Getting FIREd up 😀

themadvix

SC, you might want to check the Ts and Cs of the account you plan to switch to first - some you can set the DDs up after you switch/open the account (so the active DDs only need to be active in the new account). Therefore you may not need to wait until May (when the DDs go out) before you switch. I know my V Money account didn’t require that. Just thought it might help you get things moving more quickly/avoid you missing out on the existing offers.

South_coast

Ahhh, interesting.... Thanks Vix!

Cornish_mum

Yes I second Vix; I looked at T&Cs of the RBS switch yesterday and it looks like you don’t need direct debits. It’s closing tomorrow at 5pm. Might be worth a try. Don’t worry about missing the boat the regular switch offers are pretty frequent. 

CM

PS at one point I had 4 switching accounts (I recently rationalised slightly and got a switch in bonus 😀). 

South_coast

Ooh, you're right! I've had a bonus from NatWest before, but I think it was longer ago than October 2017 - plus it's worth opening just for the 3.3% regular saver, much better than the 0.5% one I've got with Santander!

Second donor account duly opened, and will set RBS up tomorrow and apply to switch....

(Have I mentioned before that I closed all of my multiple bank accounts and eschewed any additional interest a couple of years ago, as having accounts all over the place was stressing me out 🤣???)

themadvix

South_coast said:

Ooh, you're right! I've had a bonus from NatWest before, but I think it was longer ago than October 2017 - plus it's worth opening just for the 3.3% regular saver, much better than the 0.5% one I've got with Santander!

Second donor account duly opened, and will set RBS up tomorrow and apply to switch....

(Have I mentioned before that I closed all of my multiple bank accounts and eschewed any additional interest a couple of years ago, as having accounts all over the place was stressing me out 🤣???)

On the latter, I think we all go through cycles of this…. After swearing off RS accounts as being too much faff, my brain is thinking ‘3.3%, that sounds good!’

South_coast

I know 🙄! 

So, I have set up my account and they have confirmed that the switch has been initiated. Just waiting on them to set up the online banking and I'll drop in the money and open the regular saver. I'm thinking I'll just put the full £1800 in the current account straight away and then leave it to do its thing in the background every month. Hopefully that'll mean I don't keep feeling the need to "check" all the time, which was the problem I had before. I'll lose out on the interest in the meantime (about 90p by my reckoning - 0.05% where it is at the moment 😱!), but I reckon it should net about £30 after a year, so I can probably deal with making one Faster Payment and setting up one standing order for that 🤣!

South_coast

Hmmm, well I've now been able to open the account and the 3.3% is only on the first £1000 - it's 0.3% on anything above that. They reckon that if you put in the max £150/month you'll end up with £25.58 after a year, so still not to be sniffed at! Interest also paid monthly, so I'll be able to see actual progress!

Cornish_mum

Brilliant, that’s fabulous; unfortunately after my plans to do similar, work and family life intervened and I missed the deadline- sure it will come around again CM

South_coast

Gah, sorry to hear that 🤦‍♀️! I'm sure there'll be something else enticing soon 🤞

South_coast

Has it really been over a week since I've posted? Good job I have been keeping myself busy annoying everyone else on their diaries instead 😀

Lots and lots going on at the moment. More on that another day, in the meantime let's check in on the monthly goals!

South_coast said:

Money....
* Save 60% of my salary each month:
- Pay £300 a month into the LISA
- Rebuild my EF to £4800
- Start saving for the refurb once the EF is complete
Well, 63% saved again this month. Nothing has gone to the LISA, although I do have it set aside (just want to keep it accessible for the minute, as I may need to pinch from it). EF is well underway and will be complete next month

* Anything else I can spare above 60% to go into the S&S ISA on payday
I did save over 60%, but I'm hanging on to the cash for a minute

* Any free money or underspends to be paid into the monthly pots
Yes! Had quite a bit in this month as well, with a Panelbase, a One Poll and the Shop & Scan food diary all coming in the same month. Did use the remnants of the pots to put some into the ISA though, so not sure I've really benefitted from it 🤣!


2022, the year of happiness....
* Get out and explore somewhere new once a month
Yes! I went for a walk along a quay I'm sure I have never been on, plus to a beach I haven't been to for years. Not very adventurous when they're both about half a mile from my house, but at least I have managed something this month!

* Try out a new recipe once a month
I have surpassed myself this month and made two! Both very nice and both I would make again 😀 I've also realised that almost everything new I've tried this year has been in a bowl - I do also use plates, I promise 🤣!



* Try to be more upbeat and positive - and don't succumb to ranting at/about work
Getting there! 

* Try and have a couple of little trips away, one UK, one Europe
UK trip booked, deferring the Europe decision until the summer


Sundry....

* Write a will 
Nothing more on this yet

Not a bad month! A- ?