Closing the mortgage to Open opportunities

Emsky123

Oh and on the weight loss front, Lost another 1lb last week and 2 this week so on target to lose a stone by Christmas

Emsky123

£1000 just sent, Now hit the limit - Really pleased with my effort this year but a bit sad that i cant pay any more yet.

will now switch focus to Savings ready for next year - Target is £4000

Emsky123

Payday, Just sent £500 to my newly set up Savings account, It should have been a lot more than this but i have unfortunately caught a bug..................The Christmas present bug!

Have overspent a lot but my excuse is we dont go out , dont eat out or buy takeaways and had one very cheap holiday in the last year so a little endulgance at Christmas could be allowed.

Got pet insurance through quidco so will get £24 cashback on that, hoping to save money on weekly shopping budget so i can build a pot ready for the Christmas food shop.

Cant belive how quick the year has gone, Next year will be very exciting as the mortgage balance will get very close to our savings balance so by the end of next year we could be in a position to pay it off in full but will decide nearer the time as not sure if we really want to clear the whole savings leaving us with nothing.

Emsky123

Wow today my diary is 1 year old, It really has helped to focus me in the past year and achieve the goals i set out to achieve. The last month has been very hard, The will power to save is not very strong this time of the year and i must admit i spent far more than i should. I should be able to add around £200 to savings by the end of this month but it should have been at least double that amount. I always said kids would bankrupt me!

2012 will be a hard year with lots of focus needed, If i can through everything possible at the mortgage then we might just be fully off set by the end of this year.

Will update final year figures later this week once the Dec mortgage payment goes out, It should be on target for what i wanted to finish the year at so im really pleased.

Good luck to everyone in their 2012 challenges - lets make it an Olympic effort!

Emsky123

Final balance of the year £64,878.95. About £120 below the target i was aiming for. Lost my way a bit at the end of last year so really need to start focusing again.

OP Savings pot is at £200

Emsky123

Managed to keep £25 under the shopping budget for the last 2 weeks but have spend the surplus on weekend away in July, It was one of those newpaper deals so i got a caravan for the 4 of us from Friday to Monday , Once i pay for the Ent passes and site service fee the total cost for the long weekend will be around £90 so i think that is pretty cheap and at least we get a small break as this year will be very tight so alot of ourgate holidays.

By the end of this year we should have a very good idea of when the mortgage will end. If i can hit all targets (OP limit) we should be at the same level as our savings when the fix rate ends so will have the option to clear the balance there and then if we want.

Im just glad the Winter has been mild so far. We have been managing with just the log burning stove so my gas bill was in credit on my Dec bill. Just need to keep the Electricity in check which is hard when the washing basket seems to be a bottomless pit which never stays empty more than 5 mins.

Need to get on and start some cleaning of the house, although im going to find it difficult to get off the sofa as DD is currently snuggled at the side of me so i couldnt possibly disturb her, well thats my excuse!!

Emsky123

Just rang the bank, My OP's started in Jan last year (not April as i thought) so i will actually be able to start making payments again after the 24th as after this date last years Jan payment will have dropped from the rolling period, The bank are going to send me a letter confirming how much i can OP after the 24th, So happy as i have been missing the buzz of watching the balance come down with each OP and sadly i miss my monthly calls with the bank to reduce the term. Its getting a bit obsessive!!!

I also found out that even if i did go over the OP limit the bank dont automatically charge me, They will write to me first asking if i want to be charged or just want to be refunded the amount i have gone over by. They also told me the charge is 3% of the op and not the whole redemption fee which i thought would be charged - Not sure why i though it would be that amount.

Any way, Targets now to be set - Ebay, Packed lunches, more walking to save petrol.

Emsky123

Got letter from bank confirming as of today i can OP by £800, I have therefore sent £300 off today. Will plan to make saving each week now so can add further OP's.

Bought a pair of long curtins in the sale for our front door, Makes such a difference as alot of heat escapes out ouf front door, it also makes the house look more homely.

I also bought a few tin can money boxes where i can save for Chistmas and holiday. Planning on splitting any savings in weekly budget 3 ways - OP-Holiday fund-Chirstmas fund.

Feels good to be back on the OP game, Missed it on the months i could not pay!!!

Emsky123

It's been such a busy time, did not realise it has been over a month since my last post. Got my latest OP letter from the bank this week, Total OP i can make this month is £500. I have saved £300 and persuaded OH to make up the difference for my Birthday (last week), he was not too happy about it as he wanted to get something for me but as i explained this gives me the most pleasure so is the best present although im sure not everyone will agree with me.

Have just completed the budget for March, i have aprox £100 left in the emergancy pot but will add to this each week if i save on shopping.

Have also set my new targets for the year, im hoping to get below£45k this year, Then in Feb next year the fixed rate ends and i can OP to my hearts content although i will not have much left in savings so will have to find other ways to OP.

The sun is shining again today so going to get all the housework done by 11 then take the kids out for the day, Not yet sure where im going to go but as long as we are outdoors in the fresh air. Spring is coming and its my favourite time of the year, Windows flung open, lots of fresh air and days out.

Emsky123

Had such a great weekend, Have just sent Feb's overpayment of £500.

So close to the £50's now:j:j

March is our busiest time at work as its year end so i will now enter the twighlight zone, Not sure if i will surface before April so will have to focus on the mortgage again then.

Hope everyone has a great week