Freedom for the future

VDOT47

MM - sounds like you've made a great amount of progress in the past couple of months! Big overpayment in January and increasing pension contributions too is great work.

Mortgage_Minimiser

Hi Firegirl and VDOT47, thanks for popping by.

Some progress made. I've been looking at finances since OH moved out and I have taken over all bills. I can cover everything on my basic salary and just about afford a £501 OP each month.

G&E needs looking at - it's £120 / mth. :eek: Im sure that can come down.

Everything else is pretty low. Food and household can probably reduce now - I had been paying between 400-500 but with OH now feeding himself it can reduce, Just need to get organised. Have started proper meal planning and eating out of the freezer.

Pensions was my big thing. I have take my old work pension out og the ';Group' and changed it into a personal pension, meaning I can contribute to that if I want. At least it's under my control. I have also booked a meeting with an FA next Friday to review it all.

Opened N/Wide regular saver ~ 5%, but this is just to transfer from my Tesco Savings which recently expired so it only % at the moment. I need to find where to put the lump sum. There must be somewhere paying more than 0.55%

Have taken money out of the S/Save I was doing with OH, so need to decide what to do with that., Again only £900 as it hadn't been going for too long. Might put some into my 'Christmas' fund , so then that's sorted and the rest into EF.

Chilling today with LO. Meeting a friend in the park later....but really going to have some releaxed time today.

Have booked into a spa for a facial on Thursday (got voucher for Christmas) - making me time whilst LO is at a friend's for the afternoon.

Last thing to sort is what time ex-OH is going to spend with her these holidays, As always he has left it to me saying 'let me know what you need me to cover'. Nothing planned to do with her and saying he cant spend a lot on days out. He hasn't paid me anything this month and been living at his friend's rent free sinceJan.....my blood boils at times. Lots more I could rant about but I refuse to. Will hold my head high and try not to stress about it.

Wow that was meant to be a quick check in :rotfl:
Have a good Sunday everyone.!

MM
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VDOT47

There are plenty of easy-access savings accounts for the EF which pay around 1.5%. Not earth-shattering, but better than the 0.55% you mention above!

Mortgage_Minimiser

Thanks VDOT... I intend to spend a bit of time reviewing whilst LO is at extra show rehearsal this afternoon.... as well as jumping nto a work conf call....typical it all goes to pot. I can't even have 5 days off. Maybe I am just indespensible :rotfl:

I am also thinking of dipping my toe into S&S ISA. ANyone got any advice..? It's atad scary.

Mortgage_Minimiser

Well, I know it's half term, but it's really not been an MSE couple of days...admission time!

I had my head firmly in the sands and had ignored my Next account which stood at a shocking sum - so I swiftly paid that off! Feels good for that to have gone!

I have also just returned from the local spa where I had a facial and bought my cleanser / moisturisers again. I hadn't spent on myself in ages, so I used some of my personal savings - I've added 500 this month so I refuse to feel guilty. It can't all be no fun!

That will keep me going for a couple of months. Its not cheap, but I never buy for myself, so I have decided that this can be my 'personal treat'. I need to change the budget around to accommodate.

I think I am also going to stop using the CC. I only used to use it to get the T Clubcard points but they aren't as good these days. Probably better with a cashback card.... I think I will buy my breakdown recovery with the points I currently have. Seems like a good use of points. My warranty has run out, so this is me being sensible!

LO is at a friend's and I shall pick her up about 6, so now I need to decide what to make for dinner for 1....Oh and we need apple juice, so better pop out.

Pay day ned Thursday which will include a nice commission payment. When I can see my pay online I can decide what to do with it. It'll probably include getting my EF upto circa 10k, at which point I shall feel more comfortable. Let's see if that's doable!

Have a good eveing all!

MM
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greent

S&S ISA - have a good womble around Vanguard site. I have 2 with them, both started within the last 12 months. The lifestrategy funds are very popular and they do all the fund management for you

G&E - we pay (on a revised down amount after the Winter usage) £133/ mth on a 3 storey, 5 bed/ 4 reception detached house where I'm generally at home in day and we do between 8-12 loads of washing a week (depends if eldest 2 are home from uni) with a 'big name' supplier

Mortgage_Minimiser

Thanks for dropping by GreenT. Nice to have company.

I certainly agree that the G&E can be better. We (I) am out of contract next month so I have started to look at that. Seems we will have a chunk to come back, even though I reduced the DD at the beginning of Feb. Look forward to that.

I went to see an FA yesterday. I think it's worth double checking what I am doing with my pensions as well as I wanted to some guidance around investing and making provision for my daughter's future. I am happy with the cost to get expert advice on this.

Today will be dealing with the iron mountain in the utility room, and I want to do a nice long walk in the sunshine. Vitamin D much needed. Did a 6.2 mile walk on Tuesday and it was great (apart from the aching the following day :rotfl:

I also have a lot of homework from the FA to complete which I would like to do as I am back at work next week.
I finally opened another Savings Acct to put my money into - another with Tesco at 1.42%, easy access with unlimited withdrawals which means I can get at it when needed for the house jobs. Now jjust need to decide where to put my EF.


happy sunny Saturday!

MM
x

Mortgage_Minimiser

Last day of the week off before back to work and school tomorrow.

I think the weather's going to be lovely, but out day is arranged for us. LO has Stagecoach at 10 then a costume check for another show she is in. Shame we will miss the good weather.

We did go to the park and a long walk yesterday afternoon though.

Whilst she is at Stagecoach, I should really do some cleaning, but ive decided I am going to go for a long fast walk instead - might even dip my toe into C25K.... who knows? I do need ot start exercising!!!!

Cat's in the vet tomorrow for neutering, so that wont be cheap. Will need to steal that money from a pot somewhere.... at least it's pay day on Thursday! I have planned what I am doing with my extra (commission) this month, will update that once completed Thursday / Friday/

Today - at some point - I WILL update my signature! I also want to take a step back at what I have achieved.... need a boost as it feels like a long hard road ATM.

Have a lovely sunny Sunday!

MM
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Mortgage_Minimiser

Morning everyone.

Being kind to myself this morning with a lovely cup of tea in bed before the madness starts.

LO is playing in her room so I thought I should update.

I have now got a 0% CC and moved the Next balance across. No interest now being paid.

This month I got a lovely bonus from work, to recompense me for months of hard graft. So that money went to increasing my EF pot by over £5k so I now have 4 months worth of expenses. It's in a Tesco savings accounts @ 3% with unlimited withdrawals - should I need it. Hoping not.

I OP'd by £1500 this month as well - new balance is below. I'm excited to calculate my new daily interest tomorrow too! I am starting to feel better about how much the balance is going down. I have actually reduced the balance by over £58,700 since the mortgage started. The main OPs have been since 2017 so I'm quite pleased with that.

I also still have over £10k in my 'house fund', as I have a fair few things to finish of =f as part of the extension:
1. New side gate - I feel exposed atm. Currently reviewing options.
2. Wardrobes in 'new' bedroom which will be my room.
3. Rip out wardrobes in my current room which LO will be moving into and replace those
4. New bed for LO
5. Bar stools for kitchen

There's till lots of little jobs to do too, so will need to keep an eye on that fund!
I came second in an incentive at work recently so am due a payment for that too in April. Will be nice and help top up the pots... Feel better now I have a cash fund.

Saw a FA last week and need to complete the paperwork for that. He's helping me with future planning, but there's no commitment and I can leave at any time. Mainly I want to :
Ensure I'm making the most of all tax breaks.
Ensure my pension provision is adequate
Make provision for LO for future

Ex-OH has now officially got his own flat and moved in on Friday so that's it, all official. Still not told family / friends though.....

Today mainly consists of …..
Stagecoach at 10 (but only for an hour)
Will do the shopping quickly whilst she is there
Pick her up at 11 and whisk her to dress rehearsal for other dance sow 12 - 5 :eek:
Home, make tea, bed time and then work for me...… I must have been very bad in a past life. :rotfl:

Oh well, its not all bad. Spent the evening at a new Gin bar on Friday night - I have found a new love in my life :rotfl:
I have also booked a weekend at Centreparcs at the end of March. Not very MSE ut LO and I need quality time. At half term we were uninterrupted by work, dance rehearsals and stuff. It's half the price it usually is though due to how the holidays and Easter fall, so im not beating myself up. And it was already budgeted for in my holiday pot, so already paid off. Just spending money to find, but ther is certainly enough slack in the various pots.

I keep meaning to sit back and look at the progress I've made on smashing this mortgage but I don't seem to have 30 uninterrupted minutes… but I'm sure it's fabulous progress lol.

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!!! I had better get a wiggle on!

MM
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kaycastle

Hiya - your progress looks immense from your signature Well done! And you've done really well at debt clearing. On a roll!
And yay your workplace for giving you a well deserved bonus