Ultrarunner's aim to be mortgage-free

kirstypark

well done on getting the garden organised, you might want to try growing your own veg in pots on the patio. I tried that the past 2 years and have had some success, also saves a bit of cash in the summer, I can usually find something to make a bowl of soup from the garden.

Or you can just sit on the patio with a glass of wine as the sun goes down...

ultrarunner

That sounds like a very MSE idea, thank you! I look forward to getting set up in the garden for the summer and growing a few bits and pieces, and yes sitting out with a nice drink is definitely on the agenda :-)

Had a brainwave yesterday, due to having two separate mortgage accounts I can only overpay to one of them as they have the same a/n and sort code which causes issues with my online banking. Called up Natwest and got them to set me up a 2nd basic account, which I can transfer money into so I can feed both mortgages with overpayments.

Why it's taken me that long to think of the solution I don't know, I'm putting it down to a quiet day at work and having the time to think about tackling the problem from another direction!

Anyway, after a longer lie-in than planned I need to be up and doing things.

edinburgher

Hi Ultrarunner - hope you had a good Christmas?

The quiet time that we're lucky to experience at this time of year is a wonderful chance to regain your focus, think about things differently and get your house in order (both literally and metaphorically in your case? )

ultrarunner

Thanks Edinburgher, hope you have enjoyed the time off.

Well a productive day today.

Got rid of an old bookcase via gumtree and did some shopping in town, used my Waterstones vouchers on a birthday present for my brother (not that he got me one this year!). It's not until July, but I need to think up a wedding present for him for June as well. Also got a pair of trainers, a few other things using vouchers and bought a new toolbox and some bits and pieces for the garden in Wickes.

Sadly it rained all day which scuppered my chances of doing anything outside. It's dry now but not sure the neighbours will appreciate me getting the drill out at this time! That's for tomorrow which is allegedly a dryer day.

ultrarunner

Quick review of 2012

Only £838 overpaid since I moved to my lovely new house in May 2012.

However... a lot achieved this year.

I've moved from a cramped studio flat to my lovely 2 bedroom cottage (via a stint in a mate's spare room in between).
Spent a lot of money on furniture as I had none! All decent items which will keep me going for a long time.
Spent a lot of money on transforming the front and back gardens from wasteland to looking pretty amazing. Still a few jobs to do at the back but they're all scaleable and not daunting.
Had a strong year at work and passed year 2 of professional qualification.
Enjoyed living in my lovely house!
Got a lodger, all going well so far.

Looking ahead to 2013

Still a few jobs to do on the house and long term a new boiler and consumer unit will be required.
Credit card bill needs clearing, it is all on 0% till November which should be long enough.
Aim to overpay at least £5000 - this should be fairly achievable as it is effectively the lodger's rent.
Try and get a regrading at work which will lead to a payrise and also go for a promotion.
Get back into running regularly.
Decide if I will continue with my final year at college as it is dragging me down and I'm not enjoying it.

ultrarunner

Just spent the morning in work assisting in a desk move for 100 people.

Nice few hours overtime. Absolutely shattered now, monitors and hard drives weigh a lot. Think it will be snooze-time soon.

Been busy at work doing my regrading, if it gets accepted I will hopefully be getting a payrise of a few thousand. It all helps. Going well so far. Have decided that college is going to be a no-no as it totally exhausts me.

Lodger back from Poland tomorrow, looking forward to seeing her as the house has been quiet.

Lois_E

ultrarunner wrote: »

Quick review of 2012

Only £838 overpaid since I moved to my lovely new house in May 2012.

However... a lot achieved this year.

I've moved from a cramped studio flat to my lovely 2 bedroom cottage (via a stint in a mate's spare room in between).
Spent a lot of money on furniture as I had none! All decent items which will keep me going for a long time.
Spent a lot of money on transforming the front and back gardens from wasteland to looking pretty amazing. Still a few jobs to do at the back but they're all scaleable and not daunting.
Had a strong year at work and passed year 2 of professional qualification.
Enjoyed living in my lovely house!
Got a lodger, all going well so far.

Looking ahead to 2013

Still a few jobs to do on the house and long term a new boiler and consumer unit will be required.
Credit card bill needs clearing, it is all on 0% till November which should be long enough.
Aim to overpay at least £5000 - this should be fairly achievable as it is effectively the lodger's rent.
Try and get a regrading at work which will lead to a payrise and also go for a promotion.
Get back into running regularly.
Decide if I will continue with my final year at college as it is dragging me down and I'm not enjoying it.

Well done on everything you achieved in 2012 - sounds like a great year. Don't worry about not OPing much since you moved. Moving always creates expenses, so there's always a gap after a move before the OPing can get underway properly.

Good luck for 2013.

ultrarunner

Thanks Lois_E, I do feel like I've made progress.

A real brucey bonus today, got a cheque through from my solicitor. A refund for service charge on my old flat. £250 quid... will use that to cut down the credit card bill some more.

Currently stuck in assignment hell for college! Half way through but need to do the rest by Thursday. In the office at 6:50am, left at half nine!

Knackered, but two more days effort should sort it.

ultrarunner

today I should finish the assignment. My friend has been a total star reviewing it for me.

then 7 hours of lectures on Saturday on the next module. I'd forgotten about that.

I'd also forgotten I was meeting a friend on Sunday morning, he has a painting I commissioned him to do. It will be good to get that, and handily the cheque from my solicitor will cover the cost!

LisaLou1982

hi ultrarunner

just wanted to say hi and well done on everything you've achieved to far! I've just updated my diary today and am doing my best to OP as much as possible even though it's a little difficult atm!

keep up the good work x