Statement of intent

twinklie

Glad you had a nice time Stuart...I'm sooooo jealous. I've been nowhere and done nothing! Sorting our loo out has taken from Friday through till today!!! So my life really has gone down the toilet these last few days. :rotfl:

I'm determined we will do something soon though! Just not sure what! x

Tesco_points_addict

Yehh, welcome back stu, missed you. Your holiday sounds brilliant but tiring.

TPAx

earthgirl

Great! Awaiting your news and missed your thoughts!

atypicalblonde

Yippee you're back! Glad you had a great time and thanks for the PM, much appreciated

ATB x

Edited to add: Stuart THANK YOU so much for sending me your fabulous spreadsheet. It is going to be such a wonderfully useful tool and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to send it to me. No excuses for any more naff budgeting now

StuartGMC

Thanks everyone!

StuartGMC

OK,
Well made the transfer of the extra OP of £200 tonight, so am back on track for mortgage repayments now. Mortgage now stands at £14700, so I hope the finishing line comes into view very shortly!

We came back from holiday with the travellers cheques intact, so that's US$300 to pay back to current account (circa £188?) plus US$88 in cash (in Mexico it's useful to have small US bills for tipping) and a small amount of Mexican Pesos so maybe we'll have £250 back in total. I need to then just look at the total costs from leaving the front door to return to see how close the all-inclusive 5* plus 4-day tour in Mexico was to the costs for us half-board in Crete last year. It should be very close - needless to say, we're considering one more package next year when DD is 12 to get child prices (likely to be outside € zone, possibly northern Brazil?), then probably self-book fly drive in USA in 2011.

Also this year I did check that payment was all set for credit card as scheduled so no surprises this time!

Once I'm paid next week I think I can get a good handle on finances again and focus on improved savings efforts as these have suffered this year. Investments into our Funds ISAs still remain at £150 each per month (£300 total) and I really want to step this up soon. Once MF we should be able to hit max ISA contributions (Cash and S&S) each per year but some of that money will be required for savings for holiday etc so may be better in other accounts....

In the pile of post whilst we were away is an invite to Jaguar dealer as they are offering big discounts on cars this weekend. Mentioned to OH but I think the jet-lag meant she didn't hear me

Finally need to remember to use TOTAL's Excellium 97RON fuel when I fill up this week and see if it gives improved economy sufficient to offset the higher price over standard 94RON fuel.

Well next week looks liek one for MSE concentration. Meanwhile I have to get up at 0500hrs which to my body will feel like 2300hrs tomorrow; the joys of travel!

earthgirl

Hmm I always find it difficult to compare all inclusive to self catering/half board, so will be really interested to hear your results

StuartGMC

earthgirl wrote: »

Hmm I always find it difficult to compare all inclusive to self catering/half board, so will be really interested to hear your results

EG in some locations (like Tunisia) it can be tricky to get to a full range of restaurants. In the case of holidays I've tried to record costs based on up front (holiday, travel to/from airport etc) and those incurred (just the spending money - which is mainly trips/excursions/visit costs to historic locations and food and drink, as we don't buy souvenirs etc). Hope to sort costing this weekend, but in the case of Yucatan you'd need to be in Cancun (with all that entails!) to be anywhere other than an inclusive resort unless you travel independently.


Just had notice of the interest charged on the mortgage this month - a whole 66p but, we earned 9p interest on savings when we were >100% offset so net interest charged is 57p for the mortgage this month :rotfl:

MamaSaver

Stuart,

Thank you for your spreadsheet. That was quick!! Oh, I'm very nervous , but I've been dying to have a go, I've read so much about it.

Your holiday sounded like heaven and like something we won't have for a VERY long time.

Cheers,

MamaSaver

setmefree2

Glad you had a great holiday.




Tee Hee