I dream of a MF home for my plants

debtfreewannabe321

Brill on the OPs 👏🏼
I've also opted out of lots of works Xmas dos I've turned into a proper scrooge as I've gotten older and don't want to waste my money or my precious spare time 🤣🙈

Idreamofplants

thanks @LadyWithAPlan & @debtfreewannabe321
I agree time feels precious - I spend most of my waking hours with work colleagues at the moment Mon-Thurs and I have zero inclination to give up a weekend evening as well.  They are a nice enough bunch but the chat will all be work related.  Sat nights at home sat with my dog and OH watching tv are pretty much my favourite bit of the week. 

All in all a pretty good week so far.  Ordered a couple more bits and bobs for xmas all with good discounts and cash back.  DD has received offers through for Uni next year so she's happy.  

Off to the forest with the dog tomorrow.  Then eldest is coming home for the weekend tomorrow night just to be back to help decorate the house for xmas - this makes me v happy.  Annual trip to the tree farm planned for Sunday.  
 

LadyWithAPlan

Great news re your daughter and how lovely to start the Xmas prep with all the family

Idreamofplants

A NSD here for me - got out for a massive run first thing and haven't been out of the house since getting back.  OH picked up the tree with the kids so had a lovely evening with them putting on all the decs.  Tonight was the first time in a long time all 3 kids have been together just chilling out - was v nice to watch.  I've managed to resist buying Black Friday things I don't need.  Have spent a couple of evening putting gym gear in my basket along with make up on various sites.  Really chuffed I haven't actually ordered anything.  I'm going to start a use it up challenge whereby I don't buy any new toilettries until I've used up what I have.  I have a few pots of body lotion and lots of half used lipsticks I DO NOT NEED TO BUY MORE.  I am going to have a sort through of all my gym clothing before I allow myself to buy anything else.  I have loads of pairs of leggings etc but most of it gets worn a lot as I train/run around 5 days a week.

Idreamofplants

Another week has past by since I was last on here and I have managed to keep my make up/toiletries/ gym clothes spends to zero. I have bought quite a bit for the kids for Xmas but all planned for spends. I also took DD out for lunch yesterday which was well worth the £67 spent. I also spent money on a sports massage earlier in the week as I was in quite a bit of pain after my run last weekend. I have a Christmas weekend trip away next weekend with some friends. Our joint account should be fine to get us through to payday and then I think we will reduce the OP for Dec because we always struggle to get to the end of jan without it becoming depressing. Only another 8 days to work before I get a week off for Xmas. Cannot wait. 

Idreamofplants

The past 3 weeks have gone in a flash and it's back to work tomorrow.  Have put the usual mortgage OP to cover Xmas and the remainder has gone into savings as a Jan back up.  We have had a few financial hiccups in Jan over the years (the worst not being able to afford to pay for fuel) so pleased to be planning ahead this year even if it meant OP waiting.  I plan on seeing if I can make a smaller than usual OP during the month in Jan.
Using up toiletries continuing to go well.  I got bought my fav face cream from my mum and was gifted some perfume from a friend so plenty to keep me going for a few months.  Also spent only £18 in the sales and this was on some PJs.  I have been trying to make my most of my gym membership whilst I've been off this week and managed 4 sessions so pleased with that.  
The big thing I want to focus some time on this Jan is work/life balance.  I want to reduce from full time hours at some point this year. I know it will be reducing OP but it will be worth it to have more time with the kids/dogs/my growing book pile.  I also think we will be at under the £170k mark when our Jan payment comes out - I cannot wait to go down to the £160s! It was been a long time since I've had a mortgage this small even tho to lots of people this is a huge amount it is a massive achievement for us.  

Idreamofplants

Humpf... the mortgage total came in at £171300 so still have the £170k barrier to get past next month.  Total Op for 2024 were £8680 - pleased with that.  Jan spending still on track.  Pet insurance has gone up so paying out over £50 for both dogs but otherwise no scary unexpected bills (yet).  Eldest has gone back to Uni (boo) so the house is back to feeling strange.  I am going to try and put into practice some of the reading I have been doing about how to be less emotionally bothered by work.  I'm heading into the part of my life where I've been working for over 30 years for the most part either full time or 4 days a week whilst the kids were little.  I want to be able to feel less guilty about not working so hard - that sounds weird writing it down.  Going into 2025 I just realise that all my plans are work related and not so much life related. 

debtfreewannabe321

Fantastic work on the OPs in 2024. Well done!
I think finding a good work/life balance is essential to happiness. It is crazy that we spend more of our lives with work colleagues than we do our own children and partners/ other family. I think some thoughtful life plans/goals would give motivation for sure. 

Idreamofplants

that's so true debtfreewannabe we do spend a scary amount of time with colleagues.  Mine are an ok bunch but not really anything like my friends outside of work - I'm twice most of their ages for a start - and I'm in quite a senior role so often am the one pointing out when things aren't being done properly.  When I was younger (pre kids) I socialised quite a bit with work folk but it's been a long time since I've had anyone I think of as a good friend at work.  I feel like am a right old bore!  I think I also found that socialising outside of work can lead to more talking about work when I'm not there which I try and limit.  
Received £50 cashback for the new dog insurance policy - running total is at £77 and I'm due a £30 referral bonus at some point. Once I get over £100 I'm going to send off mortgage.  Day 6 of dry Jan - so far so good & also got out and got lots of steps in this evening as the snow had turned to mush so a bit too slippy to run.  

Sensiblesaver

Just read your diary start to finish, well done on your OPs, you managed to reduce quite a lot of your mortgage. I also run a lot and love plants, so enjoying the tips . Our mortgages are quite similar in amounts, I still need to break the 190k barrier, but will follow you along, as I am hoping to be mortgage free in 3.5 years