Marginal Gains

Cornish_mum

2024 Goals 

Mortgage
Continue with the standard payment- goal to be at £130k by the end of the year.

Pension
CM AVC at 25% (to reflect the decrease in our standard contribution and drop in NI).
MrCM AVC at 38% (as above).

ISA S&S
Continue with £250/ month each.

Cash Savings 
Stop adding to them and start house renovations from income and savings as needed. 2024 is the year to really work on the house. First goal replace garage in Q1, second goal double glaze remaining windows.

Fun
Summer UK holiday at a new location (New Forest/Dorset). Aiming to do this at low cost.
Winter trip to Portugal with the extended family.
Weekend in London/Edinburgh to see a few key sights and museums with DS and DD.
Night away with BFF.
Night away with SILs.
Family west end show trip. 
We might skip the Panto this year because of the Portugal trip (find out dates from MIL).
DS birthday treat (I suspect he will want to visit the Boardgame centre in Nottingham again)
DD birthday party (MrCM is very not keen but I am all for another home party!)

Go on more than two dates with MrCM.

Health 
Lose 8kg

House
Replace garage.
Double glaze remaining windows.
Declutter consistently.

savingholmes

Some great achievements over the last four years. I love reading round ups. Good luck with your future goals. Glad your FI dream is coming together too. Happy and prosperous new year to you. Lovely to read your contract was renewed.

Cornish_mum

I just wanted to make a final post on this diary.

We reached mortgage neutrality a month or so ago and just in the nick of time, as I have recently been diagnosed with a sudden and aggressive stage 3 (possibly 4) cancer. 

We don’t know what the future will bring but I am so relieved to know whatever happens we will have a paid off home. Thank you MSE and everyone on this board. 

To anyone thinking about whether a mortgage overpayment is worth it… yes it totally is. 

CM

South_coast

Oh my, CM. What a dreadful shock for you all. I'm so pleased that you've managed to achieve mortgage-neutrality and that it's bringing you some peace of mind. Wishing you all the very best, and thinking of you xxx

savingholmes

Sorry to hear about the cancer. That must have been a huge shock for you all. Well done on the mortgage neutrality. Glad that is bringing some peace of mind. Hope that the medics find a solution. Wishing you all the best 💖.

Fortune_Smiles

I'm sorry to hear you news CM.  Sending all positive thoughts and wishes for your recovery.

Fortune x

maggiem

Very sorry to read your news. I’m glad you have peace of mind with the mortgage neutrality. Be lovely to hear from you if you feel able or want to do so. 

becky170

I'm so sorry to hear your news CM. I'm thinking about you and your family xx

Cornish_mum

Many thanks for your kind messages.

Happily I am currently stage 3 and have started treatment, which is going well so far. My local hospital has been brilliant and so many people have shown us kindness, it’s been very overwhelming. MrCM and the little CMs are coping well, with all the changes.

I remain very grateful that I got our financial situation under control, as it’s been a real help to have our EF and the mortgage neutral pot. 

I hope everyone is well.

CM 

savingholmes

So pleased that you are in treatment and its going well. 

Hope you manage to make lots of special memories in the upcoming holidays too.