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The impossible dream
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Thanks for the visit Ladywithaplan and Savings. Today was a work day, and driving in, the auxiliary belt snapped on the car. Total nightmare, but recovery service had me outside my usual garage from over 60 miles away before 12.00 noon. Luckily I was able to rearrange and reschedule work as the day was written off, and the cost of the new belt an fitting was £65. Really happy with this. Must admit, I thought I had it replaced last year, but it is a consumable part, so I couldn't be bothered to argue about whose cost it was. It's not like there was any damage to the car, or it wildly inconvenience me beyond missing a days work. My boss just said it was one of those things and I didn't need to book it as leave, so an ok, relatively easy day all round.What I do not give, you must never take by force.
Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young. Linkin Park2 -
Lovely birthday as and relatively cheap fix. Glad you were safeAchieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/251 -
Sounds fun taking your cat on holiday with a passport! We briefly contemplated taking ours but were worried about him escaping (he is a house cat). Did you keep yours indoors whilst away? I too am finding myself doing an autumn clean/declutter. It feels right to put everything in order as we head towards winter. Its great that you are approaching the finishing line of the mortgage.Aiming to early retire December 31st 2026.2
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Yes, Kitty stays indoors whenever I am not there, but he does have a cat flap, so he comes and goes as he wishes really. When I come home, he is always inside. When on holiday, outside, he was attached to a leash via his harness - on a stake, the type used for dogs. It was really easy, he tested how far he could walk, then stopped and never tried to get away. I guess he knows he is a cat, not a dog. Plus, he recognised the harness and leash were a kind of safety net. Definitely worth taking your cat on holiday with you. I felt better having him with me and there was no fear of losing him at all.
Nearly here with the mortgage. Today, I got my letter telling me how much interest I have to pay for last month mortgage - £9.50! Will be mortgage neutral and interest free next month, but I am not emptying my other bank accounts to clear the mortgage. I am on track and I am happy with that. Every month, the closer to the end it gets, the easier it is. Nothing going wrong financially can stop the over-riding feeling of freedom that I am feeling. Knowing that soon, this stupid mortgage will be gone, the house will be totally paid off and I will have a level of disposable income I have never had in my life.
So many things to think about. Fixing the house, changing the car, changing the campervan, things that cost money that I wouldn't ordinarily consider, but now I can. You can do a lot when you have that much disposable income every month. The oddest thing, is I am seriously considering why I work? Do I not have an alternative? Life is so short, can't I think of something else to do that will give me an income but not take up so much of my time? I will ponder that next year. The down side of that train of thought is that I wouldn't have the disposable income!!
It's all good.
What I do not give, you must never take by force.
Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young. Linkin Park3 -
As you say - being mortgage free gives you options. You are in a great position. Soon you will have more freedom of choice.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/252 -
New month and a payment made into the mortgage. Still on that climb up the mountain, but all is good and as planned. Every month, I check the figures and re-calculate, and nothing has changed I will be mortgage free as of 1 January 2024. No surprise, I still have not received my refund from Calor. I may have to look at what I can do to force them into action
Got a real shock, my car insurance quote came through from Direct L, wanting £857pa. I know there had been talk of increase, but I wasn't expecting that. Wow, its not like I have been in an accident, or made any type of claim, the cost has just gone up. Anyway, I shopped around and got cover for £500 from Sainsbobs Bank, an increase of £200. This high because I chose to pay by DD rather than a lump sum. That, with the cost of fuel and my Car Tax increase, driving has just gotten a whole lot more expensive. I wonder if it would be cheaper if I had a different car? Definitely not Electric, the price for insurance on these appear to be silly money this year as well.
Final quarter of the year, it is always the most expensive time, so I need to start thinking about what I can do to get through this season without breaking the bank. I need to start by ensuring I have enough wood. I am still aiming to not use the CH until the beginning of November, and to do that, I will need something to burn! The freezer is topped up, so food wise, I will be ok. Just need to buy basics, so I can always eat, but the price of food is silly money as well. I also need to start giving some serious thought to Christmas. I think I will have to say no to present buying apart from those where I have no choice.
I love the way I keep saying 'just', as if its's a stroll in the park. Those days are long gone.
What I do not give, you must never take by force.
Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young. Linkin Park2 -
That is a huge increase I am waiting for my renewal and dreading it as it is for our larger and newer car. Thanks for giving me the reminder to do some shopping around.
Well done on the 1st Jan mortgage freedom day what a fab way to celebrate the new year. Things are definitely tough this year I am also hoping for a slightly cheaper Christmas.Save £12k in 25 No 49
PB Win 21 £225, 22 £275, 23 £900, 24 £750 Balance Dec 25 £32.7K
Plan to move to Denmark for FIRE by Autumn 2025 “May your decisions reflect your hopes not your fears”
New diary aiming for fire https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414795/mortgage-free-now-aiming-for-fire#latest2 -
Thanks TG. I hope the shopping around helps. I used Money supermarket. Compare the Meercat was much more expensive, do try them all before committing.What I do not give, you must never take by force.
Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young. Linkin Park1 -
Well done on the cheaper quote - still a lot of money. Are you high mileage or a particularly expensive car?
Good your mortgage plans are coming along.
The lack of refund from Calor seems appalling.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/251 -
Cheers Savings. I guess I am a high mileage customer with an expensive car, but it didn't matter last year. I suppose insurers are having to use every trick in the book to manage risk, even when it is low. But, I could potentially have age against me, so lots of things conspiring towards a higher premium. However, I genuinely think it is just reflective of all insurance quotes going up.
Yes, Calor are enjoying my money. I am certain they will refund. Luckily I don't need the money, I would just like it back because it is mine and they have a legal obligation to refund. As long as it is before the end of the yearWhat I do not give, you must never take by force.
Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young. Linkin Park1
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