A blissful home - mortgage_girl's MF diary

mortgage_girl

cookie9 wrote: »

Yay! Well done on getting below £20k. I can but dream of that for the moment!

Keep going cookie, you'll get there.

cookie9 wrote: »

Love the idea of the 30 day minimalism challenge. Quite tempted to try it myself as need to clear out a few of wee mans things and my own!

Ooh yes, please do join me, it'll be fun to have a decluttering buddy!

So life has been incredibly hectic since my last update as we had our Ofst*d inspection as soon as we got back after half term. It resulted in quite a few manic and extremely long days but I think we're all pleased to get it over and done with rather than having it looming over us. I've also had 4 days of meetings, my Nanna's funeral , have taken part in a sponsored yoga event and have a coursework deadline to meet in a weeks time - so basically it feels like my feet haven't touched the floor for the last fortnight. I'm really hoping for an easier few weeks so that I can catch my breath.

I've taken the last week off running, partly due to the awful weather but also to allow myself to rest as I felt really tired. I've also been trying to cut down on sugary snacks and replace them with fruit as well as drinking lots more water. It seems to be working as I woke up this morning and didn't actually feel tired. Yesterday I batch cooked some mushroom and lentil pies so we have something quick and healthy in the freezer for those nights when we don't feel like cooking. I'm also going to make an effort to eat less meat because I've noticed that I feel better within myself when I don't eat a lot of it.

My decluttering efforts seem to have gone out of the window but I'm hoping to refocus on them now. This weekend I've cleaned out my seed box, I had so many packets of seed that were well past their use by date so I've recycled them. I'd like to be much more focused with my veggie growing this year as last year I grew quite a lot of things that I didn't eat, so I'm going to try and save time and money by only growing those things that I know I'll use. I've also sorted out a bag full of books to take to the charity shop and have listed some things on eb@y.

I managed to offset / overpay just over £750 in February. My August goal is still going to need a huge amount of focus but I'm hoping that it's achievable...I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize.

Hope you're all having a good weekend and enjoying the almost tropical weather (in comparison to what it has been! ):rotfl:

MGx

selloptape

Wow MG - you are so close now - under 20k - that!!!8217;s amazing!

CathT

I did a similar decluttering challenge in January and it became quite addictive. 20k mortgage is amazing!

mortgage_girl

Thank you so much sellotape and Cath for stopping by. I really haven't been around here for ages but I have some exciting news to share...on 23rd August I became mortgage neutral!!! :j:j:j I've got enough in savings to pay off my mortage remainder but I've decided not too yet as I can still access all of my overpayments as long as I keep the mortgage open, which gives me access to almost £50k. So until I've built up a hefty emergency savings pot I think it'd be wise to keep the mortgage open.


So much has changed since I last posted. Two of my grandparents died and I decided to end my relationship. Since then I've been taking time to really look after myself and get my life back on track. So it really has been a bitter-sweet time. I don't think that it's quite sunk in that I'm technically mortgage free but I'm sure it soon will. I have bought myself a few treats to celebrate- a sm3g fridge freezer (I've wanted one for over 10 years, so it was a very exciting purchase) and an @pple watch.


I have an interest free credit card that ends in December so I'll be focussing my energy on paying that off over te next few months and my main plan for the rest of the year is just to make my home as lovely as possible by decluttering it one room at a time. My focus for this week is going to be the dining room as it's probably one of the easiest to tackle.



I'm planning to be around here more than I have been now that things are more settled...and I'll be setting myself some new chaallenges for the new year.



MGx

CathT

Good to hear from you MG but sorry to read you've been through such a difficult time.

Amazing that you're mortgage free, definitely time for some treats and self-care.

mortgage_girl

Thanks Cath. I had to shut myself away for a while and focus on really taking care of myself but I do feel much happier about my life now and know that, as difficult as it was, I made the right decision.



It really hasn't sunk in that technically I'm mortgage free - maybe because I'm focussing on paying off my credit card now, but once that's gone I'll be seriously thinking about how to use being mortgage free to my advantage and trying to create a better work / life balance.


MGx

Moneyfordreams

Great to here you finances are as you planned for. Sorry that the personal side of your life has been upsetting. We all lead such hectic lives we forget to look after ourselves, healing your self is so important.

Now you are mortgage neutral you have a solid ground to work from :T :T

mortgage_girl

I'm baaackkkk! I can't believe I've not been on here since October. Life has been so hectic that I seem to have had very little time for myself. However, that's soon going to change as I've finally finished my course and there's just 2 weeks left at work until the summer holidays...after that I'll be going back part time which is really exciting and a bit daunting too (mainly because I've always worked full time).



Anyway, I'm hoping to be around here a bit more and catch up with everyone while I ponder possible new directions and take some time to rest and gather myself after what has certainly been a journey of highs and lows.


Looking forward to catching up with everyone's posts.


MGx

Moneyfordreams

Welcome back... I can't believe it's been so long

CathT

Welcome back MG. Working part time sounds great and definitely helped I'm sure by being mortgage neutral.

Lots of time just for you, do you have any plans?