Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, DD has come home with details of a school trip for next year which is £1200 :eek: Not sure where the school think we get the money from. Sorry to any teachers reading, but the trips seem to get ever more costly. However, I believe she will learn a lot so here we go.

We took the monumental decision to cancel our mortgage protection insurance. Having checked again what they will pay out, with a couple of things we are doing, we will have the funds to cover that. There are so many caveats to the policies that providing I don't lose my job in the next 4 months we will be fine. There are never guarantees but IF I were made redundant, then my redundancy would go straight into offset and we would just extend the repayment period. When we took the mortgage with FD we deliberately set it to a period which 1 of us could afford to pay, yet set up the overpayments automatically to enable us to hit our deadline.

This gives us another £188 per month OP. Whilst I am mot advocating this as a sensible option for all, for us it will work as we have now cleared £100k of mortgage which means we have reduced the risk.

Roll on the day I post, mortgage now starts with a 1 :T

Every day brings us closer and I am far more relaxed now we have switched. Sadly though, if our bank accounts are not showing a round figure, I now switch the £p to the mortgage - yep I know I am mad, I can't seem to help myself

Have a great day all, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Good morning, kids are delighted its Friday - two weeks of revision for one and non stop footie for the other no doubt.

We are having a baking day tomorrow as they will be wanting more snacks. Looking forward to sittng with my books and choosing new recipes - I enjoy cookery books as much as fiction

Salad leaves in the garden are ready for eating and all raised beds bar one are planted up. Weather looks like it is taking a turn this weekend so may have to keep the cloches on for longer

Food shop today will be at ald@ and I have budgeted £50 for next week. This may be more difficult due to holidays but will see how it goes. I bought some YS Parma ham the other day and popped into freezer so saturday will be a platter of melon (241), ham, mayo and home made ciabatta for lunch :T. Can't wait. I love the Spring and Summer dishes and when we can eat outside, even better.

I have a large larder area in the garage and although it's organised, I can forget what I have bought. I am considering a printed spreadsheet just to remind me what I have eg dishwasher tabs, bought on special offer and using SsM money off vouchers. Buying in bulk is useful but you need to keep track. I have 6 months of some stuff so may have a crack again tomorrow.

Freezer, cupboards well stocked and menu plan switched yesterday to take us through to end April. I really do enjoy planning our menus surrounded by cookery books. I have found it gives the chance to experiment and have a go at new stuff. I give myself a challenge of something different each day, week etc so lots of variety with a stand by chilli in the freezer, for the days when plans change etc.

Late going for a run this morning and looks like it could be lunchtime.

Work has been highly stressful but is now on the turn, I think. You can tell its been a bit much asi haven't had chance or energy to iron :(

Have a good day all, Tilly

Just re reading this post and I do get the feeling I should have been a SAHM. I get such joy from looking after the family yet I spend my days pushing oil uphill - glad we are teaching kids MSE ways now

Polly_Wolly_Doodle

Totally agree about being a SAHM but i'm sure if i was i'd be longing for paid work!! You can't win, grass is always greener etc:D

You are doing so fantastically with killing that mortgage Tilly, i am soo impressed:j
We're still plodding away, so not posting much, but still reading;)

Keep going xx

brizzledfw

Hi Tilly

Have to echo Polly. Your diary is inspirational stuff. I can't wait to see my 2020 mortgage finish goal creep even closer..

My DD1s School ski trip has been cancelled. So money back and no more to pay. Unexpected bonus to this months cashflow. Pity as she'd have loved it...but no enough kids going, think lots of families simply can't afford it. Anyway she will be going with us anyway next year so that will be cheaper!

Have a great weekend

Brizzle

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning Brizzle, thanks for your lovely post. I do find having a diary is a huge motivator to keep on the straight and narrow.

We have said no to other school trips but the skiing one is something she will get a lot from. Off to look at ski stuff in the sales today. Good that it is the end of the season as big reductions. Think we will try on in shops to get sizes then come home and order online :money:

Have a good weekend Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi PWD, we have been incredibly stupid in the past and have to catch up

We didn't get into debt with cards etc but we always spent everything we earned and had an OD. Whilst we have fab memories it really was quite ridiculous. You end up leading a life which is artificial and I never want to be like that again.

Thanks for dropping by and it certainly is a matter of any OP is better than none isn't it.

Best wishes Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Good morning, I had a bit of a melt down last night. Work got to me and I had a weep. I think I was just overly tired and not doing the ironing was the straw and camel. I am going to put an ad in the local shop for a cleaner. I did have cleaner years ago who was with us for a long time but she trained to go back to work full time. Mr Tilly wants me to advertise. Very nervous about this as I want to make sure it works out.

On the good news front I have been awarded a small bonus for the turnaround made since taking my new role. That was great news and much appreciated. No need to guess where that is going :money: I am at the point where work will start to ease off now so that's a big step forward - does that mean I won't need a cleaner though?

Off for a dog walk at 8 and then shopping as I didn't make it last night. DH popped out last night to Tesc@ and picked up some reduced bargains. He is becoming a very MSE shopper and believe me, that is a miraculous change

Tilly X

brizzledfw

Hi Tilly

Well done re the bonus and the appreciation from your work. That's great. And a pat on the back for Mr Tilly too!

Re the ski gear. We are experts on going skiing for the cheapest price (couldnt afford to go once/several times a year otherwise!) What I would suggest is seeing what you can borrow from other people. After all for many people it just sits there for most of the year, not being used or worse, gets used once and then never again as the kids/ family try skiing and then decide its not for them.

Dec&thlon are brilliant for the gear if you have one nearby. The French have got this one nailed I tell you! My first pair of salopettes from there which I still use 8 years on were £20.. We love Sn@w & Ro&k but you don't half take out another mortgage every time you go...not very MSE

Happy if you want to PM me. My other advice is to layer up with fleeces...you can pick them up for peanuts.

Peonie

The bonus is great news. With how hard you work I would seriously consider a cleaner. Even if it's just 2 hours a week to give the kitchen and bathrooms a good clean.

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Quite agree. I have a cleaner and have had for seven years. She has probably saved my marriage as oh does no see mess and dirt and as we both work full time, the place was depressingly grubby. It is great to come home and it is all done. It is the one thing I refuse to cut back on.

Squirrel