Holding On and Letting Go 🎈

Fortune_Smiles

Date Day 😁

Mr F and I are having an adventure today.  Afternoon tea at a castle 🥳  We have a Christmas present voucher to use so the only cost should be the fuel and perhaps a glass of champagne 🤭  Then tonight we are out at another castle for a curry night.  Lots of friends are also going to that one so it should be good fun.  We've already paid for the meal out of this month's fun money but there may be some extra drinks to pay for.  It's not unusual to find yourself in a castle in the Welsh Marches 😉

Feels very indulgent to be going out twice in one day but that's just how the dates fell.  The way things are going we might not be able to do these things in the future so we're making the most of it while we can.

We originally planned to take FDawg with us to the afternoon tea as the venue is dog friendly.  However, his tummy trouble wasn't a one off 😯  Mr F said FDawg was drinking from a stream while they were out on their adventures on Saturday and it seems he's picked up something nasty as a result.  He's been on fish/chicken and rice since then but is only just getting back to normal.  So we're not sure what to do for the best.  We'll hold off making a decision until just before we leave.

I reconciled the bank and credit card accounts and all balance.  Typically, the alarm in the car we bought for the Sunflowers starting going off because the battery was low so we've had to buy another battery charger. Turns out it was quite an expensive mistake driving off with the other one still attached 🙄

A young couple came out on Tuesday to collect our old dishwasher.  They have just moved in together and have never had a dishwasher before.  They both work long hours so, it may only last them six months, but that's six months of not having to do dishes when they get home. We're glad it's gone to a good home and can be used for a bit longer.

I've made a couple of Bay purchases for winter clothing.  It's still mild here but the forecasters are saying that very cold weather will come and I've worn out my jumpers.  The coat I ordered will be going back - too tight and the hood comes down to my chin when it's up.

This weekend we'll sit down and crunch numbers to see how the budget announcements are going to affect us.  We're very fortunate as I'm sure we'll still be able to meet essential bills but Mr F's semi-retirement plans might be delayed.  Not a big deal given what many people and businesses are facing right now but disappointing none the less.  We'd probably be ok to go ahead with our plans but it feels like a big risk to be making a major lifestyle change right now.  Might have to be brave and just go for it.

Happy Friday all

Fortune x

themadvix

Have a lovely two-castle day! (This makes the Welsh marches sound like a lot of fun!) I hope FDawg recovers fully soon - not a nice problem to deal with. Pets eh?!

I'm sure the young couple with your dishwasher will be thrilled - when ours broke down it was a case of replacing it asap - I really wouldn't be without one.

I hope the number crunching comes out favourably for you.

beanielou

Enjoy the castles. 

savingholmes

Enjoy your day out. 

Best of luck with the number crunching

Fortune_Smiles

Hygge

I am continuing in my efforts to embrace and appreciate the season. It's cold and wet in the Shire today - cold enough for the heating to start coming on during the day for the first time.  The house is feeling cosy as a result which I'm enjoying along with the gentle tapping of the rainfall on the house.  I have nowhere I need to be today so can stay inside and keep warm.  Mr F replaced the faulty radiator valves yesterday so the heating is working at maximum efficiency again and I can get some washing dry in the bathroom.

The rain didn't start until mid-morning so it was dry when we took FDawg for his early walk.  I was glad I'd put the detachable gillet back in my raincoat though as the extra layer was needed.  I feel it's important for me to get out of the house and into the fresh air to take advantage of what light there is as it helps with staying positive.  I've also done an hour's yoga practice this morning - 30 mins of strength and flexibility and 30 mins of relaxation and stress release which was a good balance.

Mr F is going to do some research on his employer pension and car allowance today so that we can make some financial decisions.  I need to send my sister a birthday present but, apart from that, there shouldn't be any other spending today.

We had sweet potato falafel pitta for lunch today with salad and a yoghurt and lemon dressing.  Supper is going to be Pea & Leek Open Lasagne. I'll need to do this weeks' meal planning and grocery shop later.

We have heard from our Sunflowers.  There is snow on the ground in their village and they are without electricity from time to time.  One has had Covid very badly but is on the way to recovery now.  I wish we could do something for them.

I've had a hot drink and a little lunch break so it's time to get on with some chores.

Happy Monday folks

Fortune x

savingholmes

Glad you are cosy and warm.

Good you are getting back into yoga too.

Merlin's_Beard

Good to hear that you keep in touch with your Sunflowers and that they are (so far) staying as safe as they can be. May that long continue.

Well done on the yoga. I find that if I can make it a habit it really does benefit me. It's making it a habit that I struggle with.

Fortune_Smiles

Decisions, decisions 🤔

Mr F and I have crunched some numbers and done some thinking and we have finally reached some decisions.  Our ultimate goal is to have a financially viable retirement, so...

• we remortgaged part way through this year and it reset our 10% overpayment allowance, 80% of which is still available as long as we op before the end of this year.  We've decided to op the full remaining amount.  It will mean we save a significant amount of interest and reduce our monthly outgoings by about £100
• we will op a monthly amount next year.  This will exceed our op allowance after about 6 months so, after that, we'll ring-fence the money in savings for op-ing when the next window opens
• making the op this year will put a big dent in our emergency savings but leave just enough to buy Mr F's company car in May when its lease comes to an end.  We'd have to tap into some money which is currently ring-fenced for things like a boiler replacement though.  Mr F will then take a car allowance which will mean a tax saving
• we'll focus on bolstering the emergency fund between now and May so the pot isn't left completely empty when we buy the car.  I do still have two mini pension amounts I can access if the sky falls on our heads
• the emergency fund and op-ing the mortgage will be our priorities for next year
• we do have some maintenance work to fund next year but will spread this out over the 12 months
• we'll also increase Mr F's pension payments to the maximum possible.  The tax savings will be significant and, that alone, trumps any other savings vehicle at the moment.  Unless the Government changes the tax relief on pension contributions but Mr F is able to change his contribution amount each month so we can always lower the amount if we need to.  Markets might fall further of course but I think there's a smaller risk of that whilst Rishi's in charge.  The extra cost will be offset by the increase in my pension due in April and the reduction in NI contributions and mortgage payments from now

After May we will take each month as it comes.  It makes sense for Mr F to continue working until the mortgage is clear.  However, we could manage here if, for whatever reason, he has to stop.  Another health issue has arisen for him which he's going to get checked out today and we're conscious of the current security and benefits he has with his employer.  However, if health becomes a concern we have discussed the possibility of retiring, downsizing and spending the equity on having fun 😆 

So that's the plan.  Although things are changing so rapidly these days we may have to change direction regularly to keep up 🙄

Happy Thursday all

Fortune x

beanielou

I love all your plans.
How long does the mortgage have to run?  x

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou said:

I love all your plans.
How long does the mortgage have to run?  x

I hope we manage to achieve them Beanie before something happens to change the world again 😆  We've just under 13 years left but want to clear it in the next 3 before our fixed rate is up.

Fortune x