Endorphins make you happy...and so does paying off the mortgage

Mrs_Money_Penny

Good luck look like it's finally happening.

It's so expensive moving but you can't wait. It will make the last few months worth it once you get the keys.

Jelllibeanz

Wishing you well on your journey. Love the thread title and am looking forward to finding out more.

iamsalt

It's happened!!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon we picked up the keys for our new home. In the morning most of our furniture was moved to our temporary home, and we were over the moon to be able to get started after so long. We first viewed the house at the beginning of February, so we have been waiting for ages.

We managed to move all of mum's garden stuff to her plot back from the friendly farmer who let us store it there. It took 5 van loads! I think she will have to think through whether she needs 3 table and chair sets, as well as her 2 benches!

I had a lovely late afternoon while my OH went out pottering in the new garden, starting to clear some of the many weeds and brambles . I found it really calming after the last few weeks. A robin spent time on the pump while I was there, chatting away, it really reminded me of the secret garden, which is one of my favourite books.

The other excitement today was that OH and I recieved our first piece of joint post at the new place. It was our confirmation of our mortgage payment. It's lower until we do the essential works as some money has been retained, but the first month is a funny payment due to the time of the month we completed. I thought we could try paying the "normal" payment before we get the additional funds, as this will help start the overpayments! So my plan is to make the additional payment from December.

I also want to crack through my credit card, as that has taken a battering with removal costs.

iamsalt

Thanks Jelllibeanz.

iamsalt

First ever mortgage payment went from my account last week. I definitely need to add - sign up to online banking for the mortgage, as I would like to see the impact of the over payments I make.

We have managed to do quite a lot of the labour intensive boring jobs ourselves so far, like taking cupboards out and removing plasterboard. We want to save the money for the jobs we can't do ourselves which we need builders and specialist trades for, like electrics, roof etc.

We have removed 2 large trees from the garden, a tree surgeon dropped them and we have been cutting them into logs and stacking them to dry as that will be a money saver in the long run. Some wood has gone to a person who is a Wood carver and turner so they can make beautiful things.

Silence101

DIY really can save a lot! We were quoted £2500 to do the flooring in our house, and between finding deals online and Mr S spending every evening putting the flooring down we managed to do it just under £1000, so labour would have cost us the same again (if not more).
And again, we needed curtains and I had a look online, most were at least £25 (for the cheaper ones) but I had enough leftover fabric to make some myself, so we saved a bit more there.
I can’t remember where I read it, but someone said they looked on YouTube for the trickier things (like fixing a washing machine) and manage to do a lot themselves while following the videos.
Good luck!

iamsalt

Thanks for popping by Silence, that's a big saving! I have been trying to build up a list of what we can do ourselves, but some of it is confidence that we could do it, and taking our time to get a good finish.

Curtains are definitely on the list to do, we have 19 Windows of all sizes and shapes, I can sew reasonably well and went on a course at my local sewing shop as I want to make sure I line them and get it right.

I have been taking copious numbers of measurements and keep them with me so if I see a bargain I can snap it up. We have managed to get a couple of bargains on eebayyy - tiles for the floor of the bathroom ( and some to spare) for £1.20, and 2 almost new posh ovens for £100.