The impossible dream

LeighofMar

I think when I pay off my mortgage, I want to have a bbq. If I pay it off by the end of December though, it might be too cold so I'll settle for a nice restaurant where I don't even look at the prices on the menu. How many times does one pay off a mortgage in a lifetime, lol? I think of it in terms of what would you like to do that you wouldn't normally do for yourself? It's such a special occasion. Maybe get tickets to a show you've been wanting to see and get all dressed up? A club you want to join? Or a restaurant you've always dreamed of going to but never dared because of the prices? A place to go dancing? Or maybe you just want to buy something for the home that every time you look at it, it would remind you of the day you paid off your house. For me, it would probably be another plant. But a very special, beautiful plant  You are on fire!!

Tahlullah.H

Wow Leigh, you really have given this some thought.  I feel ashamed that I haven't contemplated the momentous occasion to this degree.  Now, I will have to think hard.  Perhaps book a nice holiday somewhere.  I have always wanted to go snowboarding in America, Lake Tahoe area or somewhere in Utah, purely because I really loved Utah when I was over there.  But the costs are astronomical.  It's bad enough paying to go snowboarding in Europe!

I have just realised, I have missed my 10 year anniversary of joining this forum.  19 August 2013.  So, I have been paying down this mortgage for 10 years.  How time flies.  It is a shame I was unable to clear the mortgage to the date, but I should be thankful for small mercies.

During this time, I have had some pretty major ups and downs, work, really rubbish management, loss of employment on more than one occasion, but with the help of others, I have usually found my feet within weeks.  The biggest achievement really is that during this period, I was able to purchase 3 other properties outright, by always borrowing down on the mortgage and paying it back.  The number of times I was close to the end - and then back up it went!  But, I have been lucky.  I have a lovely main home in a beautiful part of the world, and income from renting out 2 other properties helping me with my mortgage, whilst having the other property down south to stay in when I want.  It was bought for work, but that didn't last long!  But the property is still there.

It isn't all sweetness and light, the house needs a lot of work, despite the major work done a couple of years ago.  But, that can come in time once the mortgage has been cleared.  Achieving this whilst staying true to my plans of always going on holiday when I can and not giving up on living, throwing myself onto the altar of frugality just to pay down this debt, I think it has gone ok.

So, here I am.  4 months off being mortgage free, with only my car debt still there, but reducing slowly.  Money being spent to keep the campervan on the road so I can take small holidays as and when, and making sure there is always wood available to keep warm so as to not run up the gas bill, to the point, they owe me money, something is going my way at present.

I will make that last payment, probably on Sunday 31 December.  I like the finality of it, the last day of the year to make the last payment of the mortgage.  It just seems right and proper.

I have been counting down for a few months and it has really hit me now.  It really is happening.  As Leigh says, I really do have to celebrate on that Sunday.  But for now, I will celebrate 10 years of MSE helping me to get to this point.  Without it, there are things I would never have heard of to help me focus and make those payment.  And the support of others joining me along the way has been fantastic.  The thing about this forum is that you can't speak to others about your plans because they don't necessarily understand what you are doing and judge you because you are not living life like they are.  This is my life.  I will live it how I wish and that includes Chapter 2, life when you have the spare income to do what you want!

savingholmes

Fantastic post Tahlullah. You've overcome so much and have a lot to show for it. Definitely give some thoughts to your plans once the mortgage is gone. The only thing I would say is I'd pay by Friday 29th as otherwise it won't get credited to your mortgage on the day and you'd pay extra days of interest with it being a weekend and then a bank holiday.

Tahlullah.H

Thanks for the reminder Savings.  This month, I paid £23 interest on the mortgage and right now, the difference between my mortgage and money in my account is £500.  So after next month, I believe I will be neutral, more money in my accounts than owed, so possibly, I won't have to pay interest again! 

Another positive,  won £50 on the Premium Bonds.  I think they missed a couple of 00's, but still a win.  I have only ever won £25's in the past, so this was a first.   I think I will go and have a night out at my favourite restaurant to celebrate and blow the lot!  

So nearly there!  Next year I will class myself as debt free (bar the car loan).  I am loving these small milestones. 

savingholmes

You are doing really well. Enjoy your night out!

TallGirl

Well done on the win and the almost mortgage neutrality. So close now 

LeighofMar

Great job. Enjoy your milestones and your night out. 

Tahlullah.H

Back from my holiday.  Lovely time and fantastic weather.  Plus, it was really easy dealing with the cat.  He had his own passport control!  Anyway, now I've done it, I know how easy it is to do in the future.  As  long as I don't need to fly, I will take the cat and the money I would pay for his hotel is the same as paying for his 'passport', and you avoid the depression he suffers when you return and have to remind him who you are and that he still has a home.   So much more civilised.  Brought a bit of spending money back, so this can be the base from which I start to build my savings for my next holiday in March.  Great not to be starting from zero.

Collected the car.  Went in for new brakes and discs all round and it's MOT whilst I was away.  Money to cover the cost is coming out of my PB  savings.

Still waiting for my refund from Calor.  I am certain it will arrive at some point.  On the plus side, the monthly direct debit is reducing, so another win win.

Nothing spectacular happening with the mortgage at the moment.  Still ticking along and on track to pay it off.  Nothing that comes along is changing the direction of travel on this one, so really happy that all bills can be covered and manage from other pots, without it impacting on the mortgage.

Managed to collect 5 bags of free wood, with access to more when I want, so that's fantastic.  Still no need to use the central heating as yet, and will be able to continue in this vein for a while.  Hopefully, I won't need to turn the heating on until November, using the open fire to warm the house, along with the electric throw if it starts getting a bit too cold.

Food shopping is still under control.  I am wondering if I am being a bit too frivolous with my spending, buying things just because I can.  I am very 'de-mob' happy, on the countdown to Mortgage Freedom.  It's almost like I know (which I do,  DUH!) that I will have much more disposable income from next year, so I am starting to spend accordingly.  I really need to re-look at budgeting and bring the spend back under control.

I have given my inflatable hot tub to a neighbour.  I do enjoy it, but I don't think I get as much use from it as I did during lockdown, and balancing the cost of electricity to keep the water hot for the occasional days I actually use it, I just feel I can do better to reduce the electricity bill further and if I ever get to the point when I feel I would use it every week, then I will re-buy.  So, happy neighbour and happy me.  Another win win.

Still walking around the house looking for things to take to the charity shop, or to the tip.  I haven't managed to sell anything recently, I just don't find the process pleasurable any more, so to the charity shop it goes.  I have another load waiting to go.  Plus, I need to go through the drawers in the cabinet in the living room.  It is full of 'stuff', all of which I am absolutely sure, are essential to life - not.  I will do that before my next trip to the CS, and a bit more of the clear-out.  Plus, I have a few things to deffo go to the tip in the garage, so I may book a slot for next weekend.  It does tend to focus the mind when you have a deadline.

Things to do - 
Go to the hairdresser.
Sort out paperwork for the accountant.
Certain my car insurance is due soon...
Buy weedkiller - the garden is being overtaken by horsetail weed.
Get the hedges cut - maybe the man who does this can have a look at dealing with the horsetail?

Anyway, that is enough of a list to be going on with, along with the deadline I have at work.  No need to over-do it.

savingholmes

Glad you had a lovely time. 

It's love to share and give. Good you are improving your home along the way by decluttering too. I feel so much better for how much I've let go this year.

LadyWithAPlan

Wow your MFW date is so near! Amazing focus on being MSE even if you have ended up buying houses and chimneys on the way 
glad the cat is becoming a veteran traveller