julicorn's journey

julicorn · 3 June 2018 at 8:25AM

Can't believe it's June already! Exciting times, because this is going to be the first month we're ever using a proper budget. I've set up categories for mortgage overpayments and various other saving goals (emergency fund, holidays, tattoos), but most of the latter will have to come out of my paycheck at the end of the month (and even then, funding next month's outgoings properly comes first of course). My card and account number for the Nationwide account arrived as well, but somewhat annoyingly it seems like I'll need a card reader for using the online banking, which I don't have yet. Will see if something arrives in the next few days.

Aside from this, all is well. Apart from our tomato plants attracting about a billion snails, but we're trying out a few different deterrents atm - wish us luck! :rotfl:

julicorn · 3 June 2018 at 1:30PM

Little Sunday victory: just listed some clothes I never really wear on some Facebook selling groups, and already sold 3 items for £69 profit! Every little helps

JennyP · 4 June 2018 at 8:15AM

Well done on the big overpayment!!!

I am rather jealous that you can see your account online. My mortgages don't have that facility.

If you discover how to make Chinese curry sauce, please post! I can't have msg so all the ready made mixes like Mayflower are out for me.

Crumpets · 6 June 2018 at 11:17AM

Hi Julicorn :hello:

Just read through your diary! Well done on such a huge over payment in May :T I absolutely love the sound of your mystery holiday, I'll have to bear that in mind if dh and I ever get the chance for a non kids holiday

Great news on selling stuff too! I need to sort some stuff out to sell but I think most of my high value items have already been sold :rotfl:

Good luck with your journey

julicorn · 6 June 2018 at 7:58PM

JennyP wrote: »

Well done on the big overpayment!!!

I am rather jealous that you can see your account online. My mortgages don't have that facility.

If you discover how to make Chinese curry sauce, please post! I can't have msg so all the ready made mixes like Mayflower are out for me.

Thank you Jenny! I'm glad our mortgage has an online account, I'm a bit of a control freak :rotfl: in fact, I transferred £2,500 into that new Nationwide account, but apparently my online account will only be available from Friday, and I'm half freaking out on the off chance something went wrong with the transaction :rotfl:

Will keep an eye out for curry sauce for sure!

julicorn · 6 June 2018 at 8:01PM

Crumpets wrote: »

Hi Julicorn :hello:

Just read through your diary! Well done on such a huge over payment in May :T I absolutely love the sound of your mystery holiday, I'll have to bear that in mind if dh and I ever get the chance for a non kids holiday

Great news on selling stuff too! I need to sort some stuff out to sell but I think most of my high value items have already been sold :rotfl:

Good luck with your journey

Thanks Crumpets! The mystery holiday was such a great experience, I can't wait to do it again. Let's see where we end up next time!
Sold another skirt yesterday, so another £20 in the bank. The girl turned out to live just around the corner from me as well, small world! This was in an international selling group as well, not a local FB one - weird, eh?

newgirly · 7 June 2018 at 8:13AM

Fill us in if you do another mystery break, I love the sound of it but don't think I'm brave enough to take the plunge!

julicorn · 10 June 2018 at 6:51AM

I'll definitely keep you posted if we book another mystery break! It's on my list of things to save up for (together with a trip to Japan we've been wanting to go on for years - hopefully next year! I'm thinking November may be a good time to go, apparently that time of year is their equivalent of an 'Indian Summer').

Spontaneously overpaid £500 into the mortgage this morning. Normally I would have waited until payday, but my YNAB budget is giving me some confidence that we can afford it. Fingers crossed I haven't completely miscalculated everything. :rotfl: but I'm pretty sure it should be fine.
Our mission to make take-out food at home is still going well. Made some kebabs on Friday, and yesterday I made beetroot burgers and a really nice potato salad. I was missing some of the ingredients I usually use in a potato salad, so did a little bit of improvising (using capers instead of gherkins for example) because I didn't want to go out and spend more money when we have so many ingredients in the cupboards. I've got to say, I think I almost preferred my new version! Small victories :j either way, hope you all have a lovely and relaxing Sunday

julicorn · 14 June 2018 at 7:12PM

Some half-news, not 100% mortgage related, but might make it easier to overpay in the future. I met with the other directors at work yesterday, and we decided (among a million other things) to give all of our employees a pay rise (they're worth a fair bit more than they are currently on), because work has been coming in consistently. It might mean that I might get one as well, but it's not a priority because I already earn a bit more and I think it's more important to get the employees up to a higher level. But still, it's on the cards! We're also giving everyone a bonus this month of at least £500 - no idea how much I'm getting just yet, but that is still an amazing extra amount to have. Will probably put a bit away towards the holiday and tattoo savings goals, but might still be able to overpay a little more on the mortgage as well. :j