Three Steps Forward

MissG80

Starting a fresh diary.  

I don't really have a plan - I mean I do, but every past plan has failed, so I'd like to style this one out better. That's the plan.

Budget is good. Will save a bit of electricity if I turn lights off. Am considering cancelling the TV License. Is it worth getting  lifetime subscription to Microsoft rather than pay £8.99 a month? I don't use the laptop very much. 

In terms of spends
Food and household budget is 160 p/m. I've been averaging 35 a week in Aldi so I think it's doable.

But only if I take my own lunches in.

My one indulgence is an 80 monthly budget for a personal trainer which I am not compromising on so don't try and persuade me.

That leaves me with 470 a month. I've already accounted for the credit card minimum payment of 200, so I'm thinking of chuck it all at my loan.

Next month I will also have 125 tax rebate, and as I'm not yet in the pension scheme (new job) I think I will have an extra 143 for the next 2 months = 411, which I could put toward the loan.

So, I could clear the loan in around 10 months if I am saintly, including the 120 usual payment Ive already accounted for, and will save £650 in interest.

Must not waste money on eating out and don't use my credit card.

Credit card £5,589 0% for 32 months
Car loan £5,686 6.9% interest
Emergency fund 1000

DawnW

Just a quick question - why do you need a microsoft account?

All the best with your plans xx

MissG80

DawnW said:

Just a quick question - why do you need a microsoft account?

All the best with your plans xx

It gives me access to Word, etc.?

It's Microsoft 365 I think? You either buy it upfront or pay monthly for a subscription to it. Also includes One Drive which is where I store photos.

If I'm doing it wrong I'm very open to a cheaper alternative!

DawnW

Not doing it wrong at all, it is your choice of course. However, you may want to look at OpenOffice from Apache which is a free download and I find, works perfectly

Not sure about photo storage - is there nothing cheaper or free you could use? Google Photo? Amazon? Social media? I am not much of a photographer I am afraid.

SillySillyGoose

MissG80 said:

DawnW said:

Just a quick question - why do you need a microsoft account?

All the best with your plans xx

It gives me access to Word, etc.?

It's Microsoft 365 I think? You either buy it upfront or pay monthly for a subscription to it. Also includes One Drive which is where I store photos.

If I'm doing it wrong I'm very open to a cheaper alternative!

I just use the web version for word etc as its free and you get 5GB of storage

MissG80

OK thanks I need to look into these.