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Turning Straw into Gold: Creating Long Term Security & A Solid Home
Comments
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It sounds lovely, @MillQueen. I love old interesting buildings & will certainly be including a selection of them on the viewing list in a few years time when we relocate.
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!1 -
Today has renewed my optimism, as I took my car to the garage and the repairs cost £0. He adjusted the bumper so it stopped making the noise and said there was no other damage. The universe has evidently gifted me with an honest mechanic and an indestructible car. I also saved £7 from not driving to work.
Updated last day of the month… focus improving overall net wealth…
Mortgage: starting at -£222,469 (Jan 26) now at -£220,600 (Jul 26)
Postgrad Loan: starting at -£8,974 (Jan 26) now at -£7,500 (Aug 26)
Personal Loan: starting at -£11,466 (Jan 26) now at -£9,806 (Aug 26)
Emergency Fund: starting at £5,511 (Jan 26) now at £2,548 (Aug 26)
Investments: starting at £50 (Jan 26) now at £300 (Aug 26)
Jan 27 Tax Fund: £2,627 / £3,298 (Aug)
Net Wealth: starting at £18,778 (May 26) now at £15,139 (Jul 26)
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That's very good news about the car!
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Result 👏🏻 🥳
EF £1010
PBs £1050
15/26 books for 2026Take the time to find the joy in each day
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Great news on the car!
2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!1 -
Thanks lovely people, @ellenvan, @Dakota_Rose, and @foxgloves, it's proper restored my faith in the universe that has. Good things do happen and not everything is out to take my cash and good spirits.
I've driven to work today and having a "listen to loud music and get things done" day. I've allowed myself to get the groceries delivered tomorrow for my meal plan as originally planned (spending approx £50 every two weeks) as I don't have to live in such abject poverty of eating nothing but leftovers, yellow sticker items and dust, now there are no car repairs to pay for. I'm going to live it up with own brand greek yoghurt and stir fry veg. It's still quite a sensible and cheap meal plan, it just means I don't have to rely on reduced items and creativity.
Hope you're all doing ok. Feels like the end of the month is dragging now. Soon we will be doing spreadsheets and shuffling funds.
Updated last day of the month… focus improving overall net wealth…
Mortgage: starting at -£222,469 (Jan 26) now at -£220,600 (Jul 26)
Postgrad Loan: starting at -£8,974 (Jan 26) now at -£7,500 (Aug 26)
Personal Loan: starting at -£11,466 (Jan 26) now at -£9,806 (Aug 26)
Emergency Fund: starting at £5,511 (Jan 26) now at £2,548 (Aug 26)
Investments: starting at £50 (Jan 26) now at £300 (Aug 26)
Jan 27 Tax Fund: £2,627 / £3,298 (Aug)
Net Wealth: starting at £18,778 (May 26) now at £15,139 (Jul 26)
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Great result with the car. I agree it still seems like a long way until the end of the month!
"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 McGee1 -
Great news on the car
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At work today having another "get things done" day. I haven't brought any lunch but my grocery delivery is this evening, so I think I'll have a day of water fasting, which will be good for both health and finances.
Thanks @jwil and @FootyFanDan, so grateful for this little car, which came to me via a friend and is cheap to run and now apparently doesn't damage easily too. I've gotten off lucky for once 😂.
How is everyone surviving until payday? I've got my groceries coming, which I will stretch out to pay day and I am trying to use the car less, so I've arranged to use some work from home days tomorrow and Friday. I'm only doing free entertainment for a few weeks with books on BorrowBox and staying at home. Of course I say that like it's a hardship when I actually love staying at home, tucked up on the sofa reading a book…
Updated last day of the month… focus improving overall net wealth…
Mortgage: starting at -£222,469 (Jan 26) now at -£220,600 (Jul 26)
Postgrad Loan: starting at -£8,974 (Jan 26) now at -£7,500 (Aug 26)
Personal Loan: starting at -£11,466 (Jan 26) now at -£9,806 (Aug 26)
Emergency Fund: starting at £5,511 (Jan 26) now at £2,548 (Aug 26)
Investments: starting at £50 (Jan 26) now at £300 (Aug 26)
Jan 27 Tax Fund: £2,627 / £3,298 (Aug)
Net Wealth: starting at £18,778 (May 26) now at £15,139 (Jul 26)
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I’m trying not to wish this month away as I’m finally off work, but finances will be tight until payday. We work a zero-based budget, so they always feel tight. Every pound is accounted for. We never go without but never seem to have any spare money either.
Ooh I don’t envy your menu plan today 😂 I don’t think I could manage a water fasting day. The only time I’ve ever been able to is when I’ve been poorly. I’m a grazer!EF £1010
PBs £1050
15/26 books for 2026Take the time to find the joy in each day
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