Small steps lead to big changes...

NeverendingDMP

jwil said:

NeverendingDMP said:

Not knowing what's going on at work is a pain. Hope you get some clarity soon. Well done on cashing out on the surveys. 
I know what you mean about the debts ticking over too. We still have a couple of big ones with debt agencies. We regularly get offered half off the big one if we settle. I don't have the funds handy but part of me thinks even if we did why pay that one when we have new debts from fixing the kitchen. The low amount just ticks over and causes us no hardship. See what they say though. It might be an offer you can't refuse 

They've never offered me anything better than around 10% discount in the past, so I'm not rushing to clear it at that level.  I will do one day but want to have a decent solid set of savings behind me.  There's so much work needing done in the house, I'd rather keep the savings in case something goes wrong (and continue to try and build them up).  Clearing the debt is in my retirement figure so it needs to be done in the next 10 years  

Yes definitely keep the savings then. And with the way your pads are going that retirement figure is gonna be totally smashed I did a retirement/pension thread a couple of years ago on the forums to ask what my pensions so far meant. I asked were they horrendous, dire, okay ish, v good. General response was okay ish but try harder, and I learnt a lot from the answers. The general consensus was the thing that was good was that I was thinking about them at the right time. So well done for getting on the case before it's too late. 

jwil

doingitanyway said:

Having the savings in your emergency account is invaluable. I wouldn't want to lose that either.
Have a good day

Thank you You too.

jwil

NeverendingDMP said:

jwil said:

NeverendingDMP said:

Not knowing what's going on at work is a pain. Hope you get some clarity soon. Well done on cashing out on the surveys. 
I know what you mean about the debts ticking over too. We still have a couple of big ones with debt agencies. We regularly get offered half off the big one if we settle. I don't have the funds handy but part of me thinks even if we did why pay that one when we have new debts from fixing the kitchen. The low amount just ticks over and causes us no hardship. See what they say though. It might be an offer you can't refuse 

They've never offered me anything better than around 10% discount in the past, so I'm not rushing to clear it at that level.  I will do one day but want to have a decent solid set of savings behind me.  There's so much work needing done in the house, I'd rather keep the savings in case something goes wrong (and continue to try and build them up).  Clearing the debt is in my retirement figure so it needs to be done in the next 10 years  

Yes definitely keep the savings then. And with the way your pads are going that retirement figure is gonna be totally smashed I did a retirement/pension thread a couple of years ago on the forums to ask what my pensions so far meant. I asked were they horrendous, dire, okay ish, v good. General response was okay ish but try harder, and I learnt a lot from the answers. The general consensus was the thing that was good was that I was thinking about them at the right time. So well done for getting on the case before it's too late. 

The pensions board on here is amazing, they are so informative.  I'm very lucky though as mine is DB and I've been contributing for years, so there's been limited work needed on my part.

jwil

Following all your advice, I'm not going bother paying off the debt.  I might ask out of curiosity what they are offering, but won't do anything more.  Thinking through potential issues that might arise - mostly the boiler as we still haven't done anything about that.  Bathroom - should be ok for a bit if I stop smashing the fittings(!) but there's so much that's old here and could potentially go wrong.  I want to get a decent amount behind me first.

I'm finished work again for a few days now.  This week has been so busy and today was particularly draining (and hot!).  I was in the office this morning for a meeting, but came home this afternoon as I was too hot in my smart clothes .  I'm shattered!  Tomorrow the kids have the optician, and I want to do school shoes etc.  We'll also go to the library.  Little miss has her swimming in the afternoon as well.  So that should be busy!  Not sure what else we'll be up to over the weekend and early next week.

I'm only working 4 days for the rest of this month   

beanielou

Woohoo to only working for days this month 

savingholmes

Your PADs are doing really well.

Enjoy your break.

I get a lot of peace of mind from my EF. There's a lot of value in keeping it.

doingitanyway

Glad you are having time off as you are so busy!

jwil

beanielou said:

Woohoo to only working for days this month 

Thank you, it's a nice feeling

savingholmes said:

Your PADs are doing really well.

Enjoy your break.

I get a lot of peace of mind from my EF. There's a lot of value in keeping it.

Thank you   It's the first time in my life I've ever had savings, I don't want to be without them again.  It does take so much pressure off, not having a huge panic every time there's an unexpected expense.

doingitanyway said:

Glad you are having time off as you are so busy!

Thank you.  I feel like I need a break to relax a bit.

jwil

Today's PAD - £2

Jan - £141

Feb - £139
March - £89
April £149
May - £79
June - £270
July - £253
August - £50

jwil

Today is going to be an expensive day.  I've gathered all the library books and double checked we've got them all.

I'm now making a list of the things we need for school.  Not too much I think, but it would be nice to get it all done.  Little jwil has a residential in September so I want to get everything we need for that as well.

Have a good day everyone!