I Could Be Mortgage Free

Popgirl

Been in apartment nearly a month now and it's starting to feel more like home. Moving here was only ever a temporary move so we are making the most of what we have. We are within walking distance to the centre of town so Saturday afternoons DH and I tend to stroll down and have a coffee and a little treat in one of the cafes, which we really enjoy. May have to swap timings and do this in a morning when the football season starts!!!

Off to Spain on Tuesday for a week. We haven't been since April so really looking forward to it. Didn't change any £'s to €'s before last weeks shocking result so will have less spending money resulting in One or two less cocktails for me!!!!


Had a full months rent from both houses this month plus it's bonus month at work so managed to put £4K in savings yesterday, EF is looking a lot healthier. Did make £50 OP to mortgage too just to say I have overpaid something. As our mortgage rates are so low our money works better for us in saving pots.


Have a lovely weekend everyone


Popgirl

Karmacat

£4K!!! Thats amazing! You're going to get to FI in no time at all! And have a lovely time in Spain

gallygirl

Have a great time :j. It is scorchio here at the moment .

Popgirl

Thank you ladies.

Off to see Ab Fab tonight with DH. Very MSE bought discounted tickets via work perks! 50% off. Goodies bought in town to take with us and a tin (or 2) of G&T!!!! Big handbag at the ready!!

Popgirl

Where does the time go :eek: Had a few nice days out with DH in July most of them have been NSD (apart from car fuel) because we have taken advantage of the mild weather so we have been on some long.....ish :rotfl: walks, visited the seaside for the free air show and had picnics in the country park.

DH was starting to get a little restless and bored being at home all day on his own so he has found himself a little part time job working for a well known frozen food store. He started last week he only has a contract for 8 hours a week and he is happy with this although this week he is working 20 hours . I knew he wouldn't adapt to "early reitirement" if I was still working...I was right again :j:j . He did apply to Mr T but failed the pre-assessment test for customer relationships :rotfl:. DH was gutted that he failed considering he has been in the customer service industry for over 15 years and has won awards for his service in the past.....The job was stacking shelves for 10hours a week early mornings . When I now go in Mr T for some shopping I am paying closer attention to all of the employees and most of the time I do wonder how they passed :eek::eek::rotfl:

Next visit to Spain booked for 10days in Sept. Going with friends so really looking forward to it. My parents are currently in Spain and they say it's very hot .GG I bet you are glad to be back in the warmth? :j I am dreading the electric bill as I know Dad will have the aircon on in every room!

BoE cut today will reduce both of our mortgages as both are trackers (hopefully if both banks pass it on) BTL will go down to 1.24% APR and residential mortgage rate will be 0.52% APR :T:T. Both are interest only mortgages so we will put the savings away and not spend it :cool:

gallygirl

Popgirl wrote: »

My parents are currently in Spain and they say it's very hot .GG I bet you are glad to be back in the warmth? :j I am dreading the electric bill as I know Dad will have the aircon on in every room!

Too hot to be honest, but I'll take that over cold, wet and miserable. Lovely hour spent on the roof earlier with a cool breeze (and a cool gin ) watching the sun go down :T.

Popgirl

Positive - recieved letter confirming reduction in mortgage interest rate for house 1. Interest rate is now 0.52%. monthly IO payment will now be £37 I will continue with the small OP each month of £50 just to satisfy the need to see the overall figure coming down but it makes more sense to add the extra money we will have each month to the savings account paying 3% (for now).

Negative - I feel really "down in the dumps" lately, no reason why I should feel like this I just do. I don't feel like doing anything but laying around watching utter rubbish on TV or "messing" around on my tablet looking at nothing of any interest.. Apart from MSE forum of course! I am trying to continue to be productive at work but that is taking a lot of effort and I really can't be bothered. I need to snap out of this mood VERY quickly.

Popgirl

DH and I meet our FA yesterday and our investment bonds, S&S ISA's and SIPP are looking pretty good. We have only been seriously investing for 3 years but we averaging a 6%growth per year on the ISA's and 15% on the bond. The SIPP has only been going for 6months but has increased by £3k. I have decided to invest £10k into a VCT (Venture Capital Trust) which means I can claim £3k (30%)tax relief. I am a little angry with myself and my FA if I am honest for not doing this previous tax years to reduce my tax as I am a 40% taxpayer but never mind it's too late now so no point in dwelling. I plan to sell some shares I hold in the company I work for to fund the VCT. The shares have dropped slightly over the past 4-5 months but I only paid £1.34 for them initially and they are now £4 so not a bad return. :j

DS1 announced yesterday he is moving jobs and moving countries!!!! He works in the hospitality industry and he has been approached by a company and asked if he would be interested in becoming an operations manager in a winter holiday resort in France and he said yes. We are really excited for him it is a fantastic opportunity and could lead to bigger jobs in the future. The resort looks beautiful and very exclusive the cost for a chalet is over £43k a week. The top chalet costs £10m to buy....it's a different world that's for sure. He leaves the UK in Nov he is going to leave his current job in Oct and come home and spend some time with family before he jets off. I think we will have an early Xmas before he goes because we won't see him for at least 6 months.

DS2 is currently on his first all boys holiday aboard he text to say he got there ok and everything is good not heard anything since so I am thinking no news is good news. :rotfl:

Popgirl

Popgirl

It's been a very expensive September DH and I have nothing to show for it but DS1 and DS2 do!!!!! Spending started when DS1 announced he was moving to France, the company he will work for suppliers some winter clothing but it won't be enough so DS has kindly given me and his grandparents a list of items he needs (or would like!!!) so the shopping and ticking items off the list has commenced. £150 spent so far with the more expensive items still to be purchased. I am hoping £500 will cover most of the list. If not he will have to do without or buy it himself.... No chance of that he never has any money!!! Also paid for the flight to France for him, he will claim this back from company and he has promised to give me the money back. I have heard that one before.

DS2 had a wonderful boys holiday came back in one piece, silly me, oh no he didn't he lost part of a tooth falling over....alcohol to blame. Dentist can repair at a cost of £57 so I have paid for that too.


Note to myself bank of mum and dad needs to close!! DH thinks I am soft and give them far too much, he is right but won't tell him that!!!


VCT investment completed £10k so will get £3k tax relief need to wait for certificate before I can claim from HMRC, should get it in November. The £3k will be put in S&S ISA.


Off to holiday home on Wednesday for 10days can't wait.


Popgirl x

Popgirl

I can't believe it's nearly 3 months since my last post. Had a very busy couple of months. DS1 came home between jobs now flown to France to start his new job all kitted out with enough winter clothing to see him through the season. We had a lovely early Christmas with all our family so DS1 didn't miss out, he will be too busy looking after other people over the festive period to enjoy it himself. We won't see him now until May.

Back in October I formal asked my employer for a 12 month Sabbatical to start in January. Unfortunately this was refused the excuse was they couldn't find anyone to cover my role with my skills and experience while I was away. I should have been flattered but felt really annoyed considering they encourage people to take time off to peruse other interests or "re-energies!! I am over the anger now I thought a sabbatical would help me finally decide if I was ready to give up work and confirm if we could live comfortable on our rental income only or not. I think I will ask again in a few months time!!! You never know if I keep asking they might get fed up and say yes!!!

My tax rebate from my VCT is being refunded through my wages, 2k recieved last month the final 1k will be paid in £250 sums in the next 4 months pay. I was planning to pay all of this refund into my ISA but the money will help with the legal fees and stamp duty for DS2's new flat.

Buying DS2 a flat has been something we and my parents have been thinking about for a while it's my parents who are paying for it. They offered we didn't ask. DH and I will help pay for fees,new carpets, additional furniture that he needs. I know people may think this is rather extravagant and not teaching DS2 to save to buy his own home but my parents thinking is they would rather give the money to their grandchildren than the tax man in inheritance tax!!! We have taken legal advice and what my parents are doing is all above board and legal. The flat will be bought with cash no mortgage and will go in a trust. DS2 knows he is very lucky and has been given something others can only dream of. I have always believed that when your children are young adults that's when they need financial help not when they are in their 40's or 50's.