Countdown to Freedom

unhappy_shopper

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Annual mortgage statement arrived from the Spanish bank - last payment on Tuesday next week and then WE ARE FREE. The statement shows £305k, as of December, outstanding but by Wedesnday next week it will be £299k offset to £285k YAY.

You are making massive strides towards your MF target. Good luck!
:j

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Many thanks U-S, we will be making great strides when we move but I have found the Spanish bank very difficult. Thanks for your support, it's a long journey we are on, but what a reward at the end :T

Best wishes Tilly x

Radish72

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Oooooooohhhhhhh nnnnnooooooo - I got my dates mixed up, I get paid next week and then pay final payment on the 28th and switch same day - I thought that was next week:eek:

Oh well I have just under two weeks to go - will we ever be rid of the Spanish bank:(

Am I allowed to say - muppet

I got paid yesterday so back to being a happy bunny

abouttimetoo

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi ATT, what a lovely day I have had so far. We went for a fast dog walk and she LOVED it. I love watching her play in the snow but less happy when it's icy as I worry she will slip and her her hips etc. she is a big breed and they are prone to hip problems. She met a 'friend in the park' and had a good old play for 10 min or so. Much snow flicking with noses took place and long chases. I really do enjoy watching dogs play. They have the same quality as kids for taking delight in the smallest thing which appeals to me.

Sounds like you had a really lovely day Tilly and I know exactly what you mean about how great it is to watch the dogs play together in the snow. I don't have a dog myself but my parents always have had and i've often joined them at walkies time

DS and I tackled the shops and I went armed with some coupons. This is quite new to me so being the spreadsheet idiot that I am, I had them all written down clearly showing what I needed to buy. I found about 80% of the items - all things I wanted so no unnecessary purchases. I got to the checkout and the cashier said, "you can't use coupons unless you have the items" to which I replied "i have bought them all, they have all gone the through the till, shall I unpack". I so nearly got my spreadsheet out to show her but then thought, I seem mad enough as it is. Quite interesting to see her reaction as it was most begrudging. I didn't cheat, I saved the Tilly household a tenner, yet she was most resentful. Although I didn't really need much food today, DH wanted me to get another 10p/fuel voucher so I had to spend >£60. Fortunately for DH his favourite lager was on offer, so I bought a couple of slabs to put away. Definitely a win win on the fuel and the beer x

Lol Tilly, well done on using the vouchers but I think I'm a little dissapointed you weren't forced to get your spreadsheet out as i'm sure we would have all loved to hear that tale :rotfl:

It's quite funny the relationships we build on here as although virtual they are still important. Sorry to hear you have been under the weather, it really is such a miserable time of year. I don't know about you, but I am longing for the change in the air as Spring approaches, I love the way it smells different. Does the soul good I find.

Yes, I've thought on more than one occassion it is 'odd' (but great!) that we can feel such a sense of community in this virtual way. I also feel a sense of responsibility with my challenges and to my fellow challengers which is also a bit strange I guess when you examine it closely. I'm feeling much better now thanks but I've got a very heavy two weeks ahead so need to look after myself

I did get off to church and they have a beautiful and quiet prayer room. It was superb and I spent a good hour sitting quietly and thinking. Some things sad, many memories but also thinking of the future and the lessons learnt from this site. I absolutely agree with you. Where were our heads for so many years. I am certain we would have been mortgage free by now if I had followed the same principles. It really is two fold, reducing your spends and using your disposable income more wisely. I really am loving it, just wish I got paid more often to satisfy my OP needs:)

That sounds a special place and time Tilly. I'm not particulalry religious but there have been the odd occassion (usually when i'm on holiday actually) when i've taken a few moments in a church to reflect and ponder.

Re getting paid more often to get OUR FIX, lol, yes, i did think about making weekly OP's instead of monthly but I knew that was silly as if I could afford the amount in one go it reduced the capital and therefore the interest more quickly. I do try and sneak an extra OP in tho as and when I can

You will be glad to know ATT that I did manage to fit in some ironing too so this means I will only have a little to do over the weekend. Excellent.

:j:j

Finally brilliant news on the £1k OP, given the car problem thats marvellous. Enjoy the weekend and hope you don't get snow. It's forecast here for overnight which we could well do without as we have a three hour round trip tomorrow. Fingers crossed it holds off, however as the kids are now on hols, perfect timing for some fun in the snow.

We didn't get any snow but it wouldn't suprise me if we do in the next couple of days, it fells very :snow_grin again, brrrr

How did your ebay items get on?

Regards
ATT

abouttimetoo

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Annual mortgage statement arrived from the Spanish bank - last payment on Tuesday next week and then WE ARE FREE. The statement shows £305k, as of December, outstanding but by Wedesnday next week it will be £299k offset to £285k YAY.

I can feel my shackles being removed as I type.......

Roll on the 'two's':j

On the home front, we have bought a sofa, a carpet cleaner and a steam floor cleaner - all I need is a new iron to feel like a cherished wife!

:rotfl::rotfl:

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

:j:jMY WASHING IS ON THE LINE, BLOWING AROUND MERRILY IN THE SUN :j:j

Tilly this shouldn't be possible but I could 'feel' as well as see the happiness jumping of the page with that post

katsu wrote: »

I very much envy your ability to work from home and hang your washing out Tilly.

Great moneysaving and very satisfying to look at.

Hi Katsu, I don't know if Tilly would agree but sometimes working from home can be a double edged sword. I'm very organised and don't get distracted easily but sometimes there is the odd occassion where the thing you are working on isn't going quite right and it's all too easy to do something in the house you know you shouldn't rather than the work. It's also too easy to forget how many hours you have put in

abouttimetoo

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Oooooooohhhhhhh nnnnnooooooo - I got my dates mixed up, I get paid next week and then pay final payment on the 28th and switch same day - I thought that was next week:eek:

Yikes Tilly :eek: Hang on in there, this time next week it will only be 5 days away. :j

Oh well I have just under two weeks to go - will we ever be rid of the Spanish bank:(

Si

shala_moo

Hi Tilly.. just catching up on your diary..

Will be trying to follow your example and hang the washing out tomorrow as it'd meant to be a tropical 11 degrees by us!! If i can find the pegs after the house move then i'll have a go:rotfl:

Glad to hear you have such little time left with santanduurrr... i had problems with them a few years back and just gave up ringing customer services. I've since transferred to FD too and find them the most helpful bank i've dealt with...

here's hoping for a bit of sun tomorrow

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Radish, I think something stronger than muppett is needed. There was me all excited and then whoops! Where was my brain.

Anyway, two weeks and adios.

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Katsu, working from home is strange in some respects. There are some days when I have calls starting at 730am and I am not even dressed, and others where I am working into the evening. I work at being disciplined but not always successful. I love what I do with a passion, so if I am not quite finished I just keep going! Kids normally tell me to stop if I am in that mood.

However the positives are that I can work from home in the school holidays when we are abroad - my days are still full on but I get to jump in the pool when I have finished which makes up for it.

I love being able to take 15 mins and pop into the garden and it gives me time to chuck the washing in the machine etc which I very much appreciate.

I would say though that it can also be hard. I live on the phone, mail and IM and hence I go into the office a couple of times a week to physically see people. As a gregarious individual I can get a bit stir crazy if all I have is my own company and email. dH and I do walk the dog though if he is at home and if not, then I tend to take her for a run now.

Hope all is going well with you,

Best wishes Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi ShalaMoo, I am counting the days now to leaving the Spanish bank. They have driven me completely mad with their unscrupulous methods of working. Anyway, good news on the weather for tomorrow, I will have to check what its going to be like here.

I sadly have to go into the office for a F2F which is a pity. I had planned on ironing during a couple of calls, but will spend the afternoon in the office instead.

Have a great weekend, not long to go now,

Best wishes Tilly x