One step at a time

sunshineli

Today was my office day so I spent £4.80 on my train ticket. I did take lunch though and got a free coffee on the way into work (using DH health insurance perk).

Today has been a bit more expensive than usual as I bought my mums birthday presents (a book £4.99, mug £7, candle £8) but I’m glad that’s sorted. I also got some birthday cards and a leaving card for a colleague (£5.25 total for 4 cards). I would like to plan birthday presents in a bit more advance in the future to ensure I am getting the best price for things. I have now received confirmation that my work hours are reduced from April onwards, so I really need to be extra careful with non essential spending now. I want my purchases to be well thought out and considered.

It’s been a long tiring day and I also ended up helping an old man on the way home from work. I think had dementia and was not very well ☹️. I bumped into him on the street, as he asked me for help with putting his coat on. He said he had no family or anyone to help him, so I have spent the evening on the phone to social services and the police. It’s so sad and awful to think of vulnerable people alone with no help. 

Right time to put my dressing gown on and eat some apple and pear crumble made by DH. And relax…

seventh88

Well done on all your progress this year with health and financial goals. You've had a great start with side hustles and selling. It sounds like moving to a four day week is a really important move for your health, but also for your finances in the long term. I've seen too many people with ongoing health conditions run themselves into the ground, and then be unable to work at all. Pacing gives you power!

All the best for the weeks ahead, OP by however much still makes a difference and your side hustles will still make a dent in it.

sunshineli

seventh88 said:

Well done on all your progress this year with health and financial goals. You've had a great start with side hustles and selling. It sounds like moving to a four day week is a really important move for your health, but also for your finances in the long term. I've seen too many people with ongoing health conditions run themselves into the ground, and then be unable to work at all. Pacing gives you power!

All the best for the weeks ahead, OP by however much still makes a difference and your side hustles will still make a dent in it.

Thank you very much for the supportive comment. I have come to the realisation that I really need to prioritise my health, and for now that is more important than paying off my mortgage early (however I will still try to make small overpayments!). Pacing is very much a work in progress and something I aim to work on!

sunshineli

It's been an expensive start to March! It was my mum’s birthday which involved buying her gifts (£25 spent) and also a meal out. I paid for my own meal and contributed to my mums which came to £33.50. I can’t believe how expensive eating out is these days (although I do really sympathise with small business owners given the rise in costs). I have limited disposable income so eating out is really not something I can afford anymore. That’s absolutely okay with me as I don’t find eating out worth the money, but can be a little difficult to navigate when being invited out.

Moving forward I will be suggesting with my extended family, rather than eating out for birthdays why don’t we have a tea party at home and everyone brings a dish. This will be just as enjoyable but cost much less. We can bake a cake and decorate and it will be lovely.

I also can't believe how much I have already spent on groceries in the month of March. £125! Our budget for the month is £300 so I really need to keep my eye on this. I did a large online grocery shop which is coming tomorrow and this should last us 12 days worth of evening meals (plus 1 or 2 top ups for fresh things). I have noticed food costs have really increased even just this year. Last year we were comfortably spending £240 per month on groceries. 

On another note, I am feeling a little flat lately. I think it’s probably lots of little things having a big impact, but I would like to find my spark again. I am doing lots of things that generally make me feel better (eating lots of fruit and veggies, doing yoga, reading, trying to go out in nature) but I can’t shake this feeling. Perhaps its the time of year and I am just desperate for some warmth. Anyway I will keep plodding on.

Here are some finance updates -

Amount owed on mortgage - £280,096

Emergency fund - currently £3,752  2025 target - £7,000

S&S Isa - currently £3,215 2025 target - £4000

Gift budget - £30

Holiday savings - £600

Mortgage overpayment fund - £340.55

sunshineli

Its been a while since I last posted! I have now reduced my hours to 4 days per week which has had a positive impact on my wellbeing so far. 

I am now off work for the next week as I decided to book some annual leave. DH and I have some fun plans over the week but we are trying not to spend too much. We have lots of movie and games nights planned which won't cost anything. We are also going to the coast to stay in my in laws caravan, but we are going to be taking picnics which will reduce costs.

Today £6.95 was spent on my best friends little boys birthday present, and this will come out of my gift budget. 

Savings updates

Amount owed on mortgage - £279,684

Emergency fund - currently £4,363 2025 target - £7,000

S&S Isa - currently £3,148 2025 target - £4000

Gift budget - £100

Holiday savings - £1,340

Mortgage overpayment fund - £370.55

seventh88

Lovely to hear your reduced working week is having a positive impact on your wellbeing - this is so important in your long term financial journey, as you'll be healthier in the long run to be able to keep earning money. Great ideas for having fun without spending much. I often find when I look at what I actually need from a 'fun experience' most of the time it's just being with the people, it's rarely about the actual thing/outing/actvitiy that we're doing. All the best for the week ahead, enjoy your time off

sunshineli

seventh88 said:

Lovely to hear your reduced working week is having a positive impact on your wellbeing - this is so important in your long term financial journey, as you'll be healthier in the long run to be able to keep earning money. Great ideas for having fun without spending much. I often find when I look at what I actually need from a 'fun experience' most of the time it's just being with the people, it's rarely about the actual thing/outing/actvitiy that we're doing. All the best for the week ahead, enjoy your time off

Thank you! It’s definitely about balance, there is no point working myself into ill health to pay my mortgage off quicker. I feel like this is helping me have a balanced approach and if I can’t overpay as much on the mortgage, so be it.

sunshineli

I had a lovely day yesterday, met up with my best friend for her belated birthday celebrations. I hadn’t seen her since my wedding 6 months ago! 

I bought her birthday gifts (£11.25 spent) which will come out of my gift fund.

I then spent £57.58 when I was out with her! £7.70 train fare, £19.50 spent on lunch, £20 on cocktails, £7.98 on Easter baked treats and £2.40 on a soft drink.

I was a bit disappointed in how much I ended up spending (could have done without the cocktails!) but I really don’t have the money to spend nearly £60 on one day out. I am trying not to feel too guilty as we don’t meet up very often, and it was a really lovely day.

In future I need to plan my spends in advance and do more research into where to go for lunch/cocktails which has an offer on. Perhaps I need to just not drink alcohol and that will save my money! 

sunshineli

Happy Easter! Another lovely day was had, but thankfully more frugal than yesterday!

DH and I went to my mums for Easter lunch. It was so nice to see all the family together and we all agreed a few weeks ago to bring a dish. We had veggie lasagne, homemade ciabatta garlic bread, potato salad and I was responsible for making a salad. 

We then had an Easter cheesecake for dessert. I am so stuffed that I haven’t even had room for any Easter chocolate today!

The only money I’ve spent is £10 to DH towards filling the car with petrol.

Now it’s time to relax and watch the 2018 Mary Queen of Scots film.

sunshineli

Had a fun and relaxing day today. Went on a walk and spent £8.70 on a cafe trip (latte, orange juice and dog ice cream). It was so nice sitting outside by the river in the sunshine. The rest of the day has been spent relaxing, reading my book, and colouring. Going to the coast tomorrow!