Its time to grow up and pay off the mortgage

OS_QS

Having a nice lazy day today, as I *think* I'm all prepared for Christmas :T
Just a potter around the house and everything will be sorted for guests arriving tonight.

I decided to do the utilities review this morning, as for the next 2 weeks will be very busy and I want to start the new year running!

So recently:
-reviewed broadband, changed to a better package for £1.50/month less. Same provider. Saving £18/year
-renegotiated phone call plan. Saving £36/year
-changed energy suppliers before price hike. Saving £177/year
-cancelled (half price) sky HD package. Saving £36

Totalling a grand sum of £267 saving on if I had just let things run its course. What's more is this saving is on last years prices, which had a review done on them also! :T its amazing what a little investigation can net you

OS_QS

the big supermarkets are open 24hrs so we did our Christmas shopping during 'unsociable hours', which was brilliant as parked at the door, hardly any other shoppers and everything was being put out on the shelves fresh, so got nice long dates totally stress free. :j

Would completely recommend it, as long as you don't need any alcohol. We had done a Costco run early Saturday morning for that and I've never seen the place so busy.

Also did a check on the asda receipt and for the first time ever am due a voucher. A whole £2.70 back!

southerndave

Nice thread. It does amaze me how much we keep finding places to save money or increase income. Our first flush of money saving has passed very well up till now but I am aware that next year will be much, much harder. Handy to read others ideas for areas to look in - thanks!

garybarlowsbeard

Have you tried matched betting? Easy way to make a few thousand with very little effort.

OS_QS

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I braved the shops yesterday, the shopping centre was heaving, but that didn't seem to translate to queues at the tills. I only bought one thing that I've had my eye on for a while. So all good. Oh and I got a few food bargains too, managed to hit M&$ exactly at reducing time

We have a few days to ourselves then away with friends for new year. Then right back into mfw mindset as of 7th January!

OS_QS

List of things I need to do so I start the new year swinging.....


- annual train pass saving £52 and a whole lot of hassle!
- put Christmas money in the bank
- meal plans for healthy, organised eating
- order work wear in sale + quidco.

I'm sure I'll think up some more soon!

southerndave

Looks like everyone's got the same plan to hit the new year running!

OS_QS

I know! You have to love everyone's enthusiasm at the start of a new year.

Just been looking at our mortgage spreadsheets, and if we keep the newly increased regular OP the MF date is March 2021. So not a million miles away from our goal, but its a big ask committing to the regular OPs, as they are almost the same as our normal mortgage repayment! But it means that every regular OP is a month of the term.

Seems like I've started operating on a 'buy one get one free' strategy with our mortgage payments! :rotfl:

Now to focus on affording the regular OPs and getting creative with ad hoc little payments

OS_QS

Original MF date : March 2032 (48)

Current MF date : May 2031 (47)

Forecast MF date : March 2021 (if we can keep the monthly S/O going!) (37)

Goal MF date : June 2020 (36)

Of course life will get in the way but if you don't have a goal then there's nothing to keep us focused

Pretty pleased we have knocked a year off our term in our first year of MFW OPs :T

southerndave

OS_QS wrote: »

Of course life will get in the way

And that is the big snag! To quote:

"There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know. "
Donal Rumsfield, US Secretary of Defence 2001-2006