The Senior Wonder Years!

cbsexec

I totally agree with your comments about the nhs.  I understand why people go private but worry that they make it a two tier health system.   More money and time should be invested in heath and social care.  😂 that’s my soapbox.   Ps. I don’t budget really either.  Not properly.  Just save for certain things and buy sensibly.  I think “shrouds don’t have pockets “ and life is for living.  

Organgrinder

I budget for everything.

I have a spreadsheet with every account I have, income streams, outgoings etc.

It's broken down month by month. I track where it is against where i expected it to be.

Included are changing my car every 4 years, £5000 a year for holidays, £4000  a year in discretionary spends, Christmas, birthdays, house insurance, travel insurance, servicing etc etc.

I still work 4 days a week. I also mark exams and tutor from time to time. I factor in my exam marking but usually earn more than my estimate. I don't factor in any tutoring I do. That's a bonus.

On the face of it, it sounds like I track every penny, but it's very fluid, i don't generally allocate x for food, y for eating out etc. It's purpose though is two fold. Firstly I want to ensure I can hit my target retirement date with sufficient funds to do so. Secondly, I want to not do without the things I enjoy now.

I will save money where I can provided I don't compromise on service/quality. My last two pairs of high index varifocals cost me £120 for the pair from Asda for example. My mobile is £6/month after cashback. I've recently switched energy provider and have fixed at just below the current price cap.

We subscribe to Netflix and Amazon Prime. We currently also have Disney Plus for free.

I switch banks regularly. This last year has seen me gain £1,000 or so for very little effort. I also stooze which will earn me over £1,000 in interest over the life of the cards. I also have money invested at 5.5% on average offset against a £60k or so mortgage which is at 1.64% giving a net benefit of over £2,000 pa.

We eat out once or twice a month and get a take away once or twice a month. We have three or four weekends away a year. We're going to a festival in August. We probably go to the cinema once a month or more, usually using clubcard vouchers.

I don't spend money on clothes but do get my hair cut regularly.

Recently we spent on new garden furniture and a garden makeover. In the last three years we've redone the kitchen, both bathrooms and the lounge.

For me, budgeting has allowed me to manage our finances but importantly provide a nice lifestyle.

Farway

[Deleted User] said:

FreetodoasIlike

I do disagree with your comments about the TV Licence. I like not having commercials lol! I actually think the programmes and associated services are good quality and objective. But each to his own.

Years ago the fee was never an issue until certain extreme tabloid newspapers started a campaign to destroy it as the organisation refused to go along with their outdated views and outlook.

Funny how newspapers like the DM and others can accuse the BBC of bias, but somehow outlets such as GB News never are!  

Years ago the fee was reasonable, as were the programmes, the outdate outlook means whatever it means, no swearing? no gratuitous nudity? Historically inaccurate casting to fit an inclusive agenda? Constant lectures disguised as script plots?

I think the jibe about GB news is unwarranted, no one is forced to pay for that, they are for the BBC

[Deleted User]

Farway said:

[Deleted User] said:

FreetodoasIlike

I do disagree with your comments about the TV Licence. I like not having commercials lol! I actually think the programmes and associated services are good quality and objective. But each to his own.

Years ago the fee was never an issue until certain extreme tabloid newspapers started a campaign to destroy it as the organisation refused to go along with their outdated views and outlook.

Funny how newspapers like the DM and others can accuse the BBC of bias, but somehow outlets such as GB News never are!  

Years ago the fee was reasonable, as were the programmes, the outdate outlook means whatever it means, no swearing? no gratuitous nudity? Historically inaccurate casting to fit an inclusive agenda? Constant lectures disguised as script plots?

I think the jibe about GB news is unwarranted, no one is forced to pay for that, they are for the BBC

My thread I can say what I like!

I don't mind swearing and some nudity!

GB news is just  a propaganda channel for the right wing bigots.

I am all for the inclusive agenda too!

As a Historian I find most of the content that  I watch to be very accurate. It is just that some don't like the truth behind some of our past History to be known.

Technically no one is forced to pay for the BBC. if you don't watch it don't buy a licence!

[Deleted User]

Anyway that's enough of that lol!

Farway

[Deleted User] said:

Farway said:

[Deleted User] said:

FreetodoasIlike

I do disagree with your comments about the TV Licence. I like not having commercials lol! I actually think the programmes and associated services are good quality and objective. But each to his own.

Years ago the fee was never an issue until certain extreme tabloid newspapers started a campaign to destroy it as the organisation refused to go along with their outdated views and outlook.

Funny how newspapers like the DM and others can accuse the BBC of bias, but somehow outlets such as GB News never are!  

Years ago the fee was reasonable, as were the programmes, the outdate outlook means whatever it means, no swearing? no gratuitous nudity? Historically inaccurate casting to fit an inclusive agenda? Constant lectures disguised as script plots?

I think the jibe about GB news is unwarranted, no one is forced to pay for that, they are for the BBC

My thread I can say what I like!

I don't mind swearing and some nudity!

GB news is just  a propaganda channel for the right wing bigots.

I am all for the inclusive agenda too!

As a Historian I find most of the content that  I watch to be very accurate. It is just that some don't like the truth behind some of our past History to be known.

Technically no one is forced to pay for the BBC. if you don't watch it don't buy a licence!

Public forum, I can say what I like!

And FYI I don't buy a licence, so they can spend your money however they like as I'm not paying for it

[Deleted User] said:

Anyway that's enough of that lol!

Agreed.

Rich1976

[Deleted User] said:

Farway said:

[Deleted User] said:

FreetodoasIlike

I do disagree with your comments about the TV Licence. I like not having commercials lol! I actually think the programmes and associated services are good quality and objective. But each to his own.

Years ago the fee was never an issue until certain extreme tabloid newspapers started a campaign to destroy it as the organisation refused to go along with their outdated views and outlook.

Funny how newspapers like the DM and others can accuse the BBC of bias, but somehow outlets such as GB News never are!  

Years ago the fee was reasonable, as were the programmes, the outdate outlook means whatever it means, no swearing? no gratuitous nudity? Historically inaccurate casting to fit an inclusive agenda? Constant lectures disguised as script plots?

I think the jibe about GB news is unwarranted, no one is forced to pay for that, they are for the BBC

My thread I can say what I like!

I don't mind swearing and some nudity!

GB news is just  a propaganda channel for the right wing bigots.

I am all for the inclusive agenda too!

As a Historian I find most of the content that  I watch to be very accurate. It is just that some don't like the truth behind some of our past History to be known.

Technically no one is forced to pay for the BBC. if you don't watch it don't buy a licence!

Sex on the BBC, shocking ! You’ll have Mary Whitehouse turning in her grave 😂😂😂

FreetodoasIlike

Oh dear, we seem to disagree about most things - never mind. I would go into debt to pay for a close relative who needed urgent medical care, was in constant pain, and could be treated quickly privately and who had to wait up to two years for a non urgent op. I don’t think abolishing private care is the answer to the problems that lie within the NHS. Maybe get rid of the highly paid “managerial” posts and recruit more medical staff?

I know we’ve drawn a line about the BBC but this is my final comment about them being unbiased. I remember the newsreader who was suspended for being “gleeful”, giggling and airing her obvious views abut the former PM not running for leadership. If that’s not showing bias, I don’t know what is! Don’t know about GB news - have never watched it.

Lily8

Happy special birthday when it comes this month Baron_Dale. Pretty sure you said it was July. Hope you have something nice planned

Dizee123

Interesting comment that if everyone had to use the NHS it would improve.
I wonder if the potential influx of ex-privately educated children to state schools after any tax changes will improve the quality of education in some areas using the same analogy?