SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

Sistergold

Hello ladies. 

Already end of first month! How time flies! The declutter journey carried on of cause but how about storage? I am going through a phase where I am wondering how far I need to declutter. I am so conscious of not bringing in more stuff such that on the past few occasions I have been to America I deliberately don’t buy much cloths. When I do buy some I get rid of some in my wardrobe so as to keep stuff down. I will be going to America in a few days and in as much as I will try not to shop I have also been thinking that I should review my storage space .

Since I bought this house I have been gradually increasing storage but I feel I need to now go through another round of building more storage. Last summer was not quite productive due to travel and wet weather but I am trying to be more focused this year. Last weekend we had mild temperature of 12 deg so I managed to progress the bed frame a bit. I am hoping this weekend I can work on the bed frame a bit more but I doubt I can finish. I need to order some more metal for it so that’s more money needed. After the bed frame I need to work on the seats which will have a bit of storage. 

Before the end of this summer the plan is to build a wardrobe for my room as the built ins I have don’t seem to be enough. After the next round of storage creation I will now start another round of declutter and see if that will be a good
balance of storage vs stuff. I want to minimise but I don’t wish to be a minimalist. All I want is everything in its place but not too much stuff. 🤔

How do you feel about your stuff?. Do you feel it’s too much stuff, not enough storage or both? I need to find my happy medium . 

LadyWithAPlan

Glad you managing to have fun and a trip away.. I  have had a mad month so not much decluttering but I do feel I have way too much stuff, especially if I buy a home soon - the thought of moving unwanted things ..

I think we all have a tendency to collect certain items - for mw its clothes and shoes

The building of the bed frame etc sounds amazing - I am missing my diy classes so much

Watty1

I managed to end the month on 32/31 on my decluttering. I have an odd way of doing the tally but it works for me but it seems to make so little dent in things, I just remind myself everything I have in the bedroom I would now keep and in the bathrooms it is all stuff I will use up before buying more.

My long term aim is to downsize so I really do have to do this!

Sistergold

@LadyWithAPlan, it’s definitely not good to move with unnecessary items. With the way you have been on this decluttering journey I think you would only have what you live to take to your next flat. 

@Watty1, mmmmm downsizing, now that’s a big/good reason to focus on decluttering otherwise it will be too too stressful when the time comes. 32/31, that’s a good result! 

Sistergold

Yesterday I managed to do a few hours of diy but the effort was not evident by the end of the day which was a bit disappointing. Not evident in that I worked hard on making the components that I will need to use to finish off the bed frame. So made some fixing plates for the castor wheels, made some metal fixings to screw on the boards. I am hoping since all little elements are almost complete I can now weld it all in this morning and start painting. Still hoping to finish the frame before tomorrow so as to get rid of the new mattress which has been in my bedroom. If not Tuesday I will travel and come back to it! I just want a decongested bedroom when I come back! 🤞 I also want to start on a new project when I return! I have circled this mountain long enough! Will see 💪🏾

Sistergold

Evening laddies. Today was a day of more diy. Managed to progress the bed frame and I was convinced I was going to complete the project today, but again could not 😥, honestly how difficult can a bed frame be? I managed to weld on quite a bit of the fixings, probably more than half of them. Tomorrow I have a dentist and hygienist appointment. Also hope to get my hands and feet done ready for Tuesday. So I am off work tomorrow but have quite a few appointments away from the house. Also have an open day as my daughter is looking into sixth form places. Will see if I can do even a little bit of diy so that when I come back from my holidays I won’t have too much to do. Even if I finished welding tomorrow there is the painting to be done so? 🤦🏽‍♀️ at this point it will be done when it gets done. 

LadyWithAPlan

Sistergold said:

Yesterday I managed to do a few hours of diy but the effort was not evident by the end of the day which was a bit disappointing. Not evident in that I worked hard on making the components that I will need to use to finish off the bed frame. So made some fixing plates for the castor wheels, made some metal fixings to screw on the boards. I am hoping since all little elements are almost complete I can now weld it all in this morning and start painting. Still hoping to finish the frame before tomorrow so as to get rid of the new mattress which has been in my bedroom. If not Tuesday I will travel and come back to it! I just want a decongested bedroom when I come back! 🤞 I also want to start on a new project when I return! I have circled this mountain long enough! Will see 💪🏾

You are an ICON for welding Not found a  welding course and have no real outdoor space so I will wait but I am a little in awe and jealous of you wielding that heat!
Is is not difficult to be accurate - can you see properly??

On declutter - on some bits I have done well however clothes, shoes, handbags have NOT been tackled as I hate getting rid of them unless they fallen apart ... However I do have probably over 25 pairs shoes at least   I could put on vinted and not miss... 
My study is somehow a bit  untidy agan but its things i keep meaning to sell ... and never get around to it.

Friday1989

Hi everyone! Great to see the progress everyone is making with home improvements, decluttering and overpaying the mortgage. 

I'm still chipping away at it. I'm now overpaying just shy of £350/month (not quite because I'm paying a round number to help me keep track of my spending more easily). I decided to have a look at where I would be if I hadn't been overpaying. The balance would be £173,570 but it's actually £154,369. That's an overpayment of £19,200 in four years and has knocked about 2.5 years off the mortgage term! I can't quite believe I've paid off over 50k and now own over half my flat. Seeing the numbers is very motivating. 

If I overpay at the current rate I should be at £143,050 when I remortgage next year which will beat my goal 🥳 If I've got a bit of cash I will try get it to £140,000. 

As ever, I'm spending lots on gigs but I'm being thrifty in other areas of life so I'm telling myself that compensates for it 😂 I'm hoping to do a cheap holiday with a friend in June/July so need to get planning that. 

Sistergold

@LadyWithAPlan, re- welding you have to use the welding gear to protect hands and eyes. Especially eyes need protection from the light which will cause damage. It is a “hot” hobby. 

Sistergold

@Friday1989, OP over £19k in 4years is really impressive, knocking off 2.5years off the mortgage, great staff!