greent's mfw journey

Goldiegirl

Congratulations on your new MF status :beer::j

Muser, loads of people carry on with their diary after becoming MF, as there is always something to work towards, like early retirement.

Hopefully, Greent, will carry with her diary:)

gallygirl

Congratulations

ahem_47

greent "originally 11/25" - more than 10yrs knocked off :beer:

Superb x

Alchemilla

Woohoo! WELL DONE!

greent

Morning all - thank you all for your lovely responses to my MF status xx


Sorry I've not been around much of late - I've been stupidly busy at times, resulting in me being incredibly tired at other times (with several instances of me falling asleep before 9pm and not waking until my alarm the following morning)


I thought that I'd be all 'party, party, party' at being MF - a big bang - but it was more of a whimper, tbh - I think we're all suffering from over-tiredness here and really looking forward to the school hols (roll on next week!!) Maybe it'll sink in more when I don't have the mtge payment going out of the account next month.


We didn't do anything to mark it, but we're all off to London in August for a long weekend and might have some 'splash out' meals there rather than the usual cheap n cheerful feed 6 of us for <£100 if possible ones. Have booked Harry Potter tour so will no doubt be caught for some spends by 2 of the children there. I'm also thinking that OH and I need a nice meal out (just the 2 of us) or a fabulous afternoon tea.


Plans going forward? - we are still changing the boiler - it really is dying so needs doing before the bad weather. I want to tie it in as much as possible with re-doing the kitchen and am waiting for our preferred person to get back to us about that. Finally, the doors and windows need replacing (very draughty) and we've had quotes but didn't like any of the companies, so need to look at some more!


That's obviously all going to eat quite a lot of money. With the kitchen we need a new f/f (Samsung which we've replaced quite a lot of parts on and it's not really economical to keep doing so) (If anyone has any recommendations for an American style f/f ideally available with metal doors (not silver plastic) please let me know!!) Range is ok and dishwasher and washer dryer have been replaced in last 2 years.


We plan to go to Florida next summer - possibly our last big family holiday all together as DD will be 18 and DS1 16 by then. With 4 adults and a 10yo and a 7yo it won't be cheap, but the memories will hopefully be priceless


I'm still decluttering (slowly) but have lost my enthusiasm for ebay at the mo.


I still plan on writing here in my diary - I need to save for Florida, pay for house improvements and tackle the remaining finance on OH's car (I checked when he took it out that it can be flexible and that I can OP) And rebuild our savings in general - they took a massive hit when OH was out of work for so long. Plus I can't leave the MFW board as I need to keep up with how everyone else is doing - I'm just about to start to try and catch up with some diaries now!


xx

greent

Just to keep records up to date!
504. 2 presents from stash (regifting!) - used for DS3's friend
505. file of paperwork, petty cash tin and electronic records of PTA stuff - passed on to new Treasurer (Yes!!!!!!)
506. 5 paperbacks - CS
507. set of BN (gift) Xmas hat seat decorations - CS
508. set of silver xmas baubles - CS
509. 2 weird LCD colour changing Xmas ornaments (gift) - CS
510. 5 colour changing snowmen (gift) - CS
511. large red velvet bow tree topper - CS
512. full box of red and gold Xmas crackers - CS
513. 3 colour changing glass angel baubles (gift) - CS
514. 2 HUGE clip on gold and bejewelled and glittery insects (for Xmas tree!!) (gift) - CS
515. BN Xmas Countdown Owl - to my mum
516. BN Spode Xmas plate - given to my mum
517. BNIB fabulous stiletto shoes (gift & too big ) - SOLD - ebay
518. New item ordered from ebay and not really like pic (but only 99p, so not worth returning!) - donated to tombola
519 - 522 - socks, pants, 4 prs shorts and 5 pairs of trousers - donated to school for spares
523 - 530 - large box of more than 25 items (books, clothes, games, misc)- CS
531. - bag of scruffy clothes - charity for rag bag collection
532. carrier bag full of boys clothes in good condition - donated to small local charity helping families in need
533. lots of clothes pegs which kept breaking and weren't very good at holding clothes - binned
534. bag of diy keyrings from our garage printed up and donated to local small festival info tent
535. child's umbrella - CS
536 - 645 - Items/ Bundles of items sold at Nearly New sale
646. old trainers (worn at festival and covered in cow pats!) - binned
647. camping water container - leaky - binned
648. garden bamboo torch and bottle of citronella oil - oil used and bottle recycled, torch binned after use (about 10+ years old!)
649. 2 solar garden lights no longer working - binned
650. card and gift bag from stash used for DD's friend
651. top - CS
652. dress with a rip - CS rag bag
653. leggings with a bleach mark - CS rag bag
654. shoes - SOLD - ebay
655. 2 gift boxes and 2 candles from stash - used for presents for teachers
656. -657. 2 cards, 3 presents, 2 gift bags - used for parties which DS3 is attending
658. card, 3 gift items from stash and gift bag - used for DD's friend
659. about 20 pairs of OH's socks - charity rag bag
660. top stained with strawberries when jam making - CS rag bag
661. shirt and pair of shoes of OH's - rag bag
662. lots of paperwork - shredded/ recycled

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

OMG, come over here and help me please :rotfl::rotfl:

Tilly x x x

Pearla*Merle

Wow to the decluttering :T

So glad you'll still be here to share your savings/new life news

Have you been to Florida before? I was there earlier this year - I shall have a think about my hot tips & get back to you

greent

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

OMG, come over here and help me please :rotfl::rotfl:

Tilly x x x

I like sorting stuff, I have to confess - and other people's stuff even more than my own, as I have no attachment to any of it!

Pearla*Merle wrote: »

Wow to the decluttering :T

So glad you'll still be here to share your savings/new life news

Have you been to Florida before? I was there earlier this year - I shall have a think about my hot tips & get back to you

Thank you


We went to Florida in Oct 2007 (when we only had 3 children!) so am out of touch somewhat! All tips welcome x

Bluefire wrote: »

The Dibb forum is great for info on Florida if you've not used it before - I get most of my money saving tips from there when planning our holidays.

I'd highly recommend the American afternoon tea available at BRGR in London - hardly traditional I know but we loved it! Saved some pennies by buying our voucher through Buyagift with a discount code.

Ooh - had never heard of Dibb - will be spending quite a bit of time on there, thanks!


American afternoon tea looks interesting, too - suspect the kids may like that - will have a look at that too


x

apple_muncher

Glad you aren't planning on leaving us!

Have you costed up all the 'plans'? You may need another mortgage to pay for them!!!