Designing my new life

designingalife

1st instalment paid credit card now sits at £560 😀

savingholmes

Wow it's all change for you. Fantastic progress. Hope house sales goes through okay.

designingalife

Thanks @savingholmes fingers crossed, yes a lot happening it is good though as it keeps my motivation high 

designingalife

So up with the lark this morning and pleased to say credit card is now paid off Zero balance , have paid the extra 177 pounds to the car so overall debt balance now sits at 1999.99 for the car loan 😂😂 how sad am I although seeing it with a one in front is a mental boost.

After this initial flurry of payday activity won’t be much for a while as any spare this month is being set aside for some potential dental bills, hopefully won’t be required but need to account for it.

I promise I did not get up this early just to pay the credit card if I am on my way to work, on a run of 12 x 12hr shifts in 18 days and this is number 10. Only Saturday and Sunday to go then I get a week off to recover, unfortunately a Uni coursework deadline to meet by Friday 😩

This particular run has been challenging. Looking forward to a change of pace.

savingholmes

Well done on the payment to clear your CC and OP to car loan. It's the little things that motivate us. Keep going. 

designingalife

Hi folks

Been a little while since I last updated. So long story short we moved out of our old house a couple of months back and have been living with relatives in the meantime. We move into the new house in 2 weeks time. I am technically mortgage free 🤣

With regards to debt repayment good news is car loan has 764 pounds remaining so 2 more payments plus a modest overpayment will see it done. It is 3 years old with 4 years to run on the warranty so will be keeping it at least that long.

No mortgage currently but plenty of moving costs and storage costs to swallow up the savings.Due to a bit of a mix up over the order of things I have had to pay some money up front that I did not expect to but will get it back once we complete so credit card is at 2k currently which is a shame as it was a slog to clear it but hopefully in 2 weeks time this will be zero with a surplus in savings.

The moving process has been quite stressful as has not having a place to call our own but it has had the following clear benefits

1. Financial - 285 less mortgage and about 125 on fuel per month

2. Decluttering- Even though we don't have excess stuff it has been amazing what we have been able to jettison and have committed to scrutinise everything again when we unpack

3. Gratitude - Not having our own space has  made me appreciate the smaller things we take for granted but also have family  who will give up their space to support us I am truly blessed.

I returned to work today after 2 weeks off to find a colleague who I had seen on my last shift in had passed away suddenly. Only in their 50s and planned to retire in a few months and had it all planned  😢 has served to remind  me tomorrow is not promised so enjoy  the present moment and all life's small pleasures and gifts.

Take care and stay safe folks

savingholmes

Glad you will be mortgage and debt free within a few weeks. I wish you lots of happiness in your new home. On the friend passing, my condolences.

designingalife

Thanks @savingholmes it is making me take stock and review some of my thought process, tomorrow isn’t promised.

Just to clarify I will be debt free in a few weeks but will have a mortgage of 115k down from 157 but many years from mortgage freedom, I am mortgage free just now as I’m “between” houses 😂😂😂 should be debt free in 2 weeks though.

savingholmes

Ah I see. Nevertheless - a good reduction. 

designingalife

It’s been a minute…… been 4 years since I was last on here. A lot has changed, many ups and downs. Main points

i am now mortgage free and debt free.

Whilst it is good news it has not been all plain sailing.

In late 2023 i was off work for a number of months due to work conditions. I returned but I’m early 2024 I was diagnosed with severe depression (work related) I took some more time off and during a welfare meeting I was told I was being made redundant. 

I had paid into my work pension scheme for 37 years so decided to take my pension and redundancy and call it a day.

i have been officially retired for 3 months.

it is a situation I had long dreamed of and worked towards but the circumstances of its
coming to pass and the abrupt end of a 37 year career with the same organisation has taken its toll and I am struggling to adjust mentally.

Anyway I will try to diarise here my journey to adjusting to my new situation in the hope it my help someone else.