Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi, quick update. Sadly washing machine over here has died so had an emergency shop yesterday to replace. Fortunately I have the funds in the bank here to cover it and we have taken out an extended warranty, making it 5 years, which is far cheaper than in the UK. We don't normally do this but thought it made sense.

Actually finished work a day early due to some early morning and late evening calls, so I am now officially on vacation.

Minimal spending on food etc and menu plan in place. Still light here so it is really lovely.

Looking forward to Christmas and a clean New Year, with money und control. I have given us a big target in terms of OP over on the MFW 12 thread, but if you don't have a target you have nothing to aim for. You never know we may beat it.......

For all those still to go shopping, good luck on keeping spends low. I had to drag my DH out of a 'posh' supermarket over here, and head on over to Ald@. Their broccoli looks just the same to me......

Off to have a G&T - no more shouting for a cuppa off Mr Tilly - however, just to keep the ironing going,I do have a little to catch up on.

Good luck all, Tilly

Radish72

Stalker alert :rotfl:

Subscribed and will catch up over the next few days

:eek:Scary mortgage amount and when I tell friends they think I'm off my head, which is why I like this secret club :T

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

First OP of 2012 ready and waiting. However, it will be saved until we switch from the dreaded Spansh bank to FD. So £2500 tucked away in readiness. :j

From January and February income (salary, surveys etc) I am shifting DH ISA cash for 2012 so that it's ready for April. Will then do the same in March and April for me. After that it's flat out on OP.

Slightly scary amounts but goes to show just how much money we wasted on nothing. Thank goodness for MSE and fellow MFW and their guidance and inspiration.

Goals for 2012:

A date with DH every couple of weeks even if it is just have a picnic in the summer.

Get back to my 10000 steps per day.

Take maximum benefit in January whilst the supermarkets all under cut each other and freeze, stock pile etc for later in the year.

Take up my embroidery again which I love but never seem to have time for. Make time Tilly

Hope everyone's plans are going well

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Radish, yep scary number but we will be knuckling down for 2012 to clear a chunk. In two years time we will have shifted enough to make different decisions, be it B2L or build a house. Thanks for stopping by. I really don't discuss any MF plans with anyone at all now, apart from on here as people are quite weird. Not sure why people are so peculiar and DH and I have chatted whilst we have been away. We are always happy for others when they achieve things. Its also interesting that people in the real world have opinions about how you should lead your life - and are happy to tell us - I would not dream of doing that - quite strange.

We lead quite a simple life these days and both love it. Very little waste, extreme thought behind purchases and I have (and DH) never been happier.

Thanks for inspiring me.

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

I forgot to add that we now have £15k in savings and we started with £8k so that's a huge achievement. I have moved money from A2B, improved the interest we are receiving and the biggest thing, is DH is not popping to the shops for a couple of things (often) which really does add up to the over spending problem we had.

I could kick myself for our spending habits in the past, as I have mentioned on here before, but those days have gone now. I actually feel physically lighter now that the worry has gone. Admittedly we have a long journey ahead of us, but it is one we are taking together, with the right attitude.

Thanks all, Tilly x:T

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse......... Except my DH hanging stockings on door handles who decides its a good time to sneeze.....I was laughing so much whilst trying hard not to make a noise.

The kids are in bed asleep and although 13 ish and 15 ish, we still do Santa stockings. "if you don't believe then you don't get" is often heard throughout the Tilly household from mid December.

Beautiful weather today and popped to supermarket to collect an order and it was empty. Not great for the economy but useful for us.

Hope everyone has enjoyed Xmas eve - I know we have.

Night all and hope you have left carrots, Brandy etc - if you don't believe..........

Tilly x

Polly_Wolly_Doodle

Merry Christmas Tilly,
funnily enough we read that story to our brood last night, love Christmas time now we have children! Will be taking time out to do the ironing whilst listening to the Archers and Desert Island Discs in half an hour, so thought i'd grab a cup of tea and have a look here whilst everyone is occupied making castles and dinosaurs and Hogwarts!!

Have a great day everyone.
PWDxxx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya PWD, a very Merry Christmas to you too. I love The Archers and often iron to it. Drives my kids mad but hey ho. Hope your day went well and it really is a time for kids. Ours had a lovely day albeit they are growing up.

Best wishes for 2012 and looking forward to travelling the MFW road with you.

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Good morning all, a beautiful sunny boxing day over here and in an hour or so, we are off to the beach for a huge walk. The air smells glorious and I have my first load of washing on the go - I am having withdrawal symptoms as I didn't iron yesterday :rotfl:

Superb meal with neighbours last night and no cooking for me. We paid for the bird and they cooked it, so it worked out well for both sides.

Hope you all enjoy the peace of Boxing Day. I have avoided all on-line sales and decided I bought enough cards and wrapping paper after Christmas 2010, so really don't need anymore, even now.

I will crack on with the visit to the jeweller in the early New Year and hope to come up with a design for DD, using old jewellery stones and gold. After that, i will sell the rest and OP the funds.

Aim between now and when we return home is not to take any cash out of the bank here, nor to spend on CC so fingers crossed.

Best wishes to all, Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening all, New Year project:

We are going to put a photo album together of all our trips, family occasions, holidays etc, from 2011 and have it made in to a printed book. I would like this to become an annual event. We take so many digital pics and then they are stored on the pc. I think this may also be something interesting for the kids in years to come. I know that Jessops did some good album offers, so I will check that out and also look for TCB and Quidco etc. Hopefully this will work well and as my DH is quite artistic, I am guessing he will enjoy this activity too.

Have a good evening all - Tilly