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Countdown to Freedom

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  • wynnvegas
    wynnvegas Posts: 1,377 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hi Tilly,

    March 2017 it is. The countdown begins here.

    Life is for living. I couldn't recommend to anyone chucking every single penny at the mortgage instead of going out, going on holidays or, heaven forbid, becoming tight with money. Frugal, yes. Cheap, no. I think you've got the balance between overpaying and living right (although Moyra is shouting in the background advising you to screw the spreadsheets and go shopping)!

    Cheers,

    Billy
    Mortgage Free: 28/10/2010
    Time / Interest Saved: 18.5 years / £61,866.50
  • Twiddy
    Twiddy Posts: 148 Forumite
    Just noticed I now have a star !!!!!!

    By the way, does anybody know what the thresholds are to get more stars?

    T
    Current Mortgage: £113,829
    Standard MF Date: May 2030
    MFW Target Date: Jun 2023
    On Target to complete: Feb 2027
  • No but I am looking for more, Moyra says I have to get out and go shopping so maybe I could buy us newbies one? Other than that, we will just have to keep our fascinating diaries going and hope people remain interested enough to support us through our long journeys - in the words of my niece 'awesome'

    Onwards and upwards
    2004 £387k 29 years - MF March 2033:eek:
    2011 £309k 10 years - MF March 2021.
    Achieved Goal: 28/08/15 :j
  • Twiddy
    Twiddy Posts: 148 Forumite
    Thanks Tilly, I'll come and get it when you've bought it, but make sure you do it through Topcashback and register your credit card on Quidco whilst using your Nectar and Tesco Clubcards......;o)

    I've thanked your post by the way, another notch on the way up from Newbie-ism......
    Current Mortgage: £113,829
    Standard MF Date: May 2030
    MFW Target Date: Jun 2023
    On Target to complete: Feb 2027
  • Twiddy, you sounded like my DH then. Quick example of a conversation "right I need to buy x, I'll check the sites, identify the best price, clear the cookie cache (I actually think he means empty the biscuit tin), then am I ordering via nectar, Quidco, TCB?, am I using the cash back CC or the Tes@o credit card for points!"

    In all seriousness though since starting this journey we both tend to think about how much something costs in relation to our daily interest - certainly quite thought provoking.

    Anyway, keep in touch we need more stars.....
    2004 £387k 29 years - MF March 2033:eek:
    2011 £309k 10 years - MF March 2021.
    Achieved Goal: 28/08/15 :j
  • Twiddy
    Twiddy Posts: 148 Forumite
    Tilly, I also sounded like me in our house, my OH is semi on-board with the moneysaving ideas and has now formed a habit in terms of Topcashback and cashback credit card spend.......we're getting there!!

    Will keep in touch and make sure I "thank" everything you say......

    Maybe we should both set up threads entitled "Looking to receive the most thanks on a post....." and see what response we get......

    All the best
    T
    Current Mortgage: £113,829
    Standard MF Date: May 2030
    MFW Target Date: Jun 2023
    On Target to complete: Feb 2027
  • Twiddy
    Twiddy Posts: 148 Forumite
    By the way, going back to your MF situation, March 2017 is not all that far away and it sounds like you are well on the way to attacking it whilst maintaining a good fun/frugal balance. We intend to do the same which I think keeps everybody motivated to the end goal anyway......

    All the best
    T
    Current Mortgage: £113,829
    Standard MF Date: May 2030
    MFW Target Date: Jun 2023
    On Target to complete: Feb 2027
  • Hurdler
    Hurdler Posts: 1,361 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hi Tilly and welcome.
    The wonderment of this forum is that everyone is so supportive...
    Looking forward to watching your journey
    • Mortgage @ March 2008: £194,965 ; Lightbulb Moment: July 2011: £164,926; End Date: March 2033
    • MORTGAGE FREE: September 2015
    • MSE 1p Savings Challenge 2024 #50: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec = £223.84/£671.61
  • Afternoon folks, i think the stars depend on numbers of post you make, may be about 200 or 250 to get your second stars!
    Good luck xx
    Weight: need to lose 71lbs - lost to date 0lbs
    One Poll: £3.20
    My Survey: £0.00
    Ebay: £0.00
  • Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS
    Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS Posts: 7,854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    edited 15 November 2011 at 5:40PM
    Thanks PWD, sadly I won't have anything particularly interesting to rabbit on about until payday next week. At that time two credit cards will be cleared by DD. One is slightly on the large size as we have been to the good old USA for a holiday and bought gifts for 2012, but it is also a cash back card and higher cashback in first three months so we have made sure we took full advantage. Waiting to see how much cash back we receive in January. have to check whether we actually get the cash back or whether it stays as credit on card until spent.

    Next week I am setting up a regular saver for DH with FD so that's a second £300 per month tucked away, at 8% before tax. This can't be touched though otherwise the rate reduces.

    I feel so very relieved that I started this diary as it brings, albeit virtual, a community to help you keep that focus going.

    My DH has just made some bread which is proving as I type, he is quite a marvel, and this evening it is chicken risotto for dinner and I made the stock for it over the weekend.

    Quick update on the lodger, we are managing it really well and in fact the family works together in a most positive way. Our lodger finds it comfortable, plenty of room, enjoys our cooking and we eat together as a family most evenings. We then get the home back for Friday evening which allows the family time to start. As the kids have activities most nights in the week, it is proving to be no problem. If you have the space to do this, I can recommend having a go, just bear in mind the tax threshold. We have agreed to only have short term ish lodgers so won't fall foul of the tax man.

    Onwards and upwards to all.
    2004 £387k 29 years - MF March 2033:eek:
    2011 £309k 10 years - MF March 2021.
    Achieved Goal: 28/08/15 :j
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