museumworker's quest to consign mortgage to history!

Lula-Hula

Well done on all your achievements in 2010 & wish you the very best of everything for 2011.

xx

museumworker

Thanks Lula-Hula, yukkibear and tyo for your kind comments. I thought it important to write an end of year precis as often I feel I am chasing my tail and not recognising how much I actually do do. The big picture is good, and if I accidentally spend 50p on a bottle of water or more on a dvd/book it really doesn't matter too much. I know this goes against every :money: rule, however what I am trying to get at is a positive attitude towards moneysaving, rather than a negative one where it is "i can't do this, I can't do that".

tyo, I promise not to tell the MSE forumites that you plagarised me, I would be flattered . What exercise have you done so far? This week I did 45 mins of Cindy Crawford yesterday, aching today a bit! Was meant to go for swim with OH this evening, but so tired am going to watch a film instead . Still have 4 days to do another 2 sessions of exercise though. The getting up earlier thing is going well - second time today, and had 20 minutes to put on my make up and deal with builders unexpected arrival :eek: when will it end? I am however v tired from getting up early.

Timer is beeping, must dash! Am making nigellas pumpkin and fish curry from one of her early books, takes 30 mins and is GORGEOUS! Using that supercheap salmon we got the other week and Lidl large prawns, so not too pricey either!

tootallulah

Hi Mw, that is a brilliant list of achievements last year, you are very focussed, can you send some of that my way please!

museumworker

Thanks Toots, it is probably more neurosis than focus, wouldn't wish that on anyone! I do feel good about myself when I accomplish things, however I always set myself massive personal targets - the NY 'ambitions' this year are much more realistic and holistic but will still make a difference to my life if I achieve them. And I'm sure 2011 will have some other surprises in store for me!

My decluttering is going well - bye bye last years diary and family calendar, 2 videos and 1 dvd. Listed another 2 books on Amazon. I have a pretty free weekend so plan to declutter a lot and see an exhibition too. I've not had any caffeine now since 31 Dec and am feeling ok about it, although means I am just drinking warm water in the store as forgot to bring decaf tea bags with me :eek:!. I bought lunch for me and a new volunteer yesterday (£16 from pocket money) and got myself a Victorian lemonade - forgot about the citrus thing, and sure my head did feel a bit tight after (although that might have been something else!).

Today I would like to:
* [STRIKE]call Badgers to check DD ok to start next Monday[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]awaiting callback[/STRIKE] sorted, it is fine!
* [STRIKE]take DD swimming with schwim caps[/STRIKE] she wanted to go the library instead and read at home
* [STRIKE]unpack 3 x laundry bags and going away case from last week [/STRIKE] done, am knackered now though
* [STRIKE]make bottom of the fridge veg soup[/STRIKE] CBA, it is 9pm and don't want to do it! am going to find something in the freezer we can take in instead
* [STRIKE]have a NSD (have HM lunch, brought milk from fridge to store)[/STRIKE] done :j
* [STRIKE]get all my worky work done[/STRIKE]
* [STRIKE]fb friend re: this weekend[/STRIKE]
Have a good day all!

CathT

What a great idea to list all your achievements. You are really focused and i wish you loads of luck!

museumworker

Thanks for the good wishes CathT, I wish you all the best for 2011 too.

I'm in need of some remortgaging advice. Our fixed deal (5.09%) is due to expire Feb 2012. However, with all the talk of interest rates rising, I'm considering remortgaging early, and paying the get out fee (£1,000). Have done a little bit of research and with our new estimated house value (£310,000) we are just under the 65% LTV for our remortgage amount of £190K. We could get a fixed 5 year deal with FD for 3.59%, which would save £200 per month in standard payments (meaning in 5 months we would have saved the get out fee anyway). There are even cheaper deals if we want to get a tracker, but as the only way the BoE base rate is going to go is up, I'm not sure that is a good idea. We could get a better rate if we fix for only 2 years, but I think 3.59% is a good rate and over the 5 years will give us certainty and prove to be good. The fee for the FD mortgage is £99. However, if I did get a good rate for 2 years and OPed the difference, would that work out better in the long run? Insert confused smiley here.

I have never remortgaged (OH has, but only through a broker and just took the product they recommended). Can anyone give any advice in terms of things to consider? And does anyone have a mortgage with FD? I like the fact it is unlimited OPs, and interest is worked out daily. Can you see your mortgage account online too?

Think I'm going to spend some time on the weekend costing different scenarios.

tootallulah

My mortgage is with FD I recommend them highly. Great on line banking, lovely when you ring and that looks like a good fixed rate deal. Well done on the LTV that is very impressive. It will be interesting to see if others have had such a good experience as I have I find FD a really great bank.

tootallulah

Just read your post again, on line you can see everything make payments and transfers etc. It really is simple.

museumworker

Thanks Toots, I have heard good things about FD, and now that I know I can see things online it is sounding even more attractive! I can't with my C&G mortgage . I have called FD, they are doing a fee free transfer offer this month so I'd like to get to the quote in before the end of the month as it is valid for 6 months afterwards. They will be calling me back for a long chat a week on Sunday, I hope to god the mortgage offer I am interested in is not pulled before then as it is limited funds. It is 3.89% not 3.69% (should know better as a MFW ) but the £200 saving a month is right.

Tonight, as well as the laundry sorting I have called FD, sorted out badgers, called another friend (2 in one week, wow, will run out of people to call at this rate :rotfl:), taken down the xmas decorations with DD and put them away, put the tree outside for the council to collect, decluttered a set of fairy lights to DD's dad , put away 3 baskets of laundry, sorted out the case from last week and put it away and done a washload. I am so tired now that bottom of the fridge soup is beyond me. Am going to find some freezer surprise we can both take for lunch - if OH doesn't like it, TOUGH, he should have put his own laundry away!

SeriouslySeekingtoSave

What a fantastic list of achievements! And you are right it is so important to celebrate what you've done right and not get too critical of every little slip up you've made or every time you spent 50p out of the way. I might put a much shorter list up on my diary (giving you the credit for the idea of course) just to celebrate the fact that I have had an absolutely, positively, and categorically GREAT year in 2010 and I achieved a major life goal!

Here's to us - all MFWs, working on the dream and making it a reality!:beer: