New Empty Nest Mum starts battle of mortgage ...

shopaholicnumber1

Woohoo! My first OP went out with the mortgage payment today! I have never been so excited to see a bill go up by £100 as I am right now! This financial control thing has motivated me in other ways too - hoovered downstairs and cleaned the fridge doors and kitchen sink before work too! Must keep this up :-)

longway2go

Congratulations!!!! I feel it only fair to warn you it gets addictive.

shopaholicnumber1

Morning MFW's! Another productive morning - cleaned en-suite and put dry washing away before work - also cleaned fridge after work last night. I've read on other diaries how taking control of your finances makes you take control of other areas of your life and it certainly does! I fear I'll be a bit of a control freak (with a very clean house) by Christmas

In money news not a lot to report:

Payday was Wednesday so most dd's have now gone out making it look a little woeful for the rest of the month. NSD yesterday though, and on Wednesday (except some craft materials for work which I'll claim back next month so not sure if that counts?). Should be another NSD today as have no plans except to put my feet up with a glass of vino Planning a quietish weekend so fingers crossed that = not spendy too!

Am loving this new found frugality and the diary really helps keep me motivated - early days but hope it continues. Happy Friday folks!:beer:

longway2go

Glad you have had a productive day. I do agree in relation yo organisation impacting other areas. I follow the organised mum method.... Roughly but it definitely helps.

Whiterose23

So impressed at your positivity - particularly with the children off to uni and an empty nest. I'm kind of dreading it if I'm honest (but trying to be grown up about it)! My two will be off over next couple of years,

You're very motivated re paying off the mortgage, which is fantastic (I managed six months of similar last year before the car broke down spectacularly and my emergency fund took a big hit). I'm now building up my emergency fund again before I return to trying to clear the mortgage.

How will this affect your lifestyle if you don't mind me asking ... it would be good to have some lifestyle tips if you have any. I want to start up some new hobbies to fill the time but everything costs money, which I don't want to spend! 😂

shopaholicnumber1

Hi Whiterose

It's probably a bit early to offer sage and wise advice as I've just officially had my first weekend with nobody to consider except myself (and the dog ...)! I was absolutely dreading it too - I had a little wobble in the middle of last week, but I have to admit I did quite enjoy the feeling of total freedom this weekend! I'm fortunate in that I do enjoy my own company though and am happy to just potter about

I already enjoy cross-stitching so imagine I will do a lot more of that, I find it really relaxing and perfect for a rainy, horrible weekend like we've just had. Once I've eaten all the lasagne that seems to be filling my freezer I plan to spend a day batch cooking probably once a month or so, and maybe another day baking or something which will keep me busy too. My family all live a good 3 hour drive away so I can't really "pop" round but do hope to see them more than I've been able to (mum's taxi to weekend jobs and the like has kept me shackled!).

I do know from my DD (now a third year) that they really don't seem to be away for long. A month at Christmas, another month at Easter and back by early June until late September - so it's all very manageable

Just try not to worry - at the end of the day, when they fly off to university or their own home it just means we have done a good job :A

Whiterose23

Your situation is so like my own; I'm four hours away from family, but to be honest, they probably wouldn't be much help. I spend all my time taxiing to weekend jobs, then spend all week at my full time job. Life is so busy and I think it will be lovely to have some space and a tidy home but still will be difficult, particularly as my social life is virtually zero due to lack of finances and being busy with the offspring for the last 12 years.


Great to read such an inspiring story though - I'll be keeping up with your progress :-)

shopaholicnumber1

Scarily similar Whiterose! Zero social life here too! You kind of get used to it though don't you?

shopaholicnumber1

Happy new week folks! What awful weather all weekend

Right, spending update time ...

Saturday was a NSD :j

Sunday I needed a couple of bits from the supermarket (toiletries, veg, fruit, bread etc). I was determined to get hold of some ys items ... but the whole section practically had cobwebs on it it was so empty! Did manage a couple of little things but not exactly huge bargains :-( Guess it's back to all the tons of lasagne in the freezer! Still, only £29.17 spent which for me is excellent!

I have to pick up the cat's prescription food from the vet after work today. It's £28 but does last about 10 weeks so works out cheaper than sm catfood week for week. Poor old thing :-(

It's a quiet time of the month pennies wise as most of my direct debits go out straight after payday which was last week, so it's just day to day spends to keep track of. Will need petrol (again) this week after 2 big trips over the past couple of weekends and I am having my hair cut next weekend so the budget will take a bit of a hit this week - but at least I now have a budget!

More updates soon peeps - have a lovely day!

Whiterose23

It certainly does ... the few times I make a plan I wish I hadn't as I'm usually wrapped up with some hobby or another, or too tired to bother! :-)


Just read your post re hairdresser; depending on how you have your hair there are some good tutorials online; I think I've saved a small fortune over the last few years cutting my own hair/fringe! (And nobody seems to notice or assumes I've been to the hairdressers ... or they're too polite to say!) :-)