Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

vandanfc

Make sure you put something in the santander account as it has a minimum balance to keep it open requirement. I think it might only be £1

TallGirl

Thanks VandaFC I have now transferred £200 over. 

Got really fed up this afternoon my manager is concerned about confidentiality as both DG and I work in the same office at home. I do not see any issues but it is an argument I am not going to win. Really just made me fed up as I am now supposed to move my laptop out everytime a conversation might be confidential plus every Tuesday we have a team meeting. Annoying I will mention it to a teammate see how she feels. 

Glad I have tomorrow off and so not motivated to go to the gym tonight. Feels bad not to go as we wont be going tomorrow. 

vandanfc

could a room divider be a compromise, you can get roll up or fold up ones? Also headphones could be suggested/used and then neither of you are party to each other’s conversations?

TallGirl

Thanks VandaFC we both wear headphones and DG listens to music radio station all day when not on a call. She’s not remotely interested in my work and does not know anyone who works in my live of work. Room is too small to be divided. I think I’ll just have to hope she forgets about it and if something is really confidential  tell the people on the call I share an office. 

Had a fab day off today played in Ladies Captains Day. Was such good fun and we came second. They are all at the pub now but dg went and I’ll pick her up and come in for a drink. I’m shattered but it’s good she’s socialising. She had a good game too and enjoyed it so fingers crossed it works this time. 

savingholmes

Just caught up on your diary. 

Good your DG has been able to get more remote work to replace part time job.

Your moving back to Denmark plans sound interesting.

Glad you got advice on the pension board. Your fees sound very high - and from the books I've read are likely to wipe out your gains in a typical year. If you ever look at the forecasts comparing say a Vgd index fund - to a managed fund and you see the difference it makes to how much you keep the latter is scary. Glad you got the £2K refunded.

TallGirl

Thanks for popping in Savingsholmes really appreciate it however my diary is not that money focussed. Yes agree the pension advice was silly money and now that we have decided to move to Denmark I would need a different type of advice as there will be massive tax implications. I do prefer low cost funds so this will be reviewed in a year but at least I kept the SIPP out of the fee regime. 

Been a lovely weekend had a good golf lesson Saturday which I have paid for ages ago so no cost. Then we played a few holes but it was slow so went home and chilled by the pool. Went to bed early as leaving for London early to have yet another lesson but this time it was for both of us. The pro at our old club is amazing and although it is £75 (my mum paid for it as DGs birthday present) it is well worth it. We saw a couple of people we used to know at the club which was lovely and then drove down to our favorite driving range. We had money on our card so no cost other than the Costa drinks. Didnt do a lot else but still a really nice day and grateful for the time we had in London but also glad not to be living where we were. 

It is really dark and rainy here I am going to the gym for the first time in 3 weeks so it will be hard. DG is going to a different class but I have a meeting so can only make this one. Best get going 

TallGirl

Gym was really hard but also good to be back. 

I wanted to come back on here as I did buy some golf stuff yesterday as we were in a physical shop and I could actually try things on. I have needed some navy blue shorts for ages but not been able to find any. They didn't have my size at the shop but when I looked online they did have some so got those £30 down from £50 also got a tshirt down from £30 to 20. I know that is still a lot but for golf you do need certain pockets and lengths for it to be comfortable. Might not fit obviously. Also got some new golf balls as I have lost at lot lol. 

My actual golf set is ancient. My clubs I bought when sometime around 2006, my bag and trolley is 19 years old so not spent a lot other than on my rain clothes which is newish and expensive. 

Need to book my train ticket as got trip to HQ Wednesday which will be nice but I shall miss gym again. I can however take some time back Friday as I also have a late meeting Thursday so all works out. 

Got Dentist in a couple of hours so another spend today.

savingholmes

Well done on the golf and the gym. Hope dentist went okay.

It sounds like you've managed your money well - so not surprising if you have less need to report on it.

TallGirl

Thank you savingsholmes I do feel like I fritter a lot away so it’s good to be accountable on here. 

Spent £10 on a golf lesson yesterday from joint funds. Our Asda order was cancelled it was a big one as we’ve got guests this weekend. We can get it all and it will be cheaper as we will go to Lidl first then Asda later on the week. Got a yellow sticker Mac and cheese from M&S last night. Very nice at £2.75 but would not pay full price meant to be £8.75 but part of a meal deal for £12 at the moment which I a lot better. Also got rosti potato for 97p. 

Going to London today to a team meeting. Will be nice seeing everyone although the team is a lot smaller now.  I will get lunch on expenses and obviously a coffee too. More Costa stamps I hope!!

DG has got a final 6 days pay from the nightmare job so that’s all good and she’s got counselling today. She did enjoy the golf yesterday so maybe we are making progress. I hope she can pay her share of the bills this month but some of her work has not paid as it’s not complete which is not her fault. 

Train journeys are so boring but I do need to send a few messages so that will kill some time. 

TallGirl

London was not the greatest in the rain but good to see colleagues and we had a nice time. Only got one stamp on my Nero but the app did not work so I have to try and convert it now. Faff but still free drink and lunch.

Claimed my £51 expenses from July forgotten about them and they have now been sent back 3 times due to a receipt. Hopefully sorted now. 

Spent £27 in Boots online to get my shampoo etc totally run out and it is 3 for 2 plus points so all good and free delivery. 

Still need to take back what the joint account owes me and pay it off my credit card which is getting quite high now. I do get Tesco points for it so not all bad lol. Most of it can be paid next month as I want to know for sure DG can contribute to the bills this month. 

Going to DGs aunt this evening we are taking her fish and chips for supper. I am not a massive fan but we had a huge lunch so I am not fussed really. Will be good to see her been a while it is such a shame she has lost her sight. 

Then it is shopping in Lidl and Asda ready for the weekend but also the fridge is empty as the delivery was cancelled this week. 

DG counsellor has asked her to start doing a plan for the move to Denmark so this prompted me to look into danes.dk looks to be a good place to start and it is not that expensive to join plus you get free advice if you are a member. They also do discounted language courses which we might need at some point. Let see if they reply you can also call them to that might have to be an option. 

So tempted with all the amazing interest rates you can get now on savings. I only have Premium Bonds as my cash savings but from April I need to top up my ISA allowance. I usually just top up my S&S ones but this year I am kind of tempted to so something else. I do have £8K and £5k invested outside an ISA so kind of feel I should cash those out and turn them into cash. However that could impact on capital gains I am sure you only have £1K. Anyway not to sorry about that right now at least but I would like to fill my ISA next year as well. 

Almost the end of the working day thank goodness was up early and went to the gym and then work since. I got 1 hour a week for wellness so taking that tomorrow so I can finish early to watch the Solheim Cup.