MFW: Next step towards total freedom!

TallGirl

caeler said:

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! 

Thank you so much I forgot to bookmark you here need to catch up again. Sounds like you're doing great 

caeler

129 days to go until Mortgage Redemption Day (4 pay days), 117 days until I’m mortgage neutral. 18 NSD so far this month. 

I finally got around to sorting my mobile sim deal. My contract expired in 2014 and I’ve been on the same deal since then. 750mb data, 600 mins and unlimited texts for £9.91 a month. It was much cheaper back in 2014 but RPI has been added every year and before I knew where I was, I was on a very bad deal. After quite a bit of wrangling I’ve got £8 per month on 4gb data with unlimited mins and texts plus free Disney+ for 6 months. Much better! The reduction pays for the monthly increase on my energy costs! 

I’ve reviewed the cupboard and freezer and I think I’m 2 weeks away from needing to do a big grocery shop. I did a small top up shop this morning (milk, eggs and some fresh bits). I’m also going to blanch and freeze the veg I won’t eat this week, comes in handy when I can’t get to the shops. I love a local shop for topping up but you can’t always get exactly what you want. 

I just found two boxes of mince pies. I thought by now I’d have had opportunity to use them for belated Christmas celebrations but alas no. I’ve unboxed and put them in the freezer. 

SandyShores

Great deal on the mobile phone caeler.  Its funny how times change isn't it - I don't think they even sell as little as 750mb data now, but I'm sure one of my contracts was something like 250mb.  And they all seem to do unlimited minutes now, but I hardly ever use my mobile as a phone these days.  And of course there's whatsap, fb and snapchat rather than texting.  Mr Shores and I bought our phones on contracts over 4 years ago and the batteries are limping along.  Mr Shores has ordered a new phone, but I'm thinking about changing the battery rather than buying a whole new phone.  Its got to be worth a try - not sure if the apple tech shop is open at the moment though.

So close to mortgage free - fantastic - I'm just imagining what it must feel like

caeler

Exactly @SandyShores
I hardly use my allowance anyway, I’m always on WiFi and then there’s WhatsApp et al. I’ve got into the habit of just buying a handset rather than doing it by contract. I’m eyeing up an iPhone 11 second hand in a few a few months (it’s on my post mortgage bucket list!) as my iPhone 6 is no long supported and limping along at over 4 years old! 

SandyShores

That's interesting @caeler, I hadn't realised that the 6 wasn't supported.  You've prompted me to check and I can see my 6s is still being updated but its at the bottom of the list of phones being updated - so it will be the next to drop off.  No point changing the battery if they stop updating it soon after.  I'm looking at the 2nd generation SE but its a want rather than a need and of course the 6s headphones won't fit so that's more expense.  I'll hold on for now and as we're keeping Mr Shores old phone it will be a spare if mine gives up the ghost and will buy me a few days to get another one.  

ps, just found the apple headphones with lightening connector for £16.99 (digital save) or £19 at curry's so that won't put me off, but I'd like to get lots of wear out of my existing sets of headphones first, then I'll be ready to splash out on a new phone

caeler

I think the 6s will drop off soon too and too many apps stop working so it’s worth considering an upgrade. I think you’d need at least iPhone 8 or X to get ahead of the curve as the SE came out only 12 months after the iPhone 6. It’s really a race against time! @SandyShores

SandyShores

Thanks @caeler, there's a second generation SE from 2020, so I need to make sure its that one.  They are £399, which isn't a bad price for a brand new phone and I believe apple do 12 months interest free.  But I do like to get my money's worth so I will be keeping a close eye on the updates

killerpeaty

i also just buy a phone and get a contract. I have to say having a good working phone after having one that limped along for a couple of years, it's definitely worth spending the money if you are on it all day (like me). I got a text from my provider saying I'm out of contract the other day. I have unlimited texts/minutes and 1gb of data for £6.something a month, their suggestion was unlimited texts/minutes and 1 gb of data for £16 a month!!!

I'm so excited for your mortgage payment date caeler, definitely following along with your journey.

caeler

Thanks both @SandyShores and @killerpeaty! 

I’m sort of in disbelief a bit about my journey. I think at some point I’m supposed to feel proud but I think I’ll let that happen once it’s done. Eek 128 days to go! 

killerpeaty

I think you should be proud right now, you're so dedicated and managing to do things I couldn't imagine being able to!