greent's mfw journey

Hazelnutty

Yay! fingers crossed!

Saving_Glut

Hi greent
Spreading the risk across two ISAs seems sensible.

Well done on the sales with added benefit of decluttering. It will all add up.

greent

Refund from Exped1a for the difference in flight costs has been received - over £250, so am very pleased about that! :j - even better as it was their offer - we just went 'it's one of those things' and wouldn't have thought about trying to get any money back!

I've decided that I am going to open another S&S ISA, but not until after holiday, when I can see how much I can put in as an initial lump and then increase my monthly savings there, probably on an equal split for now. Whilst prices are low at least I'm buying more units for my money, I guess!

In other news..... still no heating on here, although the fire in the lounge has been on some evenings and some mornings - the smallest 2 have taken to getting dressed in the lounge at the mo as a result! I'm thinking that it will definitely have to go no when we get back - but as that will be in the last few days of Oct that's good going I've hung one load of washing outside this morning with another currently washing. It's been very wet the last couple of days, so I haven't done any since Sat and I like to have it all up straight before we go away

The student offspring are both getting on well - which is great news. I think DS1 is planning on coming home for a weekend in early Nov, which will be lovely - not that we'll really see him, as I'm sure he'll be spending as much time as possible with his girlfriend! No idea whether DD will come home before Xmas break or not but she's settled, she's happy, she's busy with studies and the job (and the bfriend) so all is well

The plan now from next Jan is that the BTL just gets the rent money paid to it - should still achieve £5K balance reduction over the year (well, just under, so I'll top it up as I like round numbers ) and we start a 'Florida Fund' pot for 2020. Of course, this is dependent upon OH being in a contract next year..... so plans may change! (or at least the amount we manage to save in 2019 for Florida may change if he isn't in contract!)

Time for breakfast!
xx

Karmacat

Great news on the refund! And everything else, actually

Saving_Glut

Well done on refund greent!

You mentioned in an earlier post that you felt “skint”. I think us MFWs always will, as we will near-empty our current account to get our mortgage balance down. However, being on track to overpay your BTL by £5k is something to be proud of and you are better off financially as a result.

If I’d spent as though I was skint many years ago, I’d be retired by now!!

apple_muncher

I was going to ask you how ds1 is getting on. Glad to hear all is well with him.


How are you all adjusting to only having the little ones at home?

Karmacat

Saving_Glut wrote: »

If I’d spent as though I was skint many years ago, I’d be retired by now!!

Absolutely! Though I'm retired now, I'd have been able to do it earlier, or do it at better levels.

greent

Karmacat wrote: »

Great news on the refund! And everything else, actually

Yes - the refund is a bertie-bonus indeed! :j - and keeps the holiday back in budget again, hopefully

Saving_Glut wrote: »

Well done on refund greent!

You mentioned in an earlier post that you felt “skint”. I think us MFWs always will, as we will near-empty our current account to get our mortgage balance down. However, being on track to overpay your BTL by £5k is something to be proud of and you are better off financially as a result.

If I’d spent as though I was skint many years ago, I’d be retired by now!!

Oh yes - my skint nowadays is definitely relative - I don't have to worry about paying my bills/ putting food on the table/ heating the house (eventually! ) and should a large bill come along (eg: a large appliance need replacing) then I can do it. Living like this is a choice, not a necessity and I know i'm not really skint. I was thinking the other day that even when the BTL mtge is gone I can't imagine living differently

apple_muncher wrote: »

I was going to ask you how ds1 is getting on. Glad to hear all is well with him.


How are you all adjusting to only having the little ones at home?

The smallest 2 miss him, although DS3 has been playing some online games with DS1, which he really enjoys - and I think helps DS1 feel connected to home
There's much less washing and ironing - and the cheese lasts much longer!!!

greent

So it's the last night of our week in Portugal. We've hardly spent anything (particularly if you take out the water park tickets for 1 day) and it has been very chilled Most of the packing is done - just the last minute things to put in We've had a nice break, but I am also looking forward to getting home and back to normal life - although not the expected temperatures next week!!

Have found out whilst out here that my Nan is dying - inoperable mass in her chest - expected to last just days longer. My plan is to see her on Sunday - and that may be the last time. However, she is 88 and has had a good life overall and lived almost 22 years past her husband and has 6 children, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren

Have cashed out just over £45 from tcb whilst out here :T - taken in a prepaid CC (to get a bonus % on top), which I'll use on Xmas. Will transfer an appropriate amount to BTL when card received in post Now that Nov is almost upon us I really need to get on with Xmas (and DD's 21st in Dec and DS2's 13th in Jan....) I'm just stuck for ideas for people.... (although I did buy myself a perfume and matching body lotion set for bargain price in Duty free on the way out here which someone can give me for Xmas )

Karmacat

Very sorry to hear about your nan, greent I'm glad that your normal flight home from your holiday gives you time to see her, that means a lot.


And your finances sound as wonderful as usual - you put work into it, I know, I love the idea of buying your own present in duty free



Thinking of you.