Beating Lifestyle Inflation and Staying Mortgage Free!

Cornish_mum

Hi Earthie, so sorry to hear about your Dad, I hope you have a restful half term CM

Mrs_Money_Penny

Hi Earthie So Sorry to hear about your Dad. The exact thing happened to me 10 years ago and I reacted just the same. The thought of losing them takes over your life. Take care. Sending a hug xx

apple_muncher

Oh earthie, you have coped tremendously well! Massive hugs from me xx

So pleased you've got this extra time with your dad.

themadvix

So sorry to hear about your Dad, but you sound like you've coped really well and that he's really appreciated having you there to help him.

It's no surprise other things have gone out the window in the meantime. But that's one of the benefits of putting ourselves in a good position financially - when the SHTF we have the resilience to do what needs to be done without it causing disaster. 

CathT

So sorry to hear about your dad being unwell, it's only natural for other things to take a back step. Be kind to yourself.

EssexHebridean

Family comes first - well done on being there and so firmly in your Dad's corner. Nothing else is irreversible after all - you already know what works, so as and when times are right you'll be able to reintroduce. I can absolutely empathise with Dads & health problems too as mine is becoming increasingly unwell - still able to get out and about at the moment thank goodness but definitely starting to struggle. It's incredibly hard to watch, and all the more so if it happens suddenly, without warning. have a gentle hug from here.

On the health thing, rather than trying another "diet" (they rarely work long term as they tend not to be sustainable, and can even be harmful in relation to promoting disordered eating with seeing certain foods as "good" and "bad" - definitely something to bear in mind particularly with young people about) why not take a look at other heath promoting activities? The concept of "adding things in" rather than trying to restrict is a good one - so aim for your 5 a day fruit & veg then when you hit that routinely, increase to 6, 7 etc. Sleep is a massive thing, and striking a balance between getting enough and not fretting over "getting enough" is big. Stress you've previously identified - although sometimes like the situation with your dad it really can't be helped and is totally understandable! Also exercise - something to speed your heart rate up a bit, and something to work on muscle strength, several times weekly. For women of course also something with some "impact" so brisk walking or running, for bone health. You were already there with that bit I think so it's just a case of finding a routine that works for you to keep to within your current commitments.  Vitamin D supplement during the winter months. 

All that work you have done previously on the financial stuff though - MadVix is absolutely right - it's paid off to put you in the good position that you currently are - pats on the back needed for that! 

earthgirl2

Thank you so much everyone for your kind, helpful and wise words. Really appreciated all of the time that you took to post and cheer me on.

Karma my ready meals are not the same standard as yours!

Essex and Mrs M P- Sorry to hear about your dads. Mine is doing ok now I think, and we have plans for all eventualities now I hope! At one point we thought we would lose him. One day it will come of course, but I'm grateful that we have this time now. 

Also, Essex, thanks so much for all of the time you took to write about health. I'm getting there this week and not restrictive - but eating only when I'm hungry. I have had lots of sweet things lately - Halloween sweets and things at work.  I've been exercising every day - I do the HIIT workouts via the fiton app, or yoga and stretching on rest days.

I'm back to cooking from scratch as well slowcooker most days.

My goals for the week were:

schedule a mortgage review
OMG Total disaster! I have put in a complaint as I was told incorrect information over the phone numerous times and had to argue to convince them their systems were wrong about my level of overpayments etc. They were wrong, they admitted it, and I should get some compensation for spending 2 hours of my life on hold and stressed out!

Upshot is, I think I have to wait for January 1st to make the almost final overpayment to clear 2 of 3 mortgages - I'll leave £1 in or something. The other one I will do the same October next year.

organise where to keep other money
Currently I have money stashed in lots of different places as I can't pay it off the mortgage. It's a nightmare and I hate it. I just want to simplify everything.

In January we can get a lot of it paid off the mortgage when it is out of deal. After this we will put what is left into some savings for the children and ourselves,and the rest invest in a stocks and shares portfolio. I will re do our budget to reflect rising cost and new anticipated spends  (a new second hand car for me, a yearly holiday and some monthly fun money).

shop from home - just get a top up shop
Yes £29 top up shop. Plus £15 for food as I invited a friend and her children for tea tomorrow.

think of a way to get 2 teenage boys presents without just giving cash/voucher.
I couldn't think of what to get! Teenage boys are so difficult. Paid £15 cash each


My next aims:
1. Christmas Prep
Restock the present cupboard for xmas with new items from charity shops. I do this as I think of it as giving to charity with a bonus of having little presents to give and it saves me money in the long run.
Continue to make space in freezer for pre prepped veg. 

2. Groceries
Eat from freezer, cook from scratch  - top up shop only.

3. Money
re do our budget to reflect rising cost and new anticipated spends  (a new second hand car for me, a yearly holiday and some monthly fun money).

badmemory

Perhaps it is time we all started to wonder why incompetence seems to have become the norm rather than the exception.  Nothing to do with Brexit (although I suspect that hasn't helped), nothing to do with working from home, more to do with minimum wage & a because of that a why should I care attitude.  It has happened to me twice this week & I retired years ago so not to do with work.  Everything you try to do/arrange nowadays seems so difficult, whilst with online access to so much it should actually be easier as there is no room for misunderstanding.

beanielou

badmemory said:

Perhaps it is time we all started to wonder why incompetence seems to have become the norm rather than the exception.  Nothing to do with Brexit (although I suspect that hasn't helped), nothing to do with working from home, more to do with minimum wage & a because of that a why should I care attitude.  It has happened to me twice this week & I retired years ago so not to do with work.  Everything you try to do/arrange nowadays seems so difficult, whilst with online access to so much it should actually be easier as there is no room for misunderstanding.

So true.Spot on.

earthgirl2

Thanks badmemory an beanie. The mortgage debacle is still ongoing, they said they would contact me within 5 working days, they didn't, so I've put in another complaint and will go to  the ombudsman next - I think I will need to leave it another week before I do.

I got lots of Christmas presents - brand new items- from the charity shops so £35 to charity and I am now organised for Christmas. I wonder how else I can combine charity giving and 'getting things done'.

I ate from stores with a top up shop.I haven't redone our budget yet. I reorganised a holiday we had booked to make it much cheaper and have a refund coming our way. I am rethinking all of our spending and I can see lots of opportunities to be more environmentally friendly, give more to charity, local businesses and still save money.

I've been walking on the beach meeting my eldest child at the end of his run at 7am. It has been brilliant to see the sunrise on the beach, get fresh air and spend time with him.

This week:
Re introduce a HIIT workout or yoga on a morning (had a break due to sore back).
Continue with walks and pick up beach litter on the way back