A Fresh Start, a year of growth and balance.

BudgetingBelinda

Here we go – a brand-new year, and a big milestone: I’m finally DMP-free! 🥳 A fresh diary, a clean slate, and I’m feeling ready to take on 2025.

First up: finances. By the end of February, I want to have £2,000 safely stashed in an emergency fund. Having that security will be such a weight off my shoulders. By July, I’m aiming to save £3,000 for a much-needed holiday fund – something to look forward to though not sure it’s possible. I can dream! If all goes well, I’m hoping to build savings (that currently stand at about £0!) to £5,000 by the end of the year. Very ambitious. Especially because.. 

The bathroom floor is still a looming issue after a series of leaks, and a wall needs re plastering, it’s looking like it’ll need fixing before 2026 – a potential budget blowout. Then there’s my car, which is feeling its age. I’m not driving much these days, so fingers crossed it holds out for another year.

On the home front, I’m sticking with the decluttering mission. Slowly but surely, I’m determined to get the house more sorted. It looks tired and in need of TLC, much like its owner! This year, I’m wanting to paint every room and turn the space into a fresher and better place. To correspond I also have a new skincare/self care routine that is getting me fresher alongside the house 🤞🏼☺️.

To make all of this work, I need to rein in my grocery and takeaway spending. It’s a habit I chipped away at in 2024, but there’s definitely room for improvement. I’m ready to be even more mindful and focus on what really matters.

On the personal side, I want to move more, eat less, (both of these align with the budget plans and house and self glow up!) and generally feel better physically. Mentally, I’m in a strong place – something I’ve worked really hard to achieve. Work is exciting, with lots planned, and though there are challenges with DS2’s schooling and SEND-related issues, I’m doing my best to tackle them head-on.

Here’s to 2025 – a year of growth, balance, some good luck 🤞🏼 and perseverance. 

debtfreewannabe321

Hey! Followed you over! Happy new diary 😁 look forward to hearing about all your plans coming together 😊

BudgetingBelinda

Hi @debtfreewannabe321 👋🏼 thank you! 

BudgetingBelinda

When paying off my DMP I really found splitting the money into steps helped (goal amount divided by 100 = 1 step) so I’m going to do the same for my savings goals. Put this in my signature as EF, holiday and savings pots. Will attack them in that order so first up is EF. I think savings should come above holiday fund, however I won’t book a holiday until savings underway and EF done. So slightly sensible?!... Also I think I’d have to be on holiday if I have to spend savings on bathroom floor as we’ll be bathroom less for a while 😩. Hopefully bathroom floor etc holds out til next year? Feeling like if things go well, and luck on my side it’s manageable, if things don’t- DS2 school placement breaks down/ bathroom floor/ house problems escalate I’ll be in some plop. But I’m starting 2025 ambitious and hopeful on the back of a much more financially mindful and planned 2024. 

Four_Seasons

Followed you across to cheer you on x

MFWannabe

Love the title of your new diary 🤩
Given me food for thought this morning as I need to take better care of myself in 2025 

BudgetingBelinda

Four_Seasons said:

Followed you across to cheer you on x

Thank you! 

BudgetingBelinda

MFWannabe said:

Love the title of your new diary 🤩
Given me food for thought this morning as I need to take better care of myself in 2025 

@MFWannabe give it a whirl! It’s taken me ages to get to the mindset that I should take care of myself and I’m still working on it. I’ve been at the bottom of the list for a long time but I’m done with that! 

I treated myself to some nice skincare and makeup, something I’ve never done before! I wore some makeup on a dog walk yesterday to try and get used to it 😂… 41 years old and still attempting some womanhood things. I’m not one to look in the mirror or care much about external factors but I do want to feel good for me. Feels more like a mark of where I’ve taken care of myself and spent time on me, than vanity for looks. I also treated myself to some new clothing items as mine were so old and tired. Nothing extravagant; just some basics but made me feel like I am worthy of clothes without holes, a warm coat, and waterproof boots with soles intact! 

Also taking some time for me at a friends yard and doing horsey/outdoor things has really helped. Creativity too has been great for reflection and self care. Gives me great soul food, as has having down time without guilt, making just 1% progress on decluttering sorting etc all but maintaining it has just been a great positive lift ongoing.

I hope you find your self care metaphorical toolbox in 2025 and fill it up and use it well! 🌟💪🏼👌🏼

Justcrackingonwithit

Great diary @BudgetingBelinda, really enjoyed reading it and it resonated a lot with me. I too need to curb the supermarket/food spends and start looking after myself a bit more. Mum bought me some anti aging cream for Christmas, I think she’s trying to tell me something! 

I’ve just started my diary, I find myself single in my fifties and living alone for the first time ever. Bought my dream house but had to have work done so trying to reduce my spending and reduce my debt….

Here to cheer you along! 

BudgetingBelinda

@Justcrackingonwithit love your name! And thank you for the cheering! Good luck with the spends on groceries. I so need to figure that out this year. Highly recommend looking after yourself, especially when on a budget. Does not need to cost. The best things in life are free?! Hmmm! But maybe they can be! Some at least! What do you do to take care of yourself? What have you done today? I try and think about that a lot more than previously. 

For me.. today I went to the yard and rode a friends horse, swept the yard and felt like I was on cloud nine. Me time! And then shower and nice face cream! Need some hair attention as the greys are out in force atm. Face looking more like me but hair is not! Haven’t been to the hairdressers in years. On my 2025 to do list!🤗

BudgetingBelinda

Anyone want to join and spur each other on… 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6576827/100-steps-challenge-to-where-you-want-to-be-in-2025#latest