The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Evening everyone,

I'm back from my hols ... went far too quickly but l did manage to stay on budget and have a great time 😁.

To say thank you to my family l took them out for dinner courtesy of Tesco vouchers only had to pay for the drinks and it was nice to have a catch up as the kids all spoke over each other 😂. 

Before l broke up from work the accounts were finally completed and sent to the other company, so now we wait...

Next week l need to refocus on going back to the gym and MSE ways. 

Going to be tricky as l have four !! Yes, four different nights out planned between now and next weekend - who does that 🤦‍♀️. One is a trip to the theatre paid for last year and ive said we have to eat at home before we go.  And I've volunteered to drive tomorrow so,  no temptation for a cheeky and expensive cocktail 🍹. 

Enjoy the sunshine 🌞 

LadyWithAPlan

Fingers crossed the takeover don’t leave you all feeling under pressure 

the expensive catch up with friends is always a difficult one to manoeuvre 

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon everyone,

I had a lovely weekend. Turns out the place my friend booked for dinner was a buffet.Great company, Fantastic food, with soft drinks included £21 all in bargain !!

I also had my hair appointment (very pleased with the cut) and travel to pay for so my personal spends are up to nearly £200 for the month nearly double my budget. I've dipped into my reserves and have another two events to go. I'm not stressing, this month has been uniquely busy and that's what reserves are for.

In other news the train company have replied to my complaint requesting more information and my bank details so hopefully we might get something back. 

Right, back to work ...sigh.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

Had a busy couple of days trying to catch up at work. I left early today for a routine hospital appointment and managed to find free street parking meaning today is a NSD 

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

 I'm  popping on to declare a NSD for yesterday.

Only one more day till payday, it feels like ages since some money was put into my account.

I'm going to the theatre tonight, eating at home first, and we'll take a few snacks. So costs should just be transport and maybe a drink.

Managed to convert our lets go out for dinner date on Saturday to a come over for dinner date. Money saving, yes, but I've given myself the hassle of what to cook, etc. Our guests are easygoing, so perhaps a BBQ and cocktails will suffice. 

Just had a reminder flash up to say the £500 balance on our camping holiday is due soon. I've got the money, but I'm just debating whether l should keep the cash and use my 0% credit card.  Any thoughts??

Pinkpieuni

Just dropping by to subscribe and cheer you on. We're aiming for the same MF month June 26. Fingers 🤞 we both hit it.

carboot_karaoke

Hi @Pinkpieuni, thank you for stopping by 😊 your support is appreciated. 

Yes, June 2026 can't come round quickly enough 🤣. Although I think it will be tough to hit my self imposed target I'm going to try my hardest.  

Have you thought about what July 2026 looks like?? 

Any plans for life after the mortgage? 

Pinkpieuni

June 26 is tough for us as well, it's needs must for us. Being debt free and saving will be a new experience, have always been in debt most of adult life.  What July 2026 will look like - will continue with the frugal lifestyle (batch cooking, walking and getting buses etc) as not sure what the future holds beyond 2028 when I leave my job.

carboot_karaoke

To go from being in debt to mortgage free is quite some achievement. You must have worked really hard.  I hope you mark the final payment with a little treat or something else you like. ☺️

Are you leaving work in 2028 by choice, or end of contract, retirement etc?

We're a little way off retirement ourselves but I know we have barely any savings/pension pot so l will definitely be focusing on that after the mortgage is gone.  Pinkpieuni said:

June 26 is tough for us as well, it's needs must for us. Being debt free and saving will be a new experience, have always been in debt most of adult life.  What July 2026 will look like - will continue with the frugal lifestyle (batch cooking, walking and getting buses etc) as not sure what the future holds beyond 2028 when I leave my job.

carboot_karaoke

Evening everyone, 

I'm sat in the garden in some shade, trying to cool down. I thought it would be peaceful, but one by one, each of my children has come out to talk to me.  Whether asking for an ice cream, if l like the dress on the newlook website, or to moan about a sibling 😂. I'm going to miss this one day. l keep telling myself.  

I've been paid but need to shuffle some money around before making a payment off the mortgage.  

I was thinking that July was going to be more frugal than June, but I had a reality check looking at my calendar 

* MOT & Service x 2 (me and Mr CK)
* Insurance - (Mr CK) renewal is over £1000 !!
* My insurance is due 1st of August awaiting the renewal quote. 
* Self-assessment tax payment on account (Mr CK), but with all the other costs he has, l    might have to subsidise the money he puts into our bills account. 
* Teacher gifts  x 2 
* School uniform x 2. I think M&S will have 20% off schoolwear soon.  Both children had school shoes recently, so they might get away with them into September 
* Kids holiday clothes we're only going camping but still need a few new shorts, t shirts, swimming costume etc.- ordered some from Vinted last night. 
* Debating whether to buy new sleeping bags, the ones we have are 12 years old, and after all the times they've been washed, they feel like 4 tog  😕. Not what you want on a freezing cold night.

Thankfully, I have separate car, kids, and holiday funds. But it only takes some bad news from the mechanic or something else to happen to wipe away the money saved.  It also occurred to me that this time next year, all the reserved pots will have been spent, so I'm not sure how I'll be paying these annual bills. 

There has been no news from the other company at work, not even an acknowledgement of the documents.  I wasn't expecting an offer or anything yet, but a thanks we'll be in touch response would be nice.  I hope we hear something by the end of July. It feels like we're all in limbo, it's quite hard to get motivated when the future is so unsure.