MFW: Next step towards total freedom!

Grogged

But I thought you were having fun? 😆
I reckon my average daily interest is going down by 1p every 10 days or so.

savingholmes

Just caught up. Very inspiring. 83% that's dedication

IndiJonesi

I've just read your whole diary @caeler, during my breaks at work, and it's brill.  I've subscribed and will be following you on your countdown.  You have done a fantastic job.  Also, it was funny reading about you seeing a "possible" new house and then you changed your mind.  And then......you went and bought it!  What a rollercoaster.  Superb, Indi

caeler

203 days to go. 

I caved and applied for a new passport. It’s been playing on my mind knowing I technically still have a trip booked in May and thanks to no deal I won’t have long enough left on my current one. I just begrudge paying £75.50 plus the postage to return current one when that could be an overpayment instead! 

Thanks @grogged very much still having “fun”. My daily interest has only been changing once a month or so I’ve noticed. Is that normal? 

Thanks @indijonesi I’ve found maintaining the mindset is the hardest thing but the current environment makes it an ideal time to save and overpay for me. I’ve definitely had to say no to myself a few times and my spending habits have totally changed too. The house move was absolutely the right decision for me, I am so happy here I actually hope this is my forever home. 

I’m hoping to squeeze another £50 out of this months budget to put towards overpayment which will be nice. All my expenses are paid for this month and all I really need is another tank of fuel and a few fresh groceries. 

Grogged

I only know because the bank updates interest daily, so it's easy to calculate.
Plus I suspect I owe more than you.

caeler

180 days until I’ll be mortgage neutral. 6 mortgage payments left. 

This month has turned out a bit more expensive than I’d planned on but I’m still currently in budget, just. I’m sad to say I’ve had far fewer no spend days than in November! But I had some unexpected news this week, I’ll be getting a tax refund from the HMRC in the new year so that’s exciting and of course some of it will be heading into the mortgage overpayment fund! 

Christmas just got paired right back given last nights announcement but I’m determined to make it work.  We’ll be making full use of zoom with a live stream of our dinners so we will feel together despite being apart. I think the disappointment will hit later this week. Today I’ll be digging out Christmas dinner table extras so I can make sure next Friday is still super festive! 

I’ve started to allow myself to think about life after mortgage recently. Because I’ve gone without recently I’ve promised myself a few treats so I’m making a list. So far on the list is buying a new mattress and duvet! I’ll think of some more fun things hopefully! 

South_coast

A mattress and duvet are on my list too 🤣!

caeler

I’m glad it isn’t just me then!  @South_coast

Grogged

What a great idea - a post mortgage bucket list!

Ami-Rose

caeler said:

207 days to go.  I had to do a big shop this weekend plus get fuel and get some other supplies which worked out a little more expensive than I hoped but I think I can still make the budget work.  Home Insurance came out today and I've decided to "refund" myself from other savings which takes the pressure off the rest of the month.  

I received the confirmation letter from this months overpayment at the weekend.  They truly are a delight to receive!  My term is now 10 years and 10 months whereas without all the overpayments it would have been 17 years this month!  Facebook reminded me that I exchanged contracts on this day 8 years ago.  

In other news, I received a bit of a "talking to" yesterday from a close family member.  Explaining to me that I need to have more fun.  It appears my mortgage focus has spilled out a little too much.  I don't talk about it with many people and I'm pretty discreet about it all but when pressed I might talk about overpayments and daily interest!  I think the talking to came from a good place, just concerned that all I do is work and save.  I still think I'm doing the right thing.  I can't go anywhere or do anything right now so it really is the ideal time to stop spending money and save as much as possible! 

I can understand the concern and if you were years from paying it off then perhaps I'd agree. However, if you scrimp for 6 more months you will be completely mortgage free and financially able to have a LOT more fun if you want to! Your post-mortgage bucket list is a good idea.  

Mattress and duvet would totally be on mine, if we hadn't just bought one for the new house! 😂 It was one of my conditions that it had to be a good quality one, no scrimping, so we now have a very fancy king size mattress that's going on the floor!