Climbing the Mortgage Mountain step by step

savingholmes

I hope you feel better soon. 

Well done on reducing your energy use.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Payday today so I have updated my signature. 

Disappointing to see that my savings total has dropped, I have certainly taken my eye off of the ball lately, need to sort that out so I have taken a look at my budgets and will be directing money in different directions for a couple of months in the New Year to clear some debts that have crept up and therefore free up money in the longer term to put into savings/overpayments, with rates as they are I certainly don't want to be paying interest on debts whilst saving money elsewhere, it makes no sense at all!  Some is interest free so I will leave that to run for now.

My budget for the New Year is looking a bit tight but doable, I need to pay for everything in cash so that it 'hurts' a bit more than using a card and therefore purchases are more considered.  I am allowing myself £50 per month (£10pw ish) for personal spends, clothes toiletries etc, I have plenty of everything but have lost my way a bit this year and have bought loads of stuff which I really regret now, I need to go Cold Turkey but know that if I can't buy anything I'm more likely to go mad and buy loads, my mentality is when money looks tight stock up on things as you might not be able to buy them later on?  Crazy I know, but I have always had this stockpiling outlook, think it comes from my grandmother, it has stood me in good stead at times, through job losses and sickness the family were always fed and clothed BUT there is a lot of money sat there that could be in my bank account.  I am a lot better than I was, the food cupboards aren't so bulging but I could also do a lot better!

A friend of mine is a paramedic and also training to microsuction ears, they checked my ears for me (no charge) as I mentioned my tinnitus and vertigo, no earwax to cause the issues so they have suggested I try the exercises that Fortune mentioned before I go to the GP.

Foodwise we had jacket potatoes on Monday with tuna, sweetcorn and red onion, cooked the potatoes from frozen in the air fryer and the skins were lovely and crispy.  Last night I was struggling for inspiration so I cooked off some sliced chicken breast with onions, garlic, courgette, aubergine and sundried tomatoes and baked that in the oven mixed with gnocchi and an aribiatta pasta sauce, there was some left to freeze.  I think I will do a spag bol tonight, we have everything for that in our stocks and it will use up some of the frozen burgers.

Have a great day

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Sorry I have been MIA, its been a manic couple of weeks at work, refurbishing a property and moving people in to a very tight deadline.

We finally put the tree up yesterday, with the obligatory Snowball!  I made a really big Shepherds Pie last night which will do us again tonight.  Saturday we had wraps with marinated chicken etc in and on Friday we had Lidl Pizzas as we needed something quick and easy before we went to a friend's Leaving Do (they are off to Australia).

I'm so not ready for Christmas, have no motivation or inspiration at the moment, not sure why, I'm more excited for our holiday, 19 days and counting!

Have a good day.

MvTMM

savingholmes

I also have a tendency to over-buy at inconvenient times... I think I just like a tangible EF.

I am enjoying the Xmas lights but not too fussed on most of the other Xmas obligations. Looking forward to Xmas dinner with family but looking forward to time off the most too.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Well Christmas has been and gone and I am back in the office today.  We had a lovely relaxed time, ate and drank too much.  I have also been suffering with an ear infection since late on Christmas Day, so slept most of Boxing Day, luckily I had some ear drops in the cupboard so caught it quickly and it seems to be improving, I really don't want ear trouble for our flight on Saturday!
Everyone was pleased with their presents, I even reduced DH to tears with one of his as it related to a story he had told me about his dear late mum.

I've had some Christmas and birthday money so treated myself to a large black leather Paul C0stell0 shopper bag reduced from £195 to £40 and some F1y boots that I have wanted for ages (especially as my cheap black chelsea boots have fallen apart), I couldn't justify £120 but managed to get an ex-display pair for £60 and there is nothing at all wrong with them.  These were both things I needed and that are going to last me a long while, but now I am on my budget of £50pm to cover all personal spends, clothes toiletries etc.

DH and I are off on our Christmas/Birthday holiday on Saturday, I cannot wait as work has been an absolute nightmare for the last few weeks, hence my lack of posts!  I am organised with paperwork/currency/insurance etc but have not started packing yet, that is tonight's job.  I know I have everything I need but a bit worried about DH clothes situation, he isn't in work this week so he may have to make a trip to Big Town to get some shorts etc.  DD is staying at home and will look after the dog which has saved us kennel fees.

We have been finding spots of black mould in the house, which we haven't had before so I have altered the heating to be on slightly longer and at a slightly higher temperature, I suppose its all about striking a balance between costs and health but we are lucky to be in a position where we have a little wiggle room, I really feel for those who genuinely have no way of covering their costs.

Have a good day all.

MvTMM

Chrystal

Hope you have a fabulous holiday.  XXX

South_coast

Wow, that's a fabulous result on the bag and boots - well done 👍! Hope your ear continues to improve and you have a great time on your break

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

@Chrystal and @South_coast, thank you for the good wishes, my ear is improving slowly I'm going to get some more ear drops to take with me, I really am in need of this holiday, work is so full on and very mentally and emotionally draining.  Started packing our cases last night, DH found some shorts he had forgotten about and with the t-shirts etc I bought him for Christmas he thinks he has enough.

Have a great day

MvTMM

savingholmes

Great bargains. Enjoy your holiday. 

On the black mould - would damp stop paint help?

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

savingholmes said:

On the black mould - would damp stop paint help?

We've used mould and mildew spray for now, will see what it is like when we get back from our holiday but it is definitely something we will consider.

MvTMM