Climbing the Mortgage Mountain step by step

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Morning All

Happy Monday!

We've had a lovely family weekend.  DD came home as DGD was dancing at the light switch on in town on Friday night and we went for a drink afterwards.  We put up the decorations on Saturday and whilst in the loft had a bit of a sort out.  Saturday night DD and I went to see Wicked and met with friends for a drink afterwards.  Yesterday I popped and saw my parents and then went to DS's to see them all again after dropping DD back to the train.

DD and I have booked our trip to Rome for her 21st, 3 nights and because of how the flights fall we will have almost 5 whole days there, can't wait.  We are both going to make a list of what we want to do/see and then try and pre-book some of the busiest sights.

It was payday on Friday so I have updated my signature.  I paid an additional £174 off of the mortgage to get into the £105k bracket and round up my overpayments to a round £5k.  My loan has gone into the £13ks.

I have done some more Christmas shopping and found a few gifts when we were sorting out the loft so almost there now, got some online orders arriving this week, can start wrapping then.

Huge chicken stew in the slow cooker for dinner, will pop some Dough Boys (dumplings) in there when I get home, it should last us 3 days.

Have a great day

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Nicer day here today, I can actually see some blue sky.

The plumber came yesterday and fitted the new washbasin so I can actually run the tap now without flooding the floor 

DD has competed her dissertation and sent it to me to read, it is absolutely amazing, I am stunned my little girl has produced such an amazing piece of work.

I took some of the items from the loft including a christmas tree plus a load of books and DVDs into work yesterday for the residents.  I still have some more bits to sort, some may be gifts we can wrap up for them.

I have received my refund of the train journey that was cancelled, so have popped that away along with £150 cash back, I should soon have £60 from Vinted so together that will be DS and DDiL Christmas money.

I have to order the Euros for our holiday, we have the cash ready.

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

I seem to get earlier and earlier with this post each year but as time is flying by and the weeks ahead look pretty busy I though I would take the opportunity to post...

Positivity and gratitude for what has been and what will be.

I have been looking back over 2024 and whilst there have been some ups and downs we have had an extremely happy, fulfilling year. 

• DH and I managed to have a holiday in the sun to start the year and celebrate our birthdays.
• We had our second Valentine's Day as husband and wife 
• DS and his partner moved into a house with the girls, they have settled in really well as a blended family of 4 and DGD is loving being a big sister.  They have also added to the family with a crazy Blue Staffy puppy.
• I had another fabulous girly holiday with my friend in her time-share.
• Despite being in their 80s both of my parents continue to be fairly fit and well, Dad had a pacemaker fitted this year and mum had treatment and the all clear for some skin cancer.
• We have had a few weekends away including returning to our engagement spot again.
• We celebrated our second Wedding Anniversary - Cotton
• We have redecorated the spare room and conservatory.
• The flooring has been replaced all through the house.
• We have removed the dilapidated greenhouse and replaced it with a lovely new shed.
• We replaced my old car by buying my dad's from him as he can no longer drive, it is an SUV and far more practical than my old convertible.
• We are in the process of updating the shower room, due to a leak found when the new flooring was fitted.
• I/we have been to several concerts this year, Pink, Take That, Kaiser Chiefs, Ministry of Sound Classics and Rag n Bone Man
• We have had loads of fun seeing local bands, plays or films in the cinema and attending a local Music festival.
• DD completed her second year at Uni, moved into a fab shared house with friends and is currently writing her dissertation.
• We have all stayed healthy and have a nice home and food on the table, we are blessed

2025 is also shaping up to be a great year; we have our usual birthday holiday in January (and have also booked for the following year) and I am going again in March with my friend to her timeshare; DD and I are going to Rome to celebrate her finishing Uni and turning 21, some concerts booked including Stereophonics and a few well known comedians; and a couple of weekends away scheduled. Lots of things to look forward too  although  I do need to work on debt repayment and building savings as the mortgage fixed rate expires next December.  

MvTMM

LadyWithAPlan

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain said:

The haircut did turn out to be fairly expensive in other ways.  My hairdresser had a very compact streamline ionic hairdryer that I was admiring, it came with a diffuser, 2 nozzles and 2 airwrap type curlers, I imagined it costing hundreds, especially as I am aware of the cost of Dy5on products and this seemed on a par, especially if in professional use.  However, I have managed to get the exact one for £130 which I am really pleased with, I have now got rid of all of my other hair gizmos and contraptions, apart from my straighteners, I just need to get to grips with it now.


Since my last post I have used up the dregs of 4 perfumes and thrown away another one that I really didn't enjoy, I'm focusing on using up lots of bits and pieces that are cluttering up the house, be it toiletries, food items etc, we really need to streamline and simplify and in the process it will hopefully save money.

I am doing something similar with my toiletries using up extra bits and refusing to start new jars or replace anything til I have used every thing in the house that is a good substitute..I also gave away perfume I never use, as well 

Can i ask the brand of your new hairdryer please?

Glad you and your mum are all good. Boots no 7 do a good day moisturiser with sun factor in it!

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

LadyWithAPlan said:

Can i ask the brand of your new hairdryer please?

Glad you and your mum are all good. Boots no 7 do a good day moisturiser with sun factor in it!

Hi @LadyWithAPlan, my hairdryer is a Fransen N0va X, I'm really pleased with it, although still finding my way with the air wrap thingys!!

I'll tell mum about the B00ts Day Cream, thank you, she is currently using a L'0real one which she claims is making her more wrinkly!!  :lol

Most of the Christmas presents have arrived now so I will start wrapping at the weekend, need to get some paper though.  

The Vinted money came through, £62.  Just waiting on some mileage money now, about £100 should be received on 14th.  We are getting paid early in December and also January but I will put the money to one side until our proper payday!

Have a great day

MvTMM

debtfreewannabe321

Loving the reflection on the year

I have booked tickets to see rag'n'bone man next year- taking the kids too...wonder if they will enjoy it? I know I will lol.

LadyWithAPlan

debtfreewannabe321 said:

Loving the reflection on the year

I have booked tickets to see rag'n'bone man next year- taking the kids too...wonder if they will enjoy it? I know I will lol.

I have seen him perform at Soho One House festival a few years ago, he was fantastic

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain said:

LadyWithAPlan said:

Can i ask the brand of your new hairdryer please?

Glad you and your mum are all good. Boots no 7 do a good day moisturiser with sun factor in it!

Hi @LadyWithAPlan, my hairdryer is a Fransen N0va X, I'm really pleased with it, although still finding my way with the air wrap thingys!!

I'll tell mum about the B00ts Day Cream, thank you, she is currently using a L'0real one which she claims is making her more wrinkly!!  :lol


MvTMM

I will check it out.
Boots do a light sun protection  'that is great on naked skin or under makeup

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Facial Suncare SPF50+'

I also really like the no 7 future renew Day cream with factor 30 so that moisturises as well

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Hope you are all ok and didn't suffer too much under the rampage of Storm Darragh.  Unfortunately, the big walnut tree next to us was a victim but luckily for us it fell away from our house.  Lots of other damage around the town, including several other tress down

debtfreewannabe321 said

I have booked tickets to see rag'n'bone man next year- taking the kids too...wonder if they will enjoy it? I know I will lol.

@debtfreewannabe321, how old are they?  I think he is fabulous, seen him twice now, an amazing talent and seems like such a genuinely nice, humble man.

DH was working Saturday morning and as the storm was ragging I decided to wrap the Christmas presents, all the family are done, just need to finish my colleagues gifts.  In the process I have cleared out the spare room where everything was piled, made up the bed and it's now ready for Festive visitors and our suitcases are on there open ready to gradually add bits, 19 days and counting!!   I have ordered our Euros, just need to collect them tomorrow.

DH fancied sausages, mash and onion gravy last night, good warming comfort food, we had some lovely Toulouse sausages with garlic and red wine on and shared a bottle and a half of Shiraz.  I've made enough mash to make a cottage pie later which will feed us for 2 nights.  DD is home from Thursday so I will be cooking some of her favourite meals, including a lamb roast on Sunday

Have a great day everyone

MvTMM

debtfreewannabe321

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain said:

Hi All

Hope you are all ok and didn't suffer too much under the rampage of Storm Darragh.  Unfortunately, the big walnut tree next to us was a victim but luckily for us it fell away from our house.  Lots of other damage around the town, including several other tress down

debtfreewannabe321 said

I have booked tickets to see rag'n'bone man next year- taking the kids too...wonder if they will enjoy it? I know I will lol.

@debtfreewannabe321, how old are they?  I think he is fabulous, seen him twice now, an amazing talent and seems like such a genuinely nice, humble man.

DH was working Saturday morning and as the storm was ragging I decided to wrap the Christmas presents, all the family are done, just need to finish my colleagues gifts.  In the process I have cleared out the spare room where everything was piled, made up the bed and it's now ready for Festive visitors and our suitcases are on there open ready to gradually add bits, 19 days and counting!!   I have ordered our Euros, just need to collect them tomorrow.

DH fancied sausages, mash and onion gravy last night, good warming comfort food, we had some lovely Toulouse sausages with garlic and red wine on and shared a bottle and a half of Shiraz.  I've made enough mash to make a cottage pie later which will feed us for 2 nights.  DD is home from Thursday so I will be cooking some of her favourite meals, including a lamb roast on Sunday

Have a great day everyone

MvTMM

They're 15 & 16 but they do listen to a lot of my music tastes so I am hoping they will like him

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Morning all

Unexpected staff shortages yesterday so worked 12 hour shift til 8pm, did take a break and met my best friend for some lunch which was nice.  Back in the office this morning, need to finish on time today as I have a counselling session booked.  May have to do another 12 hour shift tomorrow depending if people are still off sick, really don't want to do that as DD is back tomorrow.

I picked up our currency yesterday and also checked us in and printed off the boarding passes   I need to check what sun protection we have and possibly buy a bit more.  Will sort through my toiletries stash and take some nice bits and pieces to use, I like to have a bit of a pamper on holiday when I have a bit more time and my hair and skin need a bit more attention due to swimming and sun.  We are staying in an airport hotel the night before so I will need a couple of bits for there too, although they do supply nice bodywash etc.

The shower room drama continues.  So the guy that was doing the tiling can no longer do it due to a job change so we got someone out yesterday to take a look, he didn't seem very keen to be honest and I think he is going to be expensive   We haven't even ordered the tiles yet.

Financially I seem to be doing ok this month, I did make an additional payment to the mortgage account, cashing in Cashback, NWB Rewards etc has certainly helped, just waiting on a mileage claim now, which should be paid on Friday.   We then get paid early on the following Friday which I will be putting to one side til the end of the month.

Have a great day all

MvTMM