Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi PWD, we have an appointment the first week of September to see financial chap. I can't believe how difficult it has been to find one.

Treat money will definitely be used for Thursday and Friday - thank goodness we have an entertainment savings pot :j

It's strange how motivation comes in waves, but I feel at the bottom of the pile at the moment. We have a long haul ahead of us and I keep telling myself April 2016 brings new challenges. However we are August 2012 right now.

At least we are doing good family things and Mr Tilly and I are doing more things together, now the kids are growing up which is fab.

Magic wand anyone?

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi MRN, thanks for dropping by. Maybe take the book from the library first and see if you like it? I found it a big help to the way I meal plan and we tend to use a different recipe book each week to keep menus interesting. As both of us (and the kids) love cooking, it's also part of the way we relax.

Good luck on your journey.

Tilly

megela

Just ordered Ecoconomy Gastronomy from Amazon £4.07 used & free P&P - used vouchers to pay as well.

I desparetly need inspiration foodwise so hopefully worth it!

gallygirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Having a very tired moment so please someone, kick me up the jacksy and tell me we are doing the right thing. Running away and hiding in a corner sounds more attractive right now.

So, run away and hide...... then what? The world will find you eventually I'm afraid . Only you can decide if what you are doing is the right thing, and remember this something you are CHOOSING to do, you don't have to. What advice would you give to someone else in the same position. What I do is list all the alternatives and see if any are preferable. Try listing all the alternatives and see if any of them are preferable:

• go back to what you were doing - spending all your salaries every month and having nothing but 'stuff' to show for it. Give up dreams of retiring in 4 years.
• give up work and be a housewife, devote yourself to family/garden etc which I know you would love. Give up dreams of retiring in 4 years.
• get Mr T to give up work so he can take all the pressure off you. Give up dreams of retiring in 4 years.
• you &/or Mr T retrain to something you would find more fulfilling. Accept that the drops in salary would mean you can't retire in 4 years - but maybe that wouldn't be such an issue?
• sell UK house now and downsize to much smaller & cheaper property. This would bring forward retirement date - but would it fit in with Miss & Master T's plans?
• sell UK house & downsize, save hard & retire asap. Leave Miss & Master T to their own devices, maybe with a tent or something (don't laugh - it IS an option!)
• carry on as you are, balancing being careful with money but still treating yourselves. Pay off mortgage asap and give yourself options.

I think it's importnat to identify the push/pull factors and how important they are. Push - you want to retire & go to Portugal because you're worn out & fed up with working so hard (so you can retire & go to Portugal!), or Pull - Portugal is a positive choice which attracts you on its' own merits. If push, can you achieve the same result easier?



I know with me it started off as a push but over the last year or so has definitely become a pull (I think I got my knicker elastic stuck on the gate ).



GG x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thank you for giving such good advice x x x x x x x

gallygirl

Easy to dish out! Am not so good at taking it!

sweetdaisy

Hi Tilly

Not able to offer much advice, but from your posts so far you have made massive inroads in reducing your mortgage :T. You are obviously very focused and organised, without compromising on doing fun things with your family - which is important. Also, your change in attitude towards money i.e. being less wasteful and passing your new found money management skills onto your children can only be a good thing!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thanks SD, we have come a long way since November 2011 - I started my diary on Bonfire night - very appropriate.

Hiya GG, when we meet up half way in a few years time, whilst watching the sun set, with a glass of wine in hand, we will know it has been worth while :)

Energy renewed - thank you all for a kick up the b£tt - sometimes it is all that's needed to remind us why we are doing this. Choice is my word of the week. I may have a word of the week regularly now, just to keep the momentum going.

Night, Tilly x x

lulabelle1

Hi Tilly, pleased to see you feeling better before bed.....

It's a drag and I know how you are feeling.... I think that once this journey has started, certain new behaviours will be instilled and I think we will all continue to go about things a little bit differently to that of how we used to behave and also compared to most of our friends and family's......

Wilst I get down about it every now and then, I soon get back on track and start behaving MSE again!

Keep up the good work xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thanks LB. I guess we all need to stop occasionally and see how far we have come. I want to reach the destination as quickly as possible, whilst not giving up living our lives, and it takes time. I hope financial education for kids continues. Mine are far more sensible at their ages, than I was at 25 :eek:

At least I know I am helping set a better direction and journey for them

Night, Tilly x