Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

newgirly

Hi Alex, I've suggested that already and ds2 said he will think about it, ds1 has never wanted to go and is not for changing his mind....

I totally understand if they don't know what they want to do, as long as they do SOMETHING while they think about it.


The house is clean, just the washing and ironing to do and no plans for he next few days, I don't know what to do with myself :rotfl: I might have a look at cheap breaks for dh and I later in the year. I'm craving a week long Mediterranean cruise after feeling cheated out of last year's one by been ill the whole time, but that's a lot of money to spend so I'll look for something else.

shangaijimmy

I'll throw my two-peneth in... I was adamant i didnt want to go to university,m but didn't rule it our altogether in the future. So i didn't go, and instead worked in a leisure centre and learned far more in those 2-3 years about communication, discipline and the potential future of levels of work than i would have an university. I then went to university whilst working at same leisure centre, finished that and got a good job offer due to some voluntary and seasonal work i was doing during school holidays. 12 months later i enrolled on a part time Masters course! So in the end i had 2 degrees, by 24 plus the continued experience of 7 years in employment. I am now an advocate of those degree apprenticeship schemes! All the while i had very strong parental support but with the same message as your are giving. Its fine not to go, but you have to do something. I was always aware that the minute i left full time education that i would need to start paying my way!

newgirly

Thanks Jimmy, I'm so glad it all worked out well for you in the end Motivation is the key I guess in whatever you do, it sounds like you chose the right path at the time that was right for you. I really hope things work out as well for my lot!

CathT

In theory then NG only one more year of being extremely frugal. Do you think you can hang on one more year? Will the feeling of being mortgage free get you through?

newgirly

Hi cath, it should be enough to see me through but I doubt it will be

I think we've done the bare minimum to see us through house wise - spent money on materials for dh to fix the log cabin and decorate it ready for summer so we can entertain in the garden, along with the new fridge freezer so we don't all die of food poisoning Eveything else is on hold until afterwards unless something breaks.

Kids birthdays budgeted for, so now the only temptation is spending on breaks/holidays. After having one hot holiday since we got married in 1996 (except the cruise when I was ill last year) I do feel like we have a bit of catching up to do, combined with the fact that the kids will all be adults and allegedly sensible enough to leave alone :rotfl:

So I think we will go away before it's paid off as missing a whole year if we don't have to save an extra month is probably not worth it in the scheme of things of us, that said whatever we do will have to be good value for money :money:

AlexLK

That's interesting, Jimmy. Also I think how one views university is very dependent on individual circumstances. To me it was an opportunity to be completely independent of parents, not have to go back in the holidays, enjoy having a house to myself, time to fully enjoy cars / driving / holidays in the UK and abroad / dating / drinking but not have to work on anything but a few essays. Undergrad years were some of the best of my life but it was all a bit empty in some ways.

I can understand if you had parents like NG why it would not be so difficult to stay at home during those years, so think that is likely a big factor and why NG's children haven't run for the hills at the first opportunity. :rotfl:

You're so close to the finish line now, NG. Holiday to celebrate being free of the mortgage rather than adding a month or two?

newgirly

Food for thought there Alex, I need to toughen up :rotfl:

Funny what you should say about the holiday, I've wasted a lot of time tonight (woke up when boys came in late and can't get back to sleep!) looking at cruises and holidays. It seems unless you are lucky and get a cheap last minute one that fits with what you want, they are a LOT dearer than booking way in advance.

We both fancy another week long cruise going to either the fjords or Italy, so I've kind of decided that a good idea would be to book one for next year after we are mf :T better prices and of course we can splash out on a balcony or even suite


After doing a bit of research I think a two night break to Loch Lomond might be on the cards this year instead of a holiday. Midweek flights are £12.99, car hire £11 a day and I've spotted some good deals on a couple of nice hotels including dinner, we took Dd before we had the twins and loved it there. So hopefully costs that can be squeezed from the monthly budget instead of he mortgage.

Will ask dh his thoughts in the morning on all this! Thanks though Alex, as in real life I've had friends and family all saying -go for it , book that holiday, you only live once etc. :rotfl::rotfl:

gallygirl

newgirly wrote: »

Will ask dh his thoughts in the morning on all this!

Why? Does he actually get a say in it? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

themadvix

I think you've probably made the decision now NG, but to add my tuppence worth, I'd agree with Alex and Cath - save it until after, otherwise there'll always be that temptation of 'just one more month'....

And totally agree with Alex that you're a big softie with your kids!

newgirly

Yes GG he always gets a say It tends to be along the lines of do whatever you think newgirly, you will have changed your mind by tomorrow :rotfl::rotfl:

Hi Vix, the "one more months" all add up

Well no holidays booked, also no cars bought. I quite fancy a new mx5 and my aunt has just decided to get one, so I'm counting that as me using some restraint. Unfortunately I didn't show such restraint in Zara today and bought a bright red chiffon halterneck top, at £17.99 its a fair but cheaper than a new red sports car, so technically still mse :money:

May financial update :

I've long lost track of what I've spent so far, but am aware that I've £153.56 to last until 3rd June (oh dear!) plus £40 cash most of which will go on a meal tomorrow night for a friend's leaving do.

Probably should stop buying clothes now