I’ve only gone and done it! New start here we come!

mumblingtaff

Hello! 

Some of you may remember me from previous diaries documenting my journey to pay off all my debt, save a bit and eventually give up my teaching job and move back to Wales to be closer to ageing parents and a disabled sister.

Well, the big news is that I’ve only gone and done it! 

I resigned last week and will finish at the summer holidays and am just about to approve the estate agent’s brochure to put the house up for sale! 

I’ve now got zero debt, and have managed to save a wodge of cash to give me a bit of breathing space. The equity in my house will allow me to buy another outright in Wales and have a good chunk of cash in the bank to allow me to start again. 

So it’s all change! 

It’s a huge leap into the unknown and I’ll have to be careful financially but it’s all doable. 

I have no job to go to, no new house yet but still I’m feeling very positive about it all. That doesn’t mean it’s not scary though! 

I’ll pop back later on with a run down of my plans and how I’m going to manage this massive life change. But for now, the sun is out, it’s half term and I’m enjoying my soon to be new found freedom! 

Sunshine_girl2

Fabulous news MT , wondered whether you had moved yet , but so glad it is happening for you. 

Buffythedebtslayer

Oh how amazing! I was wondering what happened to you! That is great news XX

Blackcats

that's great news.  Feeling inspired by your journey to freedom - well done!

Four_Seasons

Amazing. The very best of luck. 

mumblingtaff

Thank you all!
It's bonkers but a bit like a reinvention...
So, the practical side of things....
My house when sold will pay off the smallish mortgage, enable me to buy a small semi (or similar) with no mortgage and leave at least 40-50K of money in bank.
I have saved approx 6 months of the equivalent of my salary now so I know I can cover everyday things and have a living wage (for want of a better description) but I'd like to minimise the outgoings (I'd have no mortgage for example) so it lasts longer, giving me more time to find a new path without dipping in to the house proceeds in the bank.
Until I sort myself out with a new property I'll probably rent for a short while unless miracles happen and things fall into place, or if the absolute worst came to the worst I can stay with my parents for a VERY short time (they'd love me home but it would drive me mad!).
The good news is that I've paid off every last penny of debt so everything I earn is mine and there's no worrying about making payments etc.

In the meantime, when I get there I'm planning on doing a bit of supply teaching part time to keep me ticking over financially and to stop me going round the bend with boredom (I'm rubbish at doing nothing) and perhaps a bit of tutoring but that's the extent of teaching for me. I want a complete change but am not naive enough to waste my skills whilst getting sorted out and established there and figure out exactly what's next career wise. Hopefully, it will be a dog related business but it will need a bit of time and planning and a significant investment of cash and energy so I have to be financially and emotionally ready.

So, it's all change for me!

I'm hoping to document the changes here to keep me on the straight and narrow money wise and to think out loud about things. You lot are very good at helping out when needed !
It's June 1st tomorrow and so it seemed as good a time as any to start afresh with a new diary.
It'll be a case of economising to make what I have now as a salary last as long as I can, making sensible decisions and still managing to enjoy my last summer in Manchester before I leave everything I've known for the last 20 odd years. Blo*dy hell - that sounds a bit scary!! Onwards and upwards though.

mumblingtaff

I've been a bit productive today with regards to finances - read up on reclaiming union fees through tax relief and I've never claimed before so have navigated the HMRC claim portal and eventually managed to submit a claim for 3 years worth - not sure how much I'll get back but I will definitely get something - better in my pocket than theirs
I've also written a list of jobs that need doing over this half term - some money related and others practical things that need doing.
The estate agent valued the house and did the photos and video on the weekend so it will probably go on the market on the usual websites on Wednesday this week. Had a mega clean and tidy before he came and so its just a matter of keeping on top of it all now - he said viewings could be as soon as the weekend!!
I spent a couple of hours cleaning the exterior conservatory framework this morning so it looks all sparkly again now and have hoovered and dusted throughout again this evening. Its exhausting trying to maintain a constant state of showhome!

Honeysucklelou2

Well done MT! Must have been amazing handing your notice in...now full steam ahead to your next adventure, how exciting!

Buffythedebtslayer

Did you do it Friday? One of my friends did and her boss was totally shocked. My friend felt bad but also realised how much she was pretending to be happy. She loved her job but had done it long enough. 
So impressed with your savings and the house. Oh so many opportunities! XXXX

Legs21

Congratulations and well done. Exciting times ahead. Good luck 😉 

mumblingtaff

Buffythedebtslayer said:

Did you do it Friday? One of my friends did and her boss was totally shocked. My friend felt bad but also realised how much she was pretending to be happy. She loved her job but had done it long enough. 
So impressed with your savings and the house. Oh so many opportunities! XXXX

I decided for sure last Sunday then marched in and did it at 7.30am on Monday before I could change my mind! To say they were shocked is an understatement!