Cottage Countdown

LeighofMar

Thanks, DebtFree and SH. I'm trying. Mail just passed and no client check again. Ugh. I am so done and annoyed. DH has been mulling the idea of studying for his general contracting license. He already has his electrical license. A GC license would be wonderful if we went into our dream career path of restoring old houses for resale. So it's probably time to go ahead and do it as we don't want to depend only on one or two clients and if their business starts getting shakey, where would that leave us? I think as soon as the investment property sells, hopefully soon, we will go ahead and start preparing to make this happen. 

Finished my cardio workout today. DH is doing a small project and is almost done, so a takeout lunch is in order to keep the local small businesses going. And I need to find a project to do for my front garden for this weekend to keep my mind off business matters and to keep beautifying the front. Have a lovely weekend all.

Ellie78

Just caught up on your diary.   Well done on getting into the 30s!

savingholmes

Enjoy your garden. Diversifying sounds like a good call.

LeighofMar

$71.40 sent today to bring the balance to $38,200.00. With next week's paycheck, we should be done with the 38k bracket forever. Yay! Work checks are still coming in slowly. He's at least 2 weeks behind, but as long as I can make payroll, that's how I can OP my mortgage. Sigh. It just brings it home even more that if we didn't have the mortgage, we could deal with the delayed checks because we don't have a mortgage to pay and can concentrate on other ventures. Oh well. Our real estate partner has a client coming to look at the investment property next week. We'll see how he likes it.

I've been gardening something fierce as my sweet Southern elderly neighbor loves to give me flowers from her garden. She's so cute and just brings them over. So I've been digging and planting and mulching in the sun. But it's worth it as my garden is coming alive more and more every day. 

My hands are aching now from the gardening and then transcription today, which is my small side hustle. So I think it's time to rest them for the rest of the afternoon, put my feet up, and try to find out what's going on in the world today, although I'm sure I'll end up turning it off in a few seconds if it's still crazy. 

savingholmes

How nice to have a neighbour sharing plants. The garden can be such a joy - especially at the moment.

LeighofMar

Payday today. September mortgage payment sent. Do not technically need to pay until October, but we will keep going. I think I like the 3-month buffer with all that's going on. E-fund, house fund, and general savings accounts all topped up. The new mortgage balance is $37,997.20. I told you I would break into the 37K bracket even if it was a dollar or two  And with this payment, we have officially paid off all of year 2032 on our amortization schedule. If I can hit my goal of paying of 5 years worth of mortgage principle in 1 year, I will be on target to have it all paid off in 3.5 years when I'm 45 and DH is 60. So exciting. 

On the business side, retirement accounts contributed to. We did receive the back check we were waiting for from our client...and it was returned nonsufficient funds. Needless to say, we both hit the roof and told him, look, if he's broke, then let us know but don't keep stringing us along while we are still trying to negotiate contracts for him and take care of his billing. But business is slowly starting to pick up with crews needed out of town, so if he gets back on track, we're back on track too. Also on the investment property, a buyer is interested and looking into financing. So that would be a huge relief to have an infusion of cash back in the business, especially as a 2nd wave {or more just a spike in the 1st wave} looks like it's hitting all around us as people here are just determined to wish away COVID and not take precautions. 

As it was payday, I treated myself to the garden center to pick up some switchgrass, Obedient Plants, a trellis, and a planter. $85.00 later,  I still don't know how I want to arrange them or how to design the bed they will be in. I guess my weekend is spoken for. DH is still happily working in the trailer painting and doing odds and ends. I joke with him that by the time he's done, it'll be too cute to travel in and actually use. But with lockdown, it doesn't look like we'll be traveling anyway, so I'm happy for him to take his time. Hope everyone is still safe and healthy over there and enjoying your weekend. 

savingholmes

Irritating with the client. Hope the buyer for your development property comes through. Well done on the mortgage OPs.

Pocket_poor

Mortgage free at 45 will be a brilliant achievement. 

Moneyfordreams

it all sounds really positive

BravingSaving

Just read your diary and caught up - you've done so well! It must feel amazing 🙂
I hope you get your client sorted  I find it so frustrating when people can't just be honest at least then you know what you're dealing with. 
Your trips sound amazing ❤
I've been chuckling as well my friend gave us some cress seeds which did brilliantly until we had a really hot couple of days and they've burnt to a crisp 🤦‍♀️😂 I'm definitely not green fingered!