Back to basics with pavlovs_dog: the £6k sprint

edinburgher

Well done on your Christmas bargains (almost wrote well dine, can you see I'm peckish?) That reminds me, I've been clothed for far too long today, PJ time! :T

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

That reminds me, I've been clothed for far too long today, PJ time! :T

PJ's all day here - except when I had a bath :j

edinburgher

gallygirl wrote: »

PJ's all day here - except when I had a bath :j

Remedied now, bath suggestion is a keeper as well

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

Remedied now, bath suggestion is a keeper as well

Am glad thinking of me having a bath inspired you to get your kit off Ed :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:.

pavlovs_dog

Getting great use out of my new stock pot, although I am beginning to fear veg chopping repetitive strain injury!

10 portions of lentil based ragu and 10 of veggie curry cooling ready to be frozen. Have roasted veg for a morroccon style tagine and am about to make up some broccoli and Stilton soup (using all yellow stickered produce 5p for soup base veggies, 10p for a head of broccoli and 55p chunk of stilton)

2 cabbages chopped ready for freezing. Need to play freezer Tetris to make room.

Have a chook to cook once the SC is free... A bit of old style rubber chicken to counteract all the vegetables!

PD (pj'd and in need of a bath)

pavlovs_dog

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

Through a combination of capital reduction and OPs we want to try and end 2014 with a balance as close to £110k as possible. This will keep up on target for our MFI3 aim of having a £106k balance by 2015, but will also let us build up a float in case we need to pay product arrangement fees to get the best deal when we remortgage. £6k is a healthy but achievable challenge if we maintain focus and discipline throughout the year.

Mission accomplished... checked the mortgage balance yesterday and December's payment took us into the £109ks :j

Here's to the next £6k :beer:

in_need_of_direction

Well done. We will do our balance sheet on 31st. Fingers crossed for it.

pavlovs_dog

just done a quick SOA which suggests that we should have around £500 a month spare to play around with. Whilst this money isn't exactly being wilfully frittered away, it certainly isn't working as hard for us as it could be.

Once upon a time, my gut instinct would have been to direct a large chunk of this towards OPing the mortgage. Whilst OPing with a view to becoming mortgage free in my 40s is still very much on the agenda, it is no longer the only thing on the agenda. There HAS to be more to life than being a slave to my job and the mortgage.

If we can harness this surplus money, it would enable us to complete a lot of the 'as and when we have the money' jobs at pavlov towers much sooner than initially thought.

So as a rough plan (in order of priority)

1. Begin building up pot of money in case we do decide to remortgage instead of switching to another product. Accord's retention deals look quite competitive when you factor in the cost and hassle of a remortgage. Will investigate with London and Country during January to inform final decision. Estimated cost £2k

2. damp survey (circa £50) and complete any advised works. Damp has improved significantly since building work in summer but, as anticipated, is not fully resolved. estimated cost £?

3. repair back garden wall & improve security. Estimated cost £300.

4. repoint front wall Estimated cost £100 for materials and replace rusty gate and railings Estimated cost £?

5. savings pot for new composite front door Estimated cost £1500 for supply and fit

6.Holibobs pot (to fund either mini hand luggage only breaks or build up for something more substantial).

7. wedding fund. We've been together 10+ years, we really ought to get on with this!

and then using christmas gift from the outlaws, we'd like to do as much as possible of the following:

* raised garden planters
* plants
* patio & paving
* patio base for summer house
* garden furniture
* summer house

if all goes to plan it is going to be a busy year!

edinburgher

£15k front door? Composite gold and diamonds? :rotfl:

Our mortgages have synched up, we owe nearly exactly the same :think:

pavlovs_dog

edinburgher wrote: »

£15k front door? Composite gold and diamonds? :rotfl:

Our mortgages have synched up, we owe nearly exactly the same :think:

what can I say, Ed, I have my standards

The mortgages may have synched but I doubt our pensions and savings pots have. You're on top form at the mo with your MBing