Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

Spendywendywoo

Lovely weekend so far, nice and chilled day today. I've just updated the budget and we are 4.5 days until payday...cutting it very fine this month with just £139.04 left in the kitty. I have just done a click and collect shop for first thing tomorrow (£91.63) so will have circa £47 left for the week. 

I'm in the office twice this week but we should have petrol to last, all meals are accounted for including all packed lunches and work meals, we have no evening activities this week so hopefully a few no spend days and some monies will remain for the 'savings' pot at the end of the week. 

Really need to pull back spending again as we have spent more this month than we usually would in some categories and I've had to move money around a lot, it's resulted in less personal spends due to groceries costing more etc. I'm going to try and pull together a month's meal plan before payday and also look on this site for any hints and tips on how to reduce shopping bills as I'm also looking to introduce healthier meal options and I'm now worrying that I won't be able to afford more healthy products. I'll spend some time this week pondering that...

I hope everyone is having a great weekend

Spendywendywoo

Such a busy week this week but all good as it's flown by and it's almost the weekend, and payday

Just completed the budget for next month, the first without a car payment, which is great but a lower pay month for DH as he just has a straight basic month without overtime and bonus so that's evened it out. We received the letter today confirming the finance has been paid off - super happy!

I NEED to complete the last few bits for Xmas this weekend so it's done, I've been waiting until nearer to Xmas for the bits I know I need / want for DS and DH just in case there are any issues but most places are now allowing returns up to January so I can forge ahead

Suffolk_lass

How many months/years do you think you can reduce that mortgage by, now you have your mojo? Have you got a spreadsheet? Mine was very basic but it tracked what the amount of interest was reduced to (and what that reduction saved over the life of the mortgage). The penny dropped late here, and I only started my diary in 2017 with just under £123k of debts. I paid the last one (mortgage) in under five years - I think you could do 8... 

foxgloves

Nothing wrong with being a 'late starter' where good financial management is concerned. I think there's a good few of us here who have had a spendy past.....brought to an end by that oft-mentioned lightbulb pinging on. Sounds like you are now a reformed chatacter, @Spendywendywoo & chipping away at your mortgage, if you're able to do so, should save on interest payments.

Spendywendywoo

Thank you @Suffolk_lass and @foxgloves as always for your words of wisdom, hints and tips. 

For once, I don't have a spreadsheet but the plan is to create one, this week, once I've started to look at this in more detail. I'd like to retire in 15 years max. I would like the mortgage paid off by then and also have investments of a sizable amount (not sure what the amount could/should be yet but another areas of research which I will complete in the coming weeks before the new year begins

Spendywendywoo

We've had an incredibly busy weekend, lots of jobs done, cleaning shopping etc, I did do more xmas shopping but not as much as anticipated as the shops were overwhelmingly busy, so DH and I are going to go first thing on Saturday to pick up the remaining items on the list (not many now). I met a friend for a walk and walked over 5 miles. 

I did have a sudden realisation this morning but I had forgotten about the blooming elf! So I've started to compile a list of funny things to do with him this year, as likely it will be the last that DS will believe, though he is very switched on so we are under no illusion that he already knows the truth but, as he hasn't said anything we are going to go along with creating the magic

I want to get Xmas boxed off and then I can really thinking about our financial goals next year (already recorded in a new sheet in the spreadsheet). We have quite a few parties coming up - thankfully not birthdays or any where I need to take gifts, but works dos and team meet ups (I span a number of teams so get invited to all). The thought of them all, along with DS activities at school, xmas concert, christmas parties etc, was giving me anxiety as I don't want to be tired and run down for Xmas so I have declined a couple of invites (where I know I won't offend anyone). 

I hve also vowed to go sober for a few weeks so I can drive to and from these events which I find less tiring as I am very travel sick. DH is on board with this and, whilst he may have a few drinks, he has vowed to stop eating so many biscuits as that is his 'go-to'. I have always had a mindset of getting the most value for money when it comes to a free do but this time I am respecting my body and mind, and also money in a different way as I won't be tempted to get takeaways whilst under the influence and won't need a 'hangover' cure coffee or meal. 

Well that's lunch over with - a very quick bite to eat today as the dog is at the vets today for his annual booster (covered by the monthly plan so no additional cost, he had his first the other week and the second one is today). 

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week
 

 

Spendywendywoo

Happy Tuesday!

So, I'm not sure I mentioned but I joined the 'Top cashback' app the other week to try and bring in a little extra money towards the sinking funds / saving pot for next year and have been taking time to review before taking action. I made a purchase this morning but didn't read the T&Cs and because the basket total wasn't at the minimum they will accept (£45) - I just booked the delivery slot and added a few bits with the intention of returning later today to amend before the deadline, it means I won't have been eligible for the payment, which is annoying. 

Also, I bought a gift card through work as it says online and in-store for the supermarket I am using but there wasn't an option to pay by gift card at the till, only a card payment, so not sure where I've gone wrong there.

All in all a bit of a disappointing finance morning but all lessons learnt, and I did save £3.50 on my £100 gift card, which I will just use in store if online is not an option. 

Just need to update my budget now

Sun_Addict

I can buy those gift cards through work. They can be a great saving. Some supermarkets don’t accept gift cards online, I know Mr M don’t. 

Spendywendywoo

Thanks @Sun_Addict, this one was for Mr S. I’ve got a few Xmas bits to buy so will use the gift card for those and transfer the money from the Xmas sinking fund so all is good 😊 

Spendywendywoo

Oooo… I’ve just received a notification, I’ve received £1.20 cashback for the shopping  yesterday. It is pending so I’m assuming that it may decline due to not hitting the minimum spend on the first time of paying. 

We will see what happens…