Flying solo

PennysIntoPounds

That is productive, nearly £300 is an excellent amount! Why can't you put some towards the debt though if that's what you'd like to do? As @enthusiasticsaver said above, make sure you're not paying more than you need to interest-wise now you've got a good chunk of emergency fund/misc!

stymied

Could you split it? Maybe leave £1500 in the pot and send the rest to cc?

twiggy86

Thanks for the comments @enthusiasticsaver @PennysIntoPoundsand @stymied. I am only leaving it set aside at the moment in case I end up paying ex anything - as this gives me something to pull from rather than having to get a loan or something (depending on the amount, I may still have to do this, but it will lessen the amount). In an ideal world he won't get a penny and all the "misc savings" will go towards the CCs - but I can't say this for definite. I have one amount which is at 4.9% interest but everything else is interest free. So I am only building it up and letting it sit there whilst this situation is unresolved. 

However, we don't want to talk about the ex... let's talk about my date tonight!!! Going to play crazy golf and then have pizza! In total contrast to ex, this guy... has paid for things, loves a deal, and tells me places I can park for free!!! Oh and he has "pots" and a spreadsheet!!! Definitely a different approach to money! But also seems totally blooming lovely! 

I did have a little splurge on Vinted yesterday! I need to check what is left in the "clothes" pot but it should all be covered by that! 

So today's bits and bobs include:

• Pop load of washing on eco setting 
• Make lunch to take to work 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Crochet on present at lunch 
• Hang washing on airer 
• Get suitably presentable for date! 

enthusiasticsaver

Hope your date goes well today.  

I will just  say one thing re the situation re the ex.  Legally I think you will find he is not entitled to anything.  You weren't married, he did not put money into the house, he isn't on the deeds or the mortgage and if I understand correctly one of the biggest reasons for your debt is because he did not pay you anywhere near market rent or cover bills or food while he was living with you.  I am not sure a bit of diy entitles him to money from you especially when part of your debt is because of him. So essentially he had an almost  free ride for what (16 years?). 

I personally would pay off the 4.9% debt at least but at least some of it is 0%. 

twiggy86

Oh dear! I didn't keep my promise of checking in regularly! However, I have been pretty much keeping on track! I did have a spendy weekend on bits for the house... but the house is really starting to look great!!!

I did purchase a dining room table on finance BUT I could have actually paid for it in cash in full. I opted to pay a deposit and then split over 12 months interest free to give me that bit more flexibility with that cash. Of course, I can go in and pay it in full if I choose. I had the realisation on Sunday afternoon how empowering it felt to have my finances under control that spending over £1,500 in one weekend on house stuff didn't leave me in a panic, having to reshuffle money from here to there and I could have paid it all in cash! Yes - the table was expensive at £1,200!

Budget spreadsheet is all up to date and yes the "house pot" is looking a little low - although it does still have £276 in there. In past times, I would feel like that was a lot! Goes to show the progress I've made in a relatively short amount of time! 

I have the guy I've been on a few dates with round for dinner tonight - dating is expensive! He has definitely paid for the majority of things but I have been buying certain things, as not fair to rest all on him. I told him on Friday some of the details of the situation with ex and my financial situation, so that feels like a weight has been lifted. Let's see where this goes! 

joedenise

In your position I would have chosen to do exactly the same.  If it's on interest free credit but I could have afforded to pay for it then why not?  It's what I chose to do when DH needed a new iPad.

twiggy86

Thanks @joedenise - pleased it wasn't just me that felt like it was a reasonable plan. Was concerned that maybe my attitude towards taking on debt hadn't changed and that I was being frivolous! 

joedenise

Certainly not being frivolous!  It's being sensible I think using your money in a good way.  Like me you know you can pay it off without a problem if it becomes a necessity for any reason such as losing your job where it would be better not to have that monthly payment.

badmemory

As long as it is in a savings account earning interest & not costing anything.  The main thing is being able to trust yourself not to touch it.  I did it once & managed to pay it all from income so the savings stayed intact.  Definitely a win.

twiggy86

Thanks @badmemory and @joedenise

So I managed to have a NSD yesterday! Haven't managed many of them this month!!! Dinner went well last night as well, which was a plus! (I'm not much of a chef!) 

Today's bits and bobs...

• Take leftover pad thai to work for lunch 
• Update spreadsheet 
• Dad coming today to do some work in the kitchen - gosh the house is really coming along! I actually almost felt "house proud" last night, even though there is still stuff to be done! 
• Go to acro yoga tonight (google it - it's nuts but have started doing it with the new guy!)
• Possibly forego dinner... acro yoga involves being upside down!! 

Oh and I haven't mentioned... so my dad had a surprise life insurance payout from my granddad (who passed away nearly 11 years ago). His share was just over £400 which he has said he is giving to me!! He's sooo blooming kind! This is on top of all the bits and pieces he has purchased in connection with the DIY he's doing! Yes I do keep asking what I owe, but he keeps saying not to worry and "it's only a couple of quid"... well one of the things he paid for was a skip which is not only a few pounds!!! I'm such a fortunate person to have parents who are willing and able to help me in many ways.