It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me

_Dolly_Rocker_

I am my own biggest problem and obstacle in life. 

It's time to change for the better. 

I'm doing a lot of thinking about changes I need to make in my life to better prepare myself for my future. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Got myself a new 5 year fixed rate mortgage which will start in April 2026. 

My plan initially was to pay off my mortgage in full by the end of this deal but I think what I am going to do instead is pay £4,000 a year into my LISA which will give me a return of £1,000 each year. 

I can save that amount until I am 50 and will have a total of £32,000 with a bonus of £8,000 so will have £40,000 in the bank for my retirement which I can withdraw when I am 60. 

My mortgage only has another 11 years anyway, so can still pay a bit extra when I can to try and get rid of that sooner. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

I don't have any debt apart from my mortgage which is a good thing!

Paid that off already, think it was nearly £16,000 that I paid off so I am in a much better place financially to get this ball in motion. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Pinecone survey completed - £3 earned!

lovemula21

Well done for paying off debt! It sounds like you are on the right track. 

Onwards and upwards 👆 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Thank you @lovemula21 well worth all the hard work. 

Just trying to switch the focus now and maximise my money.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Won a £20 voucher in work so used that to buy a Christmas gift, well part of it anyway. 

Got a £30 National Book Token voucher for a friends wee boy so only cost me £10. 

Small win but I'll take it!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Very unorganised for Christmas. 

Really need to get sorted, it is next week!

Christmas List
Mum - Book, PJs, Housecoat, Honey, Chocolates, Flowers
Sibling - Take That ticket, Coat, Rude cookie
Niece - Book, Housecoat, Selection box, £50
Nephew - Book, Oodie, Selection box, £50
C - Selection box, £50
C - Selection box, £50
WM - Spiderman pillow, Spiderman activity set, Spiderman bow & arrow set, Selection box
J - Honey, chocolates, nomination charm, candle
L - Chocolates, candle, notebook, scratchcard
B - Irn bru mug, Irn bru picture, £30 National Book Token, Mint Aero
S - Mocha sweets, notebook, candle
K - Honey, Candle, notebook, lip balm, mug gift set, sweets
Dogs and Cats x17 - Biscuits, toys, bandanas

Still got quite a bit to get in but feel better now that it's written down. 

Sibling is going shopping with her BF on Saturday so she'll pick up the stuff for Mum then let me know what I owe her. 

The money for C&C is sitting in my PayPal account, I made some collage pictures last month and sold them so that's covered. Should have around £30ish left in there so will use that to get the selection boxes and sweets. 

So many dogs and cats! I dog walk part time and all my friends have dogs and cats so they all get a wee treat, I buy in the sales through the year. The bandanas are Nightmare Before Christmas ones which were £5 each all reduced to £1 in the sales last year. Just need to figure out which cupboard they are buried in!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Actually now that I've read that list I'm more organised that I thought I was!

Need to figure out the Christmas day menu. Mum is coming here for dinner. 

Not stressing about it as it's just the 2 of us so will see what is in the shops when we go, we'll have something yummy I'm sure!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Ordered a 10kg box of dog biscuits - £37 including delivery. 

Will use that for my 2 for the majority of the year but will use it to make up some of the Christmas boxes for all the dogs. 

Will be here by the end of this week but I'll have some to hand out before then so will just raid my cupboards for those ones, there is plenty in there!

itsthelittlethings

Good luck. I well know the feeling being “the problem”. Posting on here, being accountable and getting other people’s views really helps though.