Drip drip drip feeding the mortgage

Sepa74

Hi tj,

I would consider getting the mole removed on the NHS.

I had a mole removed on the NHS a couple of years ago. They checked it out to decide if it was cancerous within a fortnight, and then even though it wasn't, they still removed it within a reasonable space of time. I had a good experience over the whole thing.

I know how concerning it can be... I've already had one friend pass away from melanoma

tjp70

Hi Sepa,

I hadn't thought of getting it removed on the NHS. I shall see what the consultant says today and tentatively mention the NHS if it is deemed a preventative measure.

My parents lost a close friend due to melanoma and she also suffered from Crohns, so they are very keen for me to get it checked out.

Thank you for the advice.

tjp70

It's been an odd day today. I am finding it hard to work at home whilst trying to stop DD from watching so much tv. She has been a star today; she is now 11 and I do have a tendency to baby her and I am trying to stop that. So, today she has made her own breakfast using the toaster and she cooked herself scrambled eggs for lunch. I had to rescue the hot frying pan that she put directly on the work surface from the hob, but she did a good job. She has also straightened her hair today but in between times, she has watched way too much tv. My Mum offered to have her, but yesterday all she did at my Mums, was watch more tv :mad:
Tomorrow she is going to the dog groomers with my Mum so at least that will be a change of scenery. There was a sweet moment when she asked me who was being groomed

I took all the coppers from the jar to the bank - only £3.15 but I have paid it off the credit card. Every little helps as Mr T would say.

The mole situation is not good. It needs to be removed asap, probably next Wednesday. I am trying hard not to think about it too much.

tjp70

Well, it’s been an interesting week.


Firstly I have been trying to get work done whilst entertaining DD and it’s proving very difficult. I worked for a couple of hours last weekend, only for DH to call me to find out when I was coming home. Very frustrating because I feel pulled in all directions. So I went home, had lunch with the family and then he went off to play golf. :mad:


On Saturday afternoon, we had a really good chat and agreed that the extension is just way too much money for very little benefit. We decided that we would wait until Spring and then renew the conservatory. Having decided that, I felt much happier as, finally, a decision had been made. Then we noticed that the conservatory roof was leaking – it has split in the middle and water was dripping in. So now, we have had to bring our plans forward – the conservatory needs replacing immediately. If it was just one issue, we would get it repaired, but it leaks in several places, the floor is rotten and now the roof has split. It’s too much to repair – it’s got to go. I am not sure how we will fund this new conservatory. DH is talking about withdrawing some mortgage overpayments which kind of breaks my heart as we have struggled so much to do the overpayments, but I can see it is the cheapest way of getting extra funds. Our mortgage rate is 2.5% and there are no loans around for as little as that. Sad though, if that’s what we end up doing.


And then there’s the mole situation. BUPA were dragging their heels over agreeing to pay for it. They finally agreed to pay for it ( :j ) the night before the procedure. This was good in one way as I was more focused on the paying of it, than having the darned thing removed. So yesterday it was taken off and it was horrible. The consultant said it was a bit like having a caesarean because you can feel all the pulling but can’t feel the pain, but at least with a c section, there is a screen up and you can’t see what’s going on. I am not great with needles at the best of times, let alone scalpels.:eek: Now I am finding it very uncomfortable as it is in such an awkward place – sitting upright causes it to pull and it keeps weeping. It just needs time to heal. I go back in 13 days to get my stitches removed and to find out the results. Fingers crossed.


This expensive summer is almost coming to an end, it is my nephew’s wedding this weekend and we are sorted out regarding outfits. I managed to get a nice dress in John Lewis. The bride and groom would like money as a present so a trip to the cashpoint is in order. The hotel is pre-paid and the cattery just need a small balance. My pregnant niece has revealed she’s having a little girl so I have purchased some cute pink outfits for her. She is being induced next week. :T Then there’s New York, I have managed to get some dollars at a good rate, sorted the pre-flight info that BA required and updated our ESTAs. Just need to sort out the travel insurance – the renewal docs have arrived - £324 for an annual policy:eek: And that’s without me telling them about my mole being removed or an illness that DH has acquired. It’s going to cost a flaming fortune but we daren’t go to New York without medical insurance- that would be crazy. I will talk to Direct Line and then probably have to shop around. Not easy when you have health issues as no insurance company really wants to know. The last tie we went away, they quoted just £40 less for a single trip policy so we opted to take out the annual policy as it was better value for money (and covered other trips). The last (hopefully) expense of the summer should be DD’s new school uniform. I have bought the blazer, the tie and a PE shirt. Just the non-embroidered stuff to go – shirts, trousers, new shoes, pencil case and bag. Now I have written that down, that’s actually quite a lot. I had better get a move on.


Overpayments for the year have totalled £3200. Any additional funds (few & far between in view of the above) are being channelled into the credit card for the moment.


Anyway, I need to get some work done. Have a good day everyone.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Hi tjp70,

Glad you got the moley off. It'll heal. Fingers crossed for your results.

You've always got to balance overpayments with maintaining the value of your property so if repair work is needed then you shouldn't see it as detrimental to your mortgage-free endevours. Keeping or improving the value of your property is also in your favour.

Holidays and weddings... it's such a summery time, shame the weather isn't always matching!

tjp70

A week has passed and lots of things have changed.

We went to the wedding on Sunday and it was a lovely day, if a little hot. All the guests were fanning themselves with the order of service :rotfl:

Monday morning, on the way home, we popped into the conservatory company for a chat and DH ended up signing on the dotted line. Before I had time to think about it, the builders arrived yesterday and dismantled the old conservatory. The conservatory company want the building work completed before we go to New York so they get that week free to order the glazing etc. Makes sense I suppose. I am still undecided as to how we are going to fund the whole thing. I paid the 30% deposit out of savings. DH sold some shares yesterday and that will nearly pay for the 30% interim payment. We just have to fund the balance and I will juggle the figures around at some point to see if we can manage it without asking for the overpayments back. Despite all my reservations about buying a new conservatory, I am looking forward to it being completed now. Previously we had a room that was freezing in winter, scorching in summer and hardly used. Soon, we will have a fully insulated conservatory with special glazing so we should be able to use it all year round. :T

The mole wound is healing well – I had the dressing changed yesterday and the stitches come out next week. I also get the results but I am not thinking about that, that’s way too worrying.

Yesterday was a mixed emotions day. Sadly, we were told that a dear friend had lost his fight with cancer – he was only diagnosed two months ago and it was shockingly quick. And two hours after that news, my niece had her little baby girl and both mother and baby are healthy. As I say, a mixed day.

I have bought DD more school uniform – new shirts and trousers, so now she can turn up with most things except shoes :rotfl:

Work is hectic so I am working some evenings and weekends to try and keep up. It’s not easy though. There is far too much going on!! :eek:

tjp70

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

Hi tjp70,

Glad you got the moley off. It'll heal. Fingers crossed for your results.

You've always got to balance overpayments with maintaining the value of your property so if repair work is needed then you shouldn't see it as detrimental to your mortgage-free endevours. Keeping or improving the value of your property is also in your favour.

Holidays and weddings... it's such a summery time, shame the weather isn't always matching!

Thank you MRN, you are quite right. The old conservatory would have added nothing, whereas the new one will be a great addition.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

And like you say it'll be an extra room all year round too.

Sorry to hear about your loss and congratualtions on the birth of your great niece. Life is always the rough with the smooth, just sometimes a little too close for comfort.

tjp70

I am back from having a fantastic break in New York, it was such a good mini holiday. And the kids had a great time away with the grandparents and cousins in France. The cat has not mentioned whether she enjoyed the cattery

The week before we went away, work started on the new conservatory. The old one was knocked down and now we have two side walls and dwarf walls at the front. The frame and glass should be delivered tomorrow and they envisage that the work should start next week. It was very disruptive having builders here. They have totally trashed both front and rear gardens, and despite the building work being finished about 10 days ago, all their equipment, tools and rubbish is still cluttering up the place. It is a good job I am not a keen gardener or I would be mortified with the state of everything. I am looking forward to it all being finished – hope fully two to three weeks. I funded the interim payment from my business bank account (drawings) as the share money did not come through in time. My business bank account is looking a bit sorry for itself now, but it should perk back up if I knuckle down over the next few months. The share money has now arrived and that will sort the final payment. So, a new conservatory and no touching the mortgage overpayments. :j

My mole results came back ok – no cancer thank goodness and the wound continues to heal well, such a relief.

DD starts senior school tomorrow and she is very excited. I am also looking forward to getting back into a routine. DS starts college on Thursday but is working today and tomorrow so not under my feet either.

Today is our wedding anniversary – 19 years. As we have had such an expensive (and mainly enjoyable) summer, we have decided to forgo any nice meal out or anything , or cards and I am cooking DH a lovely lamb roast instead. Maybe I can persuade him to have a glass of wine, even though it’s a school night. The bottle is already open and it’s not very MSE to let it go off :rotfl:

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

What a relief about your moley. I'm pleased.

Glad you had a nice holiday too.