'SAHM to 2 boys' shambles attempt to reduce the mortgage

SAHMto2boys

Love coming back here and seeing posts!

Caroline - yes just saving as much as we can really while still living a bit of a life. We've a holiday booked for a months time which is already paid for and I budget from DH's wage to out away for holidays and spends. Ebay is slowly becoming my friend and it feels good to declutter to some bits.

Leebee - welcome, would love to see you post more! I am really scared to be honest about the state of the country and where things are going. When we cleared our debt, we then put aside some money for if things go pear-shaped. But your right, positive thinking is the way forward. No point worrying about what 'might' happen, just cover yourself as much as you can and carry on.

Mrbrown - yes mega low interest rate on the mortgage. Think C & G are rather regretting giving us such a low rate once our two fixed period ended. However I'm not counting any chickens with the rates! I'm currently saving in an ISA for my OP's rather than handing them over at the minute. Trying to fill this current one before the tax year ends then we'll have one in my and one in DH's name to fill before we decide where the money is going to be put. I'm with Santander (Martins tip:money:) at the minute at about (I think off the top of my head!!) 2.89% - so you're very right it makes sense to save rather than to hand over to the mortgage company:D. Plus I like being able to get at cash should the worse happens and I need it.

Right better go and enjoy the rest of my Sunday, only sneaked in here while putting DS2 to nap!

PS One Ebay watch count now at 21!!!! Never had such interest before - rather excited:o

mummalove

Hello there!! :wave:

I'm thinking everyone on the MFW forums all feel the same...err on the side of caution, keep saving and pay as much off of the mortgage to give us the security we are all driving for. You are very right to still enjoy all the little luxuries in life too

Good luck with the ebay items, I love watching all the bids and numbers of watchers...so exciting

SAHMto2boys

Mummalove - we are a cautious lot aren't we? Just having seen so much heartbreak caused by lack of money, it seems safer to be cautious. Glad its not just me with the Ebay items!

Just updating....Todays tasks are

1. DH finish building the flatpack - DONE
2. Tackle playroom and fit it in - DONE
3. WM already on and want to dry it on line - no it rained!
4. finish Asda order - DONE

MFW things achieved
1. Eat sunday lunch at in laws (big saving there!)
2. Heating didn't go until 6pm
3. MIL washed boys clothes and coats from yesterday saving me a washload
4. Ebay item gone so £7.50 + 15p I found transfered into OP pot
5. NSD!!!

mummalove

We certainly are - I personally experienced a high amount of debt which was completely cleared in 2004. Now it makes me all twitchy even having a small amount of debt (ie. credit cards, etc) so they are all cleared as soon as possible and we currently have nil balances. I just want to reduce our outgoings as much as possible, bump up the savings and then get OPing. Our biggest 'treats' are our weekly curry takeways and the real biggies, our holiday(s) - in my opinion, our holidays become treasured memories that can never be taken away no matter what happens in the future.

Well done on all your achievements for today and hoorah for the inlaws and their contributions!!

drewwa

Good progress, keep it up!

6 figure mortgages... keep plugging away and they get knocked down. Mine went to 5 figures last year, hopefully 4 in 2014!

Cheers,

Drew.

SAHMto2boys

Mummalove - totally agree about the holiday memory idea, as nice as it would be to plough everything into the mortgage I want to enjoy life and create memories too.

Drewwa - will have a look at your diary when I get a chance as your signature looks fab! (currently have a small child on my lap) Well done on clearing so much - excellent motivation for me.

Yesterdays achievements are

1. DH was off work so DS1 wanted to go swimming, DH has a council gym membership so swims free under that and we went in off-peak paying £5.80 for me and two boys. Became peak time while we were in so all the flumes opened and we saved £5.95.
2. SC batch of mince beef tomato veggie thing for tea using fridge contents up before Asda delivery and portioned up 4 more meals for freezer for DS's
3. Asda delivery upgraded me to brand products from own label x2
4. Filled car with diesel before Libyan problems hit prices - £5 under budget so £5 into OP pot

Todays
1. 'Found' bag a soda crystals under sink so mixed with huge wash powder box delivered last night
2. SC on with beef stew - should do us all and freeze some for DS's
3. Done a quick check of internet bank now DH's wage on across and transferred money into OP ISA total £2082.66 but will increase when I can check it more
4. Dried a line full of towels (on my brand new QVC rotary drier I paid £5 for)

Currently have about £1200 on the credit card and the money in a low interest saving account to pay if off. However its 0% for a few more months so thinking of using that cash to top my ISA full as much as poss before tax year ends and then use the OP money in May to clear credit card. Suppose it makes sense as 0% credit and ISA at 2.89% but feel a bit twitchy having debt again.

Will edit later with more MF bits.

SAHMto2boys

Well I'm shock! EBay ended today for my two big items bringing in a total of £75 excluding fees but I should clear at least £60 once fees and p & p done. Extra bonus is a didn't pay for either item! Money will come straight from Paypal into ISA but not just yet as I have a couple more bits to go on which would prob come under the £6 min withdrawal so will do it all in one go.

Anyone with Ebay experience think its worth putting on Clarkes shoes?? Really good condition.

Supposed to be OU-ing again today but have so far been doing housework, reading diaries on here and faffing on Ebay so I bet knuckle down to something.

Edited to add

1. Washing dried outside
2. Make up needed was brought with Boots points not cash (saving £5.99)
3. Used No7 voucher to add to Xmas stash (saving £5)
4. Brought two disposable BBQs from £1shop for holiday instead of paying £6+ each in park shop
5. Not used car or spent anything unnecessary

Realised that I'm actually at least 25% done for Christmas presents due to sales and reduced stuff!

Feeling lie I really want to get some challenges going, this month is looking pretty tight for food shopping after huge Asda order....will have a think.

cha97michelle

Clarks shoes do sell but i have only ever listed them for 99p and that is all they have ever sold for. The way i look on it though is otherwise, what do you do with them?

MileySmiley_2

Hi , I sell about 30 items a week on ebay and have just started putting items on as a buy it now, it costs 40p to list (+ Final fee) but IMO its worth it with certain items.
I sold Clarks shoes just after xmas that i had bought in the sale last year and they were in very good condition, I put them on for £8,99 plus p+p and they sold within 2 days.
(i had put them on for 30days)
Obviously then I thought Doh! I should have put them on for more, but TBH i think I was just lucky that a buyer bought them then.
If you put them on for 99p so no listing fee is paid they may just sell for 99p. I hedged my bets on my shoes selling in 30 days and I was really happy.
Good luck with your ebay selling xx

SAHMto2boys

Thanks Michelle, I had saved them from DS1 just incase they fit DS2 however he's got rather big, fat feet bless him

Thanks MileySmiley too, interesting info about ebay

Ebay finished for another item today, only £2.20 but all helps. Shall be off to the post office later.

MF positive little bits for today
1. Dyed my hair last night with my free colour (saving £7)
2. Just check Asda price check and got a e-voucher for £2.08 off next time

To do
1. Get up to date with OU
2. Post office
3. Drop off mats at BF house
4. Finish baby gift
5. Start heart cross-stitch

I am determined to catch up on my OU stuff today so better be off, decided I want to pick up more crafting and make some gifts for birthdays and christmas as the little bits I did last year where received really well. My friend is due a baby anyday so I've started a nursery picture but not finished the frame so that should be today's first craft task so then I only need buy something small to make up a nice gift.