MFW: Next step towards total freedom!

caeler

Thanks @SandyShores I’m finding it all quite motivating, lockdown is tough but having this focus is really useful. Hopefully I’ll emerge from lockdown financially stronger, mortgage free and with a long bucket list of things I’m going to do!  Another challenge is the cupboard and freezer food challenge, I’m won’t visit the supermarket until 29 January and just do little top up shops for milk, eggs and fresh veg at the local shop. Last big supermarket shop was on 17 December.  

caeler

Grogged said:

I think it's disgraceful you don't even know your redemption date! 🤣🤣🤣
That's a whole month shaved off - amazing achievement!
At this rate you'll have paid it off by the end of lockdown...

I know!! Terrible of me! The unexpected monies from HMRC has made all the difference.  I will keep going!

caeler

142 days to go. I’ve managed 7 NSD this week which hopefully will become 8 after today.  

I think my car needs a new battery, it’s feels slow to turn over the last two times I’ve used it. I think it’s a combination of the cold mornings, low usage and the fact it’s still on its original battery at 8 years old! I’m told these things are best to get sorted before they die! I own a battery charger which is amazing (CTEX MXS 5.0) but given the age of the battery it seems more sensible to replace. Sadly it’s expensive, best I’ve seen so far is £170! I’m going to call my local garage tomorrow to see if they can do better. I’m annoyed at unexpected spend! I do have a car maintenance fund, but it’s very small right now, I’d run it down expecting the next major costs (ie. annual service and MOT) to be after I’ve paid off the mortgage. Doh. Always have emergency funds available people! 

I’m expecting one day commuting next week but I’ve got plenty of fuel so no issues there. 

eat_that_frog

Hope your car issues get fixed soon. The low usage thing is definitely a possibility, our car has turned into an extremely expensive shopping trolley - used once a fortnight for food shopping, that's it.

Tartan_Mum

Hello I found your diary from the posts on the other thread. You are so close! I’m unbelievably jealous. 

caeler

139 days to go. 10 NSDs including today so far this month. It would have been 11 but there was a too good to miss offer on Amazon so I placed an order! My spending continues to remain under strict control. 

Car definitely feels like a shopping trolley right now! It’s getting used once or twice a week at the moment, sometimes not at all!  @eat_that_frog I’ve not booked the car in yet as I’m hoping my local garage will do a better price than I’ve found with National Tyres but if I don’t hear tomorrow I’ll book with them. 

Thanks for stopping by @Tartan_Mum I love your signature, wise words! 

TallGirl

Hi caerler thought I would join you here too after I saw you on my diary. I'll have to read all the back pages but well done on 10 nsd! You're so close to mortgage freedom too keep going. 

caeler

Thanks for stopping by @TallGirl I've just been over in your diary to congratulate you on your latest NSD!  I find the challenge really motivating.  Sometimes it feels impossible but a January in Lockdown seems like the ideal time to break my personal best.  So far this month I'm on 12 if I can make it through today! 

caeler

135 days to go.  12 NSDs in January. 

I briefly left the house yesterday for some milk, eggs and fresh bits and I was back within 15 minutes.  I hardly saw a soul as it was very early in the morning.  Just how I like it!  But Lockdown has been testing me.  I don't generally get lonely but if I let myself, I'd start missing some of the things I'd normally do at a weekend but can't do right now.  I keep myself busy, there is always something to do, watch or read or as I'm finding, clean! I've really been getting into it and doing those more obscure chores that I never get around to doing like vacuuming the stairs, scrubbing the bottom of saucepans and cleaning the radiators with zoflora.  I do think the structure of having a to do list helps keep me occupied so I always plan in advance how I'll spend my weekends at the moment.  This morning I've tidied up a wardrobe, taken the rubbish out and cleaned my water bottles and water jug. 
 
The budget is looking good this month so far, I've only spent a fraction of my permitted budget which is good (but as we know anything can happen!).  Thankfully the new car battery I'm getting next week will mostly come out of the car maintenance pot.  If I can keep this extreme level of frugality going I will be able to move some more money into the mortgage fund, I'd like that to be at least £100 but there is still 2 weeks left of January and a big shop to do on 29 January! 

Elephantchunks

Hi caeler, you have done superb, well done so far and good luck for being mf in 134 days!
I like the sound of a mortgage free bucket list, I can't contemplate that (maybe a reno free bucket list for 2 years time) but it's great that you can look forward to not only being mf but also doing the things on your list.
Have you got a formula for calculating daily interest please? No worries if not I will work it out somehow.