The dream is within reach!

pumpkinpies128

Hello everyone, quick update on figures as I haven't the foggiest on how to update my signature! Current mortgage debt is £78178.17, but no idea of how long its got left on term as BS have left this info off the letter??? Is this something to do with these new mortgage rules from April? V. confused and a bit cross really, obviously you guys offer great support and motivation but absolutely love seeing the term come down in black and white. Think this will be a job for Mr Pumpkin tomorrow to ring up and check!:(

midnight_child

Hi Pumpkinpies, interesting read so far.

Change signature - click on "user CP" tab which appears on the green banner, its under settings on the left hand side as you scroll down.

MC

pumpkinpies128

Hello all, sorry I haven't checked in for a while...had a few changes in the pumpkin household! Filled in all these daft questionnaires BS sent through for us after our last o/p, provided 3 months banks statements, payslips etc etc. Waiting on a reply where apparently we need to have a 'mortgage interview'. Finding it all very annoying as all we want to do is overpay and reduce the term...and the BS seem to be making it as difficult as possible. (Think this might be a lightbulb moment! Ping!) Is anyone else having this difficulty? In my eyes...we have extra money left over every month...and want to use it on the mortgage rather than having an expensive car/clothes/lifestyle....but obviously it's not the norm and are trying to be put off!! Ok so the change is....Mr Pumpkin has agreed that I can now work part-time (yay!!!) After a lot of number crunching, we've discovered we can still have holidays, overpay the mortgage and generally enjoy life, and if anything by doing this it has opened our eyes to the real things that make us happy. No o/p yet this month but once we hear from BS we will be straight down there with bells on!!!

pumpkinpies128

Hello MSE friends, so much has happened since I last posted, but am determined to restart repaying in 2015, even if it is a small amount...every little contributes. Have not been well over the past six months, and was really fed up with it all. Decided to do a charity skydive in august to try and take my mind off feeling rubbish. Raised over £2000 for NACC, so that felt pretty darn good. The skydive however was pretty scary and I haven't developed a new penchant for leaping out of planes at 14,000ft, much to Mr Pumpkin's relief (he hates heights).
I have begun to work part time (three days a week) and it seems to be going well. At times I do miss the money (have lost in excess of £600pm) but feel so much calmer, happier and above all, as though there is more to me now than work, eat, sleep, repeat. Have been using a lot of my spare time spent in hospital waiting rooms but things are looking up. I began Spanish lessons, but these were rather pricey and discovered Duolingo, a fantastic way to keep your brain active and to learn a new language for free! I now try to practice at least once a day.
Currently awaiting the annual mortgage statement from BS, have absolutely no idea what we owe so once this comes through Mr Pumpkin and I will go from there and shall post an update.
Was pretty reckless earlier this year and broke into emergency fund for (oh god) a holiday, so rather ashamed about that and am gradually trying to build it back up again. Am unsure if I should build EF up again first or restart OPs. I'm not sure if many people read my thread but I just feel better by writing things down, and as though I am heading in the right direction rather than letting it all swim around my head.
Will post again once we receive mortgage summary.

gallygirl

Sounds as if the holiday was much needed :T. Personally I'd build the emergency fund back up again for peace of mind.

ourcornercottage

Sounds like you deserve a holiday :-) don't feel bad about it. If I were you I would Build up a bit of reserves then split between OP and reserves until you are at an exceptional level of reserves. I'm no financial advisor tho!

pumpkinpies128

Happy Friday everyone! Quite a nice clear morning oop norf! Mr Pumpkin got fed up of waiting for BS statement, so he rang them yesterday. We owe £77,005 and have 22 years and 2 months to go on the mortgage. Thanks to Gally and Ourcorner, I am slowly trying to build up reserves again. This hasn't stopped me playing with the calculators for a bit of motivation......Now I've got a definite figure can fiddle til my heart's content! Hope you all have a grand weekend whatever you may be up to.

Pearla*Merle

Sounds like you've done really well getting through a hard time without anything spiralling out of control money-wise, pumpkin - well done! Glad to hear the part time work is going well (I switched to part time as well and it makes such a difference!).

You'll have that EF back up in no time, I don't doubt it

pumpkinpies128

Thank you Pearla I've just seen that we are the same age, I trust you are enjoying part time as much as I am! Still constantly get pestered on my days off to go in/do extra/have you seen this? etc etc. A lot of my colleagues can't seem to grasp the fact I won't be there 42 hours a week anymore! Always on the lookout for something new, there doesn't seem to be much in our area at the minute. Really enjoyed Martin's show on Fri, and even got my Dad tuning in to the overpaying game....if he starts then that really will be something, he is terrible with money so need to try and steer him in the right direction! Watch this space for more updates!

pumpkinpies128

Morning everyone, emergency fund is coming along nicely. Was my birthday at the weekend, and showed great restraint and put all of the money I received as presents in my emergency fund (even though I did see a beautiful Laura Ashley dress in the window that was winking at me!) There is a pang of satisfaction that comes with saving. It is addictive watching the numbers increase. Have got some leave coming up from work soon, and usually we would be visiting somewhere which included an airport so will see if I can get through it without going away! Have lots of work to be done on the house but am very lucky in that my dad and step dad help out with the majority of things. Kitchen needs freshening up after a terrible first attempt at painting something by me when we first moved in and hallway is currently being decorated. Can't wait to see the finished results. Still nothing from the BS as regards to our mortgage statement. Rubbish or what?! Hope you all have a great day.