In Creating Good Habits we discussed the importance of creating habits that last. We also gave examples of some of the areas in our lives where we’ve utilised good habits to change for the better. In this post, we want to take more of a practical look at HOW you create good habits.
There are various tricks you can use to make a new habit much more likely to stick. But if you approach it in the wrong way, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Continue reading “How to Create Good Habits”Welcome to our first 2020 spending post! Our January spending was quite good, totalling £1,789. We’re aiming to stay below £2,000 on average throughout 2020 which should be achievable if we carry on like this!
Continue reading “Monthly Spending – January 2020”As another January finishes, I thought I would share my experience of RED January with you all.
I have been taking part in RED January this year for the second year running (!). What I want to know is: Is it FAB or a FAD!?!
Continue reading “RED January – Fad or Fab?”There’s an increasing will among the general population to ‘live a better life’. But how exactly do you achieve that? Creating good habits is at the center of achieving your goals and making changes that last.
As you probably know by now, we’re expecting a baby in July! As money is our favourite topic, we wanted to understand the financial impact of having a baby!
Aside from the obvious emotional impact of expecting a baby, there are some very significant financial aspects to think about.
Continue reading “Baby Impact Assessment”A tale of how a recent experience has strongly reinforced my will to achieve FIRE and have more flexibility in the way I spend my time.
Since starting at my company 7.5 years ago, I’ve been one of the stand-out performers in most areas. I don’t like saying that type of thing because it sounds big headed. But I’ve genuinely put my head above the parapet and done everything I can to succeed.
Continue reading “How to Kill off Ambition and De-Motivate Your Staff”December was yet another expensive month for us. Our kitchen was the last room in our house left to overhaul, having moved in nearly 5 years ago. The update was much needed and we’re really happy with the result. It doesn’t make the spending any easier to stomach though!
As we head into 2020 we’re looking to get back to normal and settle around our desired £2,000 per month spending level. See this post for more detail.
Continue reading “Monthly Spending – December 2019”
2019 has been a year to remember for us, with highlights including:
Clearly, 2019 has been more expensive than we would have liked!
Despite this we have still managed to achieve all of the above, as well as an unwelcome new car purchase, while saving in the region of 35% of our income. We much prefer to see a figure above 50%, but considering what has happened this year we are happy to still make significant contributions to our ‘FI funds’.
Continue reading “Happy New Year!”You’ve met Mr Way. You’ve met Miss Way. Say hello to Baby Way! Well, not just yet….
If the incredibly expensive Africa trip followed by a new car weren’t expensive enough, we’re now expecting our first child!
We recently found out that Miss Way is pregnant, with the baby due in July 2020.
Obviously, we’re absolutely delighted with this news. But at the same time, there are some severe doubts about whether we’re doing the right thing.
Continue reading “Baby Way”I had been avoiding the fact that my car was on its last legs for far too long. It had done a respectable 165,000 miles!
A couple of weeks ago I accepted it was no longer safe to drive and the repair costs far outweighed the value of the vehicle (£1,000 on repairs for a car only worth £200!) – I needed to buy a new one – and quick!
I begrudgingly rely on my car for my work. Due to the peripatetic nature of my job, it unfortunately isn’t always possible to cycle to all my work destinations. Over the last month I’ve used the train where possible, but it can be an expensive alternative. Ideally, we would love to be entirely car free, but this is not an option right now.
Continue reading “How to Buy a Car – The Frugal Way!”