our forever patch challenge

Jessy103

I've ended up telling quite a few people. There seemed to be a misconception that because we live in a small one bedroom bungalow and we were quite frugal, that we must have been poor, but in reality we've worked really hard and paid off a 25 year mortgage in 6.5 years and all the money from our little bungalow is now going to be the deposit for a 3 bedroom house that hopefully we're moving into next week. We shall be paying the mortgage for that off early as well!

If people resent you for paying it off early and being mortgage free when they're not, that's their problem. They could do it as well if they wanted to, but they don't and that is their choice. I think you should be proud of what you've accomplished!

Also, an American money advisor that I listen to always says 'You live like no one else now, so that you can live and give like no one else later' I think that's really important to remember when you've worked so hard and been sensible with your money.

sammy70

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81908213#Comment_81908213

Sounds like you are exactly like us, we paid off a humble abode really quickly, people where we used to work used to assume we were poor, we drove an old car and didnt go on fancy holidays etc.

When we bought this place people were quite weird about it, i think they couldnt work out how we had done it.

Im a massive fan of the baby steps system, we still follow this, its should be taught in schools imho Hope your house move went well x

Jessy103

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964404#Comment_81964404

Move went very well, thank you and we're loving our new house!

Definitely had the same experience, people are now really shocked we're in such a larger house. I'm sure they think we must have won the lottery as opposed to working hard and living frugally 😂

Completely agree about the baby steps method being taught in schools. I love being a weirdo 🤣

beanielou

Baby steps should be taught in schools along with keep plodding! Not forgetting financial education and responsibility.

sammy70

Busy few days with work and aged parents needs, alongside pets!

The weather is looking lovely for the next week at last!

We are getting used to the mortgage free life, and ive got a new savings challenge starting May 1st. Basically we have LOADS of work required on this property, the plan is to save and complete one expensive major task every other year. I will do a break down of figures on the 1st, i love a challenge!

MIL is on end of life care, so we darent plan any big jobs for this year incase we need to deal with her passing, she has advanced alzheimers and its so sad to see her as she is now. So we will start saving May, with a view to starting the first job spring 2027.

Off to muck out chunky horse now, and get ready to open my little cafe, fingers crossed for a busy day ..

I

Jessy103

Sorry to hear about MIL x

Please give chunky horse a pat from me. Been seeing a lot horsey posts on faceache and it's making me want to start riding again, after 20 some odd years!

sammy70

A lovely start to May, its sunny and warm here.

Right, to the savings target..

Ive decided to each month look back to the same month last year, and save what we paid to the mortgage on that month, including over payments..

May 2025 we paid a total of £2624, so thats this months target- phew here goes!

ive kicked off with £100 , im saving the cash in premium bonds, i know its not earning interest, but the fun side of potential wins motivate us, it has always worked this way for us so far..

So 1/5/26 £100/£2624

sammy70

Bank holiday sunday- rain forecast all day, so a day off for me, working tomorrow instead..

Won £25 on p.bonds, every little helps i suppose!

A pottering day as hubby working so unless daughter makes an appearance its just me and the animals.

Happy Sunday everyone x

sammy70

slight change to savings plan, im just aiming to raise £22,000 by christmas eve for our 2027 spring house project, less complicated than mirroring each mortgage payment for the previous years months..

So far, we have saved £2090 in May, add that to what we already had saved in the premium bonds, and the total so far for 2026 is £4,790!

project savings £4790/£22,000

sammy70

savings update- now £5840/£22,000.

This month we have ordered our 2026 winter fuel, i know that sounds odd considering we are on the 3rd day of summer, but i always get it sorted at this time of year, and with all the uncertainty on supplies i feel better knowing its one less thing to sort.

Today Ive stocked up on loo roll, shampoo, toothpaste etc so thats hopefully Junes supply sorted!

As my little cafe wont be open in winter as its weather dependant due to our remote location, im building a side savings to cover November to March 2027 , just enough for a small weekly amount . Im like a squirrel through the summer building winter stocks!!