Powers’s mortgage free thread

powerspowers

Mortgage balance is £81,237 with £1250 in the savings pot so I feel that is sub £80k! It’s annoying that it doesn’t go down so fast when you put the money in savings, but the interest is way better. 

Need to sort house and contents insurance out, the renewal is up but we need to up the cover. 

powerspowers

Big payment averted 🚨 
the van broke down last week on a busy junction, snapped alternator belt. Rescued by RAC and towed to the garage we bought it from. I was convinced we’d need new cam belt as well, and at its worst, a new engine 😱 
fab garage fitted new belt free of charge and suggested I buy a lottery ticket as no other damage done. 

£150 luck money sent to the mortgage in celebration 🍾 🚐 

powerspowers

Mortgage is officially below £80k! That’s £40k paid off since we moved 4 years ago 🤯 

Its 2.5 weeks til my big cycling adventure and I think I’m ready, need to pack without getting carried away with just in case things. Bike is having a service and new drive set, £291 later! I think between the 8 bikes we own our bike mechanic is paying off his mortgage too, he’s a good guy though and me and T are getting more proficient. 

I’m feeling a bit stressed, trying to get a lot achieved at work before I go on leave and juggling voluntary commitments at home. I can’t wait to just have to pedal, eat, camp repeat 🔁. 9 more work days to go! 

powerspowers

Happy September!
I've had a brilliant summer, I took 3 weeks A/L and 3 weeks unpaid leave to spend time having an adventure, and it’s definitely been that. I spent 3 weeks cycling with my mum in Scotland, then got back and did a cycling trip with my youth group. The last days have been spent relaxing with T in a little cottage and now it’s back to home with a bump before back to work on Monday. I’m so glad I carved out this time and would 100% do it again in the future. 

Priorities this week have been catching up with friends and family and trying to get on top of things at home, T was been away as well so the house resembles a second hand camping shop and needs a good clean. 

I’m excited for September and rolling into the next season. I’m trying not to over commit to things as was super stressed before the summer. Priorities for the next few months are PHD funding application and trying to stay connected with other people, it’s something I’ve really valued over the summer. I’ve realised that sometimes I’m a bit lonely and disconnected from others but also that it’s fixable and not inevitable. 

Money wise, I haven’t spent as much as planned and have managed on the reduced wage in August. I’ve got some big spends coming up so savings are going to take a hit between now and Christmas. One of the spends is for some private dental work which I’m hoping will help stop the progression of some problems I’m having, and ultimately keep my teeth. I’m not entirely sure that it’s better than a wait and see approach but I’m scared of losing teeth so seems the right decision. 

Our medium and long term financial goals are ticking along nicely. I’ve switched to direct debit to pay off the last of my student loan, should be gone by August now, I’m fighting temptation to pay off in one lump as need the money more short term. It’ll be good to have it gone before I’m 40! I remember it feeling insurmountable when I first started repayments, luckily I was on the older plans so no top up fees- I’m not sure I’d take the same path if it meant 60k of debt. Older boy is just starting last year of school so exams and future plans have been a big source of discussion recently. 

I’m going to review my year’s goals, then should probably clean something. Have a good day wannabes x

powerspowers

Goals for 2025

Save £5000 to overpay mortgage in December 🏡 mostly on track 🚂 I’ve got £2250 in the savings pot and already Opd £600. The fixed term saver will be £3000 by December so that leaves £1400 to find- £700 each. That should be doable but there are other competing pressures on both our finances. Maybe we could redirect some joint money to mortgage. 

Save £3000 for summer adventure 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🚴 done ✅ I have £1000 left in the pot which is being redirected to teeth. 

Increase big birthday holiday fund by £1000 🎉  ✈️ 🚂  done ✅

Up my cycling mileage and support my recovery from shoulder injury 🏃‍♀️ 🚲 I cycled 500 miles this summer which just feels unbelievable 🚀 I am much stronger. I want to keep my fitness on track in the winter. I still have shoulder pain so needs to involve some strengthening not just cycling. 

Put the work in to support a more adventurous future:
🥾complete my GG walking qualification I’ve got one more bit to do but have been waiting 6 months for an assessor, I chased them a few weeks ago with dates but no reply yet- grumble grumble
🚴 improve my bike maintenance skills getting better here
🍏lose weight. I lost 5kg which put me back in “overweight” rather than “obese” according to BMI. Would like to get back on top of diet as I’d still like to shift at least another 5kg. 

😁 new goal keep up self care and interdental brushing everyday day to stop progression of dental issues 

Continue to chip away at the house jobs, focusing on small wins and paying for help when needed 
🚽 finish en suite 
🏠 finish conservatory ceiling 
👷‍♀️sand kitchen worktops
🔨 New shed
less said on these! We have chosen paint for the en suite which I’m planning as a tomorrow job. 

Make sure my money matches my morals
💷 change all accounts to a more ethical bank partially complete 🚂 I’ve changed my personal account but still have joint account and 2 savers with evil bank. Will try to find headspace to do this as I still believe it’s important, inertia though! 


Do one thing a week to feel more connected to people in my life 💛 I found this hard in the first half of the year. I’ve made an effort this week and have appreciated it. I need to start a new habit here and think about how I spend my time in the evenings. 

powerspowers

I’ve really made an effort to be social this week, both with family/friends but also meeting new people whilst on a work conference. I’ve definitely appreciated it but also looking forward to an evening at home with my book. 

Also did Parkrun this morning, slowest time for ages but probably could have been faster if I wasn’t gabbing with my sister as per above comment! 

Have a good weekend wannabes x

powerspowers

Some progress on goals…

en-suite is now painted. We’re trying to find some nice tiles, happy to spend a bit more on them but some (ie the ones I like most) are very expensive! 

We’ve had a quote for stairs and landings plastering. Big job but will be a huge jump forward on the house. 

T has levelled the corner of back garden for a new shed. 

I’ve managed to keep active. I did a really speedy Parkrun on Saturday, 38.12, the fastest I’ve done for years thanks to all the cycling miles. I’d like to push this over the next few week, would love to get below 35 mins. 

I’ve got lots of volunteer plates spinning at the moment, trying to just chip at these each evening and I’m doing well at delegating. 

I’m enjoying being in the office and had some social run/cycle at the weekend. Hopefully seeing mum this weekend. I’m getting a bit of a boost from having small social interactions with people I don’t normally talk to, trying to make a concerted effort here as had fallen into a lonely place before the summer. 

In big news, T has given his notice in! He finishes in March and it is absolutely the best decision for his well being. He is planning a month or so off so is going to start job hunting February time. We can manage this short to medium term but may mean reducing OPs next year and use some savings towards house jobs. 

Have a good week wannabes x

powerspowers

Feeling a bit meh this week. Had my teeth done on Monday and they have a dull ache and I don’t know what to eat. 

Keep waking up at 5 with to do lists on my mind but tired and lacking motivation in the evenings. 

Going to try to reset today, half an hour tackling the list before work just to remind me that I can. Will also try to get outside today as failed on that yesterday