MFW: Next step towards total freedom!

SandyShores

I felt the same about my debt free journey.  I could never imagine it being over and when I was really close it was a bit surreal, coupled with thoughts that I never should have got myself in debt as well - very confusing.  I can't imagine being mortgage free - killerpeaty is right, be proud of yourself, its so exciting

eat_that_frog

Just catching up on posts, wow you're so close now @caeler!!! Well done on NSDs too

caeler

123 days to go! 111 days until I'm mortgage neutral.

23 NSDs this month so far, I may be able to squeeze another 2 days making it 25 days!  I'm delighted with that, must be a personal best.  Lockdown really helps with not needing to spend money and I find the focus/challenge of NSD makes me say no to myself.

I am now 76.15% mortgage neutral so very nearly there.  Waiting for Monday 1 February to do the full money shuffle but when the OP is made I'll be officially in the '40s' and I'll owe £48,684.

I was having a clear out and I found an old Equifax credit report from 2006 (oh dear, how far I've come!) and it looks like the mortgage I was paying was £725pm for £122K and I think the rate was around 5%, I'm feeling pretty grateful about the rates of today! Back then it hadn't even crossed my mind to overpay. 

But most importantly right now, I survived January 2021 - I hope you all did too!

Grogged

Well done on 23 (25) NSD, I think we'll be around 12-15.
Getting closer every day!

caeler

Thanks @grogged It's never gone this well before, 24 as at Friday and I've no plans to spend so it will be 25 tomorrow.  I've also been able to put another few hundred into the mortgage fund today as I've not spent much of my general spending allowance this month so pretty pleased with that.  I'll largely deplete my savings when I make the redemption payment but if am frugal now I'll have a bit of extra wiggle room in June whilst I build up my emergency fund. 

February's money shuffle has been done.  Normally I wait until the first of each month but I figured I didn't really need to.  OP transferred.  I'm planning to make 3 more overpayments (March, April and May) which come from my salary payment.  I could technically pay that now (which would max out my allowed 10%).  I guess the benefit of that is my interest would reduce significantly now rather than a little bit each month.  I will give that some thought.  I think I just like the structure of doing something once a month! Moved various other bits into the right pots.  I'm looking forward to seeing my new bill values for my mobile phone and I've just realised my energy direct debit doesn't increase until March so that's good.

I've also just allowed myself to place an order for runner bean seeds as I got a free P&P code with Suttons, yay!  I've gone lady di but I'd have quite liked white lady but I'm sure lady di won't disappoint - great reviews and they are stringless.  I've only spent £70 this month excluding the new car battery (as that came from the car maintenance pot) which is crazy low for me. 

caeler

So I've just been a bit impulsive!  Following my last post where I thought, why don't I just pay the rest of the allowable 10% OP now rather than the monthly drip feed until redemption day... well I just sent the money! I just quickly ran the numbers and I am marginally better off from an interest perspective but also all my extra money will now go into savings rather than having to proportion money to different places.  Simple is good.  

TallGirl

well done must feel great having paid it all off. I like to keep things simple too I love shuffling money around but easier if you don't have to mid month. You're doing well on the nsd we are definitely twins I'm also on 24 for this month. Have a lovely weekend. 

killerpeaty

Caeler, you missed out your countdown for today! How will we know how long it will be!?

I actually don't know how you have spent that much in a month. I spent £80 just on a boiler repair.

caeler

Thanks @Tallgirl this is the best NSD month I've ever had and its a January to boot.  I'm not sure if I should keep it going in February too as feel I should reward myself a little with relaxing things a bit. We'll see how we go.  I think my "visual" record of NSDs really helped keep myself focus.

Thanks @killerpeaty 122 days to go!! 
A lot of my big bills like boiler servicing, car insurance, house insurance et al are in October-December so right now most things are paid for so it is just my general spending such as food, fuel and sundry expenses.  I've been super strict this month.  And I've kept everything crossed no major unexpected things happen although this month I did have to cope with paying for a new car battery!

Grogged

Exciting paying off your 10%! Sounds like you made the right decision.
Reward wise why not split the difference in Feb, that's if you're not looking for a specific treat?
ATB, G.