Getting a mortgage and then becoming mortgage-free!

wildesavings

Kittenkirst wrote: »

All the cleaning got done and the house looks lovely :heartpuls:

Awake early as there was another cat fight outside this morning- both our boys were tucked up on the bed so ran to the windows when the kerfuffke started! Heard the neighbours cat being ushered inside by its dad so think it's all alright.

Bro visit going well so far, grabbed a takeout for us all from a place in town which bro & his gf loved followed by a dessert delivery place too. Perfect with my brothers anxiety as the takeout place is new & staff dead friendly so he could say hello and then wait outside. Dessert delivery meant he didn't have to deal with crowds of people etc so also good. :beer:
£60 spent for 4 which isnt too bad as is our dinner out (£15 a head really)

Bros gf wants to get some trainers today so going into town at 19.39am is the plan for when shops first open so there'll be hardly any crowds fingers crossed, then home for a BBQ.

Journey to pick him up and get back was looooong yesterday- usually 3-3.5hr return trip: 5 yesterday due to traffic and me then taking a wrong turn

Gf's trying to watch the fight and has placed a small bet on McGregor so hoping he wins ;P

OPs now at £209.52 thanks to a TT this morning and the Pinecone funds moved across now at £2005.92 since we got mortgage on 30th September so 11 months which I'm so pleased with as we've bought most of the house things now (flooring, tiles, furniture etc)

Equates to £182 per month OP on average where I was aiming for £75 as a base figure :

Gf wants to OP another £100 from her quarterly bonus I paid £100 in from my yearly: I'm pleased she wants to match my payment (:D) as shows she's into this overpaying too, but we're having a few issues with work so asked her to save it separately somewhere and when the work stuffs straighten out then OP it.

Am wanting to hit payout on Onepoll (3.65 to go!) and Yougov (11.5 to go so looking unlikely!) this year so will have to make up those funds if they don't cash out to hit the 2017 target.

Naughtily bought a new silversmithing tool: lady posted it in agriculture- unused and posted for £65. ive been lusting after one for two years but at £110 delivered it's been a pipe dream! It arrived yesterday and I can't wait for next weekend to get it out and have a play (it's this little beast: http://www.campbellmillertools.co.uk/dremel-4000-4-65-ez-multitool-65-accessories-230v-f0134000jr?gclid=CjwKCAjwuITNBRBFEiwA9N9YEIRnNZGBfXkn6J6FLjjgcRxPPq1mKaBPgCODkLUMudQFa6i8l9DedBoCwqYQAvD_BwE) :heartpuls:

Sounds like you're really focused.... I'm taking notes. Those small amounts add up fast it seems! Well done xxx

Downshifterella

Very focused kittenkirst
And great GF on board with OPing too! Hope work troubles sort themselves out soon!
Sounds like you got a good deal on dinner definitely cheaper than going out to eat I'd say! :beer:
X

MichaelDH

Hey KK

Glad you are having a great time with your brother and his girlfriend. Sounds like you've got yourself a bargain with your new toy too!

Hope the rest of your weekend is just as good! x

Kittenkirst

Another lovely day yesterday- took brother & his gf shopping into central Leicester. I think they were both shattered after but happy with their purchases (they saved up since last time they visited so they could get a few things this time).

Cheekily bought my brother a hoodie in the superdry sale that he really liked- he was going to get it, I offered but he was being proud. So naughty gf said we had a gift voucher to use up so we could use that (a naughty little white lie) but means his pennies can go on his groceries for the month.
He's on disability living allowance so really budgets very well, even though I'm his little sister I really want to help him where I can. Gf and I have been discussing helping him give his flat a bit of a spring clean as he's a bit of a hoarder- I've just got to work out how to sensitively broach the subject.

Made the BBQ yesterday- did a homemade coleslaw with carrots, onion and courgette that went down really well Cooked the Aldi lighter sausages, peri pork steaks and Cajun chicken and they were all delicious. Accompanied by corn on the cob and jacket spuds it was a pretty lush meal without breaking the bank!

Gf's extended family are having a picnic today but we're not able to attend with dropping the brother back home- so we've made a compote for them all to have using apples from the freezer (free!) blackberries from the freezer (free) and some frozen strawberries from gf's mums freezer. It's to go with a bit batch of rice pud gf's mum has made (which is divine!)

Also on the hob is some spuds for mash...to make homemade potato scones for my bros late breakfast as he loves Scottish food but doesn't get them much. Will do with eggs and bacon, mushrooms toast etc

He's still sleeping at the mo (effect of the strong meds he takes) so gf and I are pottering getting stuff ready for when they wake.

Pinecone survey completed this morning so fingers crossed for a cheeky extra £3 OP in August! If it creeps in it will be the fourth Pinecone payment his month so a little £12 booster for the mortgage

Kittenkirst

Pinecone money has cleared so it's been sent to the mortgage

Spendy day today as gf's nephews visit was cancelled as sister in law got dates wrong...so we went to try and make our spare room a little more homely. A few cushions, a lovely canvas in the sale and a light shade mean that it's looking gorgeous and welcoming now.

Kittens are being very cute at the moment, we both had a little afternoon siesta and I was woken by Hugo on my chest butting my face for cuddles- very very sweet! They also seem more than happy with the cheaper kitten dry food too which is a big bonus!

Potato scones yesterday went down a storm and there's some mix leftover so may have dinner tonight. Yum!

Off to read a few diaries and get inspired!

wildesavings

You are such a wonderful sister! My brother has MHI and his anxiety is off the scale some days. So I understand on that level too. Enjoy those kitten cuddles our giant ginger tom is so huge now he can't even sit on our laps without sliding off! Legs would go dead if he did - he's 5.5kg :eek:

Kittenkirst

Awww thanks Wildesavings! I probably irritate the life out of him sometimes and am a bit too interfering at times but he's my only sibling so I've gotta take care of him he's doing sooo well at the moment, he had a bit of a wobble in may time and went to get his meds upped a little. This is fantastic for him as he recognized the symptoms worsening and did something about it.

I had a reminder on fb 'memories' that it was seven years ago last week that he has his last breakdown- that was just horrific but he got through it and has kept himself well since. He works so hard at maintaining his wellbeing which I really admire!

themadvix

Sounds like everything is under control over here KK. Glad you had a good time with your brother and his GF Agree with Wildesavings, you sound like a really lovely sister!

MichaelDH

wildesavings wrote: »

You are such a wonderful sister!

You do sounds like a great sister Kittenkirst, looking after your brother and treating him. And it's really kind of you to want to help him declutter his home a bit. Do you think he would get on ok with ebaying a few items he no longer wants/needs? The prospect of earning a few pennies might make him more agreeable to letting go of some things.

Sound's like you've all had a great weekend

Kittenkirst

You're all very kind. Michael- he's a bit of an emotional hoarder (I think from years of us not having a lot as children!) so I don't think the lure of eBay would work as he would then think 'it's worth something' and keep it even if it serves no use/enjoyment etc.

Need to broach the subject gently as I want to get in there and give it a good clean without insulting him/hurting his pride....

In the office today and already feeling a bit sick at the thought. The good news is I have been actively looking at other jobs and have found one I think I will apply for as a practice run. I've worked at my current place over 11 years so am a bit out of practice with interviewing etc.

Last day of the month and no OPs planned- quite happy with the £212.52 as it's very tight at the moment, and next month will be more of the same

Picked up the kitchen tiles yesterday so will contact tiler at the weekend and see when he can come and fit them and that's another thing off the list. Annoyingly our new lamp shade from next doesn't fit our light fitting....will nip to b&q this weekend and see if there's something we can put on to stop the shade from just falling off!