It's 'The Final Count Down' da da da da

Tesco_points_addict

Hello, well in true MFW styley I am starting ANOTHER new diary.

Last year I was RUBBISH at updating my diary! I will post links to my old diaries when I can find them all .

My original plan was to be MF by the time I was 40....well I was the magic age in July 2012 and it didn't happen! Hubby bought a rather nice 4x4 in Sept 2011 and that set us back a LONG way.

Anyway 1st January 2011 we owed the world £21,707.98, by 1st January 2012 we owed £25, 359.99 (bloody 4x4!).

This year 1st January we owe £4,264.83:j. I need to check my maths as that suggests we paid off over £21,000 last year and I have no idea how we would/could of managed that (inserts confused smiley that naughty Martin stole a year or so back!).

For those that haven't followed me in the past (and why should you have??:o) My family consists of:

Me, Hubby, 14 year old Puddy Cat, 7 Year old rescue dog and 18 month old Beagle.

Hubby works full time..and some! From tomorrow I will be working 3 days a week, I feel very lucky, a few years ago I was working 5 days, one evening and every 3rd Saturday/Sunday. Lots of things made me realise these hours could not continue, not least my Mum being poorly. She is my best friend; has Parkinson's Disease and has had a few really pants years, not really due to her Parkinson's but related illnesses. Long story and not due to go over them in the this brand new spanking year! Onwards and upwards.

Our pets are our babies, two legged ones confuse/scare me and at 40 its a bit late to change my mind!;)

My New Years resolution this year is to have a tidy house (hmm, being a messy moo I'm not sure it will happen)

I thought of giving up smoking or coffee, but as I don't do either of these it seemed a like cheating!!

My money down falls are: Wine, Yankee Candles, Pets, Take Aways (more DH than me, that one!) I'm sure there are more but I cannot think of them at the moment!:o

I eat to much, I drink to much, I moan to much - all need addressing, but I will try to get the house tidy first;).

Much love and best wishes to all my fellow MFW for 2013 xxx

TPA x

Tesco_points_addict

Saving for some challenges that I will set and fail!:rotfl:

Tesco_points_addict

A quick question, that i'm sure have been asked many times before.

We have a very low rate on our mortgage at the moment 0.59% above base rate, so currently 1.09%. We have an offset mortgage, but also save in ISAs and regular savers....when we get to the 'magic' figure of enough savings to pay off the mortgage in full......should we?? Or should we leave some in savings?

What are the advantages v disadvantages of having a mortgage and savings v no mortgage and no savings?

TPAx

newgirly

Hi tpa welcome back! I read your last 2 diaries so its nice to see you here again although not for long I'm sure now you have a tiny mortgage - well done!

Mortgagefreeby50

Hello!

I have always been intrigued by your name, can you elaborate on your ways of points collecting?

maureen100

Tesco_points_addict wrote: »

A quick question, that i'm sure have been asked many times before.

We have a very low rate on our mortgage at the moment 0.59% above base rate, so currently 1.09%. We have an offset mortgage, but also save in ISAs and regular savers....when we get to the 'magic' figure of enough savings to pay off the mortgage in full......should we?? Or should we leave some in savings?

What are the advantages v disadvantages of having a mortgage and savings v no mortgage and no savings?

TPAx

I am in a similar situation to you. I am 37 and we don't have kids, just 2 cats haha. We expect to finish our mortgage next summer, so about 18 months time when I am 38.

My mortgage rate is 0.49% above base rate, so we're only paying 0.99% at the moment. Over the past year, I have kept the money back as savings rather than pay any more off.

Our plans are to save enough to pay this one off and then save for another 2 years to upgrade.

exarmydreamer

Hi, Nice new diary. One of my major downfalls is candles, so i'm with you on this one. Hope to hear lots more on your quest for mortgage freedom. Good Luck:)

Tesco_points_addict

Wow, thank you for the replies guys!

Mortgage Free By 50 ....... I used to follow the Tesco point collecting and buy things that would give more points than the initial cost, however I have been rubbish over the past few years! We pay for EVERYTHING on our Tesco CC including our Council Tax so this helps with the points, we buy for 6 teenagers over Chrsitmas so I have been converting the points to buy them £25 iTunes vouchers........... every little helps.......ops, wrong supermarket!!!:rotfl:

Maureen100, this is what we have been doing, we have ISAs and regular savers rather than actually over pay - have been doing this for the last few years as the maths actually make sense. We live n a small fairly new 3 bed, but have a decent size garden which is fab for the pets...would love to move to a small holding, but unless we win the lottery its not going to happen!! Not now I'm only working 3 days a week

newgirly hello, I remember you:D How the devil are you?

exarmydreamer are you a Yankee girl??? Or am I missing out on some other lovely candles??;)

TPA x

*Jellie*

Hi TPA- good to see you back.
Congrats on the new diary and being so close to your goal
Happy new year

taka

Happy new year and happy new diary too!

moneycurious

Happy New year and happy new diary to!!xx