Project Mortgage Neutral Begins

ajmoney

I didn't end up starting the job this morning as ex asked if I would like to walk to a new cafe as they are making bread for takeaway while we are in tier 4.  It was a beautiful morning so I was glad of the walk even if I was slipping about at times on the ice.  It sounds treacherous out there now so I should probably put the bins out sooner rather than later.

I started on the wardrobes once I'd eaten after swimming, it ended up taking two hours to go through all my clothes including the summer stuff in the spare room and my holiday suitcase.  The charity shop are getting some lovely clothes, I could probably get some money for some of them but I am not motivated enough.  I was very ruthless and while it is sad looking at some of the things I am giving away they didn't fit or weren't worn regularly, I have only kept one thing that is slightly on the snug side but still fits.  If it isn't worn this summer I will get rid.  I now need to look and decide what I would like to have that isn't there, I don't really like shopping online but that might be the only option for now.

Tomorrow's job is a lot easier although given the conditions outside it might be tough to do anything in the garden so I will see how it goes.

savingholmes

Good goals. Great to have some exercise and company too. Giving to charity is worthwhile - not all of our charitable giving needs to be money.

ajmoney

I certainly feel like I am going through a period of enlightenment at the moment.  I woke rather early this morning and decided to get up at 6, make a cup of tea and read my book under a blanket on the sofa.  I read some things that actually made me quite emotional, kind of like I am finding a way but yet nothing has changed other than potentially my mindset.  I am going to put the main things down here for a reminder to me although I have also started my journal today and they are on the first page to remind me too.

"The you of the future is no different from the person you are now.  Don't let dreams, goals and aspirations define who you are today.  HAPPINESS STARTS HERE, NOT THERE", I have put this in capitals in my journal too.  I do believe in signs, some of the events I have taken part in like my only ever half marathon are often things I had no intention of doing but saw something and my gut told me it was something I needed to do.  I turned the radio on after reading and sitting in slience for a bit and the first song that came on was Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

I guess this goes back to a post I wrote a few weeks ago when I started reading all these books where I mentioned living in the moment and wondering how you do it.  I am still not sure and I know I will never stop planning and making goals but I just need to make sure I am not forfeiting what I am doing now for something in the future.  It is something that is often discussed on the MFW journey but I really am going to try and apply it to my life.  Yes I want to be mortgage free but actually for me it is to make my life easier at a given point plus while I haven't completely worked out my values yet I know something that is incredibly important to me is being financially stable and to live my life otherwise would be uncomfortable.

I have been wondering, what can I do today to make myself happy, I have no clue so am still going down the lines of what can I do today to make my life easier.  The daily jobs I came up with yesterday are helping with this, what else...I haven't got a clue.  I guess it is a work in progress.  And I realise this is incredibly heavy for first thing in the morning but in absence of having anyone to discuss these things with I wanted to put it down here.

In money kind of news, I have £19.50 left unallocated in my bank and need to go and get some staples to get me through until Sunday's main food shop.  I need to make sure on my meal plan as I have kind of been winging it from the freezer but I don't think I need too much.  I still have just under £200 left from that mortgage refund, it is earmarked for me but I haven't done anything with it.  I have a list (see still making lists) of things I would like so I am going to go down it pricing things up and see if I can make a start on getting them. 

ajmoney

Meal plan is a cheat but not at the same time.  I am going to eat from the freezer, not very celebratory meals for the new year but hey.  I think I just need milk, fruit and veg so an easy shop on the way back from swimming.

I have done my quick jobs in the garden and also picked up the last of the apples that were on the floor.  I am tempted to do more but sitting having a cup of tea and giving myself a bit of time instead. 

savingholmes

Glad a light bulb has gone off. You work so hard at keeping everything just so. Need to have fun along the way too

ajmoney

savingholmes said:

Glad a light bulb has gone off. You work so hard at keeping everything just so. Need to have fun along the way too

My holidays are normally my fun, researching and planning them and then the actual holiday but the virus has put paid to that a little. 

ajmoney

Spreadsheet set up for 2021 to track my mortgage interest.  Tomorrow I will total the savings goals for 2020 and see what the starting figures are for my 2021 goals.

I found out yesterday our return to work date has been delayed from the 6th to the 18th so today's job of sorting the cupboard in my spare room will probably extend to getting the room organised so I can work from home in there this time rather than from my living room.  I will be popping in next week to try and find out about funding for a course I want to study for and if they can support me for an exam centre, as soon as I get the information back on that I will apply for the course.  I plan to study in my spare room too although it will be interesting to see if that sticks or if I end up at the dining table.

No firm plan to swim today, we were waiting to see what the weather was doing as it was very cold yesterday.  I will wait to hear from my swim buddies.

ajmoney

The cupboard in the spare room has been sorted out and I have quite a few things to go in the loft when I put the decorations back up there at the end of the weekend.  I have also rearranged a couple of things in the room to make the desk usable for studying.  Once the charity shops open again I will be able to take the bags out of there.

We are swimming at 2pm so time for a leisurely lunch and I might even sort out the boot of my car before I leave.  I seem to be accumulating a lot of stuff "just in case" for swimming but it is getting a little crazy.

I hope everyone has a good new year however you are choosing to spend it.  I don't really celebrate it, I used to enjoy seeing the new year in on holiday. 

savingholmes

Great progress. Enjoy your swim. 

ajmoney

It looks like a hill walk won't be an option as it is still icy but as it is a beautiful day out I will go for a beach walk in a little while. 
I have completed my money shuffle, signed off last year's 6 month money challenges and set the ones for 2021.
My money goals for 2021:
1. Reduce mortgage from £88720.41 to £80k to achieve MFiT-T5 goal.
2. Aim for 6 months in easily accessible emergency fund
3. Build overall savings to £37.5k.

My own goal ideas for 2021
1. Start studying for GCSE Psychology
2. Keswick to Barrow walk for charity (if covid allows)
3. Walk the Great Glen Way (if covid allows)
4. Complete 1000 mile tri challenge and also aim to walk 1000 miles on top of this
My personal focus for this year is to use it to focus on supporting my mind and body and continue to be authentic.