Balance in the force

FlacosFloozie

Its a bank holiday up here so I'm trying to make the most of it before the return to work tomorrow.

However, it's not an English bank holiday and my mortgage company and bank are based in England so our regular payment went out today. This means that.... drumroll please... out mortgage is now 5 figures!!!

savingholmes

Yes not fun when in public. Been there

LadyWithAPlan

Well done on the 5 figure mortgage - amazing.

I cant imagine how hard it must be for you - I did discover it is possible to run whilst crying and hyperventilating at the same time this summer -  luckily noone saw. I do think processing the inevitable sadness whilst outdoors exercising does help  it get stuck, though I appreciate such grief feels boundless at times now.

FlacosFloozie

Its back to work tomorrow but got caught up on a few bits today. Emptied out the old work handbag and put stuff in the new one. Eyebrows are tinted and nails painted so hopefully I look a little less scruffy.

My legs are aching after yesterday's run but did a yoga practice this morning which helped. It wasn't good for my ego though as I caught sight of myself in the bedroom mirror and the leggings I was wearing were not kind to my post xmas tummy

Load of laundry done and hung up to dry. Kitchen table cleared off and Christmas decs down. Popped up to Dad's for coffee and a piece of christmas cake. Roasted a large chicken this afternoon which should do meals for the next few days. Still using up the extra christmas veg.

FlacosFloozie

Another NSD for me- 3rd dinner from then chicken tonight. This time chicken fried rice.

I'm on day 3 of this years ywa programme and my back is feeling happier. It looks like most of this years practices are around the 20 minute mark which is great as I can fit them in before work. In past years some have been 15 mintutes and some 45 which was tricky.

I'm still playing the minimalist game, 10 items decluttered so far. Is it cheating if I get ahead at the weekend? Thinking I could book a tip run on Sunday morning.

Good news this morning my bank dropped their mortgage rates, not massively but every little helps.

savingholmes

Glad you have started the year off so well.

FlacosFloozie

Not such an MSE day today. I went into town to get my haircut, did save £10 with a loyalty voucher. I also stopped for a coffee and bought a jumper in M&S. The last I used a gift voucher for part of so only cost £18.

Decluttering today was digital. I unsubscribed 5 emails.

savingholmes

Sounds a pretty MSE day to me. You got good value and used vouchers where you could

FlacosFloozie

Well, its been a while to say the least. 2024 was a hard year for a number of reasons and I just didn't feel up to posting.

Fortunately, long ingrained MSE habits have largely kept us on the financial straight and narrow. I maxed out the emergency fund and have stepped up pension contributions and investments while continuing to overpay the mortgage.

I inherited some money from mum's estate and paid a lump sum off the mortgage before we refixed at 4.39%. Another lump sum was added to my penison, some to the S&S ISA and some set aside to spend on new clothes. Mum loved her wardrobe so I feel this is something she'd have approved of.

Dad is doing as well as I could expect. We finally went on the family trip that was delayed by the pandemic.

Unfortunately, its been an incredibly stressful year at work and I think the coming year will bring more of the same. I've been struggling with grief, I've struggled to find the time and motivation to be active or eat well and perimenopause is throwing up all kinds of random ailments. Mr F has also been struggling with depression and long covid so its safe to say wwe've had better years.

Moving into 2025 my plan is to keep plugging away with the finaancial side of things but to focus more on our wwellbeing. We have a healthy cash fund (roughly 6 months salary) so should be covered for emergencies. I want to continue chipping away at the mortgage, add to the iSA and top up the pensions but I also want to spend a bit on enjoyig life.

I need to focus on my fitness- something that's been variable over the past year. It does make a difference but its so easy to let things slide when life gets busy. I need to think of this as an essential.

I also need to look at my diet. Peri has had a major impact on my appetite, weight and body fat. Its been defficult as I was always naturally really skinny. I'll never be that way again and that's not necessarily a bad thing but is so at odds with my mental self image its been an adjustment. Also I have no skills in managing my diet. I ate what I felt like when I was hungry and that worked well for over 40 years. I'm going to have to learn some good habits for the future.

Lastly, I need to work on my mental health. I did some therapy through work for a while but stopped for several reasons. Firstly, i did feel better but I've learned grief fluctates and I think I was in an up phase at that point. Secondly, the therapist was lovely but very young and I didn't feel he rreally understood. I don't think anyone does until you go through a loss like that. I was concerned that other staff members might have the same therapist and sessions were online with Mr F working upstairs so I think I did struggle to be properly open.

I've had some attempts to look for a new therapist but easier said than done. I may need to revisit this but I'm going to go back to meditation first and see if that helps.

Anyway, well sone if you've made it to the end. I'm off to rustle up dinner with leftovers and I'll try to be bak more often next year.

savingholmes

All the best for 2025. It sounds like you had a tough year but made it through.