Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

MovingForwards

Just keep listing everything, don't lose enthusiasm by delaying due to the weather. You're doing really well and coming along further with each day.

savingholmes

Have leftover garlic chicken and roasties that I can use tomorrow. Also made 5 portions of chilli and have enough for about 4 portions of spag bol / or may convert some to a cottage pie. I will freeze some so I have variety. I have at least one lot of chicken in the freezer I could defrost towards the end of next week.

I found 2 or 3 brand new bike light sets in the garage - so planning to put them in DS's stocking as he recently bought himself a bike to get around London on. He always loses his lights - and they get nicked too. I was going to list a musical keyboard on FB but he's said he wants it. He agreed it can be part of his xmas present - so I'll divert at least £30 from my xmas gift budget towards the CC and mattress costs. Need to investigate what other 'wrap ups' I have in my existing stash that I can use for the kids (young adults) stockings. I found a mini whisky the other day - so earmarked that for DS.

He's said I can sell his body analyser type scale on FB. So will list that. I have a feeling there may be another spare one under the stairs. (That would make 3 in this house - don't ask!!). Also found a USB double plug socket still in original packaging that was the wrong size for our house wall thickness - so will try listing that. I think there's another one lying around somewhere.

Some of what I bought on Am**** recently is returnable so debating whether I should / will do that. I could always re-buy once I get my gift voucher. I'll see how I get on selling things first - as they are things I want - just the timing was poor.

So since Thursday £52 of the £300 target from FB sales. £290 in bank switches and CC related gift cards. Still want to up the FB sales. No interest yet in my paintings on FB however they aren't getting enough listing views so that's not helping. I also don't think it's the right platform to sell them - particularly because I'm not that active on FB. Need to list more stuff...

I've sent off for a new B00ts card - and I have £8.50 in points on there which could help me get someone a little something - or get me a little treat. Not bought anything for my Mum yet for xmas. I do have some things that could work for her in my stash though... I've also made it really clear I have no £.

badmemory

If your credit availibilty has improved since your divorce is it possible that you exH had debt you didn't know about?

savingholmes

badmemory said:

If your credit availibilty has improved since your divorce is it possible that you exH had debt you didn't know about?

HI @badmemory I think he missed more on time payments in his past due to stupidity rather than lack of £. He also had bought himself a £2.2K laptop on a CC recently so that won't have helped either. But other than that I don't know. It's no longer my problem as the finance consent order severs ties... Although I will get my name off what was the mortgage bank account or close it on Monday. I think as long as it's a zero balance - we don't have to be together to do it - I can just do it - now the mortgage has been redeemed.

MF - You're right - I should keep listing while I am on a roll. I've had a bit of a rest overall today with DS having been home briefly. He went mid afternoon. I'm debating whether to do another coat of paint in the study today or leave it to tomorrow. If I don't paint I may go around finding more things to list. I do like that there is no selling fees on FB and that its so immediate in terms of cash in hand. The switching £ will be nice - but I have to wait for it...

badmemory

You're right - no longer your problem.  Isn't it nice only being responsible for your own actions?

savingholmes

badmemory said:

You're right - no longer your problem.  Isn't it nice only being responsible for your own actions?

It really, really, really is. Earlier in the year I wanted to pay off the debt more quickly by about £300 extra for a couple of months and he stopped me. I bet he regrets that now. I have much better pension provision than him - so again - anything I add to it from here on out is just for me. He had really poor pensions, earned less than me and didn't put much effort into changing that - but still wanted to retire early - on my pensions!! Although he's taken a cut - I still have a decent chunk left. I can now decide when I want to retire / semi-retire rather than being nudged along by him.

I don't want to retire early as such. I'd love to be part time though so I had more time for creative pursuits. I plan to gradually declutter the house - aided by FB and CS and possibly occasion the Bay (and the bin). Once all my space is organised - I think I will feel more in control of my life and more able to make headway. I will also know how much space I need for me - and whether longer term I want to downsize or not. I want stability for now - and nice heated space to do all my arts and crafts in. It really depends whether I manage to make those activities earn money for me or not. If not, I may downsize either later into my fixed rate (it's portable) or after it ends.

I want to get debt free (other than the mortgage asap) while keeping an EF - as then some of the guilt I feel when I spend - even on pre-planned things - should ease. I want to feel I have choices so mentally I've given myself the 5 year fixed rate period to decide how I want to spend my life and whether keeping a 4 bed house on my own (assuming DD moves out next year and DS stays in London) is still worth it. I see the mortgage as kind of a forced savings plan - and even if I don't overpay should owe £39K less by Dec 26. I'm hoping to round that to £40K as a minimum. In my view they undervalued this house when I remortgaged - but even using their valuation that would give me £91K equity in 5 years time. Assuming house prices continue to go up that should rise further.

Before I got divorced - I had a constant itch to get away, run off to the country, buy a second home or whatever. Perhaps unsurprisingly that itch has now gone. I want to redecorate my home to be more my taste. I want to travel once C19 calms down. I want to be more adventurous - and make more time for experiences that I can savour again and again in my memory later.  

I also feel really pleased that I should be able to leave a decent inheritance to my children. At least now - I am the only one who can sabotage my journey - but I am also the one who can fix that.

Tahlullah.H

Fantastic planning Savings.

Bargainhunter30

Well done SH, you are doing so well and should be so proud of yourself, you've come such a long way in only a short time.

I would carry on with the decluttering, it will be great for the £'s and also mind. I recommend Marie Kondo's show on Netflix to keep the motivation.  Your house will soon be your temple!

MovingForwards

The gifts and sales are good.
Join as many local selling sites as you can to list your art, there's only a couple who do it on my ones.
Settle in to your routine and see where life takes you, spread your wings and enjoy what you've got.

Blackcats

Found you!  You are sounding so happy and positive and I'm so pleased you are doing so well emotionally and financially.   You've given me a prompt to get on and do some more de-cluttering and start some selling.