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Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!
Comments
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Its getting easier @savingholmes but I've had to pull myself up a bit as I'm so used to taking over."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga2 -
Well done. How are you getting on with making time for self car? A walk, art etc?Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £172.5K Equity 36.11%
2) £1.8K Net savings after CCs 13/9/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £26.8K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 32.6/£127.5K target 25.6% 13/9/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 54.5K or 42.7%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise)
(If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 13/9/252 -
Hi @savingholmes, thank you.
Well, it feels like I'm freeing up a bit of space for myself. I felt very relaxed today and the house felt a lot calmer too. I usually feel exhausted at the weekend, and overburdened with things to do. But, I had a lot more energy, so I decided to log onto work for the purpose of eating a frog that has been bothering me for a couple of months. It's been bugging me and you know when you have that worry in the back of your mind about a task even when you're at home. It was one of those jobs where you need time without distraction to get everything out, organise it and then deal with it. All done now - just a few bits to finalise in the week, but the huge frog has been eaten and I am at peace with it.
So, then I took myself out for a nice cold run - headphones on, music playing, meditating and enjoying being out in the fresh air. And I felt lighter and enjoyed it so much more because the big fat frog had gone!
So, tomorrow I need to do some study for a short business course I am doing, but first of all I am going to start my sewing project. Tracing paper has arrived, so for the first time ever I am going to trace a pattern and cut it out. I'm hoping to cut the fabric too and maybe even do some sewing. I'm really looking forward to that. I need to do some food shopping as well, but only a few bits for the week. The weekly delivery does the heavy lifting for me, so its a lot more enjoyable when you just have a few things to get. Then I'm pencilling in an hour or two for study.
I'm really looking forward to the coming weeks, I can see the glimmer of space for creativity and self-care."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga2 -
Sounds like you are finding more balance which is fab. You seem happier.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £172.5K Equity 36.11%
2) £1.8K Net savings after CCs 13/9/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £26.8K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 32.6/£127.5K target 25.6% 13/9/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 54.5K or 42.7%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise)
(If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 13/9/252 -
Thanks @savingholmes, I feel like I'm making progress - only baby steps but it still feels good. And time for me and what I want to do gives me a warm positive feeling - who knew!savingholmes said:Sounds like you are finding more balance which is fab. You seem happier.
So, the morning went slightly off course as DD needed some TLC. Definitely a priority. But shopping was completed, and then I settled in to start the sewing project. The tracing paper arrived mid-week, so for the first time ever I traced a pattern. Its actually really good fun and feels a bit arty - I know its only tracing and cutting, but I've now got 3 pattern pieces cut out ready to use. Slightly bad news is that 2metres of fabric isn't quite long enough to fit the pieces on - few inches short on each leg. I've just been considering what to do as I'm typing this - 1. is to make them up as long as possible and hope for the best. 2. is to use some cheaper fabric (e.g. old duvet cover or sheet) and have a test run. Instructions are included to add contrast fabric at the bottom if needed. I'm going to have a rummage to find some test fabric. I'm always in need of pyjama bottoms so they won't go to waste.
Just having a cuppa before moving onto the studying. Its been a really productive weekend so far."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga2 -
Sounds good if slightly disappointing that the fabric wasn't the length you needed. Is it worth biting the bullet and buying more fabric to get exactly what you originally planned or are you happy with your redesign?Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £172.5K Equity 36.11%
2) £1.8K Net savings after CCs 13/9/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £26.8K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 32.6/£127.5K target 25.6% 13/9/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 54.5K or 42.7%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise)
(If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 13/9/251 -
Hi @savingholmes, good thinking. The pattern states 2.4m of fabric which means its a good 40cm short, so it might be worth me getting new fabric and saving this for something else. I've a couple of old king-sized duvet covers no longer in use, so I think I'll make a test pair of PJs from one of them and gauge the results. It will be quite nice making a test pair as it will take some of the pressure off getting it right first time. I could then save my nice fabric for another project if the contrasting hem border wouldn't work."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga2 -
Hope DD is okDFW (08/08) £64,346.53 Gone (02/19)
MFW (08/08) £118k Gone (09/23)3 -
Thanks debtfree. The usual young adult struggles, am trying to be supportive but not interfering."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga3 -
So, the studying is done and I'm all set for the week ahead. Just reading on savings thread about not keeping clothes that don't fit - I'm definitely getting rid of mine next weekend or sooner if I can find the time. I'll be able to sell a few, and then donate the rest - I feel a bit lighter already."Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Sep'25 est. £208,500 £309,749 2020 (current ends 2038)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga2
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