Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thanks Savingholmes, lots to think about and I will. She is feeling slightly more upbeat but still moping about giving up golf which I am by and large trying not to engage in as we have been here all before as regular readers know. I did manage to get some big work frogs out of the way yesterday so thinks looks a little bit better there. I am still wishing I could just take some time off and we could go away somewhere nice and sunny. I know we have got Portugal and Spain to look forward to but it feels like such a long way away. 

I got bored without anything creative last night so had another go at the crochet kit. OMG I cannot do it. I looked on videos but they are all for righthanded and I cannot do it right handed. I then switched to using the yarn for knitting and that was much better but quite thin so hard with smaller needles. Not really sure what I am going to make maybe just a rag to clean with as it is cotton. At least that way it would get used and they are very pretty colours. 

No money saving efforts done just trying to get through the month at least it is a short one. 

BookWorm

Look for Bella Coco Crochet on YT. She has tutorials for left handed crochet.  I've used her tutorials before and they are pretty good and easy to follow

Also chunkier yarn may be easier to learn with too

daisy_1571

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5uf-2NZZOT4&ved=2ahUKEwiq6cLz45iEAxUQaUEAHevKASEQ-4ACegQIFBAG&usg=AOvVaw1QhMhgXNAa8ONNqS_ikcjK

Heres another left handed vid - looks quite comprehensive from the little bit i watched.   I would also advise that if your yarn starts splitting when you work it, stop and use another yarn.  Its easy to get very confused when learning knitting or crochet if your yarn easily splits as you don't clearly see each stitch so can go in the wrong place 

Dxx

TallGirl

Thank you so much both of you I agree larger yearn and hooks is easier which is why it surprised me that the kit came with a no 3 hook and the year is really thing cotton. I will have another go then it would be fun to learn I like the Christmas decorations you can make small and quick you would hope. 

I am still feeling a little down also looking at my finances it is not really a pretty look for my own money. Joint we are ok especially if we can claim off the insurance for the wall. The guy has agreed to quote in writing for the insurance so that should come in soon and I can get that sent off.

Back to my finances I will be ok if DG pays me for our Spanish trip this month before my credit card is due to be paid for the Irish Trip. She is working really long hours but the larger sums of money has not come through yet so she might not be able to pay me back. If that happens I might just have to take money out of the Premium Bonds as much as it pains me to do so. I also need to pay for my golf membership in May so that is coming up soon and I need my savings for that.

I have taken tomorrow afternoon off we are both having our haircut and then going to see DGs aunt. It will actually be nice to see her as it has been a while. I cannot even remember when DG last saw her. Maybe do something nice just for us afterwards see how it goes.  

We are meeting a friend in a nearby time on Saturday. We did try before Christmas but a jumper on a train track stopped that trip so this is second time lucky. We are going to meet for brunch and see the cathedral but after that there might be some drinking. 

Work is going to be busy today so best get on with it.  

SuzieSue

Hi TG, is there a reason why you don't use 0% purchases credit cards?  You can get around 15 months interest free credit.  I and my husband managed to get £50k worth of credit between us.  We just pay off the minimum each month and put the money we would have spent in a savings account to pay off the card when the 0% comes to an end.

TallGirl

Thank you SuzieSue I have thought about that especially for the golf membership as it is a lot cheaper to buy the whole year than monthly (10% is £150 roughly). 

I need to look into the timing of it as I know some you only have interest free for so long and then it stops. Another real want now is to get my golf trolley and bag replaced as it is starting to fall apart. It is 19 years old so have done a good turn was realy value for money but is now old and heavy compared to newer models. Interest free would be really useful for that but also really tempting. I am just about to join a meeting with my manager but she is late so could have a look for 0% thanks for the tip I had forgotten. 

SuzieSue

Yes, you do have to be very disciplined as it is very easy to spend more that you would otherwise.  I put work purchases on my credit cards as much as I can.

If I need a large credit limit, I apply for several cards on the same day as it does not seem to affect my credit rating until they show up on my credit report.  I remember a couple of years ago I applied for about 6 one after the other and got them all with credit limits ranging from £10k to £4k.

Also I and my husband used to transfer balances to and from each other.  So, when one of our credit ratings was bad, the other one would apply for 0% balance transfer cards.  We don't do that now because the bt fees are quite high now.

TallGirl

Thank you so much SuzieSue that is so so helpful and I have now applied for a shiny new M&SW credit card via MSE so knew I was preapproved it gives us 20 months interest free so can both stick the golf membership on it in May and pay it off over 1 year. I can also put stuff on it now so it makes it easier to clear the large balance from the Irish trip. DG may still be able to pay me but this takes the pressure off quite a bit so thank you. PS I did check about the balance transfer it would cost £52 so not worth it as you say.

I do need to reign myself in a bit but hair cut today is much needed and cheap. We are not going out after we have seen her aunt as we are out with friend Saturday and it is a weekday. I have taken the time off work so do not have to make it up which is very handy. 

Did gym last night DG did not go but I did a session in the gym 45 min then Pump which was good. I do like the posh gym just makes a change from the normal stuff. I should be at the other gym right now but skipping core and going to Combat at 9am as I normally do. 

I do have some work to do first and then time off this afternoon. 

I also looked into that Octoplus thingy finally found out where it is thanks for MSE. Handy about the free Greggs coffee once a week and also looked at the Cinema thing too. I will now look out for the savings sessions although might be tricky as we work from home and DG is not one for sitting in the cold and dark lol. 

Just bringing back my to do list so I do not forget it. 

Updated to do list.

- Await written quote from fence company
- Make claim on the insurance. 
- Send email to DK with screenshots DONE
- Finish my knitting project before the next parcel arrives then cancel it. DONE
 -Paint the front door surround 
-Order hot tub cover cleaner
-Get cleaner for hot tub cover and fit new over cover won at Xmas.  Not cleaned but new cover fitted 
-Sort freezer and label stuff.
-Book trains in Ireland and bus to airport. 

SuzieSue

That's great news.  You should apply for this bt card as it has no fee.  I have it.  I would do it today before your M&S card goes on your credit file.  I also have the M&S card and the points you get are a nice bonus.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/search/?selectedProductId=CC_Natwest_BalanceTransferCreditCard2&goal=CC_BALTRANSFERV2

savingholmes

Just remember to save separately for the balance so the CC doesn't become a slippery slope.