bitbybit's road to freedom

powerspowers

Ah that’s brill on the bay sales bbb! Keep it up x

bit_by_bit

Thanks powerspowers. I will try. I want a lot gone before spring as I will be more interested in going outside by then.

bit_by_bit

So things are moving along nicely. 
I have realised I am NOT going to get rid of everything by spring, but that is ok.
I got my pension statement a few days ago and my retiring lumps sum is higher than I thought it was going to be.
I have also sent off my Sister's probate form. She died nearly two years ago now and it has took this lonf for me to sort it out. Sometimes it was my lack of energy or I had hit a wall and sometimes the forms or systems. Or just waiting....
I have come to an agreement with all relevent parties and will be legalising that in a document. I am happy to pay a solicitor for advice and to complete this.
At the end of April the mortgasge WILL be gone and I will be FREEEE and FIRE.
I will still continue saving like a mad thing no doubt but by the end of the year I want to focus my energies elsewhere. I can't imagine not being frugal still but I may relax a bit

beanielou

All sounding good then
Not long til retirement now!

FtbDreaming

Hello! I’ve just read your whole diary it’s a good little journey you've had! I’m a nurse too although a baby one in retirement terms lol! I’m 33 and pension age is 68 🤯 Although I hope to retire at least pre 60! 

You seem to have made a massive dent just with lots of smaller overpayments which is deffo food for thought. I’m pressuring myself to overpay lots in my head when I don’t have lots on reality! 

I’m already working part time whilst the kids are young, I plan on going full time in  the next year or 4 lol to smash the mortgage then back to part time. I’m deffo swinging more to Life on the work-life balance. 

I’d love to write a biography... I think my life has already been interesting upto now and I’ve faced a lot of adversity which would make an interesting (probably depressing) read lol but I wouldn’t like anybody else to read it. It would be more like a retrospective diary! 

Enjoy your last month or 2 in work and your pension starting! I’ll look forward to your updates xx

bit_by_bit

beanielou said:

All sounding good then
Not long til retirement now!

Thanks  beanilou. Trying  not to think about it too much. I feel like a rat leaving the sinking ship but my health must come first. Sad and excited all at the same time.

FtbDreaming said:

Hello! I’ve just read your whole diary it’s a good little journey you've had! I’m a nurse too although a baby one in retirement terms lol! I’m 33 and pension age is 68 🤯 Although I hope to retire at least pre 60! 

You seem to have made a massive dent just with lots of smaller overpayments which is deffo food for thought. I’m pressuring myself to overpay lots in my head when I don’t have lots on reality! 

I’m already working part time whilst the kids are young, I plan on going full time in  the next year or 4 lol to smash the mortgage then back to part time. I’m deffo swinging more to Life on the work-life balance. 

I’d love to write a biography... I think my life has already been interesting upto now and I’ve faced a lot of adversity which would make an interesting (probably depressing) read lol but I wouldn’t like anybody else to read it. It would be more like a retrospective diary!

Thanks Ftb. I started planning late really. If we ever get onto the subject I tell the younger colleages (or anyone who will listen) that the retiement date is only when you can claim your state pension. You can leave earlier if you have the resources. It does require work though and as an organisation with a high number of parents I feel it is hard to find the headspace to even think about it with just living. 
I have started writing my biog loads of times. Like you I have had an interesting life with lots of adversity. I just find myself boring..
This year I am thinking to set by a month to write it all. Doing a bit a day. Luckily I type fast.
I think you should write it anyway but just don't tell anyone until you feel you can. The bits I have done have helped me understand things better especially from childhood.

beanielou

As you say your health is important.
You have done your bit.

gallygirl

BYB don't feel guilty, you've more than s¡done your bit. Enjoy life now!!!!!!

FtbDreaming said:

You seem to have made a massive dent just with lots of smaller overpayments which is deffo food for thought. I’m pressuring myself to overpay lots in my head when I don’t have lots on reality!

I'm an old-timer on here now, retired at 53 six years ago. I have some BTL's which are basically my pension. I made regular monthly overpayments and also lots of little one-off ones. So if I got 10 pounds from a mystery shop I'd pay that off, right down to a 50p coupon off teabags. (It helped I could do on-line payments!). The mortgage statements landed with a thud on the mat every year! I can honestly say I got more pleasure from the tiny ones than I did from the regular automated ones and they really kept me focused! I was constantly looking to see when my mortgage free date was and how much extra I needed to find to knock a day or two off it. It all adds up in the end!

bit_by_bit

Oops, I haven't popped in this month to record my overpayment. it is only £184 as i am hanging on to cash for my brother. He will need some from this week until at least mid April.
 gallygirl said:

BYB don't feel guilty, you've more than s¡done your bit. Enjoy life now!!!!!!

FtbDreaming said:

You seem to have made a massive dent just with lots of smaller overpayments which is deffo food for thought. I’m pressuring myself to overpay lots in my head when I don’t have lots on reality!

I'm an old-timer on here now, retired at 53 six years ago. I have some BTL's which are basically my pension. I made regular monthly overpayments and also lots of little one-off ones. So if I got 10 pounds from a mystery shop I'd pay that off, right down to a 50p coupon off teabags. (It helped I could do on-line payments!). The mortgage statements landed with a thud on the mat every year! I can honestly say I got more pleasure from the tiny ones than I did from the regular automated ones and they really kept me focused! I was constantly looking to see when my mortgage free date was and how much extra I needed to find to knock a day or two off it. It all adds up in the end!

Hi  gallygirl. I was heavily influenced by Tillies Tidies years ago and realised then what a difference a small amount could make. I have taken advantage or n3arly all bank opening offers. I have just been had a voucher from Marks&Sparks for opening their current account and staying a year. I used to try and do what you did paying savings off the mortgage but when money was tight I didn't. It became stressful trying keep up so in the end I just saved it into a spare account and used it if needed or overpaid if I didn't. 
In two weeks time I will have a lump sum put in my account and I will ask for a final mortgage bill. It is huge amount less than it would have been had I not been visiting the MFW boards. 

bit_by_bit

Popping buy for an update. I haven't paid the morgage off yet but yesterday I retired and today the lump sum I get from my pension is in the bank. 
I have started helping my brother out again for the next month or so but now I am not worrying about it.
I will wait until after my mortgage payment has gone out on Monday and ask then for a full and final settlement amount.
This is so exciting. By the end of next month I will be free and financially secure.