Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

Blackcats · 13 July 2022 at 6:56PM

That's good news. I hope it helps you to enjoy living well and doing things that enhance your well-being

savingholmes · 13 July 2022 at 6:58PM

Thanks Mark, @Crystal, jwil, MF, @Elisheba @Humdinger1 @WelshmansDaughter Beanie, @lucielle and @greent

I feel blessed - thanks all for your support and encouragement. My sis told me to ring up as I kept compulsively checking my bank account

I get my first payment Monday which will be fab. So will be busy next week opening extra savings accounts and investigating AVCs. Seeing my counsellor tomorrow - and this will definitely be on the agenda just because although it's good news financially - it's still weird to get my head around - having never claimed anything like this before.

I'm also going to prioritise home maintenance - and see how much it would cost to fix my stairs which creak alarmingly and go down when you walk on them. The house is only 20ish years old so they are in a shocking state for their age. I'll weigh up how much that costs before looking at anything else. I'd also like some fixed external security lights.

Now I just need to not spend everything I get multiple times over and I'll be fine.

I'm having chicken and black bean with jacket spud to celebrate. £6 - divided by 2 meals. Last of big spenders me! Trying to stay reasonably on SW plan.

Merlin's_Beard · 13 July 2022 at 7:04PM

Congratulations on the P1P - and fingers crossed you get the full amount as well. I'm sure when you know exactly what you're getting a plan of what to prioritise will make itself clear.

DancingInTheRain · 13 July 2022 at 8:32PM

Fabulous news, so pleased you've finally had a decision. Here's to the PIP helping you to make aspects of your life more manageable 🥂

savingholmes · 13 July 2022 at 9:04PM

Thanks @Merlin's_Beard - I do know what I'm getting now - just not detailing in full on here.

I have updated my signature and reshuffled the priorities of my goals.

Target
1) Lose weight & get fit (started) - lost a stone in 7 weeks.
2) Declutter - paying my cleaner to help me. Gradually selling stuff or giving away on 0li0 etc
3) Get to £6K EF (increased target) - which might give me 3 months basic money in an emergency. (My mortgage on its own is close to £1k a month).
4) MFW starting at £201,999 Nov 21 with 264 257 payments to go. Now £196,869.
5) Mortgage neutral progress (via private pension/AVCs c£3643 Nov 21) extra payments £312 including tax relief
6) Write regularly 41426/70000 words Book 2 - I've reduced the priority as my head still isn't in the right place
7) Debt free April 22 (now stay that way!!) - temptation is everywhere!!

I've deleted passive income streams for now - although if I find a way of selling art prints I may resurrect it.

I've also done the washing today and have some of it hung on the line. I've also watered my pretty pots and given my apple tree the odd bit of extra water too.

savingholmes · 13 July 2022 at 9:14PM

DancingInTheRain said:

Fabulous news, so pleased you've finally had a decision. Here's to the PIP helping you to make aspects of your life more manageable 🥂

Thanks Dancing. It should certainly take the financial pressure off. I'm planning to save/invest most of it and then when I'm a bit more financially secure - I'm hoping to do some work on the house. I need to get some recommendations for a joiner for the stairs. I contacted a friend I hadn't seen since Xmas and will see her the week after next. They seem to know lots of trades so I will ask her for recommendations then.

I still need to plan what holidays I want off - but I am leaning towards long weekends rather than whole weeks away anywhere. Will see what happens. I might see if DS wants to go somewhere with me and then make a weekend of it again - but after the schools go back. In theory DD is going to go for an all inclusive abroad in September - so I want to know what week she's planning to be away before I book anything. Someone needs to look after the cat!

skint_spice · 13 July 2022 at 9:15PM

I am absolutely delighted for you that the decision went your way!

savingholmes · 13 July 2022 at 9:20PM

Thanks @Blackcats and @skint_spice

I had fully expected to have to fight for it - but the woman I had on the day was absolutely lovely. I also had help from people on here, a sis and supporting statements. I also had a relatively recent medical report which helped. I found a website that really helped too and watched some utubes so I knew what to expect during the interview. If anyone wants a link to the website - happy to PM it to you. I paid £16 for it for a year but it was fab - I only bought it the week before the interview but if I'd had it when I was completing the form it would have saved me hours if not days of time.