Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

newgirly

Seem to be having an expensive month, its to be expected with all three kids birthdays this month. DH has now said he does'nt have the money to pay for DD party though, so I may have to dip into the VSP savings. We did spend lots yesterday as DS1 was in a show in the O2, so we went early and had dinner there, bought programmes/tickets/parking etc so all in all an expensive evening, but an experience.
Have not done any surveys for a few days now as I have been feeling a bit rough,and been very busy, I shall try and catch up if I can before the weekend.
I can't believe the kids are off school in just over 2 weeks, i don't have ideas what we are going to do and no money put by! we do have a weeks holiday just before they go back to school. but other than that no ideas yet.

newgirly

Hi everyone, I thought I'd take a few minutes to update as I've had such a busy weekend with DD's birthday, I have not done any surveys and have spent quite a bit of money, mainly on food and drink, we had the inlaws round for dinner friday, DD's party in a restaurant on sat with seven friends and a family BBQ for 14 on Sunday.
So I need to get back to my MSE ways. I did a couple of one poll surveys this morning, lots of VO surveys but either got screened out or they were already full up.
I need to do a grocery shop today or tomorrow, so I think I will have a look for some receipes on here as I am getting fed up with eating slow cooker curries and chilli. In this weather I really just feel like eating greek salad every day!
I really need to try and save a few extra pennies, as we are going away at the end of August, OH is doing a few weekends extra work to put some spending money by, but I really need to add to it and buy all the bits and pieces we need including some new clothes and shoes. I think I will see if I can order myself and DD some nice dresses from ebay instead of buying new. The boys have enough to wear I think, just need some new holiday shoes and flip flops.

newgirly

Hi all,
Was just wondering if I am the only one who gets the mid month blues! I'm feeling like theres not a lot I am doing during the month to become mortgage free. The mortgage payment and OP comes out at the end of the month, and I don't feel as though I am doing very much in the meantime. I guess I am just impatient!
Does anyone else feel like this sometimes? I am doing surveys as and when they come up, but thats it really. I am a bit worried that I have become too focused on becoming MF, as it is going to be 8-12 years before we have paid it off, and that is a very long time, Is it normal to be this obsessed?

SmlSave

Was just wondering if I am the only one who gets the mid month blues! I'm feeling like theres not a lot I am doing during the month to become mortgage free.

Not just you hun I'm just plodding along atm (I've run out of steam lately) and am waiting for my garden to start producing some gluts! I do my surveys every morning although they bore me to tears most days!

I love to think that I will be MF in 14 years so I'm definitely in for the long haul!

I need to do a grocery shop today or tomorrow, so I think I will have a look for some receipes on here as I am getting fed up with eating slow cooker curries and chilli. In this weather I really just feel like eating greek salad every day!

Grilled veg is my staple meal atm. I was thinking I'll do a 'new recipe a week' so i'll go through my cook books, good food website and weezle's receipes like the onion tart. I haven't been using my slow cooker lately.

newgirly

Hi everyone, have not posted for a few days, I feel a bit of a failure at the moment! I have only done a few one poll surveys in the last few days, and have spent lots of money this month due to the kids birthdays.
I thought I would throw myself into doing the house up, as it is getting more than a little scruffy. I am going to try and do it in an MSE kind of way, so I've been loitering on the shabby chic thread trying to get some ideas for making over old furniture. I thought I could pick up something for the hallway as that is what I have just started to strip. I was thinking maybe a hall table or wash stand. I think I might go to a boot sale and have a look around, everything I like on ebay seems to be selling for quite a lot.
DH is currently trying to burn off some artex off of the understairs cupboard. I think its the first time in years he has done any DIY in our house! I would have done it myself but am a bit nervous of using a blow torch.
I still haven't come up with that many ideas for the school hols which are cheap and different. We will go to London a few times as thats the best place for freebies, will go to the natural history museum as thats my fav. Other than that not sure yet. Would like to go camping for a couple of nights but I think I will need new airbeds so may not be such a cheap weekend.

I think I am learning that you need to plan ahead a lot more when trying to save money, I shall have to make sure I do while the children are off. Am already think of trying to book a cheap holiday int his country for next year, as all the best deals seem to be for when you book way in advance.

newgirly

Morning everyone
Well, I have three and a half child free days before they are off school for the summer. I should be cleaning the whole house, and getting organised. Instead I am going shopping with my mum today, and out for a pub lunch with some mums from school tomorrow. I thought I would make the most of the last bit of peace and quiet!
I am hoping the kids will settle down after a while as the boys seem to bicker constantly at the moment, so I am going to try and stay as chilled out as possible in preperation. It really doesn't help that they share a bedroom.
Hopefully we will have a hot summer so they can spend lots of time in the garden and have friends round and wear themselves out!
I think I will spend some time today doing a budget for the summer, and maybe buy some drinks bottles and a new cool bag for cheap days out.
One thing I am resisting buying at the moment is a soda stream, the kids really want one ( so do I !) and they have them 1/2 price in argos at the moment, but I will be good and not give in. I know they are overpriced and expensive to run, but I always wanted one as a child
Anyway hope everyone has a good day.

pammyj74

soda streams are the thing at the moment arent they. We wont be getting one either!

I know what you mean about bickering, mine are 7 and 8 and do quite a bit of it but I only have two weeks off work and am going to try and arrange day trips etc to try and keep them occupied lol.

newgirly

I have been reading memory girl's new MFW diary, and have decided to steal one of her great ideas. She is breaking down her £125K mortgage into 1000 chunks. I thought that was a really good way of keeping motivated, so I have decided to break down my £168K mortgage into 1000 chunks of £168. Memory girl is also trying to find lots of different ways to make the money to pay off these chunks.
I may also steal that great idea too
I thought i would make some sort of chart or picture with £168 sections in it, so as I pay off a chunk I can fill it in. Basic I know, but I thought it would cheer me up on days when I don't feel I am getting anywhere!
It really is good to have a nose at other peoples diaries to see what works for them and get some fresh ideas.
One challenge I thought I would try is for the summer holidays. My three kids break up tomorrow and friday for six weeks, we are away for one of those weeks (the very last week), so I have five weeks remaining. I have a total on top of my usual budget of £100 for the five weeks, so I thought I will see how long I can stretch it out for. My two DS's are 10 on saturday, and everything is already paid for so I don't have to worry about that.
So the £100 will be to pay for any trips/meals/treats and also the main expense of all the extra food that they will get through whilst at home, (plus what all the extra visiting kids will eat).
To be honest I think I will be doing well if I manage to get through the first couple of weeks without spending the lot! goodness only knows what I normally spend in the six weeks holiday.

SmlSave

Hi newgirly Sounds like you have a plan!

So the £100 will be to pay for any trips/meals/treats and also the main expense of all the extra food that they will get through whilst at home, (plus what all the extra visiting kids will eat).

Don't forget to send them over their friends for food as well

MFW_DannyG

Thats a good idea I might steal it too (the breaking down into 1000 chunks and charting it!). Good luck with the £100 for 5 weeks challenge. I bet there are plenty of places doing free entry days and things, I know my local radio station are on about it quite a bit!
haha SML makes a good point too, I can't wait until my little one is old enough to go to friends houses, Im gunna make him tell all his mates parents we are poor so they keep inviting him over for dinner :money: