Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Dear SD, don't forget to check the credit card area on this site, to check where you will get the most points. It's one of the reasons we took out a cashback card to cover vacation in October and Xmas spends. I also always use the Asd@ price guarantee site, to check my spend and benefit from a voucher if lucky. Had another £5 off £40 spend voucher , and as I was buying wellies for DH and school shoes for DS, that was easily reached.

I have certainly learnt to make money work for me, not just spend without thinking. Still a long way to go but definitely on the right path.

Tilly x

Polly_Wolly_Doodle

Sorry to hear about your relative Tilly, but good that it was a celebration if you know what i mean.
Think Tesco are doing a £5 voucher for a £40 shop this weekend, DH just off to investigate, if it's on he will do a £40 shop today and another tomorrow - oh the joys of frugal living!!

unhappy_shopper

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

On the spending more wisely front, one tip I picked up from this site is to pay my council tax by credit card. The card gets cleared by DD each month but we earn cash back. It all helps.

Both Tesco and M&S CCs currently have 0% on all purchases for 15 months. They are quite handy for paying council tax/grocery shopping etc.

wynnvegas

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

This has made us want, more than ever, to accelerate the clearing of the mortgage. We have things to do, friends to meet up with, new friends to meet in the future - we wish every one of you on this journey all the best for changing their futures, in whichever way works, for whatever outcome you are seeking.

Best wishes, Tilly

Hi Tilly,

I think this might be about the best summation I've ever seen of what this site, and this board in particular, is all about. Very, very well said.

Cheers,

Billy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Back to the grindstone........ Freezer and larder sorted, menu plan complete until Xmas to use up freezer and larder contents. All helps the budget. My DH made some suet pastry on Friday and it was delicious, looking forward to having a go at a steak and kidney pie and getting him making some more.

Things looking good for a peaceful week, much required after the last week and a half. Soup for lunch at work in the week and minimal spending required. Credit card bills covering holiday spending will be cleared next week and week after, all gifts complete for Xmas, so that means we can start the savings for December, January, February with the intent of getting £5k into the saving pot. After that it's all go with the new mortgage.

On that front, we will be applying for the FD mortgage next week, and they will honour their offer for 6 months, so we are easily within that window.

I want to make sure we have cash available to fill next years ISA in April, but I think it will take until May to achieve that but it's on the plan. The £5k saved Dec-Feb will go into DH ISA, so looking at the figures, I believe we will have £17k in accessible savings by May 2012. After that all savings and cash will be offset (non ISA portion of £17k will also be offset but in my mind I need to know that is still accessible).

Enough thinking now, off to pour a glass of wine and prepare for Strictly.

Wishing you all a good MSE week

Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening all, credit card A paid off in full today, which was circa £600 - we put all holidays on that this year to earn points. Now to clear the holiday spending and Xmas one which will be circa end November.

It feels so good to know we are doing positive things instead of overspending on unnecessary stuff. This should be the last big credit card for some months now so huge relief.

Am hunting for an online pharmacy selling animal medication as I need stuff for cats and dog. The vets charge ridiculous prices, so that's my job for tomorrow evening.

Just under 4 weeks to go until vacation and although we are going away for Xmas, it will be relatively low spends. Can't wait - its been an emotional couple of weeks and looking forward to sitting peacefully on the beach.

Good luck to all with their journeys.

Tilly

Imelda

Hi Tilly,

Just wanted to post and say hi! I feel we have similar incomes and aims- I love your posts.

We have got the FD offset mortgage, it was definitely the right choice for us as we can access the savings if we need them (ie if we lost our jobs) but seeing the savings balance increase is a massive incentive for us. DH is now fully on board after his initial reluctance, part of our aim is to buy ourselves a second home that will eventually be our full time home in retirement (with rental income from our London home as a top up to our pension).

Our aim is next August, which is a bit ambitious :eek: but we can only try.

Good luck! I will be following your progress

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Imelda, thanks for posting. I do believe that having a diary encourages you to retain focus. I sat the other day and checked off all receipts on spending diary and statements and I find this helps to prove we are being consistent in our tracking.

I will check to see if you have a diary, but if not, keep stopping by with progress updates.

We had hoped to apply for our FD mortgage yesterday but sadly work goti in the way. I am working from home on Wednesday so we will fit a call in then to apply. It has been such a disaster with the Spansh bank, and we are both looking forward to switching. FD seem very switched on in comparison.

Onwards and upwards to all.
Tilly

Twiddy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

On the spending more wisely front, one tip I picked up from this site is to pay my council tax by credit card. The card gets cleared by DD each month but we earn cash back. It all helps.

Good luck to all
Tilly

Great tip Tilly, thank you very much!! We too will earn cashback on this!!

By the way, I see you haven't gained anymore stars yet? I did go through all your posts and thanked them but its made no difference - I think its more to do with number of posts than number of thank you's!!


Cheers
T

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening Twiddy, I thank you too, so if nothing else we are a polite lot in the MfW section.

Highly recommend council tax by credit card. I have a monthly reminder in my work outlook and it takes around 3 minutes from start to finish. I feel slightly aggrieved that I didn't know this before but MSE is certainly a good education forum.

When are your starting your diary up then?

Best wishes Tilly