Debt free and staying that way while I re-evaluate life and keep blood sugar levels down 1 January at 10:41PM edited 30 March at 12:52PM in Debt free diaries 149 replies 8.6K views

jwil

Humdinger1 said:

Thanks @jwil I did! Getting on now but chronological and biological ages do not have to be the same and anyway I feel well and happy if slightly worried about the cost of living.  I'm planning to audit the pantry and see what dainties I can conjure....

The way you feel is much more important.  Agree about the cost of living though.

WinterWarrior

I think I read somewhere in the news that food inflation was stabilising….not that I’ve seen a sign of it yet 😅 it’s worth upping the food budget when it’s possible though, as bad food can make for a miserable life! 

Sun_Addict

Happy belated birthday 🥳 

Humdinger1

Thanks everyone! Gosh I hope you're right re food inflation...

doingitanyway

I hope you had a lovely birthday
Good point about chronological and biological ageing.

Makingabobor2

Just found your diary @Humdinger1 and will subscribe as I always enjoy your comments on other diaries. I agree with comments at the start by @foxgloves, about us being people of a certain age that seem to have got into financial problems. I was born in late 50's and even with a father who was an accountant and always impressed on me about being careful with money, when I met my current husband everything went haywire. But at least we realised the error of our ways. and are sorting it out now and a lot happier for it.  
And yes, age is just a number and you are only as old as your brain wants you to be. I never think that I am the age I am. 

Humdinger1

So, things are clarifying somewhat.   I do some admin for my husband's co and we have agreed that I will be paid £500 per month for this.  My own co is struggling slightly with cash flow but better times may well be on the horizon as one client probably wants me to do more work at what is usually a slow time of year; and a new client is possibly on the way.  At the moment my co owes me around 5k and I'm paying myself £800 per month.  The questions I'm asking myself are 1.  Should I stick to paying myself this overall so take less (£300 ish pm)out of my own co; 2. I'm 59 and have around £100k in a pension pot: have already taken the tax free 25%.  Should I be adding to this; would like to keep topping up my emergency fund which stands at £7,400.  I'm planning to look again what I need to live on per month, well with good food but not extravagant inc saving into the EF. Maybe a mixture of it all? Our old friend balance.   Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

Makingabobor2

Its always a struggle knowing which way to go with things like that isn't it?  I have a small private pension that I took at 60, had the lump sum and then get a lower monthly amount. I continued to work part time from 60 to 63 and now I am at last on the final countdown to state pension....literally a matter of weeks. Then I can finally start to clear the mortgage & debts quicker and top the EF and other pots a lot more. Luckily DH is younger than me and has a few more years to go yet....although he says he wants to retire at 60...so we need a plan. ...lol

Humdinger1

Indeed it is @Makingabobor2! I know some people like to separate out their savings into different pots but it gives me a feeling of security to see a sum sitting there and I do transfer in and out for ad hoc things like subbing my daughter, restocking the store cupboard etc.  I also have a reasonable rate with S*ntander in an account which is I think now closed to new applicants sadly but it applies to the whole balance, up to a limit higher than I'm ever likely to achieve! Still, when I consider that I paid £140k off, I'm grateful to have an EF. Your plans sound good.  Thanks for commenting love Humdinger xx