Day 19 Season 4: Find out what motivated me to get a grip of my finances?

[freezingiceblue]

I am in control of my finances: I have gone through the finances with a fine toothed comb and assembled a spreadsheet which includes a budget, our accounts, and also a house buying sheet which does all of the deposit, stamp duty calculations, and mortgage calculations. I can actually see now the impact on the amount we can spend on a house, when I reduce spending on frivolous items. What a motivator that is! :-)

I am currently trying to find the best place to buy frozen veggies - every pound helps towards the house fund. We are doing a store-cupboard challenge this month to see if we can put most of our shopping budget towards the house fund! Basically we will be using the items already in the house so that we do not need to go shopping. It will be fun and unleash my creativity! As well I will be selling some things that I have around the house on ebay. That will help to boost the house fund.

I a intending to pay less than 1,600 GBP per month on my mortgage for a 4 bedroom, double fronted house, with a double garage and big garden in the best position on the island. We had some people come around and take a look at our house. Not sure how much they liked it.

We will be getting our house onto the market I think very soon. It will be interesting to see what else comes onto the market on our island and I am sure that we will be able to get exactly the house that we want for the price we want to pay, and in return get the money we want for our house for the deal to work.

I entered a new competition for a car. This time a VW scirocco. I am still waiting to hear about whether I have won the Impreza P3! :-) I am sure it will come! Maybe just after my big lottery win next weekend.

[freezingiceblue]

Thanks Zara - I am really enjoying the store cupboard challenge. Havent been to the shops since before 28 jan (other than to buy eggs and bread). I will keep my fingers crossed for you too! It seems to work - my Father in law won 500 quid of railway models!!

[Zara]

Hi Phil, thats wonderful how your budgeting. It makes me want to start doing that. I love the store cupboard challenge idea! I've been day dreaming about winning the lottery lately which is a great feeling. Good luck with your house hunting and the car competitions, I should enter a few too:)