New Year, New me

bigbeff

Thanks, I might download and have a look, but generally I find coupons are never for things I need/want! 

LittleMissDetermined

bigbeff said:

Thanks, I might download and have a look, but generally I find coupons are never for things I need/want! 

It's worth having a look but don't get your hopes up  

joedenise

Someone I know uses the app and if it's something she doesn't use she donates it to the Food Bank.

LittleMissDetermined

joedenise said:

Someone I know uses the app and if it's something she doesn't use she donates it to the Food Bank.

This is actually a really good idea, especially as when I ended up deleting it there was a lot of baby food

bigbeff

I had a look at the shopmium app, there doesn’t seem much on there unless I am being dim, just pet food and drinks which I don’t buy! Oh well, I’ll keep my eye on it for a couple of weeks before deleting. 

Just transferred £55 to loan, waiting on £27 prolific to clear but it is being really slow. £7 vinted sale. I feel like all I am doing is thinking money at the moment… but I’m on the finishing straight. Decided no unnecessary purchases in august… that means no clothes, no fabric, no books…. I have enough of all of those!

LittleMissDetermined

I was the same when I was on the final push. I became obsessed with throwing everything I could at the debt. You're doing so well, don't deny yourself a little treat now and then. Doesn't need to be expensive.

bigbeff

£14.20 from prolific the other day and another £10.30 today, had some good surveys recently, although not much last couple of days. 

A bit of a washout day but off to do a fabric postcard making course I got for my birthday so that'll keep my brain occupied! Finished crochet shawl yesterday that will form part of my mum's Christmas present. 

Still going strong.. I forget I lose a bit of income in August although marking money covers it.. I just thought that might all be extra. Must remember not to transfer it all straight to loan!!

bigbeff

Had a lovely day yesterday making fabric postcards, perfect for the wet and windy day we had here. A little bit of work to do today, a parcel to post and a fish and chip dinner to celebrate a family birthday. 

Thinking ahead… it’s 59 days until I will no longer have to pay loan payments and already Octobers payment is significantly less than September, aim is to lower it even more so. I’m doing a craft sale in the middle of the month, made lanyards, glasses cases and juggling balls\fabric weights so far. Going to do some bags today… they will be my money maker i hope (out of old jeans and scraps of fabric). But the question is, what do I do with my extra money once debt is gone. I’ve been paying £700 a month on average to attack it, it’ll be nice not to worry about that… mortgage is due for renewal in July next year and I can overpay about £4000odd I believe, would plugging an extra £200 on that a month be a sensible move? Rate is going to go from 2.5% to who knows what! Luckily amount left is only(?!) about £47000 so although payments will go up, it won’t be that horrendous!

in_need_of_direction

Due to the price increases everywhere, we decided to tackle our mortgage as it was the only outgoing over which we had control.  Yes, we reduced fuel usage, etc. but there were limitations in how far to go.  We managed to clear it in March this year and it’s such a relief to know that a buffer against increased costs elsewhere is in place, especially as rates keep increasing.  That said, the decision was also influenced by my self employment and variable income.  

I truly be it was one of our few good financial decisions.  There is an argument that I should have topped up my pension instead but while that may have made more financial sense, it wouldn’t have given me the same peace of mind.

bigbeff

Thanks @in_need_of_direction I'm debating mortgage vs extra pension... I want to be living comfortably at every step in my life 😍