OK lets do this.....24 payments to go

spendinglikemad

Had a lovely time away in our holiday 'home' last week of the school hols and it was back to school for one of my offspring this morning (oh the relief!!) she did guilt trip me into dropping her off in the car though instead of using the bus pass I paid for (getting value for money there then!)

So, my update on the job front is that finally I am getting there - the first job I applied for way back in July after being interviewed etc is coming good - I don't have the contract through yet so no celebrating as yet......just need to be patient for a little while longer! Its been no hardship being off for the summer - I will just need to get everything finished off in the house/allotment before I start (fingers crossed) DH and i have decided to make a substantial O/P when I get my first pay packet so I am looking forward to that especially now S123 interest is dropping

hiddenshadow

Hope the job gets sorted soon. I was working full-time at mine for two months before a contract was actually signed!

spendinglikemad

Still no contract through but I do have a start date for my new job in just over a week's time.

I am making the most of the last bit of time off and enjoying the relaxation and getting lots of those tasks done which wouldn't ever get done when working FT, that means I will be a first time wearer of glasses as of next week - eek. Struggling to read small print now (sign of getting old) but eyes all tested now!!! Otherwise have been a little spendy buying some new office wear as I have been home based for the last 4 years and although I have a few nice smart pieces my wardrobe needed an expansion (as did my make-up!!)

New boss to be has approved holiday for 2017 (I asked for 3 weeks in July - hadn't booked anything just wanted to check they were fine with that) so it means that for the first time in 12 years we can take a (sort of) out of school holiday as ds will have finished gcse exams and will not need to be in school and dd (independent school - full scholarship!) will have finished school. So we wanted to get away for an all american road trip (done a few before in August and loved it). Currently researching flights and hotels (I am the travel organiser for the family as one of my many roles!!) There will still be some left over for a substantial O/P.

SLM

Sundaysgirl

Congrats on the new job SLM, best of luck!


Holiday plans sound wonderful.

spendinglikemad

Thanks Sundaysgirl - it maybe one of the last full family holidays as a good opportunity after gcse exams and before A level studies. I am not assuming DS will want to holiday with us after he turns 18 and potentially at uni and then DD will start with exams so it will feel never ending and I cannot see us doing that length of holiday again together !

SLM

spendinglikemad

Time to regenerate the thread as there have been lots of changes!!

New job started in September - all good.

Emergency fund now stands at more than our mortgage so we could choose to pay it off, :j:jhowever our dream home came on the market so we have ours up for sale and therefore want to keep as much cash as possible for expenses on a new property - if we are successful

Its a great position to be in but leaves me twitching to want to see the mortgage at zero!!

hiddenshadow

Hope the dream home works out! Very exciting.

Congrats on being mortgage neutral, too!

spendinglikemad

Thanks Hiddenshadow!!

spendinglikemad

Thought it was about time to do an update as lots has changed - and I need to change the thread title!!!! :rotfl:

So, after being mortgage neutral earlier this year we decided to go ahead with our dream house purchase. We moved in in April and have spent some time and money doing the priority works required (some remedial building/electrics/plumbing works) really to get the house more energy efficient for winter (and mend a few leaks!)

So we moved from a 1980's 4 bed detached - dbl garage and tiny garden - on a small cul-de-sac to now owning a 1920's 6 bed, multi reception room, enormous garden and garage on a beautiful old street and backs onto golf course so its lovely and quiet and we absolutely love it.

So, where are we at with mortgage you may ask! - it's certainly eye watering at the moment - I can't actually own up to the total amount (haven't had a statement!!! though we are in the £400ks:eek: plus BTL on our other property at £140k:eek: ) our plan was to get the essential works done with the cash we had saved and then when our previous house sells we can pay off 10% per year and get other things done. So we just need to be very patient right now.

So we are trying to save/not spend as much as possible and though not overpaying this year - we will when our previous house sells and then I want to start chipping away at the elephant.

Loving reading everyones posts.....and I will try to do a new SoA - at least coming on here will keep me focussed

SLM

spendinglikemad

Try update from me:
Feeling yuck - had flu jab yesterday (at work so saved a few £!) so working at home today and cleared my diary to have a quiet day, always feel a little cold/fluey after the jab.
Managing the outgoings this month v closely i.e taking lunches to work (actually prefer!) but DS (16) decided he would spend loads yesterday (its his first sixth form year so the novelty of more freedom - so made it clear last night that he has a budget of spend - we load it onto the school system) and he can't go over it (bought him some bars to take to school if he is peckish.
Apart from that I need to do a solar reading and at least that will be some money into the bank as the Emergency Fund is low!

We really need to get our internal doors done so we can finish off the living room split and it has to be bespoke as the room is sooo big) so I am hoping we can get that done pre xmas

Other work to do is tree pruning (can wait till next year !) new bed I think is essential as both dh and I waking up with joint aches

Ah well - always something to spend the money on!

SLM