TallGirl's 5 year plan to own a 2nd home in her homeland

TallGirl

ATT I totally agree its the numbers coming down that really spurs you on. I think my friend in a way spurred me on too as well at the programme clear your mortgage in 2 years. You see if all moved into these new houses in the cul the sac and ours are identical. They put an extention first which spurred us on so now they are the same again.

It is a new relief to be MF but really things haven't changed that much in the year we have been MF mainly due to DH having to take a cut in pay but still if he had had to do that and we still had a mortgage it would have been much worse. I know what you mean about people not talking about mortgages and money. I work in Debt Advice and everyone talk a lot about money its just mainly clients lack of money. The area where my HQ is and my work mates all live is so much cheaper than here. They all know I am MF but I can laugh it off and say "well I do live in a dolls house" well we do compared to them but hours cost the same as theirs. I kind of feel I have lost my way a bit since becoming MF as all I seem to do is spend spend spend.

Like the holiday to Mauritius (fair enough we usually go a see family in Denmark which is so cheap) and they will be our first proper Holiday since we got married 7 years ago. 14 working days to go seriously looking forward to it now.

However I keep finding other things I want to spend money on like the lounge upstairs could really do with a book case, the patio would look so nice extended but then on the same front I also want to build up my ISA's.

I think I shall have a rethink and look again at my goals. What do I want, that 2nd home in Denmark might not be the right thing maybe that's more of a 10 year plan. I think I need a more hands on goal to spur me on like you say £159k is so much nearer £100k than £200k.

We did end up having a nice afternoon with the neighbour as we went into town for the farmers market and went for lunch at Weatherspoons. I got my £5 freebie from the bodyshop perfect for my holiday as it really small. I also banked a cheque.

Will go and socialise with DH now and maybe open a beer. Take care all and thanks for taking the time to read my non MF diary.

SuzieSue

TallGirl wrote: »

I kind of feel I have lost my way a bit since becoming MF as all I seem to do is spend spend spend.

Hi TG, I know exactly what you mean. I became MF just over 2 years ago, and last year I got a new kitchen, new bathroom, ensuite and cloakroom (I don't know if you remember but you kindly gave me details of the black tiles in your cloakroom), new fitted bedroom furniture and a new bed, new floorings for the whole house and new living room furniture. I have not added up how much it all cost and the funny thing was, was that I wasn't going to get any of it done!. I had been thinking about getting a new kitchen as I bought my house from new about 14 years ago from Barrratts and so all the fixtures and fittings were very cheap. I knew that my neighbour had just got her kitchen replaced so I asked the people who did her kitchen to come to quote and they gave me a really good price if I agreed there and then, so I just agreed!. I was intending to get other quotes of course, but it didn;t work out like that and I think that if I had gotten more quotes, I still wouldn't have a new kitchen as I am very indecisive!

Anway, after I got the kitchen done, I saw that the same company did fitted bedroom furniture and as my bedrooms are so small, I decided to get a quote for that. Then I decided to the bathrooms and then everything else. It was really strange as I hadn't really spent any money for 12 years while I was paying off my mortgage and here I was spending tens of thousands in one year!

Anyway, I haven't even added up how much it has cost it total. I had some savings and paid some out of my normal income and I put the rest on interest free credit cards which I am hoping I will be able to pay off before the interest free period ends.

Anyway, I just thought I would tell you my story so you don't feel too bad. I enjoy reading you diary and I was so grateful that I work from home when I read about the problems you had with a couple of women at work. I certainly do not miss the office politics. I still have to go in to the office 2 days a month to pick up paperwork, but that is fine.

TallGirl

Thanks SuzieSue I do remember you from the MFi3, nice to know I am not the only one spending loads of money after becoming MF. I think you did the right thing with the kitchen it was a company that you knew had done a good job previously and you trusted them. Just imagine if you had got more quotes and it had all gone pearshaped I would have done the same.

My bedroom is small and we really need some new chest of draws (forgot to add this to my previous list) but don't need them until ours fall apart. Well 1 is falling apart but its only one.

I do remember you wanting the tiles details did you get some you liked. I still love my bathrooms not regretted it one bit. In particular when I visit my neigbour who still has the original bathrooms and it bring it all back how horrid they were. Cheap as chips put in by the developers.

I also think you did the right thing with the interest free credit cards I have done the same and set up a DD to pay it off before the interest start again. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself and who knows whats around the corner and we only live once that is my motto.

Interesting that you work from home so do I and I only go into the "office" as such about once or twice a month so that's why the whole thing spun out of control as I had no idea of it all. I think its because I work in a sales environment that people are quite touchy and I have to remember that. Don't you miss having closer work mates? I really do sometimes but I don't really want to look at another job as it would mean such a pay cut.

Thanks for posting.

SuzieSue

Yes, I forgot you worked from home. I work in Accounts and really work on my own and report directly to the MD, so I don't really have any colleagues as such.

My partner also works from home and we are in the same (small) room and so we just talk to each other all the time. We are together vitually 24/7 but we both love it and as I can talk to him about anything, I don't really miss having colleagues. Also, I found the MSE forums are really good subsitute friends as you learn so much from them and in many ways they are better than having friends because if someone says something that is wrong, it is generally corrected by someone more knowledgeble.

Infact, there are a couple of neighbours who know that I work from home so keep inviting me round for coffee but they are both mothers and as I don't have children, I don't feel that we'll have that much in common so I haven't gone yet. I feel guilty everytime I see them, but I really don't feel I need any other friends. I'm sure if I lived on my own, I'd have lots of friends, but I just don't feel I need them now.

Have you re-done your kitchen or is the one the developers put in ok?

TallGirl

SuzieSue you are very lucky to both work from home, sounds ideal.

I know what you mean about when people have kids it kind of seperate you a bit. My good neighbour has no kids and eventhough she is 10 years older than me is has become a really good friend. My other close friend is 10 years younger than me and does not have kids either. Most of the people I play golf with a much older than me with grown up kids but we have the golf in common. I don't have loads of friends either, some people I used to work with but we are not that close. DH has no friends on his own. Guess we have both grown up abroad although I have close friends in Denmark.

My kitchen is ok its the original 16 year old one but its lime oak with plain white tiles and cream worktops so we have put crome handles on the cupboards and it looks fine. So glad I did not go for floral tiles at the time or it would have looked much worse.

Chilling out waiting for Ebay to finish, had nice lunch with MIL and FIL and mowed the lawn plus sorted the raised bed out. Got 100 litre of compost in Makro with 100 litre free for £7.99 plus vat. Bargain I think.

TallGirl

Gosh where does the time go 14 days since I last posted. Well what has happened in between I went away last weekend with the girl to Daventry to play golf. So nice to see everyone after my long Winter lay off. Did not play to badly actually won the team competition on the first day.

Quite expensive to drink at the hotel but all meals where included plus golf so not too bad. Play 18 holes x 2 and 9 on the last day that was enough though.

This week I went to HQ met the new girl who has joined out team. She used to work for another organisation and was kind of against us but now she is with us its a bit odd. I took her out for dinner and she appreciated that. I don't think the other two likes her but I am warming to her. At least I will have one friend at work perhaps.

This weekend has been really nice lovely sunshine again Saturday got bits and pieces for the holiday tried Tesco's DTD only bought what we would normally have got but still refund. Well it was worth ago. Also played 9 holes and got DH on the course as well.

DH got us some suntan lotion and mozzy spray, plus I got some golf balls and tees. He got a new driver but I did not go mad. Went to play golf played almost to my handicap so happy with that. Got home went into town and got some more stuff. Have wanted an Epilator for years and finally got on. It had a 1/3 off at Boots and I used some vouchers so £55 still expensive but it works well and since I have tried the waxing (Groupon thing) I prefer it to shaving.

Cooking a chicken now for dinner need to use my broccoli they are almost into flowers some of them so need eating. Given quite a few away seems a shame to blance and freeze them although I could do that.

Lawn is done but may need doing again next week.

Scary moment in Petsathome yesterday the cat food we get has gone up to £18.07 for 2 kilo. Used to be £15 for 3 kilo. Went on their website and it was £52.99 for 10 kilo so a lot cheaper. When to check Quidco but they are not on there so had a look at Petsupermarket they do 5% found 10 kilo for £45 also free delivery. Sadly had to get the smaller packet as the other one will not arrive until we have left for our holidays. But isn't the prize difference scary £4.50 or £9 per kilo.

4 working days left cannot wait for Mauritius now.

abouttimetoo

Hi TG, just been catching up on your thread and i can see by now you will be in Mauritius so hope you both are having a fab time!

Look forward to hearing your holiday news

Regards
ATT

TallGirl

Thanks aboutmetimetoo we are leaving tomorrow at 9pm. Just checked in online, tried it 1 hour early and it let me. Only 2 seat left that was not in a row of 4 phew luck still a shame we did not get the emergency exit ones. Fancied those.

Golf bags are packed but not clothes yet. Have played today and then a MS at a pub locally which is in a stunning location but the service was so bad and it was so expensive. Not a happy report.

Chilling out with a bottle of Cava but will go to bed soon as Thomas and Jack woke us up at 5.20am this morning. DH had forgotten to top up their kibble so fair enough. Hope that dont do that tomorrow morning.

Will be sending DH off to get the papers at our local M&S says the telegraph give free hot cross bun will save me buying anything for breakfast so may it wont matter if they wake us up early.

Cannot wait until we are off but has been nice to have today and most of tomorrow to potter about. Should have wifi out there but not sure I shall be able to post.

TallGirl

Back again, that 12 days went really quick but we did have a fantastic holiday. It was really hot and humid but the sea was 26c and the pool 27c so spent a lot of time there. Did play some golf and hired a speedboat with two drivers for the day. Fantastic trip with BBq lobster on the beach snorkeling etc etc.

Did not come cheap though, spent all of our £400 we have exchanged and the final hotel bill came to £750. Well reason for that was due to the cost of everything. We were half board but a beer was £5 (50cl) a bottle of water, £25 for a bottle of wine with dinner, £2.50 a sandwich £10 a burger £20 a golf buggie (wait for it) £50.

We did get a taxi to a local supermarket and stocked up and everyday and made up rolls for lunch so we only had to pay £10 once for 1 sandwich. Luckily in a way that DH does not eat lunch.

Still you need to enjoy yourself on holiday life is too short and we are now MF so I think we deserved it.

Came back really late Wednesday travelled from 3am (UK time) until 10.30pm and then I had to get up at 6am to drive to Maidstone on the Thursday. Only when I got there the meeting was Friday so had to go back on the Friday. Great !!!

Went to the gym for 30 min last night (my neighbour did not want to do any longer than that) and saw a sign for a special offer on Personal Training. 3 x 20min sessions for £25 so I left my number maybe just what I need as I am sure I have put on weight again. Food was fantastic at the hotel 6 chefs cooking different things for breakfast and dinner. Had fresh fish most days and DH even liked some so that is good news if I can now cook that at home.

Sorted the garden out and done most of the washing. Seeded my two beds and bought some lettuce at the market in town. I know I can grow it from seed but its a bit late now and the slugs tends to eat it all.
Anyway I am sure you are bored with my waffle alread I need to look at the photos we took as Inlaws are coming down this afternoon (well in 1 hour and 20min).

TallGirl

Stepped on the scales today and I have put on nearly 2 kilo while on holiday that has got to be changed I am fed up want to be slim again. Still not heard back about the personal training but definitely more motivated now than ever. Also I read in a magazine about a "wine Belly" its bacically women who have a thick waist and a squidgy tummy - yes thats me totally and utterly. I am 6.2 so ok I can carry the weight but as a lot of it is sitting on my stomach and bum plus thighs that is not good.

Plan has to be radical this time let see what goals I can set for this week:

1. Try not to drink anything this week until Friday where I shall allow myself 2 glasses of wine.
2. Make at least 1 BodyPump Class at the Gym (Thurs)
3. Do at least 1 45 min session during the week
4. Play 1 round of golf
5. No biscuits
6. No pudding
7. No cakes

I think that will do for now will not be easy but I think it can be done first test will be tonight meeting some people I have met through work and we are going out for dinner. Also I am not driving but I shall be strong.

Relisted 1 item on Ebay its got 3 watcher already hopefully it will go this time.

Played a bit pants yesterday but my partner and I were the best score now we wait for the rest to play Thursday and I might be lucky.

Thinking of opening an ISA with Santander as I waste so much money when its sitting in my account. Would be better off locked away really.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend weather wasn't that great and typically the sun is out today. Must get on with some work before Bristol leaving about 3.30pm I think.