First step, in the long road to being mortgage free.

Tony_R

Balance update. £171,578.26 as of the 19th March.

I've decided to attempt and do the fencing myself instead of getting someone to do it, which should save a fair bit.

On Friday, I happened to see a job advertised in the local recruitment agency window, which interested me. I decided to apply for it and have an interview on Thursday. This will be my first interview in over 10 years. If I was to get it, it would be approximately a 35-40% payrise.

I'm really quite nervous and apprehensive considering how safe my current job is, but for that sort of money I'd be mad not to consider it, wouldn't I?

Tony_R

Hi All,

April overpayment made, £736. I've had some quotes for the fencing, it's a lot more than I was expecting, but i should be doing that later this month. I was going to do it myself, but due to the way the last fences were incorrectly put up it would be a lot harder to do myself. So I've decided to pay someone.

I had the job interview last month, I didn't get it but it was a good experience and gave me some confidence that I could do well next time. I've decided to do some training to improve my CV, so i have also purchsed a new laptop and some training books. I did that with a new 0% credit card, whilst I could afford to pay it off if I wanted to I thought I wouldn't miss it split over 12 months. So I've set the direct debit and hidden the card.

Tony_R

I skipped last months overpayment as we finally got the work done on the fences. I also had a trip to Wembley for the playoff final.

Anyway, to partially make up for it I made a larger overpayment this month. £1000.

That brings my total overpayments to £20,523.

Tony_R

This months OP has been made, £698 this time. Which brings the total overpayments to date up to £21,221.

Last month I started to brew my own beer, should be ready soon. I have quite a few people interested in samples, if they like it they may buy more to just cover my costs. So i'll be drinking free beer

It was enjoyable making too, so that will keep me busy. Now the fences in the garden have been fixed, we've sorted the garden and added some extra raised beds, which means next year we should have a lot more home grown fruit and veg.

Also, its three years ago this week, that we moved in.

simonfitba

Thanks for the update Tony, your progress is inspiring.

Tony_R

Hi All,

Another month, another overpayment. £702 this time.

That brings my overpayments in 2013 up to £5,076 and the total overpayments to date to £21,923.

muddywhitechicken

Good progress Tony
How was the beer?!

Tony_R

It came out really well thanks, a number of friends really enjoyed it and it looks like I have a waiting list for the next batch. It should pay for itself.

Tony_R

I've made the overpayment for September, £702 again.

I didn't get the confirmation email for last months OP which was odd, also my regular overpayment didn't drop, which I normally does by a few quid, but the money had left my account.

I queried this this month, and they said whoever took my OP had done it wrong and not applied it to my account but left it in a holding account.

They corrected it and initially were going to apply it from now, I asked if they could back date it to last month, as they have gained interest and I've lost it. At first she said it couldn't be done, but I asked her politely to ask someone for advise and they did.

Tony_R

We decided to up the overpayments a bit more, this time £811.

If I can keep up this increase each month, it will knock off another 9 months.

I did some MSEing for my parents recently. They have had a number of loans over the years and paid PPI, against my advice. Finally, I got them to agree to claim back their PPI, and helped draft the initial letter.

It only took two months, but they've got back an unbelievable £13,500. To say they are rather happy that I badgered them into it, is an understatement.