Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SD, it has surprised me that the cash has arrived. That should be almost the end of cash credits, and it will be Amazon vouchers going forward. I was a little concerned that it would never pitch up but feel more confident using it now.

We have not completed the FD papers as DH dragged me to see Justice with Nicholas Cage - not physically with him mores e pity, but on the big screen. Slightly scary for me and I think chick flicks should be my limit but I only had to hide for 10 mins or so.....

Anyway, I have a new topic which I would very much like advice on - feel free to pitch in. We are likely to stay in this house for the next 10 years or so. We have both noticed now that it is becoming really I hilly, that the windows are draughty. They are wooden double glazed units but definitely letting in too much wind. I will check the vents but I think they are closed. We had a price in the summer of circa £7k to replace all windows, and a price for a new front door. Door is being fitted shortly but is it worth having the windows wipped lt and new ones installed. They would be the plastic browny woody looking ones which require no painting - DH will be delighted. I need to research whether it is worth in termed ROI - I get the feeling we would be happier as house would be warmer, no DIY apart from the occasional wipe over, but will it improve the house resale/attractiveness.

Any thoughts gratefully considered as neither of us is sure whether it is worth the money. I think I am leaning on the 'let's not bother' side but if it makes the house attractive later, then I would rather we benefitted from the warmth now.

Hopefully someone has more knowledge of this than I do although I will do some research over the next few days.

I have a delightful list of To Do tasks for tomorrow, which I hope to knock on the head fairly early, leaving me with some time to do ironing in the evening. I know how to live.......

Night to all
Tilly

Imelda

Tilly,

We live in a Victorian house and had rattly single glazed sash windows last winter. In fact the "breeze" made the blinds move!

Because we live in a conservation area we cannot change the windows (well only like for like and we were looking for over £10k for new) so we reconditioned them instead. Still not cheap at almost £3k but it has made a huge difference and I am so glad we kept them as the frames are essentially good and some even have the original 150yr old glass.

Even though you want to be MF you still have to live in and enjoy your home.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Imelda, that sounds interesting can you explain what reconditioned means - many thanks for dropping in.

Best wishes Tilly

originalmiscellany

Hi there Tilly - just read a few posts to catch up with you - 25k of interest saved is not to be sniffed at is it! It's incredible how quickly a small overpayment makes in the big picture. Quite incredible actually. Keep up the good work and interesting updates...

Grayzee

Hi Tilly, As regular over payers of our mortgage my husband and I will be Mortgage Free in September 2012 at latest. Over the last 4 years we have overpaid by a staggering £16,000. We now only have £19,000 to go. It has been tough but my word it will be worth it this time next year to stand back look at the front door and think "All Ours" and no-one can take it away from us. And at 45 I reckon we should be proud of ourselves. Good Luck one and all!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thanks Grayzee for dropping in. The peace that you will gain at that moment in terms of knowing it is yours will be phenomenal. It's so close for you. I am certainly training our children in a way I, nor my DH ever were.

Somewhere on one of the diaries I read about keeping your mortgage open with a nominal amount owing as otherwise it impacts your credit rating. You probably are more au fait with all of this has I am, but thought I would mention it just in case it helps yo at all.

I will check if you have a diary.

Best wishes Tilly

black_taxi_2

6 years is great

all the best

p.s.--dont stress yourself reaching target---have a breather if you need one

Imelda

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi Imelda, that sounds interesting can you explain what reconditioned means - many thanks for dropping in.

Best wishes Tilly

Well, I guess reconditioned is probably the wrong word- we used Ventrolla (http://www.ventrolla.co.uk/) who put in their draught proofing "system" in. It really has worked for us. They also repaired our weights and so all the windows actually open now. I can't remember the exact cost but we had approx 10 windows done for under £3k.

As we don't actually want to replace the windows (because we're all for keeping the period features) it was a good solution for us. Not sure we would have done it if we had plans to replace them in the near future.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Planning, planning, planning - closed one credit card today that is not used. Financials sorted again, by that I mean spend diary updated, receipts checked off and ones to be kept filed, others destroyed.

Various pockets of money switched around this morning and things looking clean, if that makes sense, in the financial front.

Off to make a cup of tea and hunt out some lunch.

Best wishes Tilly

Polly_Wolly_Doodle

Tilly i'm with Imelda on the windows, we replaced useless steel double glazing with timber sash and case (it's a georgian house) and it looks soooo much better, gives the house back it's character.
I'm not a fan of plastic windows but can see they are MSE but not sustainable in the bigger sense. Suppose it depends on the period of your house too but i think more and more people are going off plastic windows!