Mortgage free by 2025

Mickyh-s

It's the first of the month today so I have taken meter readings. The heating went off in the mornings at the end of March when the price cap went up and when I last took meter readings. Then, we turned the heating off in the evenings Easter weekend so it will be interesting to see how much the bill is this month.

I paid £95 dd for duel fuel for the last two months and that covered my usage exactly. On the 1st of April when the price cap went up, my dd went up to £133 so I hope to be under that so I can have some credit for next winter - I already have £150 in credit. Once this bill is calculated, another £133 dd would have been taken meaning I will still be in credit by quite a bit. Let's wait and see...

Mickyh-s

Just renewed my car insurance. Originally they quoted me £60 more than last year. I managed to knock them down a bit so it's just under £30 more than last year. I did do a quick comparison and could only find the equivalent cover for a couple of pounds cheaper but I am happy with my provider so will stay with them. That's another job sorted and ticked ✔️ off my to do list.

Mickyh-s

Monthly mortgage payment went into the mortgage account today so the balance now stands at £62,925.58. there will be no more op until payday on the 25/5.

I did not do a car boot sale as forecast was not great yesterday so planning to do one next Sunday. I have a few clothes to sort before then and a few bits in the shed and garage.

Had a lovely day in Cambridge on Saturday with dh. Dh got everything he needed and I didn't spend any money! 😂

We have been invited over to friend's this evening for dinner. Dh purchased some booze so again, I got away without spending any money!

Got a quiet week ahead. I have an appointment tomorrow but the money was put aside on payday. I also have lunch with a work friend and it's her turn to pay (we take it in turns) so that is something nice to look forward to and just the car boot planned at the weekend so hopefully another week of not spending very much.

Hope you all had a great BH weekend.

savingholmes

Lots of great MSE wins there. Glad you enjoyed your time away. Have fun!

Mickyh-s

I have had my energy bill in for the whole of April.  Electricity for April is £64. It's usually around £40-45 in the winter and last summer as low as £30 some months. 

The gas has gone down but the electricity is up considering the heating has been mostly off - i guess this is due to the price increase on April 1st.  I am currently searching the internet on ways to reduce electricity consumption - i already do some things but could be better and now looking for meal ideas which don't use the oven as i think that is an area i can greatly improve on. 

I haven't used the tumble dryer in a while. We turn everything off at the plug and i charge my phone at work(!!). We take quick short showers, don't leave taps running, don't have a dishwasher and i use the eco wash on the washing machine. We don't leave lights on and also use our wood burner a lot instead of the heating.

DH works from home so his monitor/laptop etc is on most of the working day - not much i can do about that.  It would cost him a lot more in fuel if he went into the office (£250+ p/m).

I would love to hear any other tips anyone may have?? 

Mickyh-s

I had a funny little knocking/rattling sound coming from under my car. I only noticed it on Wednesday when I was almost home.  It seemed worse on Thursday morning when I started the car. It only makes the noise when the car is still or slowing down/starting off from a junction/roundabout. So I stopped at my local garage on the way home yesterday. To cut a long story short, it’s a BIG job and going to cost far too much to repair which means a new car (new to me not brand new)!

I got a second opinion and have spoken to a relative of mine who is a mechanic and all have said the same thing. I am gutted! I was hoping the car would last me another 3 years (It’s only 10 years old) when the mortgage is paid off and then I was planning on upgrading it but this means I will spend the next year paying off the new car and not op’ing as much. The price of second hand cars has gone through the roof and soooo expensive that I am going to have to spend double what I thought I would spend.

Looking forward to spending the weekend looking around car dealerships getting the hard sell...NOT!

savingholmes

Sorry to hear about the car. It sounded like that was your 'big end' not sure what it means - but know the term - and yes expensive.

On energy - I'm going around switching everything off at the socket that's not in use and when I remember between use. I'm mostly using an elec blanket instead of heating. Wearing more clothes etc. Making less journeys... Saving the planet as well as £.

Mickyh-s

I guess i should be grateful that i am in a better position than a lot of people and can afford another car without too much worry it just wasn't in my plan.

@savingholmesI too switch everything off at the socket when not in use and have an electric blanket - they are great, aren't they?!

savingholmes

I am a recent convert to an electric blanket/throw - but wouldn't be without it now. Even took it away with me!  Massively reduced my bill. Paid for itself in the first month.

Mickyh-s

@savingholmes I also keep a heated throw in my office as it's an old victorian building with high ceilings and draughty windows ! 😂