Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

savingholmes

Great news on the insurance £ coming through at last and being able to get the work done. 

Well done on clearing the Irish cost off the CC too.

TallGirl

Thank you so much @FreetodoasIlike for posting please do not feel you always have to lurk. It was lovely to read this site has helped you so much that is amazing to hear. I found the forums originally via an ex colleague because I worked debt advice. I had pretty much always known about Martin Lewis and his site but not the forums. 

Denmark is lovely but my knowledge is sparse as you can see but that is natural after 30 years of living here. I am excited about going back again mainly for my family but also because it is a new chapter and I will not be working. You are lucky with your DB pension but also good you took full advantage on the employer contribution. That really does add up and I agree I have no idea why people do not get pensions. It really is a no brainer and you should start as soon as possible. Really good on your @LadyWithAPlan for getting your selfemployed friends set up. 

I benefitted hugely when exdh died because I inherited his pensions. That was his dad who set them up so generously paid for by their own company. I know I am very lucky and I appreciate that this diary is not about frugal living it is about getting the best value out of what you buy and not fritter money away. 

I do take quite a lot of holidays but they are not all expensive. The trip to my uncles funeral was just the flights and the cottage by the sea in Summer is paid for by my mum so it is just food and flights plus spending money same as what I would spend here really. Yes the Spanish trip is £1000 each but that is 6 nights with 6 hours of golf tuition and 3 rounds of golf in a very nice hotel half board. We both work hard at our jobs and earn a good living so I think you need to have holidays but obviously make the most of it. The Irish Trip was an 80th birthday present to my mum last March so that just happens to fall this year. Yes and then there is Morocco which we did not have to go on but it was £600 for a week all inclusive so this where this diary is not frugal as that is expensive if you are on a low income. Excuse is I just need something to look forward to and we do each save £150 a month to use for holidays incl spending money just with all the trips coming in at the same time it was tricky to budget hence the credit card. 

You are right though I do need to look at sacrifice now for my future self as I do spend a lot on have luxuries in a way I wish I was still paying off my mortgage as I was far more disciplined. 

Got to get back into work more I have been giving a new project in an area I do not enjoy so this is my first one solo. I have been shadowing others but now I have one of the new seniors shadowing me. It does irk me a bit as she is paid more than me (the role I did not apply for) but she is nice and it is not her fault. We are also a line manager down as my previous one is off sick having tests so that does not sound good. I will let this slip but I am not doing it all the time as that is not fair. She was employed at that rate so she could mentor my level. Yeah illogical really. 

Anyway enough moaning rain and rain here and did not go to the gym just had enough after my 5 sessions this week. One day I will make all 7.   

Watty1

 Just catching up. Congratulations on the engagement.

FreetodoasIlike

Thank you for clarifying your holidays- you needn’t have had to!!! Everyone can spend their money as they wish.  In no way was I criticising, it was just an observation. However, spending money to see family is important and crucial, and I now understand that these trips were inexpensive, and so necessary to you. I also understand that holidays are something you and your DF look forward to and budget for it, and it’s something you both look forward to and enjoy. So keep holidays in your budget! Me, holidays don’t mean anything to me, and I haven’t been on one for a few years. It actually stresses me, and I’m always glad to get home. We’re all different! Luckily, my OH feels much the same way, so it’s never been a problem here. My bestie friend always went on cruises (usually with her parents/extended family) and I loved to hear her stories and loved her photos. I used to say “don’t forget to take a photo of the food!” She always did!! I was never envious (well, maybe a bit about the food!) and by the same token, she knew it just wasn’t my thing, but I knew she looked forward to her holidays and loved them. Horses for courses.

I understand too about benefiting from your ex. pension wise and that my pensions were just “lucky”, in that I really didn’t have to think about it. Yes, I benefited in the end, but had I chosen a different path, it could have turned out differently. I still spend money on some things that I don’t need, or want really. I agree, it’s about spending appropriately and getting value for what you “want”. Having said that, I have just had an £8000 tooth implant bill to pay It’s a LONG process, which you may or may not know, as the implant has to knit with the bone, so it takes several months.  I have six already, budgeted for, and will pay for this last lot on an interest free credit card (valid until June 2025). This way, I don’t eat into my savings and still get a small amount of interest! I KNOW I’m lucky, as a lot of people can’t do this, but I can pay a set amount each month until it’s finally paid off next year, and still increase my savings pot. I think that’s very MSE of me, and my teeth are very important to me and I’m getting value for what I want, or ‘really, really want’, as the Spice Girls said in the song!

Your present work situation DOES sound illogical to me, but as your say, if she is a nice person, you can’t blame her and it’s not her fault. I understand you will let it slip on this occasion, but agree with you that it’s not fair and you need to make a polite and reasoned stand in the future - which I’m sure you will!

LadyWithAPlan

@TallGirl as a fellow 'love to travel but keep it frugal' - I am glad you are enjoying the trips - I make a lot of my trips work related so they tax deductible as well - its rare I travel w/out that - 

@FreetodoasIlike good to see hear your story and that you have done so well. I agree the teeth are imprtant - I am obsessed with flossing
I have made it my mission to be aware of the tax situation/sipp/expenses on business etc  as SE and now a co director after  being a HR tax payer  at 23 but blowing lots of cash at my first proper job  after uni.... (though I do have a DB pension from it to come) - i didnt think about salary sacrifice then sadly ...  

I am wary of most financial advisors as seen friends get killed on fees  --  I do /have however advised friends to get tax advisors on big business changes or sales always .... most acctants just want to prove to hmrc they have followed the right steps and actually  dont really help to reduce tax much - 

TallGirl

Ouch to the dental cost but as you can afford it and it is a priority for you it is worth it for quality of life and although not an enjoyable thing to spend money on the results should last for years and be so beneficial. I am lucky (touch wood) I have not had to spend much on my teeth but when I do it does feel expensive.

Spending time with the family is important and my mum has done so much for me and paid for so much for me over the years it is nice to treat her for a change. We are also meeting DGs Irish family. I do wish I could travel on expenses but sadly we can not Dgs business is strictly England only. 

Speaking of Irish Dg looked on the portal and the passport has been issued and is on its way which is just such amazing news. Feels like one step closer to getting to live in Denmark. I could see DG was really excited and pleased with the news so we did want to celebrate on a wet Thursday. Instead of going to the pub (drinking and eating) we went to Lidl, got our two free pastries (won on the spin thing) and bought £15 worth of treat food including some nice soft drinks. Did not actually pig out that much but watched some telly and went to bed early. 

Work got slightly more annoying yesterday when I got asked if I had discussed a particular new project with my manager. I had not and she is on leave next week (she only works 3 days). Well I looked at it said I could take it but what the most senior manager wanted was for me to support one of the newbies so she could run it herself. I was not happy about that. It is her first project she has only shadowed a really tricky one which is completely different and this one is my one area of expertise. This was done on online chat so I replied saying thought it made more sense for me to lead and I would be happy for her to do the set up etc. She replied we could both co lead which is actually not an option. I discussed it with me colleague who is at the same level as me and I do not really think she could see the issue. Which surprised me as usually she is very sensitive to that level difference but we both did not apply for that role and it is not the newbies fault. I have a meeting with the newbie on Monday to discuss the project and I might just let her lead it but not if she does not know what she is talking about as the people we are working with spot this and it will not be a great thing for the team's reputation. I feel like they are taking the p*** when I am not paid to mentor her but on the other hand I do get to do it so if I do go for the job (if one ever comes up aka someone leaves) I can say I have done it. Also who knows she might be good in this area and I can learn something. Anyway enough moaning. 

Finally I did some work on my 12 week plan which I am trying to start to follow on from the course I did before Christmas. I have set 5 areas 

Work

Personal

Financial

Move

Wellbeing

Under each I have then added a low goal and a high goal and then trying to treat the 12 weeks like a year so not putting things off to the next quarter etc. There is a financial goal in there too. It is quite personal so I wont share it but I am toying with writing down everything I spend in this diary for a set period just to see if that helps. I need to be accountable so I do not feel I spend very much but I do actually because a lot in on the joint account but it is obviously me. 

Just checked Quidco and the Moroccan holiday has finally tracked. It is paying £12.67 in cashback for Tui but also an extra £20 Quidco bonus for booking at Valentines. That is a nice bonus should pay for breakfast at the airport at least. 

I have a meeting at 11.30 today so will do some prepping and also look at the new project I am the lead on. The joys of work but at least it is Friday and sun is shining. 

LadyWithAPlan

Nothing worse than office politics and this below is the most important point especially when arguing your case if you do go that way

TallGirl said:

 I might just let her lead it but not if she does not know what she is talking about as the people we are working with spot this and it will not be a great thing for the team's reputation.

Not sure if you have seen  (sorry more spending) but Miz Cracker is performing at the Clapham Grand, London this Sunday one night only AND Sasha Velour at the Palladium next month -  I am definitely going to one - havent decided on the 2nd yet

I decided to track my voluntary spending on here  for Oct, Nov, Dec and it was a full on eye-opener - well worth doing ... I kept thinking i was quite frugal (ha!!) 
It also pushed me to start using YNAB which has also been a game changer on my voluntary spend despite me being s/sheet, virtual pot, budget queen - the daily tracking and strictness of the dashboard is what I need as only me to be accountable to me

savingholmes

Sorry work is frustrating. I hate those kind of office politics. 

Good news on DG's passport.

TallGirl

Morning that weekend went really fast but it was ok. 

Friday we went to the driving range it was £14 spent but did not buy any drinks or rubbish. My golf was really off but that happens sometimes. Saturday we got some jobs done around the house including sorting out the freezer so that can now come off the to do list finally. We do have a lot of food in the freezer so have made a chalkboard list on the fridge so you can see what is in each freezer and then change the number of items or add more to it. We went to Lidl and got some more chicken which I marinated and froze for chicken skewers. Thanks Lidl for the free sauce and all the free pastries. I did bring the free sweets home I donated them to the foodbank instead  .

Saturday evening we just chilled which was nice and watched tell. Sunday most people pulled out of the golf but I went and did a gym class with one of the other ladies. Then breakfast and then we decided to go and hit some golf balls at the covered range after going to Ikea. Well Ikea was packed in the car park and the restaurant was so so busy. However the shop was ok but DG's eyes went off due to the lights so she felt sick. We did get what we came in for and actually nothing else slipped in the bag so that was amazing. £115 for a bottle bin, two sheets (super kind size) 2 rubber backed matts (1 large) and a pillow for DG. Nice when you only get what you actually need. I have put that on the credit card and then I will move the money over to the Monzo savings account ready to be paid off. Might as well earn interest on it. The insurance money is also in and paid into the savings account ready for when he can start the work. I cannot remember if I said they actually paid out the full amount he quoted for. Now I just need a start date but the weather is so so bad I do not mind waiting a bit longer. 

Also spent £30 on two tickets to a CockerPoo Easter cafe in London meeting our friend and the cute doggie. Should be fun and although it is an expense we had not planned it is good to see friends and actually get to London sometimes. Need to book train tickets for this obviously (well if there is not strike lol).

Plan is to go to gym at 10am but DG had a massive IT issue logging in so that stressed her out big time. I hope she still wants to go or I shall do it on my own. The posh gym is being extended this week so might not be able to work out in it before class on Tuesday might do spin instead and then combat. We shall see. 

Also sold a dress on Vinted for £6 haggled down from £8 but I got it second hand and never worn it as it does not fit me. 

-Get start date for fence work 
-Paint the front door surround 
-Order hot tub cover cleaner
-Get cleaner for hot tub cover and clean cover
-Sort freezer and label stuff. Finally DONE
-Book trains in Ireland and bus to airport
-Try clothes on for Spain ready to pack it
-Get travel bag x 4 for golf checked and ensure they are ok. Throw old one out or list as give away. DONE

TallGirl

Morning first day of being accountable for all I spend. I was a big £0 yesterday but I did have to take money back from joint account as it had run out of money when I paid for crap DG wanted (crisps, coke and chocolate) well you can see how our diet is going £5.48 wasted on junk when I went to post the Vinted parcel. It was joint money but otherwise it would cancel out the £6 profit from Vinted.

Main joint account does still ( have a Monzo for spending and a Santa for all the bills) £220 in it which is good but there has been no council tax come out this month. I will need to move £115 of that to the high interest account (5.05% with Santa) to pay the credit card off when the time comes. 

I have had to move £850 of savings into my current account as the Irish trip got paid but DG does owe me money but her money had not come in yet hopefully later this month. At least she can still pay into the joint account so my money can wait for now. 

We did look at a new fridge for the pool bar. I bought the old one when I moved to London 9 years ago and the freezer part does not work properly plus we do not need that part. Saw one in Currys for £147 and Monzo have 4% off at the moment plus there is always Quidco too.

I did some more reading of the tax laws in Denmark but it is just too complicated. I looked at the Danish Association they have really racked up their prices for joining it is now over £100 for a year and I am sure it was £60 last time I looked. It is cheaper to join for multiple years so trying to hang on for a bit longer just annoying as I wanted to find out if it was best to top up my pension rather than ISA but there is no harm in topping up the Pension pre April as I can still do the ISA if I have any money left. I have my MoneyBox and the non ISA can I put in but that will not take it up to the limit of £41K but I could kills my premium bonds although I love that so something to think about. 

DG has been working since 6am she has also got her personal trainer today so I can see her bailing out of the 7pm class. The gym is shut but there are classes as 6pm I could join. I will see what DG does as it would mean taking two cars as she will only do 1 class having done PT. 

Anyway lots of work to be done and I have a meeting with the big boss straight after our team meeting. That is about the frog project which is actually almost done so that is helpful. I also got to try out the frog project on a real scenario and it worked so that was good. 

I also saw today on the news that MSE is 20 years old today. I signed up for the emails because a friend recommended it and she also told me about the forums. I always wonder if she is on here still and posts. We do not see each other any longer but I might bump into her at a party I think we will both be invited to this Summer. Anyway Happy Birthday MSE.