Discount Duck’s Quest For Mortgage Freedom

riotlady

DiscountDuck said:

Hi @riotlady it’s so great to meet someone in the same position! It’s tough but we will both get there with the masters, it’s going to be such an accomplishment and if we can get this far we can definitely finish the job. I wish you the very best with yours and if I have any resources or anything useful to you, please give me a shout. I have some lovely referencing guides etc. Do you have a diary I can bookmark?

I sling all the ebay out of season bargains in black bags, labelled by kid and season, in my wardrobe and then pull them out at the right time of year. It’s like a lovely surprise when the bag comes out because I’ve usually forgotten a lot of what’s in there! Happy bargain hunting.

Thanks! Same here I'm currently trying to save up for a wedding + eventual mortgage https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6175973/ready-for-the-next-stage/p1?new=1

Genius! My partner's not going to be happy when I start filling our overstuffed cupboard under the stairs with more bin bags though xD

DiscountDuck

Well it might be midnight, and have nearly killed me, but I’ve finally got a literature review section for my dissertation. It’s as well written as I can manage, well referenced, and I’m proud of it. Let’s just hope my tutor is pleased with it on Wednesday when we meet again on zoom. 

Uncle is now happily settled in his flat and has taken almost all of his stuff back out of my garage, which is lovely. I don’t begrudge him the space for a second, but it’s nice to have a floor in there again and not have to climb around like a mountain goat to get things out. 

I took the kids to mum’s beach hut today, we had a great time on the beach and mum came too via FaceTime. The internet is a wonderful thing. We took a picnic lunch to save money but did have a treat of fish and chips on the prom for tea, because those are the things that make memories right?! Our silly enormous German Shepherd had a fab time and is thoroughly exhausted and even my hyper son went straight to sleep when we got home. It turns out that digging and running almost non stop for seven hours is what’s enough to make him tired. 😂

DiscountDuck

Just watched the PM’s announcement. I don’t know if us having to shield last time or him requiring practically no one to shield this time is worse. It’s all just very depressing.

Going to cheer myself up by making some hand beaded Christmas decorations for stocking fillers for family. I’ve got a lovely design for angel baubles and plenty of beads and thread. It’ll keep my hands off snacks. This lockdown stone I’ve gained is going nowhere though, I need to do more sessions on the kids’ wii fit. Or as my little lad calls it “the wii fat”. 😂

Hazelnutty

Excellent news on the dissertation, DD, and glad to hear you've got a supportive new supervisor

Suffolk_lass

DiscountDuck said:

Just watched the PM’s announcement. I don’t know if us having to shield last time or him requiring practically no one to shield this time is worse. It’s all just very depressing.

Going to cheer myself up by making some hand beaded Christmas decorations for stocking fillers for family. I’ve got a lovely design for angel baubles and plenty of beads and thread. It’ll keep my hands off snacks. This lockdown stone I’ve gained is going nowhere though, I need to do more sessions on the kids’ wii fit. Or as my little lad calls it “the wii fat”. 😂

I'm going to get going on some crystal tree decorations using an old chandelier - they look lovely with the Christmas lights shining through them. The chandeliers were gifted to me - very unfashionable and a good re-purposing of the crystals I think

DiscountDuck

Ooh @Suffolk_lass that sounds lovely! Please post some pictures when they’re done? I love recycled crafts. I like to make key tassels for old cabinets and book cases using vintage beads and old waxed button thread so they look age appropriate for the furniture. Once this homework is out of the way I hope to spend more time crafting again. 

DiscountDuck

My topcashback is building up nicely ready for when I can overpay the mortgage in January. Some days eb*y pays 1% and some days they pay 3% but it all adds up. I love being able to bargain shop second hand and kinder to the environment but still get cash back! 

I’ve also picked up some lovely cut glass lidded bowls in the charity shop ready to put home made candles in for Christmas stocking fillers. The Christmas cupboard is looking healthy now, I’ve got my spreadsheet ready to make sure I don’t double buy or leave anyone out. 

I hope with all the overpaying I might be mortgage free by 45. Getting closer to the dream a day at a time. 

DiscountDuck

Today I went on Eb*y and got new, unworn, kids school shoes in the next size up for them both at an absolute bargain. So many people bought new school uniform then had it grown out of and unused it’s seriously cheap at the moment. I’m going a year up and picking up M&S trousers etc at 50p a pair plus p&p. They can stay on the rail at the ‘Big Stuff’ end and as things get too small the other end of the rail I’ll remove them and send them to the charity shop. Also unworn swimming costumes etc in next summer’s size is saving me a bomb next year when I’ll hopefully have enough money to overpay the mortgage a bit more. 

DD has decided she’s vegetarian and DS has also decided to cut down on meat for environmental reasons, so meal planning has become increasingly important. I’m paranoid DD will become anaemic but it’s hard getting iron in without pulses or leafy greens in bigger quantities than I think she will eat. DS eats everything in vast quantities, it’s all just rocket fuel for hyper boy.  I’m sure I saw an iron fish which goes in the cooking pan at The Eden Project which I’m thinking of looking up and giving a go. I’m worried it’ll damage my pans as I don’t know anyone who’s got one to know if it’ll hurt the stainless steel. Uncle was delighted when I filled his freezer with all the meat we now won’t eat so at least someone is glad about it. 😂

Suffolk_lass

That all sounds great. I will post a pic when I get round to resuming with the crystals. Have you tried making soaps? your cut glass bowls made me think of them as an alternative to candles (I made some using silicon patty tins, so guest sized) - worked out at 12-16p each, with rather a lot of essential oils

DiscountDuck

Ooh I’ve got some melt and pour soap from yet another charity shop unused craft set but haven’t given it a go yet. Soaps would make lovely xmas presents. I’ll add them to our home made list of goodies! What a lovely idea, Suffolk Lass. Thanks 😊