After 20+ years here I'm not sure where I belong anymore ...

benbenandme

So it's time for a brand new diary, welcome to anyone new, welcome back to anyone who has followed my journey along the way. I've been on here since I became a single parent in 2005, recording the highs, the lows, and mainly the hum drum of everyday life, all while trying to save my pennies. I've always loved this board despite not having debts as such, but this board feels like home. I did venture to the mortgage-free wannabee board sometimes, but this is where I feel right. I didn't have debts but as a one income home it always felt a couple of rolls of the dice away from it.

Along the way I have moved from my flat to a house (8 years ago), chipping away at my mortgage where I can, saving up for stuff I wanted and generally plodding on. However, this last few months a few things have changed and I decided its time to start a new diary, new plans and goals and an updated budget.

So, last summer my Aunt passed away, she had no will, no children or partner so everything went to probate and will be left to my Mum as she is next of kin. My Mum has completed a deed of variation which will give me and ds £40k each. Probate was granted this week and we (me and my siblings) now have to sell my Aunts bungalow on Mums behalf.

Also in the last month I had a conversation with my brother, who lent me £30k to buy this house (I couldn't get a big enough mortgage on my salary), asking for his bank details as I have now saved up enough to pay him back. He smiled and told me to keep it as he doesn't want/need it (huge salary, lots of savings, maxed out pension pot etc). He said I can either keep it now or have it when anything happens to him in the future, his preference is that I keep it now. I was so shocked, and it has taken me a while to get my head around it.

So in the last few months I suddenly have lots of money coming my way and it actually feels quite confusing. I've spent so long doing surveys, matched betting, cashback sites etc that it feels very odd and strange to be in this position. I am not for one minute complaining, I appreciate how lucky I am, I really do, I just need to try and navigate where I go now.

For those of you who have followed me previously you will know that I bought a puppy at New Year, she is utterly gorgeous and the best decision I have made for a long time. My time now is spent out walking her lots, or working on training her at home. The cat is finally accepting she's here to stay :)

So the next post will be my new budget and some plans going forwards.

benbenandme

My SOA:

INCOME:

Wages                  £2432

Ds rent                  £200

TOTAL: £2632

OUTGOINGS:

Mortgage              £315 (fixed rate, 1.29%, fixed until Jan 2027)

Council Tax            £215 paid over 10 months

Life Assurance      £29

Contents                £10

Electric/Gas          £225

Water                    £74

Car tax                  £12

Car insurance        £15

Car fund                £50 (MOT, maintenance)

Mobile                    £25

Sky                        £64

Pet insurance £17

Contact lenses £51

TV Licence            £13

Union                    £13

Spotify                  £17

Gym £45

EE                  £80 (broadband & ds phone)

Food                      £300

Pet food £50

Petrol                    £100

Savings:

Birthdays/ Xmas    £50

Household fund      £100

Vets/Groomers £100

Haircuts                  £40      

Holiday £100  

ISA £100

Mortgage overpayments £100

Retirement cruise £50

TOTAL: £2360

LEFTOVER: £272

pixiechick99

Love it - so happy for you! As someone who's read all of your diaries, it's just amazing to hear how everything is going so well for you. You really do deserve it😍

Faith76

Enjoy you new puppy 🐶 🐾 😊.

in_need_of_direction

I am also a dfw despite not having debt. When working to clear my mortgage, mfw didn’t sit comfortably with me as it was at its level due to doing all the wrong things and consolidating debt. Congratulations on the unexpected windfalls. I do think you should purchase something just for you before sensibly allocating your inheritance

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary.

benbenandme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81950696#Comment_81950696

I think I will clear my mortgage but not until the end of this year when the 1.29% rate runs out, I am aiming to save some this year to get it down to £45k by then, old habits die hard and all that :)

I have bought a few things recently that I usually wouldn't, like treating myself to hiring a skip to sort the garage finally (£260), which was my idea of heaven! I made myself through out all sorts of bits and pieces that I thought might come in useful one day, however in reality have sat in my garage for 8 years doing nothing.

I've also ordered a new fitbit, the basic model, (£50), which I was thinking about getting a while ago, a new phone (I had an iphone 11 which was out of contract and needs charging twice a day), and a new hairdryer (£50), I've had my very basic one for about 15 years and it smells every time I use it now.

However, I have no plans to spend more at this stage, I have a whole long list of "would be nice" ideas, but will take my time to see if I really want them / need them, I am looking forward to seeing my savings go up instead :)

I also need to decide about my holiday - I paid the deposit for a cruise this summer but that was before I got my puppy. I have had lots of offers from friends to look after her while I'm away but at the moment I'm not sure I want to go and leave her, more things to ponder.

Happy Easter anyhow, we've been for a walk down the beach, roast is roasting and I am going to go and potter in the garden for a bit while the sun is out :)

Buffythedebtslayer

Oh Benben! I am so happy for you. What a RELIEF! and I bet it does feel strange. So pleased to read your news XX

benbenandme

Thank you all, I haven't told hardly anyone in real life, but you guys have been with me all the way and I wanted to share with you xx

I went in the garden for ten minutes and then there was a light shower so came back in and have been peeling land blanching loads of 15p potatoes and carrots ready for the freezer. Some things won't change :)

My next post will be a bit more about where I currently am with my savings pots, and some ideas for the future.

benbenandme

Current state of play:

Mortgage - £49,500. I am aiming to get this down to £42,000 by the end of the year, I have been saving bits for a while in a pot for this, not overpaying yet as the interest on savings is better than the savings I would make at this stage. I put £100 from my wages each month into this pot and then anything I make from matched betting, surveys etc. Currently I have £2616 in this pot, I need to find another £2384 by the end of the year, £800 will come from my wages each month, so in effect I need to find £1584 - challenge accepted :)

Savings Pots:

Savings Pot	£££
Household	438
Birthdays/Xmas	185
Car Insurance	175	Due in July
Car Fund	928
Contents Insurance	20	Paid in March
Holiday	2391
World Cruise	3600	Another 15 years to go, £1000 per year
Boo & Pooh	319
Haircuts	206	Hair was done this week
Mortgage overpayments	2616
Odds and ends	317	Not assigned anywhere, for any general overspends

I have the rest of my savings in various isa's / savings accounts, something I need to look at over the following weeks.

Now time for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my Easter egg, bliss!

joeyjimbles

What a wonderful outcome, so nice to know that you have opportunities and possibilities.