Easter 2025 I’m coming to get you!

savingholmes · 20 December 2024 at 8:37AM

Well done on the tracker and on meeting your target.

ladysummerisle · 29 January at 8:36PM

Hope 2025 going well so far Hetty. The Help to Save account will mature before you know it and it’s great when the £600 hits your account!

Hettyhound · 10 February at 1:25PM

Hello everyone. Been making plans for 2025 which as ever are a constantly moveable feast! I have managed to pay off one credit card as the 0% deal was coming to an end. I did some extra work over the festive period and the money for that is due in February or March. I intend to up my EF to £750 and use the rest to overpay my mortgage. My interest rate has dropped which should put an extra £12 in my pocket each month. I have another 0% card which I want to clear by the end of the year. I have bought some camping stuff in the sales and have booked a couple of breaks in the summer. After looking at the mind boggling prices that were charged for a week away in the school holidays I came to the conclusion it was the way to go! The dog can come with us too and now I have a bigger car there is space and transport, although I think a roof box will be needed. I have signed up for the MFiT7 challenge with the target of clearing the mortgage completely by the end. I managed to achieve 72% of my target with the MFiT6 challenge so was satisfied with that in the end. I have cancelled my son's swimming lessons as I've come to the conclusion after 18 months of lessons it just isn't going to happen and he doesn't really enjoy it anymore either. We can go to the public swim sessions much cheaper and if we can't make a week then I don't have to pay for it. My son still sees the therapist and unfortunately (for my finances) this has gone back up to once a month. I had a meeting at school as he wasn't getting the support he is entitled to on his statement due to another child being moved into his class. The other child also has a need and the school were trying to spread the support too thinly. This then triggered increased stress and anxiety in my son. Hopefully this is all sorted now and he does seem happier. Its half term next week which will hammer the food budget. He never stops growing and therefore eating! We are going to see Hamilton next Wednesday as its doing a UK tour, this was part of my son's Christmas present. Managed to get the discounted train tickets so shouldn't be too expensive, fingers crossed. He loves a Meal Deal lunch (!) so that with some snacks and drinks should see us right. Work is a bit blah at the moment. My supervisor is on maternity leave and her cover isn't "my cup of tea". Still I just do the work, take the money and dream of my mortgage free existence. I've started running again to help with my health, both physical and mental. Always a challenge to get out of the door but I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy it; bit chilly at the moment though, roll on warmer weather please.

Jessy103 · 13 February at 9:21PM

Happy camping, hetty! Loving the new profile pic, they are such derps with their teefs! x

savingholmes · 17 February at 10:31PM

I too can't wait for the warmer weather!

Glad you were able to advocate for your son - frustrating it was needed.

Sorry about the work situation. Mortgage freedom is getting much closer for you.

Hettyhound · 29 March at 6:04PM

Sorry not been round much. Things are generally looking better. The maternity cover supervisor has obviously been spoken to as I think everyone on the team raised issues about the micro management as it has now thankfully stopped. Excellent news that the child who had moved into my son's class and was causing all the issues regarding TA access is leaving at Easter to be home schooled. I'm still running (!); I did a "short" run of 3 km this morning and was wondering at what point did 3 km become a short run! I do enjoy it though and I definitely feel better for it. I managed to pay a reasonable chunk off the mortgage in March so my balance is now £20,435. I should drop below the 20 mark in April and I can really see the interest payment reducing (it was £88 in March). Just chipping away at it and trying to balance some savings and paying off debts at the same time; its always a juggle in my house. Off to the doctors on Monday as I have a (non hurting) swelling in my right armpit, just hope I don't have to argue to get it investigated properly. I had breast cancer on the same side 10 years ago and although I don't think its anything to do with that (clear mammogram in Feb this year) it needs checking out. I can feel a hard lymph node (had 3 removed when I had the surgery 10 years ago) but I'm not sure if the radiotherapy affects them over the years. I tell you what though it really concentrates your mind on getting the mortgage paid off and getting that dream house of mine when my boy finishes education.

South_coast · 29 March at 7:50PM

I hope the Dr doesn't find anything 🩷 I definitely agree that anything that ever happens in my life just makes me even more determined to be MF (tick!) and early-retired

Jessy103 · 30 March at 8:40PM

Great work on the mortgage Hetty and echoing SC in that I hope all goes well with the doctor x

greent · 31 March at 5:48AM

Hope the appointment results in an all clear x

Hettyhound · 31 March at 2:42PM

Been to the doctors. Booked into the one stop clinic at the hospital on Friday 11th April. Organised for my boy to go and stay overnight with my best friend so he'll be none the wiser. Went for a run at lunchtime to clear my head and now trying to work but there's a cuppa and a bit of Mothers Day chocolate with my name on it so heading to the kitchen!