My Plans of Actions and Dreams

HotDog2020

Hi All,

I have decided to delete all my posts on this thread.

jennystarpepper

You have a plan so you are on your way.  Don't be hard on yourself if things do not go as you want, none of us are perfect.

An emergency fund is a great idea, can you do anyhing else to help pay off your mortgage / save, a few surveys or snapping your receipts?  Don't forget about a pension, I used to increase mine by the odd 1% when I had a pay increase....that way a small amount won't make much difference. 

Good luck on your journey.

L9XSS

Good luck with the journey don’t be too hard on yourself. Keep the diary live, sometimes you won’t post sometimes you will. I found mine useful to reread from 2008 onwards, i could  see the ups and downs. You have made the first few steps, your later self will thank your earlier self if that makes sense.......

bexster1975

Hello HotDog. Your post really resonated with me. When I was 30 I bought my flat. I earnt about the same as you do now. I never really thought about whether I'd stay in the flat forever honestly. I was single, with an £82000 mortgage. It needed quite a bit of decorative work, a new boiler and work on the electrics. I got the electrics sorted quickly, the boiler replaced when it finally died, and decorated throughout over time ( due to a lack of time and money). I overpaid £50 a month from the start. I had the mortgage over 25 years. Over time I earnt more. I managed to avoid lifestyle creep to a large extent. I sought out deals, shopped at car boot sales and charity shops to furnish my home and decorate it. I enjoyed the challenge, the hunt if you like. I changed jobs, twice more. As my income improved, I overpaid my mortgage more. Eventually I was overpaying more than the act had payment. After 12 years I was mortgage free. Within the year I had quit my job and became self employed. I have been self employed now for almost 4 years. I would never have risked that with a mortgage. I now invest a large chunk of my earnings so that I can choose to retire when I want. I currently plan to stop working at 60. But who knows! I have a partner and we have been together almost three years. We are planning a move out of the area we both live in for something more rural in the next 12 months. He still has a small mort gage, but we are hoping to clear that when we sell our places, and buy our own place mortgage free. That would mean he could also choose what he did to earn money. I tell you this to help you see what a great start you have made, and where it could take you. I would suggest 3-6 months of bills saved as an emergency fund. your plan looks great, anything could happen further down the road. Very best of luck to you

Bexster 🙂

jennystarpepper

Sorry to hear about what happened with your mum, next time it happens be polite and remind her you are an adult and it is none of her concern any more and change the subject... if she continues maybe say you will see her some other time and that your weight is not up for discussion.  

A couple of the other forums have members who run a weight loss discussion / self / group help, i've just lost 9 lb by joining one of them.... and it is free!  A few of us have had family members who have pestered them about weight, and it does not help, you are not on your own. 

Thriftmaster1973

Good luck on your journey Hotdog 2020.

Just try your best meeting the monthly overpayment target and don't be too hard on yourself if you miss it.

Things are getting very tight at the moment for myself - this is down to inflation rising in the economy and wages staying stagnant. I am really starting to notice nearly everything going up and by significant amounts too.

I am feeling thankful that I compressed (shortened term) back in 2008, I was due to end mortgage in 2033, with shortening the term and recent overpayments I'm looking to be very close to fully owning by December 2022.

Sapindus

Hi Hotdog

I've read through your diary and thought wow you've got a lot going on but you're determined and want to make changes.  I have an idea for you - soup.  You don't say whether you are a big cook or not but I have a hunch not by your suggested diet for the day.

• Learn to cook soup you have achieved a skill for life so sucks to your mother.
• While you are cooking you are not eating.
• Healthy and filling lunch.
• Can be made when you have time (and need to distract yourself from eating) then frozen or in the fridge ready for lunchtime.
• Very cheap especially if made with reduced price veg or whatever is in season.
• You said you don't like healthy food - really? NO healthy food that you like?  Start experimenting and find some! 

I went off after reading your diary and made soup for later, which was basically an onion, a very large courgette and a tin of tomatoes. (I'd usually add celery and a red pepper but it's shopping day and the veg rack is bare!)  Plus a bit of veggie stock, herbs, spices and a splash of red wine from a small bottle I bought reduced price.

You are on a sugar rollercoaster with the muffins and shakes. Need to even out that glycaemic index thingy! 

South_coast

I'd agree slippers are a necessity if your feet are cold, but £31.99 is a lot of money for slippers! I'd agree with Sapindus on the food front, not necessarily on soup specifically (I always find it incredibly disappointing!), but on cooking for yourself. When you refer to SW meals for dinners, are they ready meals? You'd be much better off making your own food and cutting out all the hidden nasties x

Cornish_mum

Hi Hotdog,

I just wanted to stop by and say hello and best of luck. 

I too have had to take meds (pred) that made me ravenously hungry (especially for sugar) and it’s not at all nice. In my experience the cravings were completely out of one’s control. Nothing to do with one’s own will power. Some friends and family couldn’t understand and didn’t have the ability to empathise outside their own limited life experiences. 

I just wanted to say try not to be so hard on yourself about stuff like that and just take one day at a time. 

Take care CM

LadyWithAPlan

@South_coast have you tried making beetroot soup ? Or even chicken and noodle as both are filling and tasty.

Hotdog - please be patient with yourself. Maybe aim to have savoury food before the sweet stuff so you are fuller. Plus as suggested there is some very tasty healthy food out there such as home made burritos, risottos and curry or Asian rice dishes you can have a play with and are filling, tasty and cheap. 

South_coast

LadyWithAPlan said:

@South_coast have you tried making beetroot soup ? Or even chicken and noodle as both are filling and tasty.

Bleurgh! Can't stand beetroot and I'm veggie, so thanks but no thanks 🤣🤣🤣!