Countdown to Freedom

macgirl

Good. I'm sorry I meant to say I'm sorry about your relative too. Be kind to yourself xx

Penny_Counter_Girl

Just read your posts today Tilly (and saw some of Macgirl's too) - and am sorry to hear you sound so blue. I've been lurking around the MFW diaries and enjoying both of yours, and wanted to try to make you feel better! I agree with what others have said - January is just one of those months that can really get to you, with all the long dark nights and cold days. As a recent recruit to the MFW life, I want to tell you Tilly (and Macgirl too) that you are providing a lot of inspiration and motivation to a lot of people, including me, and knowing that there are hard times on this particular route is part of that.

Something I like to do on days when everything seems so hopeless is plan some afternoon tea for when the dark night starts to fall again. I get out my tea tray and nice cups and teapot and plates, then make a nice big brew. I set out some nice biscuits and toasted teacake-type things (even better if they've been whoopsies!) and then curl up on the couch feeling nice and warm and maybe listening to a spot of Radio 4. This is not only really cheap, therefore avoiding any guilt about spending money meant for the OPs, but makes you feel nice and snug inside too.

And, Tilly, I'm sorry to hear you are also grieving right now. I don't think we ever really get over some losses - so just let those tears come and don't feel bad about it.

Hope we all have a good afternoon - we're all in this together and we'll all get through it together too.

coldcazzie

Can't offer any more thoughts other than to echo the others, but I just want to send many hugs to you, plus a box of tissues, a fluffy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. (((((((((((((((Tilly)))))))))))))))) you'll be in my thoughts today xxx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi PCG, thank you so much for stopping by with such lovely words. I truly appreciate you taking the time to do that.

Caz, MG, GG, LB, I feel the same about your words too. We are all so busy and it's easier to just focus on our own lives, but you have all been a big help to me today so thank you.

I have taken the dog for a good old walk. No ears (iPod), just me and her. Losing someone close is difficult and with it being so quick and no time to prepare, the loss seems overwhelming at times.

I also came to the conclusion, that our mortgage has been in the 300ks for so long, I am finding it hard waiting until the move in March to FD. I know it's only a handful of weeks, the mortgage is all sorted, approved, valuation etc all complete, but thats a new chapter waiting to be written.

The relief at moving from the Spanish bank includes the struggles of the last few years and losing my two close relatives.

So back to my focus, I need to revisit a post I put on a few days ago when I broke things down into sections. I will update it and see what progress has been made. I also need to remember the 17.5 years early MF date - that's fantastic.

I think my wobble is coming to an end, and I do agree that January is a dodgy month along with February. I have some relatives coming for lunch next weekend, so I will spend a little time planning a menus for that (you know how much I love menu planning so I will be in my element).

Will switch off now and go and lay the tray for afternoon tea - that sounded like a superb idea and whilst I have been out walking the dog, DH has made a cake. I thought I might knock up some scones and then we can have a game of UNO as well. Dinner will not be until 7ish, so I think we could fit both in:)

Thanks again for your help and advice.

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Planning:

1. ISAS
On track to have FY12/13 ISA cash available in April, however, half will all be available at the beginning of the tax year, the other half (Mr & Mrs TIlly so 2 ISAS) will be available at the end of April. However, by end of April, we will have sufficient to fill both. I will then start to fill FD savings pot, for the ISAs for next tax year. Definitely on track and by 21 April will be complete.

In order to secure the funds to fill the 13/14 ISA we need £11,280 available by April 2013. I can't see that being possible due to the amount of capital we want to repay, but I am conscious that I have to balance the mortgage with cash savings for the long term future. The long term benefit of cash ISAs is important to us both, so I will have to consider how best to approach that one.

2. SKY
All sorted and 25% discount will be in place for next month, with a credit as we have just paid January's bill, to reimburse the 25% we have already spent with them. We don't have a large package, but it is £7 per month, equating to £84 a year. Can see this in the latest bill so thats sorted

3. JD Sports
I saw the Grabbit for discount this morning, so have order DS a trackie for his birthday. 20% discount and YEH, I remembered to go through TCB so, if it works, that's another 96p back!!!!! Excellent service and product. Item picked up and given to DS, although I was saving it for his birthday. I saw the one he was wearing and boy, has he grown, so now he has a super new one at an excellent price

4. FD 8% Regular Saver
We are going to delay DH having one of these. Originally we had said it was worth opening, but when you consider the cash ISA we will be saving for, in an offset savings account, then we cannot do more. However, once the offset equates to the 12 months mortgage protection scheme, then that insurance will be cancelled, and will be used to build the ISA cash up sooner, thus enabling us to open a further Regular Saver IF the high interest rate is still available. Definitely not opening one of these for DH. We have both decided that the funds have to be included in offset, and you can't offset a regular saver with FD.


5. Hatton Garden
I am making an appointment to see the jeweller towards the end of January and will leave some bits with her, to remove the stones. We will then determine the cost and see how I can use the gold I have to pay her in kind - this will require some research as I need to know that it is going to be as good as I would receive from HG, otherwise, I may as well sell to them. My plan was to sell all of the gold, less sufficient to make a piece of jewellery and pay the bill in gold. I am not trying to make out there is tons of it, as there isn't, however, I have a feeling that it takes less than you think to make jewellery, so fingers crossed.

6. FD Savings Pots
I have been on the phone with FD today and opened up sufficient normal savings accounts to enable me to shift cash to the following, on the day I am paid. This is how I have handled the IF bank account, but sadly, I can't have jar names. Nonetheless, my brain needs this level of visibility to know we are in the right place, so it's now being set up. I have cut the list down to 12, there were 15:eek:
Credit Card
Food
Annual Savings
Kids Activities
Kids Birthdays
Xmas Savings
Subscriptions
Dental Costs
Car Maintenance
Vacation Fund
Mr & Mrs Tilly Birthdays
ISA Funds


Tilly x

All in all, I am happy with where we are now. We have precisely 6 weeks to wait and two mortgage payments in that time, then FD here we come. Should any FD employees be lurking on this site, I hope you enjoy your jobs and that they are as rewarding to employees, as they are to their customers

katsu

:grouphug: Another dodgey hug (or a polishing?) from me Tilly.

Some days it is fine to cry. Take some deep breaths and feel supported by your friends here as well as Mr Tilly (not MrT - I can't imagine Tesc0 giving you a hug... and as for the A Team Mr T... :rotfl:).

MFW isn't a sprint so we are here to share ups and downs (and the extra OPs from when the promo pays off )

Peonie

Sometimes when I have too much to do or think about I take a little step back and everything is easier to handle. And it sounds like you have done just that.

I'm sorry to hear about your relative. Mr P's mum passed away a few months ago and I think about her every day. It's good to think them; it's just a shame we sometimes get upset when we do.

With the mortgage try to keep focussing on filling the ISAs and banking the cash to get below £300k; the next 6 weeks will fly by and then you can overpay/offset until your heart's content.

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello,

The nights are getting shorter, the days are getting brighter and you are doing lots of positive things to make a great life. January is a very miserable month and I had a real mini fit of depression last week. Keep the faith and you will soon be smiling again,

Have a good week,

Squirrel:j

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Katsu, Peonie and SSS, thanks for your comments, they have been a big help and yes, the nights getting longer are very welcome. I love being outside and planting, growing veg etc, and certainly find life far more restful in the summer, mainly due to being outside.

Thanks for dropping in, and Katsu, I feel much better for being polished xx

DH and I have had a lovely afternoon with the kids, the cake was great, and I am having an early night.

Have a great week all, and short arms, deep pocket syndrome is required for the next week.

Best wishes, Tilly x

macgirl

There's certainly a stretch in the evenings in the last week :j I've ordered an allotment book so will be bending your ear shortly if that's ok?

Enjoy your early night, I planned one too but have just remembered the Midwife programme is on and I enjoyed that last week.
Sleep well x