Settling in for the long haul

_Dolly_Rocker_

Well done on getting the EF nearer to the £1,000 goal. You'll feel better when that's all tucked in the bank.

I've been chopping and changing my plans recently, something about the new year that gives you a kick up the behind to sort your life out!

1stTimer

I tick my direct debits off on a spreadsheet too 😃 I find it helps me feel like I am still doing something other than just waiting for the next pay day

Dakota_Rose

@_Dolly_Rocker_ it definitely is that time of year. I was very consistent with my plans last year but January has brought that need to feel things moving on a bit more quickly again. I hope you have something you’ve settled on now? 

@1stTimer exactly that! Monthly pay can be very dull when you’re trying to see progress 🙈

_Dolly_Rocker_

So initially I had planned to pay off the mortgage within the next 5 years. Then I decided to save in my LISA for the 25% government top up. 

Thennnnnn I actually logged in to my mortgage and seen that if I overpay by the £5,000 limit per year I'll actually save more than the government bonus in interest so back to the pay off the mortgage in the next 5 years. 

This all goes on the basis of me earning around the same amount with my 2 jobs in that time though so we shall see.

Dakota_Rose

Sounds like a great plan and what a feeling of security to know you’ll be mortgage free 😊 

Dakota_Rose

Another day of nothing financial to report. 

Have had a fairly productive day of work and enjoyed the end of my book after dinner. It was an easy read and based around the coast to coast walk that I’d love to do in theory but would probably struggle with in reality. There were enough details to show the highs and lows and some parts did make me laugh with how much one of the characters hated the whole thing. 

I enjoy keeping a list of the books I read over the year and because I’m sad like that, I give each one read a mark out of 10. I read 22 books last year. My taste in books is pretty varied and it’s nice to be able to look back on them. 

2026 reading list:

You Are Here 9/10

_Dolly_Rocker_

I've got so many books to read. I think I'll join you with the list for the year. 

1stTimer

You should check this thread and try 26 books for 2026 😃

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6645416/26-for-2026/p1

Dakota_Rose

_Dolly_Rocker_ said:

I've got so many books to read. I think I'll join you with the list for the year. 

Please do! Would love to see what you read 😊 

Dakota_Rose

1stTimer said:

You should check this thread and try 26 books for 2026 😃

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6645416/26-for-2026/p1

Thank you so much for sharing this. I didn’t know this was here and I’m definitely up for the challenge. A good book is the perfect way to avoid spending money if nothing else!