Find the SecondStar and soar, and then straight on till the morning…

SecondStar

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

I had my last day of work yesterday, and I’m not back till the 2nd. I’m enjoying a relaxing day at home, and then going to my partner’s for Christmas Day tomorrow. There is lots of tasty food in the fridge, and the sun is shining.

It’s only 5.5 weeks until we go to India! I was mapping out what needs to be done in that time - I have to finish altering my wedding outfit, get my hair cut, go for a makeup trial, get my nails, brows & lashes done, and order a couple of suitcases, plus other travel items - bug spray, compression socks, a travel pillow etc. My partner has his wedding clothes sorted, he just needs 2 pairs of shoes & a belt. We both have enough casual clothes for the trip.

I still have to pay the pet sitters, but I have them booked. We will sort visas and insurance in a couple of weeks. It still doesn’t quite feel real!

The whole thing has cost a fortune. The flights and hotel were both much more expensive than we had originally anticipated. Still affordable in that we’re not going into debt, but still more than expected. I’m putting a positive spin on it by thinking that if I’ve been able to save up this much cash, then I can save that much for other things in the future too.



My emergency fund has dropped a bit, and is sitting at £5,528 - the goal is £8,000 which will be 6 months of expenses. I’m aiming to get this filled as quickly as possible, so I can then focus saving efforts elsewhere.

I’m planning to have a chat with my partner about what the next couple of years will look like, once India is out of the way. That will dictate whether money is saved towards a wedding, overpays my mortgage, or is invested for retirement. I’ll be opening a LISA as well, as I’m turning 35 in a few days and don’t want to miss the window.

Lots of thinking and planning to do!

Humdinger1

Sorry about your chook @SecondStar.   You did everything possible and are honouring her in the wonderful life you give the others.  How right you are about saving being about practice! Your technique is fab.  Happy Christmas/Seasons Greetings love Humdinger xx 

SecondStar

And happy New Year’s Eve!

It was my birthday yesterday, a big 3 5, and I’ve been very spoilt all week. Highlights for December have been visiting the aquarium with my partner, arts & crafts shopping with my friend, seeing the new avatar film on the biiiig cinema screen, Yule celebrations with my viking pals, National trust properties after dark and all done up for Christmas, starting a new mixed media journal which I’ve not done for years, making and wearing a decorated felt crown for my birthday day, and feeling very ‘seen’ by my loved ones, with some very nice presents received.

I’m coming into 2026 feeling good about my finances. My expenses have come up a little with getting the chickens, and the cost of my cat’s regular medications & healthcare going up, but they’re still not as high as when I also had my dog before August 2024. My wage has also been slowly going up twice annually, with similar predicted for this coming year.

I’ll be continuing to save £200/ month for another 12 months, which should bring me to my £8k / 6 months emergency fund by next December.

After that £200 comes out, I have £350 to split between sinking funds (Christmas, birthdays, trips) and savings.

My car will be turning 11 this summer - I’ve had it from new, the only thing I got out of my previous marriage. I’ve been lucky that it hasn’t needed major works, but I’m aware that it’s coming of an age where problems start to occur. It’s a 2015 Renault Twingo which has had an easy life with low miles, and I would like to keep it for another 3-4 years or so. But it’s wise to look to the future, so I’m going to start putting £50 aside after the India trip, with the idea that a pot will build to go towards the cost of a new car in the future. I would much rather not take on finance or other debt, if possible.

I also want to start putting a bit into investments, probably another £50 / month for now. Probably another £50 / month into overpaying the mortgage. £50 / month towards a wedding fund. The remaining £150 / month between sinking funds - we’ve no other big holidays or expenditure planned for this year, so that should be plenty until the emergency fund is filled at the end of next year, which will free up that extra £200 / month.

There’s other non-financial plans too, but it’s time to start getting ready for bed - no big NYE plans around here, it’s been a tiring week!