Working the numbers 2019 style

mark55man

so the GYM frog went down easily - I was eating another frog (getting my steps up) and my random walk into town this morning took me past the leisure centre so I popped in and cancelled. best news is as it was just before the monthly cut off I don't need to pay again and can still go for the rest of the month (although probably won't).

So that's £27 per month - I may join a monthly one when it gets to winter, but as I mainly use the treadmill until then I shall enjoy the outdoors + if I'm feeling brave can muck about with DS1 barbell and kettle bells for a bit of variety

mark55man

Been busy with excel. Assuming that nothing major changes within work or family, then on our current trajectory I should be able to get the balance of the car loan and the credit cards paid off by the end of next year, and then if we keep on fingers on the pulse (and on the frugal button) we should be able to start overpaying the mortgage (or at least aiming to be mortgage neutral - ie having non-pension savings/investments equivalent to the mortgage balance.

So roughly that would be one credit card this year, and the other + the loan by 2020, and then the mortgage by end 2024 or a couple of years earlier than my current fix ends. I don't know why I haven't done the sums in quite this way before. Its basically a snowball moment rather than a lightbulb moment

If the kids start paying rent / paying back more on car or support loans / not costing quite so much at UNI / ... etc, then we could maybe even do a bit earlier. When this diary ends (the title kind of limits it to this year) I might set up a 50 month challenge sort of thread for those with stamina and good taste :-)

mark55man

total steps 17100 (yay) starting with a 7km walk round town this morning
not a NSD - needed some supper and ice creams from Mr T but a LSD

sorted through more DVD's and CDs and now have everything sorted, everything that is scratched or damaged just binned. tried all the musicmagpie. ziffit and really wasn't worth it, so will just see if the charity shop will take them or maybe do a car boot - there is a regular one and will try in 2 weeks time (busy next Sunday)

I mowed the lawns front and back and that was hot work, but didn't have time to do the other chores (its a bit overgrown) - but did clear some foilage - always so much to do

DD2 has got a viewing tomorrow of a nice flat by the seaside so expecting to go down next Saturday to help her move in if its good - just a 2 bed flat so hopefully all the paperwork will go quickly

although that was a great weekend, I'm looking forward to it being over - have a good week everyone

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Your 2020 and 2024 targets sound brilliant!
My mortgage is due to be paid off in 2040 :eek: although will hopefully knock a few years off of that! :rotfl:

doingitanyway

You get tons more steps in when you achieve the target early in the day I notice. Well done on yesterday's step count.

Good L/T targets too.

mark55man

2040 will come soon enough. Although I will be in my late seventies !!!

Thanks DIA I think an early start is the way forward - but easier with a weekend to be flexible enough.

5300 steps
Nearly a NSD. Apart from a charity donation that earned me a cake. I don’t count that!! However Filled up with petrol even though that’s mainly for work

I am trying very hard to be frugal with my driving and the last two tankfuls have been over 500 miles rather than 450. Just by doing 5 mph less than the speed limit. So adding not very much to the time travel. I make that about £8 per week

mark55man

Steps 4600
Packed lunch but not NSD needed some pesto for cheap pasta and pesto meal

Good day at work - know what I’m doing until the end of the year which is unusual and lots is at my nearest office with some from home. Which is good for my green agenda

Hope everyone is having a good week and will catch up tomorrow

mark55man

5300 steps
Not a veggie day
Not a NSD despite packed lunch. Went out to celebrate friends birthday and had a couple of drinks on me

Quiet house today - DS1 and GF are camping out for a weekend festival.
DD2 has a new job and signed for a new flat for next year at uni. Am having to guarantee her rent, so spent the evening filling in forms and reading contract. She does like to be self sufficient and I applaud that, but it's the norm these days for everyone to cover themselves 3 ways up

mark55man

6100 steps today
Not veggie
Paid for alcohol as DS2 felt well enough to go out which is unusual.

Free lunch at work unexpectedly but luckily as had not bought packed lunch.

More shenanigans with the letting agency DD2 is going through Goodness me it’s a bureaucratic nightmare

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Renting always looks such a hassle, whether student digs or long term. There are a couple of mums from school I know rent and they hate it; one got given 2 months notice of eviction last week and there's nowhere local she can afford. A lot of agencies now want massive deposits and proof of income way above what you'd expect to have to prove. Where we live, renting a 3 bed house is £1500pm, painful