Getting a mortgage and then becoming mortgage-free!

Kittenkirst

FOrgot to add in my earlier post- visited the orthodontist yesterday about the gap in my front teeth- chatted through the options; Invisalign, veneer on one tooth or standar braces and then a retainer for night time use afterwards.

We talked through all the pros and cons about it all and then they told me to have a good think about it. Chatting it through with the gf I think I'm going to opt for the white braces for £1800 all in and including the night retainer. I've therefore had a play with my accounts app and it looks as though I can afford it by really stripping back the regular savings contributions (it'll be £400 a month for four months and one payment of £200 if I start asap).

I really want to have it done as it is my teeth but going to mull it over again tonight.

wildesavings

That's a good plan - always sleep on a big decision like that. Does it really bother you? And will you still feel like you without a gap? My braces changed the look of my face completely - not just my teeth. I had an overbite and a dimple between my chin and bottom lip. After the braces they were gone and I looked so plain and boring.

No retainer and my teeth have gone back somewhat and I look like me again. I'm no stunner but I like my face

Also good luck with the contracting work. Sounds like it could be a great idea x

Kittenkirst

August round up


£810.80 standard mortgage payment
£212.52 OP incl.
£1023.32 paid

-£419.05 Interest charged
£604.27 total capital repaid

£570 total savings increase
£309 pension contribution

Surveys cash out; £41.42 (£29.42 prolific £12 Pinecone).

Kittenkirst

Wildesavings- I've decided to go for it with the white braces. The gap in my front teeth has only occurred in the last 1.5years hence being so concerned by it. I've juggled my savings contributions around until end of January and can cash flow it by not contributing the high levels I've been doing so far.

Emergency fund is at £4200 so nice and healthy but my plans will pause this growing to cover 6 months expenses until next year.
I'm comfortable that it's sizeable enough for the moment.

The contracting/consultancy is just an idea I'm exploring at the moment but I'm finding work incredibly unpleasant and a little soul destroying currently. It's been tough the past year & a half but I've kept myself motivated that it's paying the bills and the mortgage for our little family but more recently it feels so tough.

Will continue to explore the options and work out fully what I want to do, there's a big part of me that thinks I may as well try as it's better than standing still!

Managed a NSD today as took lunch and coffees to work- cheap simple dinner of spaghetti and pesto for tea tonight. Yummy and pretty frugal!

MichaelDH

Hey KK

Good on you for deciding on the braces. You really can't put a price on anything that might make you feel happier/better about yourself.

Well done on the OP's for August! x

Downshifterella

Sorry work is so tough at the moment KK.
I think sometimes just having some options on offer or as "backup" can be really helpful in feeling more in control of s difficult situation.
X

themadvix

What Downshifterella said. You'll work out what you want to do!

Kittenkirst

Thanks all, will continue to explore other avenues and try to focus on what I can do and the positives as much as I can.

Pinecone funds have credited so have requested to withdraw that. Went to orthodontist today for the photos and mouth moods etc- weird experience but the lady doing it is very lovely with wonderful teeth! Next orthodontist appt is in two weeks for the braces, and have booked a standard check up with my regular dentist for next week to check the overall health (orthodontist thinks they look okay with a quick exam but wants me to double check). So looks like lots of dental appointments for the next 6-9 months!

Took lunch in again today but bought myself (& a good colleague/friend) egg custard tarts at lunch to cheer me up! So 70p spent but it's not too bad- was very tempted to have a frothy coffee, can of pop and bar of chocolate to cheer myself up (I'm a total eater!)

Completely forgot to tel you about this weekend- friends from home invited me down south to the beach for their birthday on Saturday. I've not seen them in a while and really wanted to go but it's a very long drive. Managed to find a place to stay on airbnb for £40 so we've now taken Friday off to drive down in the morning with a view to chilling in Bournemouth in the afternoon/ evening and then being fresh faced for Saturday morning to see friends. One friend is bringing her two little boys and I can't wait to see them. As I've moved away from home I don't see them anywhere near as much as I would like to which is when I'm thankful for fb and Instagram as I still get to experience their growing up so proud of my friend and her little family

So looking forward to the weekend!!! We'll take a packed lunch for Friday lunch so we can just stop for a frothy coffee (on the Starbucks card of course so pre paid and discounted!) and then just a dinner to cover in the evening. Gf has never been there before so looking forward to showing her Bournemouth/Boscombe

Downshifterella

Ooooooo Love Bournemouth! It's gorgeous and good for the soul to be by the sea!
Enjoy-sounds a much needed break

With ya on the food /spending when things at work gets stressful well done on only buying the one/2 cakes!

wildesavings

Have fun xxx