HONEST FEEDBACK ON MY SOA PLEASE???????

satchmo1

I'd recommend opting into your work-based pension, perhaps starting with the lowest amount possible, as you can always increase this as you get salary increases. I increased mine every time I got a pay rise, by half the amount of the pay rise. It meant I didn't "miss" the extra.  

Also, in terms of life insurance, check with your union and/or HR as there may well be preferential rates through your blue light card or similar? 

The only area I would query on your SOA is that surely you sometimes buy birthday presents/cards, contribute to colleagues' whip-rounds? 

Finally, thank you for your service

KxMx

I realise you walk to work and don't have a car, but is 0 really what you spend on other travel? No occasional bus tickets or taxi fares?

You also never have a paid for haircut and only spend £10pm on entertainment? 

Groovy_Chick_

@KxMx    - I live in a city center so I do not spend on travel at all, everything I need is right here. I mentioned I have a haircut every 6 months, and yes I spend the 10 on netflix and do at home activities and host game nights in order to save

enthusiasticsaver

As you seem to have your budget under control and live relatively frugally my suggestion is the following

opt back into your works pension. Assuming you are a basic rate tax payer HMRC will pay 25% of your pension contribution as it is taken out of your pay before tax deducted. You will also get death in service benefits although as it is just you it might be critical illness might be more appropriate.

up your debt repayments if possible. I would pay £400 to the smallest and minimums to the other two cards. The £800 will be gone in two months and then focus on getting rid of the second. If you can maintain this you can clear the cards in six months.

any spare money put into savings. 

Once the  debt is gone redirect spare money between savings and mortgage overpayments.