Stepping to the simpler MF life...

tootoo

Another MFW here.
Unfortunately, it won't be a diary paying off hundreds each months, but from the online calculator even paying off £20 a month will knock a few years from our mortgage and also save thousand in interest!

I'm a happily married mummy of 2 young girls which means I only work part time at the moment so my spare cash is minimal.
I also have £1300 on an interest free cc (have managed to pay off £250 over 3 months which is a great achievement for me.) Also, we have a loan which has one pay to go (yippee!!) although i think DH is wanting a new car as ours is looking like it will start costing a lot soon due to mileage, so another (much smaller) loan maybe needed.

I'm going to start totting up any savings I've made and instead of just patting myself on the back for saving, I'm going to put the money in a 'pot' and then pay it towards the mortgage. I know we are allowed to over pay 10% so thats good.

Off to scour for money making ideas and then visit a well known cheap recipe thread!
:rotfl:

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning TooToo, good luck with your plans. It's a friendly forum and people are extremely helpful . I'm a strong believer in menu planning to save money so once I'd finished cutting costs for bills etc, I focussed on my grocery budget to save money.

Everyone is different and others will be along to welcome you and help.

Best wishes Tilly

tootoo

Thank you Tilly.
I'm trying to pop and read others diaries as I'm sure there will be son many tips for me to pick up.

Food is a big issue here. We cook mostly from scratch, but its getting a little boring eating the same things so I think i need to shake things up a bit! I've seen a few great recipes on a popular blog, so may try a few of those.
We spend a lot on bread, so I would love to make this myself (Not sure I have room or should spare the funds for a bread maker!) and i have seen some recipes which look easy enough. I make my own flatbreads and pizza dough so it can't too different surely?!

At the moment realistically, I think I could take at least 3 years off our mortgage, even with very small overpays, so my target is going to be 2030 - 4 years early, but I really hope I could manage it way before then.

I don't feel this is a forever home though. I do like my house but I would rather it was detached and a little more rural. But we shall see what the future brings

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi TooToo, I LOVE cooking and always cook from scratch :T. Don't bother with a bread maker, truly bread is so easy to make and providing you plan, you can have fresh bread on a daily basis at at least half the price of shop bought loves and no additives :T

I do a freezer and larder inventory each month, grab a few cookery books, make a cuppa, then sit with my laptop and menu plan for the month. This allows me to do loads of different recipes, plus use ingredients up. I always make stock from chickens, sometimes freeze them and use it in risottos, which we all love.

I appreciate that this doesn't work for everyone but it has saved us a fortune. We basically have 4 adults in the house now as DS is 14 and eats enough to feed an army.

By having HM bread, rolls, cakes, plus normal meals, I manage to feed us all for between £60-£80 a week. I do buy bargainous meats etc and freeze, I batch cook frequently in the winter, not so much in the summer. Plus I buy in bulk from Costc@ or AF for which I have a separate budget.

Have fun with your plans

Tilly x

gallygirl

tootoo wrote: »

I don't feel this is a forever home though. I do like my house but I would rather it was detached and a little more rural. But we shall see what the future brings

Regardless, by Oping now you'll put yourself in a great position later on. Amazing what an effect even small amounts have, as you've seen.

ixia

Welcome and good luck I am just starting out too. I can't wait to make my first overpayment

newgirly

Hi, just wanted to wish you good luck

tootoo

Thank you for the wishes.

I need to ring our b society and check the best way to over pay (whether its cheque or bank transfer) tomorrow, as I can't find that info in our paperwork or online. Then I can make our first op!

In the meantime, i'm planning lots of things to research to save/free up some money.

Groceries are my first priority

gallygirl

tootoo wrote: »

I need to ring our b society and check the best way to over pay (whether its cheque or bank transfer) tomorrow, as I can't find that info in our paperwork or online.

Funny that, anyone would think they weren't trying to encourage you .

yukkibear

Welcome and good luck on your journey. I have just restarted my overpaying journey this weekend.

tootoo

Gallygirl you are quite right! I've spoken with the bs and have the details I need.
He sounded a little confused when I said for small amounts here and there

Our first op will probably be tomorrow! Im quite excited.
In the meantime I'm researching recipes (cheap ones but still nutritious) dh does not go without meat so I need to be inventive.
Will pop back later