Project Mortgage Neutral Begins

redofromstart

Have a lovely break. So exciting to be that close to
mortgage feeedom

ajmoney

Got back from holiday yesterday and currently working my way through the washing although luckily I don't have too much.

I have 3 days off until I am back at work. I don't want to waste the days but want to be frugal at the same time so going to put my mind to it this morning. The first week back is going to be quite hectic with not much time to do anything so I need to prioritise anything that needs sorting for the end of next week so I don't need to panic.

I have a maximum amount of money that I would like to spend until I get paid next week. I expect to need to fuel my car once so it gives me an amount to work with. If I manage it I will have some more money to put away towards mortgage neutral next year.

ajmoney

I tackled a relatively easy job on my to do list this afternoon and popped out for a free cup of tea.

Unfortunately I think I may need to get a new sports watch as mine is behaving very strangely. I am about to head out for a run and need to take my phone instead. I normally prefer to leave it at home so this will be strange. It will mean I can't save as much of the left over money next week but at least I am not going to be using my savings! I have done some research and will look to buy tomorrow.

ajmoney

Back to work tomorrow. I have had a productive afternoon and evening putting things away that had become ornaments, isn't it funny that things like that don't ever take long to do?! There is only one of the jobs I had decided to do that I haven't completed, that should be done before I go to bed.

I don't know how bust the next 5 days are going to be but I have a flexible list I would like to achieve if possible.

I ordered a new watch yesterday and have been food shopping today. Other than food at work and filling the car with fuel once, I am hoping I don't need to spend any more money in July so I can send some more across to savings once I get paid.

ajmoney

I am really happy with how things have ended financially at the end of July. I bought myself a new sports watch, went on holiday, saved £950 at the beginning of the month and had £349.09 left in my account at the end. I have transferred £100 to my ISA, £149.09 to my holiday savings pot and will put £100 in premium bonds when I get home from work.

I began the month £9092.33 away from mortgage neutral and today it is at £7658.21, I am aiming to hit this in June/July this year so I am on target. The figure doesn't include a regular savings account that will mature at the end of December. I will also dip into it for decoration and home improvement costs over the year but I still think my goal is achievable.

A pay rise might be heading my way too...

ajmoney

It has been a week since I got back to work and I am exhausted after some very long days. I have had a couple of naps this afternoon to try and recharge my batteries a little.

I have someone coming o clean my oven and cooker hood tomorrow, maybe a luxury but it makes things easier for me and he might be able to help me find out why my cooker hood doesn't work too. I also have people coming to put the anti-condensation paint in the back bedroom and install the ventilation unit. I found the energy to empty the room before I had a nap, I just need to take up the underlay and vacuum the floor.

Before the end of the day my aim is to tidy up so I can start ticking some of my jobs off through the week. I am only working evenings now so I want to use the day for the jobs while also making sure I don't exhaust myself.

ajmoney

First trade who is dealing with the mould/anti-condensation treatment turned up bang on 8am. The guy fitting the ventilation system arrived at 8.30. There may be a problem with fitting this if there is artex in my ceiling...hopefully not but I feel this should have been picked up when the guy came to do the survey! At this rate they might both be out of the house before the guy turns up to clean my cooker.

I got a puncture in one of my car tyres on the way home from work on Saturday night. I dropped the car off at the garage yesterday and am waiting for them to call me back to pick it up at some point today. I purchased tyre insurance for my front tyres when I got them changed last year, the garage says it covers this so hopefully that will be no cost.

ajmoney

I have had to organise someone to come out and do an asbetos survey, it is cheaper for me to arrange than the company I am using for the other works. This survey will be done on Thursday afternoon and I have been told I should have the results by early next week. Once these are back, if everything is clear the electrician will be booked back in. The original surveyor came round this morning to have a look himself and apologised. He doesn't believe there is any asbestos but after a concern has been raised it has to be checked. Hopefully it won't be too much of a setback and the ventilation system can be put in very soon.

As always I am being pretty cautious, I don't know when I should move on getting the plastering done and starting decorating. I don't know how long it will be to know if the work currently being done will make a difference.

ajmoney

I am off for a run/walk with a couple of friends in an hour. My colleagues and I are doing various different fundraising challenges for another colleague, it will be nice to have company today as it is sometimes hard to stay motivated on my own.

It means I don't have a huge amount of time to do other things around work today. I was going to go straight to work afterwards but have decided that is far too early and would result in me eating rubbish food. I am going to head back here for a shower, a cooked late lunch and will attempt to do 15 minutes of weeding seeing as my garden bin goes out tomorrow. It will still give me plenty of time when I get into work to tick some jobs off there.

I hope to utilise my time a bit better tomorrow!

ajmoney

Nearly 2 weeks since my last post, I have been reading other people's threads but had no time for updates on my own. I feel like I haven't had very much time for anything but prioritised coming home rather than saying at friend's house tonight and am really glad I did. I had a relaxing shower, have lounged in pj's and felt more relaxed that I have since I was on holiday a month ago.

I have a week left at this pace with work and a bit longer than that on a couple of charity challenges. I have a couple of slightly clearer days so am going to try and do a few small things while making sure I have some relaxation time. The asbestos survey is taking place tomorrow, it was booked in for 10 days ago but I was called to help with a sensitive work situation so had to postpone it. A friend has some recommendations for some trades people he trusts so I am going to try and get those tomorrow and organise some quotes so I can get moving on some of the house work/decoration once I have the ventilation unit in and can see the effect.