Mortgage free ASAP

bubblycrazy

I've just renewed my car insurance. The quote was £50 less than last year, fab. However, I remembered I have 3 points I need to add (my first in 20 years of driving though!), so I had to give them a call. After much faff and negotiation I've renewed for £5 less than last year 

I’ve been thinking about what I can do to set my son up for the future, using money from his grandad.
Current thinking is £3000 in a S&S ISA and the yearly max of £2880 in a junior SIPP. 

bubblycrazy

I've opened a Junior SIPP, linked to my Fidelity account, but haven't put any money in yet until the money from dad's estate is all sorted.
I received the funds from his premium bonds the other day, so that needs divvying out to a few people in his will before being divided between my brother and I. 
I've just received post today from NS&I and it's 4 cheques totalling £325. Dad's bonds won just 2 days before they were closed. I think the most he might've won previously was £200. 

Can I have more than one S&S ISA with Fidelity? Thinking of opening one up for my son in my name as I think he might already have one in his own name with his dad. 

bubblycrazy

Stuck £2880 in my son's JSIPP with the plan of leaving it until his retirement without adding extra, whenever his retirement may be!

Developments on the job front: the chance of voluntary redundancy came up at work and I've been offered it and I'm taking it!
I'll finish at the end of June. Scary but I'd rather jump ship than be pushed, plus everyone I work with is taking it and I don't want to be left in the carnage that will follow!

Going to use the financial cushion to take my time and try out a few different avenues. Nervous but exciting times ahead!

South_coast

Ooh, definitely exciting - good luck! I like the thought of breathing space to consider a career change - though when I was made redundant a few years ago, I ended up doing the exact same job for a different company 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️!

bubblycrazy

Thanks SC. 
I've signed up for a painting and decorating course which starts in a couple of weeks so that will hopefully be a useful skill for the future.

We should be completing on my dad's house soon so it's been all hands on deck moving furniture and packing up boxes. Good job I have a spare room to store stuff to sort through later at a slower pace. 

bubblycrazy

I had my last shift at work on Friday so I'm now officially unemployed!

My dad's house sale finally completed the Friday before, after a 2 month delay.
The money has now been divided between my brother and I so I should be in the position to pay off my mortgage very soon!

I'm doing well sorting through boxes of stuff, but still have a long way to go. The whole house needs sorting. 

I'm feeling very lazy at the moment but should look at it as taking time to myself.

beanielou

Lovely news on the mortgage.

bubblycrazy

Thanks Beanie.
I've booked a home declutterer to come to mine for a day as part of my birthday present so that should help with some house momentum.

I've just had my severance pay through. Need to figure out what to do with the money. I keep getting calls from my relationship manager at Lloyds! Not sure whether talking to them would be beneficial or they would just be trying to sell me stuff.

beanielou

Trying to sell you their products no doubt. Worth a chat as you don’t have to take their product. 

bubblycrazy

I've maxed out my cash ISA for the year (minus what goes into my S&S ISA). 
Might just stick the rest in premium bonds.
Did a bank transfer with Nationwide so hopefully I'll get £200. Also opened a monthly saver with Lloyds.

I had family round for my birthday which helped me to start cleaning the house. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going. 

I start my new job on Friday. Just a 3 month contract working 2 days a week but will bring in enough money so I don't need to use my savings each month.