2022 - Moving forward

savingholmes

Hi Jwil - I feel you on the clutter - although most of its mine. I am that person that can see a potential reuse for everything so find it really hard to let stuff go. Getting a labeller helped though and giving things a place. It reduces the need to hold on to multiples of things - and where I already have the multiples - putting them in a specific place is helping me find stuff more often and therefore reducing the re-buying.

jwil

ladyholly said:

I would love to declutter unfortunately Mr LH is of the opinion that all stuff might come in useful at some unspecified time. I do sneak things out sometimes but there is much more that is stashed in cupboards. Who else has boxes of floppy discs both used and new? We also have a selection of brolen electronics which he may or more likely may not look at in the future and so it goes on.

jwil

I feel your pain.

DH is the same.  It's a nightmare.  He's got nearly everything he's ever owned since he was a kid.  I don't mind him having collections but it's everywhere.  He also likes car booting, and buys bulk lots to add to his collections, with the aim of selling the bits he doesn't want.  Unfortunately he never gets round to sorting and selling.

NeverendingDMP said:

I'm a sneaker. No other way. Oh would keep everything in a pile on the floor. Kids love everything. Even a pooped balloon could be a Barbie dress. I admire there creativity but not the clutter. I agree with Jwill less clutter is better. And I'm finding I'm getting more so as I get older. 

The older I get the less I want.  Even stuff that has survived previous culls I am leaning towards getting rid of.  The kids aren't too bad, it's hard getting even their stuff past DH as he wants to sell it all, even the low value stuff I'd rather just be shot of.  Last year I think he did 1 car boot so it's not exactly flying out the door.  Little miss will identify stuff to go, then it will hang around so long that she'll take it back again.

jwil

savingholmes said:

Hi Jwil - I feel you on the clutter - although most of its mine. I am that person that can see a potential reuse for everything so find it really hard to let stuff go. Getting a labeller helped though and giving things a place. It reduces the need to hold on to multiples of things - and where I already have the multiples - putting them in a specific place is helping me find stuff more often and therefore reducing the re-buying.

I can appreciate the difficulties in letting stuff go.  DH comes from a line of hoarders so it's all he knows.  He does struggle and I try to be empathetic but it's difficult.  I agree though that organising makes such a big difference.  Knowing where stuff is makes it much easier to control what comes in.  DH is a sod for buying multiples and storing them in a different place instead of using the 'household' item and just replacing it when it's used up.

jwil

I have had a pottering day today and decluttered a few areas, no real method to it.

One kid's clothing drawer, a few books, a couple of items from a cupboard in the bathroom and I looked through one food cupboard in the kitchen to understand more what is there, and what I don't need t buy for a while!  I also planted a few bulbs, and scattered the rest on the garden.  I'm not sure how good they are and didn't want to spend hours planting them in the rain and considering how late it is.  I read something the other day that said if they fall onto the surface, they will eventually plant themselves. I'm intrigued to see if it happens!

Payday tomorrow so I'll be able to do my end of year totalising and do a brand new SOA.  I was thinking that there are things that aren't on my existing one (toilet roll subscription and a couple of other bits) so need to ensure they are on there.

We used up the last of the leftovers today so that's all good too   

WinterWarrior

It sounds like you’ve had a productive day. I think we’ll be eating Christmas things in March here. 

jwil

WinterWarrior said:

It sounds like you’ve had a productive day. I think we’ll be eating Christmas things in March here. 

We've still got chocolate and other goodies left which will probably last a while, but all the fresh stuff is eaten.

jwil

Today's PAD - £2.

Jan - £126
Feb - £106
Mar - £136
Apr - £122
May - £113
June - £108
July - £177
August - £115
September - £92
October - £87
November - £80
December - £76

jwil

December update:

Debts:
1. £3,580/£3500
2. £4,654/£4562

Total: £8,234/£8062

Mortgage - £100,977.96/ £96,177.49

Savings:
LISA: £1272.70
Premium bonds £1025
Emergency fund: £3.36
Cash Buffer: £60
House improvement fund: £0

jwil

End of year update:

DMP debts reduced by £172
Mortgage reduced by £4,800.47
PADs to mortgage - £1,340 (including £2 for tomorrow)
Savings increased each month.
c.£2,700 found for electric works without taking on new debt.

I'm really pleased with that   It's amazing I've overpaid the mortgage by £1300 without even noticing it!  I'd never have felt comfortable overpaying £100 a month outright.  That is around £2 a day from my current account combined with survey money and sales.

The electric works bill was covered by my pay rise back pay, dipping into various pots, and taking some from savings.  Such a positive result and thanks to the back pay, meant I've still got some savings.

beanielou

That is so so awesome. 

Be very proud xx