Squeaky spreadsheet diary

lurvlyloz

hi Tiglath

hope you're doing ok

Tiglath

Hi hun - yes I'm fine - enjoying life You and your bump?

lurvlyloz

big and hot haha. only 7 weeks til due date so hopefully wont drag too much

glad you're ok x

Tiglath

It's been a long long time since I updated this thread, and things have changed a lot in the past couple of years:

- Still in the same job. Got promoted, and another promotion coming next year;
- Passed the financial exams I was sitting and don't intend to do any more;
- Now debtfree except for the mortgage (currently £104k) and a couple of loans that will be paid off in over the summer; storecards, credit cards and overdraft all gone;
- Mum had her leg amputated last year and is now in a nursing home. We're currently selling her house;
- I had built up a decent S&S ISA but had to cash it in to help Mum out, so have just restarted that; currently paying part of her nursing home fees as well;
- Work travel to the Philippines and Singapore next month which is fabulous - I've not been to Asia before;
- Now got 17% going into my pension which is great. I'll be increasing it by another 1-2% in June when the payrise and bonus kicks in;
- We had part of an inheritance come through last month, and we have about a year of the hubby's net salary in the bank, with another £150k to come when the bungalow sells. It's been rather like winning the lottery. He leaves teaching for good the week after next (after 26 years as a teacher) and is going to take the summer out to figure out what he wants to do next. We can easily afford to live on my salary alone indefinitely with about £1000 spare each month after all bills and a generous food budget, so the pressure's off. He can always do some supply teaching here and there if he wants a bit more cash.

So financially things are looking great and it's been lifechanging getting all the debt paid off over the past couple of years. I feel like I'm seeing my full salary for the first time. Will be aiming to remortgage and then overpay to the max to get it paid off before 2028. Last year I was contacted by yet another half-sister (on my bio-father's side this time), so that's 3 definite half-sisters. Still got the 9 cats, although most of them are 12+ now. Going to start doing up our house this year, a week in an old mill in Dorset in August, and going to Iceland in the autumn to try to see the aurora. Next year I'm planning a solo trip to Mongolia as I have a thing about Genghis Khan. I didn't get to do any real travel over the past decade so am making up for it now while I'm young enough to enjoy it (turning 49 in 3 weeks).

How's everyone else doing?

catriona79

Tiglath,

That's mega impressive!! Just read the start and the final post - what a difference.

What was the biggest help in becoming debt free?

C

Tiglath

Getting going with the small things and having a plan with short term goals within that. Keeping my eyes on the longterm goal and logging every penny I spent, and posting on here was a great start. I think I'll probably always live frugally now in terms of general lifestyle, but travel is definitely something I'm going to do. Looking forward to being a Mortgage Free Wannabe once the final debt is cleared

Tiglath

Time for another update after 18 months:

- Resigned from my job, took a 4 month sabbatical, and got a new job, with a promotion and sizeable payrise coming early next year once I'm approved by the FCA.
- In the process of selling up in London and buying a smallholding in the country; fingers crossed that it goes smoothly. Much longer commute, but lovely house with land including an apple and pear orchard, haybarn, various outbuildings, polytunnel, large greenhouse. Room for a hot tub, and if we get planning permission, a conservatory to link the house with the main outbuilding and the garage/office.
- In the process of studying for my driving theory test at the grand age of 50. I won't start driving lessons until after we move.
- We've got 12 cats now. When we move, we'll have chickens and possibly geese, and offer space to some semi-feral cats who don't want to live in the house. Won't be using the pig run for pigs.
- Happy and healthy Planning to live like a medieval peasant but with superfast broadband. Call us Tom and Barbara

Tiglath

Moved into the smallholding 2 days ago with hubby, 15 cats (one more to arrive in a couple of weeks), stepdaughter and her boyfriend. Promotion has happened. Hoorah for our new life!