Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

FootyFanDan

Amazing news, well done to both you and DH for making it work. 

foxgloves

Fantastic. Well done!

Sun_Addict

That’s fantastic well done 👏🥳

Spendywendywoo

Thank you all, I appreciate it. 

In order not to lose momentum (what's the saying, strike while the iron is hot?), I've pulled together the following for 2026 in a new spreadsheet;

* sinking funds for all 2026 annual bills,
* 6 month emergency fund goal 
* other emergency funds (a £1000 emergency fund, home maintenance fund, dental emergency and car maintenance fund)
* luxury sinking fund which includes holidays, date nights, nights away and a bit of holiday spends (this is the last to be accounted for each month but I feel it's important to still connect as a family, especially as DS is growing all too fast, though day to day we will do free or very low cost activities, especially in half term)

I'm also going to dedicate some time each week to review offers, surveys, and look at ideas for activities which are free or very cheap.  I'm also going to be more accountable for day to day updates in here, and be brutally honest about where we are overspending. 

Anyway, total amount to be saved for next year; £22,826.50! Achievable? Maybe not.... will I still try?! Absolutely - I love a challenge.

In addition to this there will also be £4800 being paid into investments (the current car payment amount). 

May need to secure a side hustle of some sort but it's good to aim high, any amount saved over what I have saved this year is an achievement

Spendywendywoo

Disclaimer... I've purposefully allocated more money than I think is necessary to the sinking funds for annual bills as I don't want any surprises but that will mean that the overall amount needed will be a little less than quoted.

Blackcats

So pleased for you.  It's great to be part of this community who support each other to find ways to change our relationship with money.
i hope you keep posting.  I don't have debt or a mortgage anymore but still benefit so much from MSE land.

Spendywendywoo

Thank you @Blackcats, it certainly is

Spendywendywoo

A relatively busy day today in the office, though it wasn't as dark as I thought it was going to be when I left. 

Quick and easy chilli wrap for tea (homemade, but re-heated as it was leftovers) and a cup of tea and a cookie for dessert. 

I have a to-do list as long as my arm, work in particular but will tackle that tomorrow, but also at home. I am torn between doing jobs tonight or relaxing and doing them in the morning first thing (WFH tomorrow and I often find the rush of washing, ironing and general tidying up does wake me up before work, and I get things done quicker as I only have a small amount of time). I have managed to pop the dishwasher on though as we have no cutlery left (must remember to buy dishwasher tabs). I didn't sleep particularly well last night, which is disappointing as I've really mastered a good routine for bed of late - in bed for 9.15/9.30pm, read for a bit and then lights out at 10pm. I've been getting 7.5-8 hours per night according to my fitness watch but last night I just could not fall asleep (which is crazy given the good news yesterday!). Last time I checked it was 1am, with a 6am alarm set. 

On a financial note, I've just moved all our pay into the relevant pots and to see such an amount in savings (well, not for too long eh?) is fabulous. We've had broadband £47.99 and a nip to the shop for top up bits £5.15 taken out of the accounts today.

No social media viewed as yet today, though I have listened to 2 podcasts on the commute to work, one I listen to every morning as it is only 5 mins long and one I listen to when I have a little longer, such as a drive to work or a walk out in an evening which is usually 18-22 minutes long. Both self improvement and mindset focused. I don't intend to open social media today at all as it isn't productive and I need a good night's sleep. 

I need to do a bigger food shop but I will not order anything further until I have rewritten the inventory (any hints and tips on how to maintain would be amazing as we always forget to update the written list that I keep in the kitchen).  I have some fresh chicken for tomorrow night, which I picked up on Sunday and needs using up so thinking fajitas and wraps or chicken curry, both of which I already have the ingredients, condiments and sides for... I will do the inventory tomorrow after work and book a home delivery or collection for Friday, once I have planned the meals tomorrow evening. 

Despite feeling tired today, I am also feeling very organised, long may it continue... W x

Spendywendywoo

Busy morning catching up on jobs; dishwasher emptied, packed lunches packed, petrol bought (£68), school run completed, shopping bits bought (dishwasher tabs, milk, cereal, some crisps for packed lunches, items for breakfast sandwich at the weekend, eggs, granola and greek yog, wraps, and some fruit which came to £30.21 after N3ctar savings), tidied round and now ready to log into work to tackle that 'to do' list. 

Dog is in for his annual boosters today (covered by £16 a month 'vet plan'), he'll have to go again in 4 weeks for a top up, as apparently that's how they work now. 

No other financials to report today, shouldn't have to pay for anything else today, going to do the inventory this evening and then will arrange a shopping delivery or pick up on Sunday morning. 

FiL is unwell atm so waiting to hear how he is, he had an operation on Tuesday and now appears to need another emergency operation. DS has an incredibly close relationship with FiL so it's been tough letting him know what's going on (we're always open and honest and include him, where possible). 

Spendywendywoo

Well, I had typed that update this morning, but then got side-tracked with messages coming through and then logging into work. 

Still no news on FiL, other than need to see if this emergency op (which apparently he had last night) has made a difference. 

Made homemade chicken and bacon mayo sandwiches, the filling was so much more tasty than a sandwich filling bought from the shop and there's a little left over for DH tomorrow. 

Hope everyone is having a great day x