We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Balance in the force
Comments
-
And I'm running a fever again, so its been a quiet day at home. Will need to get a few bits in the supermarket tomorrow and submit our meter readings then pay the bill on Sunday. Both are budgeted in YNAB and I shouldn't need to spend anything else before the year end. I've shuffled some small savings pots around and added some Christmas cheques to make a final overpayment of £1262.07.That brings me to a total of £11,614.50 for the year, the full 10% allowance! I've had a lot of luck to let me do so and I don't see it happening again but I'm still proud of hitting that target.MFW 2024 £27500/7500 Mortgage £129,500 Jan 22 Final payment June 38 Now £68489.08 FP May 36 Emergency Fund £20,000 100% Added to ISA 24 £8,060 Save 12k in 24 #31 £20,034.76/20,000 Debt Free 31.07.145
-
Congratulations, and I hope work has been kind to you, especially if you're ill. Rest up over the weekend.Start mortgage date: August 2022; Start mortgage amount: £240,999; Original mortgage free date: August 2056
Current mortgage amount: £224,460.73
Start student loan 2012: £29,750; current student loan: CLEARED July 2025
Unread owned books Jan 2026: 256
Undone crafts 2026: +13 -
Work was suspiciously quiet this week. I can say that now as I'm off til the 3rd
Its going to be a quiet few days for us. I usually love New Year but not really feeling like celebrating this year.MFW 2024 £27500/7500 Mortgage £129,500 Jan 22 Final payment June 38 Now £68489.08 FP May 36 Emergency Fund £20,000 100% Added to ISA 24 £8,060 Save 12k in 24 #31 £20,034.76/20,000 Debt Free 31.07.142 -
Hugs. It is a difficult time of year for many - and if you are also feeling ill and spiking fevers that won't help. Hope you get some decent rest.
Wishing you happiness and prosperity in the new year.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £169.8K Equity 37.1%
2) £2.4K Net savings after CCs March 26 (but owed £1.1K) so £3.5K
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £36.2K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.3K) = 42.1£127.5K target 33% 27/2/26 (If took bigger lump sum = 64K or 50.1%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5.2K updated 16/1/262 -
The meter readings are submitted and energy bills paid so YNAB is up to date and reconciled ready for next year.Aside from thet it was a no spend day.I'm batch cooking stew in the slow cooker- using up the leftover Christmas veggies.I did buy a new work handbag in the sales which arrived yesterday. I'm pleased with it at the price I bought it for but not sure I would have paid full price for it. Hopefully, it will last a good few years.MFW 2024 £27500/7500 Mortgage £129,500 Jan 22 Final payment June 38 Now £68489.08 FP May 36 Emergency Fund £20,000 100% Added to ISA 24 £8,060 Save 12k in 24 #31 £20,034.76/20,000 Debt Free 31.07.143
-
Woohoo - all sounding very mse. Enjoy your new handbag.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £169.8K Equity 37.1%
2) £2.4K Net savings after CCs March 26 (but owed £1.1K) so £3.5K
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £36.2K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.3K) = 42.1£127.5K target 33% 27/2/26 (If took bigger lump sum = 64K or 50.1%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5.2K updated 16/1/261 -
Happy New Year everyone! I have to confess I got to about 11.45 last night and just started to cry. Mum loved New Year- there were always parties at neighbours and everyone visiting. I have lots of happy memories with her and it hurts that there won't be any more. I don't think it helped that Dad is fighting off a cold so declined coming for lunch today. To be honest, I suspect he's feeling sad and wanting some alone time. I need to repect that but I'll call him later and maybe pop round tomorrow.I got up and went to parkrun this morning. The last time I went I got the call to say mum was dying. I haven't run since but I know it's good for me in the long run. Turns out, only keen people go on NYD. Between aching knees, post covid lungs and crying on and off I was a couple of minutes slower than usual but ended up second last. I'll take it as my only goal was to make it round and I did. The next time will be easier. There were also many people taking photos so I suspect there will be some truly unflattering ones of me later
MFW 2024 £27500/7500 Mortgage £129,500 Jan 22 Final payment June 38 Now £68489.08 FP May 36 Emergency Fund £20,000 100% Added to ISA 24 £8,060 Save 12k in 24 #31 £20,034.76/20,000 Debt Free 31.07.144 -
I hope the crying was cathartic. Well done for going to the park run - when you are grieving there are so many firsts....Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £169.8K Equity 37.1%
2) £2.4K Net savings after CCs March 26 (but owed £1.1K) so £3.5K
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £36.2K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.3K) = 42.1£127.5K target 33% 27/2/26 (If took bigger lump sum = 64K or 50.1%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5.2K updated 16/1/262 -
Slow and steady is probably better for your post covid recovery even without everything else going on. The cry was probably more helpful than not.Start mortgage date: August 2022; Start mortgage amount: £240,999; Original mortgage free date: August 2056
Current mortgage amount: £224,460.73
Start student loan 2012: £29,750; current student loan: CLEARED July 2025
Unread owned books Jan 2026: 256
Undone crafts 2026: +14 -
Thank you both. Crying is definitely cathartic for me but I do worry about panicking other people when its in public.
MFW 2024 £27500/7500 Mortgage £129,500 Jan 22 Final payment June 38 Now £68489.08 FP May 36 Emergency Fund £20,000 100% Added to ISA 24 £8,060 Save 12k in 24 #31 £20,034.76/20,000 Debt Free 31.07.142
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353.6K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.1K Spending & Discounts
- 246.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.1K Life & Family
- 260.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards