Been through the tunnel and Seen the Light, But Need to Keep it Burning Bright!

Thank you Seasidegal and try harder for your good wishes, yes we are all happy and OH and myself are very proud parents and grandparents.

Well I’ve done it, I’ve resurrected YN@B and set it all up again! Was a bit of a faff though as I’d bought it through Steam so had to install that software again, forgot the password and had to go through hoops to access my account with them. Then Steam froze my computer and I had to restart aaarrgggg! But finally got it all sorted. I’m sure I can use a copy of YN@B that doesn’t involved installing Steam first as it tries to update/validate the Steam software each and every time I want to open YN@B, which is a bit frustrating.
So from this month I will be working to the budgets I have created, with a little tweaking here and there as required to make it work for us. Just got to get hubby to stop buying bits and bobs with cash as I want all food items to come through the bank account so I can control what’s being spent, and also getting him to stick to the shopping list!! He doesn’t seem to have the same commitment as when we were paying the debt off, but I’ve tried to get him to think of the ‘savings’ pots we are trying to build up as sort of ‘debts. Not sure if it will work but I’ll keep trying.
I was due an uprade on my phone so changed to SIM only instead, saving about half what I was spending on contract. Just hope my phone doesn’t decide to conk out on me now.
Sk@ due to disappear in a couple of weeks so this month will see a big reduction in subscription charges as I only have phone line and Sk@ Fibre remaining (which I’ve negotiated again for half price for 12 months), which will help enormously.
Actually I do feel better at sorting out the budgets as we had just gotten into the habit of paying out what was needed that month and anything left over transferring into the savings accounts.
Paid last couple of months’ “£1 a day for Xmas” money into the bank, was just over £101 with the £1 a day plus all the change. I’ve spent £29.99 of it on pressies so far and there will be this month’s to add early in December. Only a few bits left to get so should have plenty. From 1 December I will start again for next year. If I have any left from this year, what should I do with it I wonder, hmm.
Having your own property is a bit like painting the Forth Bridge Seasidegal, its never ending lol. Our boiler is 26 years old so I think that must be a priority as our boiler service man says he wouldn't be able to get parts for it if it broke down. We don't intend moving from this house so we would like to try and get things done while I am still working, will have to hurry then lol.

Yes I think you have hit the nail on the head there Seasidegal when you say its like being in holiday mode when you've paid your debt off, but there will be no real holidays if he doesn't get out of it soon :rotfl:


Did I mention I had tried stoozing? Well I gave it a go but not for me I'm afraid so have cancelled the credit cards I opened for this purpose. Was waiting for a refund back to my last credit card before I could close it, but that's received now and I rang yesterday and closed that one. So all 3 CC's opened for stoozing now closed and I feel relieved tbh.


Can't wait for pay day this month to start populating my categories I have created for my budgets. I will have to adjust some as we are part way through the year, but it will all sort itself out eventually.


I have been putting 10% into my company pension since April, something that being debt free has allowed me to do. Our company has enhanced matching so they actually put more than me in at the moment so well worth doing, just wish I could have afforded to have done it sooner. In no way am I under any illusion that my company pension will afford me a luxurious retirement but just hoping that there will be enough money to tide me over between retiring and collecting my state pension. Hoping for at least a couple of years.


I have been onto the government epension site to check how much state pension I can expect to receive (having to wait an extra 6 years for it!). I have 44 full years paid, but will need another 3 years to get my full amount as I was apparently contracted out for a number of years . Checked DH's too while I was there and whilst he only has 34 full years he has earned his full amount as he has never been contracted out.


Trying not to spend much this month as most of my October's salary went to pay for things for the house, so trying to use food from the freezer and cupboards and just buying necessities like milk and bread for DH. I have to have gluten free so make my own bread in a breadmaker. Will need to get some money from somewhere soon though as running out of supplies. DH just had a big service done on his car, changing cam belt and stuff so his last 3 weeks money has gone to pay for that.


Well must go and get some work done. I am aiming to try and post more but time just seems to sift through my hands like sand

Did you manage to check your state pension yet Seaside?
Little GS is absolutely gorgeous and putting weight on very nicely. Just wondering what to get him for Christmas though as he will be too young to know what's happening yet.