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Small steps lead to big changes...
Comments
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Well done on the PADs
Glad Kitty is okay.
Sorry about the anxiety. Does keeping busy help more than relaxing with that or do you need both?
Well done on getting the cube unit moved. Anything you let go of from your house is a win at this point.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.8K Equity 36.37%
2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £27.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 34/£127.5K target 26.6% 10/10/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 60.35K or 47.6%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5K updated 10/10/251 -
Thank youI think that’s the nail on the head @jwil. I expect you remember all the times you messed something up rather than the thousands of times you did things right or really well. You probably don’t notice most of them.I think when things are overwhelming, tiny steps are important. Even if that’s only a list of what you are going to do or de-cluttering one small thing. As you can see from my user name the inaction part of things is something I am working on!!You also have two young children to care for, a partner, a job. Be kind to yourself - I know from reading your diaries that you will do that de-cluttering so if it doesn’t happen now it’s not the end of the world. Small steps…..
L x
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee1 -
Thank yousavingholmes said:Well done on the PADs
Glad Kitty is okay.
Sorry about the anxiety. Does keeping busy help more than relaxing with that or do you need both?
Well done on getting the cube unit moved. Anything you let go of from your house is a win at this point.
I need to do both really, but it always goes into my gut so I'm really uncomfortable and don't feel up to doing a lot other than curling up with a hot water bottle. I then get into a vicious circle of not feeling well enough to eat well, and then feeling unwell because I'm not eating well! My anxiety often also manifests as health anxiety so not feeling well doesn't help either! I think it is improving, but I need to keep working on it and also be gentle and not put loads of pressure on myself."Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
Today's PAD - £4Jan - £141
Feb - £139
March - £89
April £149
May - £79
June - £270
July - £253
August - £173
September - £120
October - £151
November - £175
December - £198"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2 -
Happy New Year's Eve everyone! Here's hoping 2024 is a good one for us all.
Final PAD of the year done, and I've just totalised. I've paid an additional £1937 this year without really noticing it! 😱😁 That's just paying a £1 or £2 from my bank account each day plus any additional from surveys, PB wins, sales etc. I'm so pleased with that!
That means that including the normal monthly payments, the mortgage has been reduced by roughly £7.5k this year.
I've also reduced my DMP debts by £242 - they are just ticking over, but that should be more next year as I've upped my payments slightly as of Jan.
I've also increased savings too, though some will have to go towards the boiler.
I'm very pleased overall with that, so hopefully can build on that next year.
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
Declutter update:
1139. Remote control motorbike
1140-1145. Bob the Builder vehicles
1146. Goggles
1147. Toy car
1148. Roasting tin
1149. Arts and crafts
1150. Paperwork
1151. Lego
1152-1155. Model kits
1156. Train set
1157. Book
1158. Pasta bowl
1159. Playmobil parts
1160. Toy car
1161. Slippers
1162. Hairband
1163. Playmobil parts
1164. Thomas playset
1165. Playmobil parts
1166. Toy car
1167. Pen
1168. A4 pad
1169. Plug
1170. Model kit
1171. Shot glass
1172. Socks
1173. Book
1174. Dog bed
1175-1176. Xmas decorations
1177. Lego set
1178-1179. Scalextric track
1180-1181. Scalextric cars
1182-1188. Train parts
1189. Watch strap
Declutter totals:
Magazines/papers: 140
Other: 1189Total: 1329
Ebay listings: 204
Ebay parcels: 160Survey/other earnings:
Amazon: £50
Paypal/cash: £559.26
Other vouchers:£0"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
I'm a bit disappointed with the declutter total this year, it could be so much more. However, I can get off to a good start next year with all the stuff ready to go but not listed. I think a re-read of Marie Kondo or something is needed to give me a nudge to get going again."Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2
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Amazing on Pads & decluttering. 🤩I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.2 -
Plans for 2024.
This is what I hope to focus on next year. Mostly trying to make small changes that can become habits or reinforcing changes that I've made or started.
Money- Increasing savings is my priority to build resilience
- Tracking spending daily
- Continue PADs
- Keep up to date with surveys
Health- Work on my mental health
- Walk to school more consistently - it's exercise without needing to find time for it!
- Continue with time restricted eating - 9am-7pm - I've mostly been doing this but have slipped somewhat recently.
- Exercise 'snacking' - try and remember to move around more throughout the day, particularly after meals and when working. Little 'snacks' of even 1-2 mins will be a good start to build on.
- My focus will be on decluttering and deep cleaning. With my aim to increase savings, I don't plan to do any work on the house unless the need arises or a good opportunity comes up (i.e. we clear lots of space).
- Tidying the garden
- Getting out and about regularly
- Hopefully keep my job! (and DH to keep his)
- Slow down, and live a simpler life with less stuff.
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee4
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