Countdown to Freedom

elantan

I'm loving how you work through a lot of things ... I've already learned a lot and am once again considering a cash back visa card for diesel and council tax

Need to find me someone to refer me for S&S and deff need to learn about coupons ( have tried before but got confused)

I laughed ( sorry) at the iPad problems ... Purely cause I can sooooo relate to them

The Xmas count down keep sneaking in I noticed then turned to today's page an saw it again ( had me chuckling that did )

If ever your down I recommend you go back and read your diary ... You all have came such a long long way on your journey and I feel very privileged to be able to in some small way share it

Now to go back and find out about boot camp

Have a good day

elantan

Incidently ( although I'm sure I will find out soon e Pugh) did the onions smell out your freezer ?

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Onions - they worked, I did a test and froze onions, garlic and ginger as a base for curries - definitely made life easier. I also cooked tomato and onion as base for loads of meals. Finally, during 2012 I started cooking minced beef and onions and freezing. This really was a help as I could turn it into a variety of meals

Boot camp - I've done this periodically and Mr T suggested last night, that we start it again in the Spring :eek:

Thanks for your kind words - it's a bit of a mountain to climb

Tilly

elantan

gallygirl wrote: »

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

Just wanted to quote this as I think it's a brilliant post and something to remember on the " hard" days

ajmoney

Hey Tilly, I have rubbish at posting recently but am still here lurking. Your recent change in MF date has got me thinking how much earlier I could pay if I got Mr AJM on board properly so that is today's job especially as then I will make my MFW2012 target. Just in case I am equally as rubbish later today/tomorrow, Happy New Year x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Elantan, GGs post was fab. To the extent that, barring catastrophes outside of our control, we will be MF in 3 years from now. 31/12/15. It's hard to imagine and we can see the end now, if that makes sense.

There are some amazing people on this forum who genuinely want to help. I've said on many occasions that I get pleasure from seeing others reduce their debt (unsecured and secured). It's hard work keeping the discipline up and balancing it with having a life and every time someone succeeds, you know they have gone through the balancing act, or are hardcore on debt busting. Fantastic.

Less for the banks bottom line :j

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi AJ, I do think it helps that the whole family are on board. I admire everyone who does this without their OHs active support as it's blinking hard work. I lurked for a year whilst persuading MrT to work with me.

Good luck - Mr T knows he will buy a new car once the mortgage has gone - he will be 47 (and a half :rotfl:) - that helped with the persuading.

Happy New Year x x x

newgirly

Hi Tilly, just wanted to pop in and say happy new year You have done so well and been so focused and I've enjoyed reading your diary throughout 2012, best wishes for 2013 x

ajmoney

I keep suggesting we go on a huge travelling holiday when I finish my job in September 2022 but we can only afford to do this if we are MF by then and ideally the year before so we have enough money to do what we want. He loves the idea of this and would probably help more if I mentioned it so that is today's job. x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi NewGirly, many thanks - my diary is a lifeline and has helped in so many ways. Not sure what I will do when the mortgage goes :eek:

AJ, travel plans sound like a good way to motivate your OH


I can't remember whether I have posted about this during the last few days - so apologies if this is a duplication. I've placed an Am@zon order for loo rolls. The same ones we buy from Costc@ but a few more. I think I've ordered about 4 months supply, Mr T has just said I've ordered a years supply, so who knows what will pitch up. However paid for using free money from S&S, TCB.


Elantan, S&S use a site you can register at and they contact you if you meet the demographics. It took us multiple attempts to get in but it is really worthwhile. I'll see if I can find it, or UnhappyShopper,if you are lurking do you have the site URL?

PC is the other good one and you may be with them already. Again took numerous goes but worthwhile once you're in.

Best wishes Tilly