christmas present to myself.  I saw a Sh@rk one advertised with eye cooling but it didn't state NIR so will look into it.  Its a lot of dosh, but I'm at the age where a little help with the wrinkles will be really appreciated.

I got my friend in her 70s on a  NIR mask  and her friends are all saying what has she being doing to her skin -
Just googled the shark one .. 
'In contrast, Shark's mask uses broader wavelength ranges (630–830nm) for their anti-ageing treatments, and don't include the deep near-infrared light.'

Personally  if I were you I'd be getting the current  cheaper one on a deal at B**ts

Sensse Elite 8 light led face mask  £199 at moment and has £10 of vouchers per £60 spent

Happy weekend all  


Finally added up my MB/casino  winnings for Nov - over £1400 plus....  its a decent side hustle .... in my 6th year.
When I got paid regularly this side hustle  was split between house deposit,  sipp and isa. Now its a bit of everything.. amd even covers house hold bills when short on paid invoices - still all income is income.. 
I have put some aside for sipp, house savings and also I have a tax bill coming up.


I am aware though I dragged £3.45k  out from my PB house deposit  to send to ISA and its still loitering covering bills whilst I wait for 2 x payments from 2  clients.. This has mean my netwealth has gone down a bit.. waiting for at least one invoice to get paid which also covers work expenses  then will update

TT Cash isa
So I have sent £156.43 over to my CH** isa to round up to £1030 - its meant to be  my TT isa where excess I dont spend gets tucked away but with these lack of invoices paid on time its not getting the attention it deserves !

Cov reg - only £2k in there  expiring ... I missed a couple months of £250 additions - so thats returning to me in Dec with interest, I will add that to the TT cash isa. Really want to max that out this year

Two smaller clients are paying regularly
One irregular is late - should arrive monday -  
Main client v behind ... getting charged serious interest - should arrive  some Monday -  or more words to be had..
One invoice I have to do some paperwork first ...
long term once a year client booked in work for bit Jan/then Feb

............... Grocery for Dec ......................................................

I've allocated £200 for the month plus £20 bulk plus £100 Xmas food so £320 plus alcohol separately

I dont spend Xmas In London - I will be away a week (but I will buy the FR  turkey for my parents ) but I am cooking three lots Xmas food things for mine or to take with me to others..

Groceries  £57.04 so far plus £4.70 junk plus £6 Xmas food 
I keep popping into Morries to get to these £40 pw for the £15 vouchers .. finally filled in week 4 so now have over 26k points so  got £25 pounds vouchers 

Friday - was meant to go to some do  last night - dreadfully too cool for school  - but was exhausted after a busy but productive last week and my Wed eve partying .. so went to bed early but then FB scrolled. A waste of sleep time.. need to leave phone outside bedroom again

Refusing to see dating signals
There are a few MW(out)APLAN buzzing round, two are  very focused on great huge dreams but I cant see either  of them  taking the funding seriously  nor doing/planning  over the line action  needed to get it done/marketed/sold.

I believe in big dreams - - theirs and mine -  but have found as I am so practical /creative/get it done that people  always want my help... and now is not the time to put my life/goals on hold for others beyond the community flat fight.. 

I have a friend who married an ultra wealthy person (as in private planes)!! and now she is single again she does not even consider men under a certain wealth bracket. (!!  dont ask - maybe add up the wealth of all us MFW'ers and multiply it) .. I have never done that -  I have dated rich AND  v poor  .. but there is something to be said to knowing what you want at this point in your life and  what I want in the next partner and being clear myself before I start dating again .. 
2024's   MW(out)aPlan  I  dated earlier this year I found quite dull at the end, at least the current batch buzzing around have big dreams..

However my days of  finding  such 'dreamers'  super  attractive are done (charismatic and goodlooking/fit etc  but annoyingly more talk than action or   not taking really  any action in how they funding their projects/dreams    - no more broke poets  please ) , yes they fun in the short term but I need to be focusing on my HUGE plans (new job, new home, side hustles etc .. not supporting theirs... 
The third   MWAP buzzing around is lovely and is  actively looking for a job, .. but again i think I dont want to get distracted.

So I am deliberately ignoring all signals Nothing has happened with any of them and  I have been careful to not be left alone or out alone with any of them..

I am working on my summer side hustle as well. 

SandyShores

Thanks for the tip LaPlan.  I'm away for a few days but will order just before I set off for home.  The Sensse 8 looks like a good bargain - £30 off and almost £36 of points too.