22 Foxhole East

mark55man

How exciting but how daunting.

I know your DC are younger than mine, but I would think about how your wealth can help them - not necessarily bunging them anything now, but thinking about the future and putting some aside for their starter homes - I know renting is a way of getting started (and getting out from under) but at the moment its just outrageous and if you can help minimise their tenure that would be good for family f0xh0les

plus a proper holiday if you have time before school starts - they give that advice to lotto winners (allegedly) go away and think about it for a while, whilst being slightly pampered.  not sure what the deals are like at the moment or the flights but that sounds like it might be an idea

pay off the mortgage and fix the roof might also be good ideas - there is an argument about investing the money for better return than you're paying on the mortgage.  BUT this whole thread is about that freedom so go with it!! 

f0xh0les

The mortgage is going. The roof is being fixed and a double bedroom is going to have to be created out of a loft space probably above the bathroom. New bathroom (refit - not moving stuff around)  and shower room. New flooring throughout. Damp proof course and heating. Solar panels for energy and hot water. New radiators - there is not one radiator in our house that is the same size.  The old man  in the house before us was a central heating plumber and used whatever he got his hands on for free.  Some of the rooms are roasting, others are freezing,  then the kitchen needs sorting with possibly a side return extension.  

Scarily, after all that, there should still be a fair wodge of money left over..

There is no time for a holiday  @mark55man , I am working 6 days next week, finish on Saturday night, and school restarts on Wednesday.  DH is refusing to go anywhere anyway.  He has 4 conferences lined up just after the kids go back to school so he is busy writing papers for them.

I have promised the 2 smallest kids an 0culous each - a big present, but they missed out on a lot with me having to pander to s/g and them having to come with me - DS4 is going to be a teen this year, so not so small any more.

It also means DH will have a £7k a year pay rise with not having to pay the mortgage, so our savings will rocket as well. 

Plus we will save £20k in interest.

So all in all, really really positive, and we might even be a 3 adult earning household soon. 

Shame the economic outlook is looking so ropey at the minute, but I think solar panels may well help that out in the summer months at least. If the average household energy bill is going to be £4k+ then solar, a feed-in tarrif, and  battery storage is going to be the best way forward for us.

greent

But what about cake???

in_need_of_direction

I think your plans are really well thought out but I also think you should get something for you. It doesn’t have to be expensive but just something. Maybe some of the reasonably priced silver jewellery from the auction house.

f0xh0les

And cake!!  the problem is, that what I make is usually nicer than bought cake - buttercream can only go so far to hide an inferior cake and I find the prettiest  cakes are often the most disappointing.  Can't actually remember the last time I had a really good cake whilst out and about. 

Yes, I do need to do something for me, but that is not a normal occurrence.   Might get the rest of my ears pierced - not that I have more than the normal amount of ears - I  have 7 holes each on the lower half of my ears, but might go all the way up -  that would need a few more tiny silver hoops.  

Plus, the ultimate in  'just for you'    knicker shopping!!  and cake!!

I am back in the 12's  again now.  Not clothes size, sadly, but in stone weight.. and I will keep on going down next week as I usually hit my 10k step target around lunchtime, and meals can only involve a kettle - so cup soup and the occasional pot of n00dles + pieces of fruit.  Last time I lost 5lbs.  This time I have found a 'healthier'  pot meal of beetroot coloured noodles - purple food!! 50p a pot. sub 300 calories.  You can do anything for a short amount of time, and lovely DH will have a meal ready for me coming home at night.  So the girl has a plan!

In further s/g news - the documents were all back with the solicitor before 10am (take that! pah!!) so the house should sell on Monday and could have sold today.  

Rang the bank that has not closed her account yet- the solicitors have not sent their form back!! So sent the sols an email to tell them - in the spirit of being helpful and all that -  I am all about the helpful (honest guv).

Feeling more relaxed than I have for a while, which is great.  Big grin, and laundry drying on the line. and I am in the 12's

Happy Flippin Friday Folks!

greent

Whoop! Great news on the weight loss (and all the house stuff!)

apple_muncher

I readd that as ' big GIN'!!

f0xh0les

Bit early @apple_muncher, but if you're game, I'm in!

apple_muncher

Oops, slow reply. I was hunting down the cake!!!

f0xh0les

The cake is next to the gin @apple_muncher