We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
2026 - consolidation and calm
Comments
-
Can you claim the work related items back on expenses? We can claim for things needed to WFH.
Don’t worry if you have a gain, life happens, you’re aware of the blip and can get back on track. You’re doing really well and changing the way you eat so it all evens out in the end.
I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)1 -
Don’t worry about having a gain.
I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** in ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger.
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan. 19months left.1 -
I find having a designated work area makes me focus much better. Certainly helps my stress levels which is worth its weight in gold.
Have a little faith, baby, have a little faith". Oddball - Kelly's Heroes1 -
No, they will provide us stuff, but I can't claim back. I prefer to choose and keep my own. I didn't spend a lot on that, so I'm not bothered.
It's deserved, so I don't mind :)
I think this will be good for me too. I'll also have my back to the house, so will be able to ignore everything! I'm still sitting by the back doors so will retain daylight and a view. It's such a small thing, but having to unpack everything each morning and pack it away in the evening is so frustrating.
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
PAD (Payment a Day)
Today's PAD - £2
Jan - £172
Feb - £187
Car balance Sept 25 - £11,031 - now £8,288
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
As expected I gained 2lb today. I'm getting back on plan though, properly after the weekend. Today we've been out celebrating a relative's birthday so off plan again, and some leftovers tomorrow, but then Monday I'm properly back on it. I'm going to make soup, quiche and scotch eggs tomorrow, and boil up a few eggs as well. I've got plenty of salad and fruit, and evening meals are planned until Wednesday which is when I get my shopping so I'll do the end of the week then.
DH did the tip run, so all that cardboard, the old desk and printer, a dog bed and some other bits are all gone.
I had a look at the financials yesterday, and although I haven't properly updated them, it's not as bad as I thought, and I won't have to use as much savings as I expected to. It's also the second council tax free month so that can be used to return some money to savings. So overall, I am very happy with the purchases and don't feel like I've taken a huge financial hit for them!
I need to get in touch with our gas/electric supplier to find out why they haven't done a gas bill. We had an electric one last month but not gas. It seems to be showing our usage in the app, so I'm not sure why it's not billing us. The money is there in the account, so there won't be any huge surprises thankfully.
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
The soup, quiche and scotch eggs sound good. All sounds very organised 👍
Sounds like a good place to be in where you can use the council tax money for better purposes this month. They did that to me with the gas bill a few months ago.
Updated last day of the month… focus, improving overall net wealth…
Mortgage: starting at -£222,469 (Jan 26) now at -£221,497 (April 26)
Postgrad Loan: starting at -£8,974 (Jan 26) now at -£8,303 (March 26)
Personal Loan: starting at -£11,466 (Jan 26) now at -£10,883 (April 26)
Emergency Fund Savings: starting at £5,511 (Jan 26) now at £2,500 (March 26)
Investments: starting at £50 (Jan 26) now at £339 (March 26)
Net Wealth: starting at -£204,317 (Jan 26) now at -£204,615 (March 26)
1 -
You have got this! The extra 2lbs will be a distant memory soon.
I made AF quiche prompted by you but it wasn't successful so will stick to the oven next time
If you have built castles in the air, your work should not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them
Emergency fund 1400/1000
Buffer fund 100/100
Debt Free (again) 25/07/20252 -
Definitely helps too when you can walk away and mentally "finish" work for the day. Otherwise i tend to work way over what I am.paid!
Have a little faith, baby, have a little faith". Oddball - Kelly's Heroes1 -
Thank you 😊 It is nice to be able to use the council tax money for useful purposes.
Thank you 😊 I hope that 2lb (and more!) will be gone soon. Sorry the AF quiche didn't work out.
Yes, I do that sometimes too. I do have flexi though so can claim back time for anything I overwork, and I'm pretty good at doing that.
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.3K Spending & Discounts
- 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards