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Learning to walk before I run
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edinburgher said:@Alchemilla - Yes. ISAs and SIPPs for both of us, small JISA for DD1. Our ISAs predominantly for the girls, minute pot of my ownedinburgher said:@Alchemilla - Yes. ISAs and SIPPs for both of us, small JISA for DD1. Our ISAs predominantly for the girls, minute pot of my own4
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A quiet couple of days. I'm back to doing limited overtime at work, which is financially the most sensible option, even if I am a little wary about it (and had to eat some humble pie asking to do it again). Basically, 5 hours a week is an extra £8,500 a year, studies can't touch that. When I'm in the right headspace it's also exceptionally easy because I am good at my job, procrastination and imposter syndrome aside.
As such, I've cut back on the studies substantially, the plan is to do the 2-minute "50p" ones, but to stay away from the larger ones as much as possible. I'll come up with some overly complicated system to split the monies earned between my SIPP/household budget/my pocket.
£11.61 OPed.
@KajiKita - Still no idea what is wrong with cat, she can't use the offending leg. Antibiotics have reduced her temperature and the swelling, working theory is it may be an abscess after a bite that wasn't visible from the multiple inspections that she has had (3 and counting). £850ish paid to the vet so far, that cat has some good drugs...@Suffolk_lass - The only problem with that is that the day before is Mother's Day! Planning a nice boozy brunch for Mrs E and MIL, so we may not have the appetite for a birthday dinner as well. I'm a creature of habit, birthday dinner is normally a big steak and a nice bottle of red. We're having a bottle of the Rustenberg "Peter Barlow" this year, I'm wondering if it is worth the price increase from the usual John X Merriman. Might move it to Saturday, although I am taking the day off on my birthday.
@Alchemilla - Most of Vanguard's offerings are passively managed index tracking funds. We use their Target Retirement funds, which are basically bundles of other passively managed index tracking funds that they offer. While they have retirement in the title, we just think of them as target dates.Target Retirement 2035 Fund - Accumulation (DD1 university)
Target Retirement 2040 Fund - Accumulation (DD2 university & retirement)
FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund Accumulation (Tiny personal pot/nest egg
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The £8500 a year for 5 hrs a week is fantastic - I often don’t do surveys as my hourly rate is much more
hope cat heals and you manage the OT okDON'T BUY STUFF (from Frugalwoods)
No seriously, just don’t buy things. 99% of our success with our savings rate is attributed to the fact that we don’t buy things... You can and should take advantage of discounts.... But at the end of the day, the only way to truly save money is to not buy stuff. Money doesn’t walk out of your wallet on its own accord.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6289577/future-proofing-my-life-deposit-saving-then-mfw-journey-in-under-13-years#latest6 -
edinburgher said:I'll come up with some overly complicated system to split the monies earned between my SIPP/household budget/my pocket.Mortgage start: £65,495 (March 2016)
Cleared 🧚♀️🧚♀️🧚♀️!!! In 5 years, 1 month and 29 days
Total amount repaid: £72,307.03. £1.10 repaid for every £1.00 borrowed
Finally earning interest instead of paying it!!!5 -
If you are using the retirement funds because of the target dates, I assume you are aware of the move away from equities and progressively more gilts and bonds, to de risk the capital in the years running up to the date? Mine (a 2015 fund) I have kept to compare and the 40% equity fund has grown just slightly slower over almost the same period (13.78% vs 12.36%).
Ah yes, Mothering Sunday. Not a big ticket item here. Just a card for my Mum (I did send her flowers for my birthday though, as she did all the hard work!)Save £12k in 2025 #2 I am at £4863.32 out of £6000 after May (81.05%)
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I am at £1286.68/£3000 or 42.89% of my annual spend so far
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the Grow your own thread
My new diary is here5 -
@Suffolk_lass - That was why we chose them. Lowered risk profile and hopefully less volatility towards the end. Not quite sure the bond markets got the message over the last few years but it's a good idea 😜
Think the 2040 is still 70%+ equities5 -
Sending Chloe-cat, oak tree climber extraordinaire, good wishes to your cat …
KKAs at 15.07.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £233,521
- OPs to mortgage = £11,338 Interest saved £5225 to date
Fixed rate 3.85% ends January 2030
Read 35 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 13th July
Produce tracker: £205 of £300 in 2025
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.4 -
Cat seems like she wants to get better, not using leg properly but has started trying to jump on things again? Booked in for a £1,300 CT scan
Poor DD1 broke her arm at school falling down a hillJust a wee fracture, hopefully heal quickly.
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Whit to the cost of the CT scan for the cat.Hope DD1 is on the mend soon.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.6 -
@beanielou - 3x the cost of a private human MRI!6
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