Balance in the force

savingholmes

I like your 3 Hs idea. Well done on the OP.

FlacosFloozie

Yesterday's I went for a run, did some baking (first time in ages) and decluttered the baking shelf in the kitchen cupboard.

FlacosFloozie

3 Hs for today- yoga practice, decluttered my dressing table and painted my toenails while watching TV with a glass of wine. Back to work tomorrow but it's been a lovely break.

FlacosFloozie

Well, January wasn't great for updates. I picked up a horrible cold that just sapped all my energy for about 3 weeks but finally starting to feel better.

Overpayments were slightly under target for January as more went into savings. I opened the B rainy day saver and have maxxed it out so getting 5% interest on that.

February's budget is looking pretty healthy as long as I avoid temptation. I have a few days off so in the life admin tasks I need to open a SIPP and move tiny pension from a previous job into it.

Longer term, I need to start adding more to my S+S ISA and save less in cash. I know the return on investing will be worth it and I now have a good emergency fund but it's still a bit of a mindshift.

SandyShores

Hi FlacosFloozie, just paying a return visit.  Love your enthusiasm, its very motivating.  I might move the premium bonds into a higher rate account as 5% is a really good rate.  I do like the psychological benefit of paying off OPs though so will keep my mortgage OPs going and maybe reconsider in a few months.  We have been talking about pensions lately too and wondering about paying more in - something else for me to think about - Mr Shore's does know what his balances are which is good.

FlacosFloozie

Well, I really have been rubbish at updating lately. February's saving went well. March a little less well as we had a big event at the start of April so had to budget more towarda that. We probably (definately) overspent a little (a lot)  but time to make if up  over the rest of the year

Unfortunately, I've ended up with covid again (almost a year after the last bout). I do seem to be improving quicker this time around but spent yesterday dozing on and off while listening to finance podcasts. I know I need to start shifting my focus off saving and more to investing but for some reason I'm struggling with the change in mindset.

I think I've gotten used to working towards a fixed target and setting a new one when I'm there. Topping up the ISA just seems so open ended. I know long term it will outperform the savings and mortgage overpayments but I'm used to seeing the emergency fund go up and the mortgage down.

We'll also need to remortgage next year so I want to pay an extra lump sum off at that point.

I did increase my works pension contributions last month form 5 to 7 %. I'm planning to see how that goes for a couple of months and then possibly increase it again. I didn't want to do too much too fast given how quickly costs are rising.

Mr F had had his promoted contract extended for another 2 years and I'm getting a pay rise next month for taking on some extra work. This puts us in the extremely fortunate position of having an income that has risen faster than our outgoings. I'm finding it brings a sense of pressure to make the right decisons now and not regret them in 10 years.

savingholmes

I get you on the pressure.

Well done for pension increase. Your future self will thank you.

FlacosFloozie

Its a weird feeling, isn't it? I think its not wanting to waste good fortune, especially at a time when life is challenging for so many.

Mr F has gone down with covid today so very quiet here. I've been pottering round tidying up the house catching up on housework and doing a little decluttering.

Yesterday I made it out to cut the grass and sow some grass seeed. I kept having to sit down for a break so took ages but it was a lovely sunny day and, with a little luck, the lawn will look better in a few weeks. This morning I managed some weeding. I think its good I'm isolating. Usually, when i get a fit of enthusiasm for the garden there's a trip to the garden centre and I end up splurging on plants, many of which never make it into the ground. I'm going to try to be more strategic this year- famous last words! Will go to B&Q at some point this week but limit myself to bark for the border and maybe one small shrub to fill a gap. Once the borders are all weeded, trimmed back and mulched then I can but pretty things for the pots on the patio.

There's also a few bits around the house I want to do. There's some rooms we've not got round to sorting blinds for and the hall needs painted. Due to the shape there's quite a long tricky drop at one point so think we need to get someone in for that. There's a couple of points where ther'e been a drip from the guttering so also need to get that checked, and the tumble dryer needs repaired. After that, just our bedroom to decorate.

savingholmes

Hope Mr F recovers quickly and that you escape it.

Merlin's_Beard

Well done on the pension increases, definitely a good thing to increase slowly so you don't notice it as much.

I get you with the pressure - but I try and remind myself that any kind of saving or action is almost certainly going to better than inaction so I can only make things better!

Definitely take it easy with the covid recovery, I had it last month and it was so easy to overdo it for the first few weeks I was 'better'.