Cottage Countdown

LeighofMar

OP of 90.00 brings balance down to 18,800.00. I am still running numbers to see in what increments to start paying towards the mortgage to get the balance down as much as possible and then lump sum pay at the end of the year whatever is left. But my brain hurts now so I'll take a break. 

The weather has been so nice that I have been able to sit outside and get some sun and tend to my plants a bit. That's always a treat for me. 

Healthwise I'm trying to recover and taking it day by day. It would be nice if my body would cooperate and give me a break. I'm still able to exercise in short bursts, even if it's from bed. Yes, truly no excuse. And that's been fun. I may be able to take short walks again hopefully soon and rebuild my strength. In the meantime, I can practice my singing and keep enjoying my house as chaotic as it is right now. 

LadyWithAPlan

Wow that mortgage is shrinking at a rapid rate! well done on all your focus.

Hope you recover soon

savingholmes

Well done on the OP. Hopefully your bathroom will be finished soon. Hope you recover your energy soon.

LeighofMar

Thanks, LadyWithAPlan and Savingholmes. I finally feel a bit human again. Can't rush recovery but I managed 15 min full body walking workout and 5 min abs today. DH came by to watch and catcall me and then went back to work 😒. 

Payday today. Sent the mortgage payment off. Balance 18,550.00. I had to pay 200.00 to the escrow shortage as well and will pay the last 200.00 end of May. I am still trying to figure out the best strategy for making big payments to the mortgage from savings. I'm favoring paying 8k to bring the balance down to an even 10k. That would leave me with 3k in accessible savings and 10k in I-bonds which I won't withdraw until end of year. I want to do this smartly as even with the lump sum payments, the mortgage payment is still due every month. I don't want to be in a position where I've used majority of savings and still having to pay every month. Decisions, decisions. I may break it up to 4k now and another 4k end of June. That may give me some room to keep adding to savings and still make progress.

All bills paid. Efund is at 5070.00. House fund is at 1415.00. General savings 6750.00. Retirement accounts added to today 530.00 each. If the Bear market ever recedes and we see growth again, I believe the accounts will be in better shape than ever. Right now it feels like throwing money into the void but steady investing is key, I know. 

Time to sit and enjoy the garden now. It's gorgeous outside and I'm ready for a little sun. 

savingholmes

You are so close to the end of the mortgage now. It must feel amazing!

LeighofMar

Yes, SH, it does feel surreal. I'm so close. And it looks like I've nailed down the plan. I paid up the escrow shortage and supposedly, my mortgage will go up now from 550.00 to 569.00. We just received a state taxpayer rebate of $500.00 that was unexpected but welcome. I will pay June's official mortgage payment with this and buy myself a month in advance for mortgage payments. Then I will pay at the end of June $3430.00 out of savings. At the end of September, hopefully another $4000.00 and that should bring me to just around low 11k/high 10k balance. The plan is lump sum the rest at the end of the year. So excited. 

savingholmes

Very exciting. Always lovely to get a refund to help pay it with too.

Tahlullah.H

Nearly here Leigh.  Fingers crossed everything goes to plan.

LeighofMar

Thanks, Tahlullah and SH. First step taken today. I prepaid June's mortgage payment early. Now I have at least bought myself until July. The next step is to pay $3400.00 at the end of June from savings and July's official mortgage payment out of wages as usual. I will see what I can OP at the end of May with my paycheck then. Scary but exciting at the same time and I am determined. 

Groceries ordered for delivery at $160.00. That's a nice break from my $250.00 budget. I'm sure DH will figure out how to spend some, but I will keep an eye on that as I want to keep as much of the savings as possible. We already have loads of chicken and pork chops and I'm not opposed to simple grilled cheese and tomato soup. I also have some flounder filets I could do up with a parmesan crust or something. Well, I say I could but DH is doing all the cooking while I'm unwell. That is so helpful. 

Tile is being laid on my bathroom floor. I can't wait. And the vanity arrived early yesterday. We painted the bathroom walls lemongrass and I can't wait to see how that looks with the black and white tile and burgundy tub. This is probably the boldest room I've done so far but I figure anything I don't like, I can always repaint. I am not a maximalist by any means nor do I like the same gray tones with B&W tiles that I see everywhere. I want some color and splash to it. It'll either be my vision of a muted, almost historical look or it will be completely tacky and garish and I'll have to rethink it. So far though, DH, who is a  typical man who likes neutral colors says he thinks it will work. I can't wait for the big reveal as he's locked me out until he's done.

Still trying to get some strength and energy back. I'm down to an alarming 110 lbs and still don't feel good enough to go to the ER for fluids. Ridiculous, I know. But I am staying hydrated. My body seems to be accepting a Paleo oatmeal that I found and my appetite isn't too bad for all the trauma it's going through presently. I figure they'll find out if there's something additional ailing me a week after I'm dead or I'll stabilize just enough so I can go get checked out. Either way, chronic illness is a beast. 

Off to find something safe to snack on. 

savingholmes

Sorry you're feeling so unwell. Do you need something like those steroid build up drink they give cancer patients? Would something like that help?