My Mortgage Free Mountain - A 7 year expedition to climb to the top

craftingmad

Our last BTL3 mortgage (in fact our last mortgage full stop) can be paid off on 1st March 2026 so that's just under a year away. We already have the money saved ready to clear it once the fixed term expires but I thought it might be fun to see just how much we can add to our savings account before that date :)

You know me I love a challenge and a list so here we go for today:-

Today I will:-

1. Pay off BTL mortgage 2 - DONE saving us a whopping £32k in interest costs over the 16 year term of the mortgage) :)
2. Prime Opinion surveys - DONE two completed for a grand total of 16p (every little helps though) :)
3. WER8 videos - DONE 5 watched for 30p :)
4. Work at restaurant - DONE 4.75 to be paid on Sunday :)
5. Mistplay - DONE played for 15 minutes and earnt 5 points :)
6. Updated spreadsheets - DONE - didn't earn me anything but I have a clear idea of where we stand financially now :)
7. No heating on until at least 7pm (its just me in the house until then and I'm lovely and snug in my oodie snoodie wearable blanket thingy) :) - DONE actually did not go on until 9pm and only then for two hours :)
8. Transfer Etsy earnings for Feb and interest earned from main bank account into savings account - DONE £164.02 added :)
9. Transfer cafe earnings and subscriptions cuts plus monthly paid off mortgage payments into savings account - got to wait until my daily limit resets :(
10. NSD - DONE :)

So total hard cash actually added to savings account today - £164.02 :)

beanielou

That’s great.

craftingmad

Good morning. Boy its a cold one today :(

I'm off to work at the original cafe in a bit but just got time to add my list for today :)

Today I will:-

1. Work at Cafe - 6.5 hours which will be paid at end of month - DONE :)
2. Prime Opinion Surveys - DONE 2 surveys completed for total of 62p :)
3. WeR8 videos - DONE watched 5 for a total of 30p :)
4. Mistplay - DONE played for 15 minutes but no points earned sadly :(
5. Transfer cafe earnings and subscription cuts plus monthly paid off mortgage payments into savings account - DONE £2163.00 transferred :)
6. No heating on until 7pm - DONE didn't go on until hubby turned it on when he got in from work at 10pm :)
7. Meal plan for rest of week and next
8. Renew facebook marketplace listings - DONE 5 listings renewed :)
9. Create one new printable to list on Etsy and Craftsuprint
10. NSD - DONE :)

That should keep me busy enough for today. Have a great day everyone :)

Total hard cash actually added to savings account today - £2163.00

Total added since 4th March 2026 £2327.02 :)

Jessy103

Amazing news about the houses 🎉

Sorry to hear about your parents and wishing them well x

craftingmad

Good morning everyone,

I've got a double work shift today (yes I'm still juggling jobs but am now down to two as the new cafe hasn't had any hours for me since the first week in December and I have just told BK that I am not going back to them). I've realised there is more to life than working every single hour of the day :)

Hubbies overtime has dried up the last couple of months too but I am ok with that. I think we both needed a bit of a rest and more family time together (not that we will get it today).

So Today I WILL:-

1. WeR8 videos - DONE 5 videos watched for 30p :)
2. Mistplay - DONE Played for 15 minutes and earned 7 points :)
3. Cafe job (6.5 hours) - DONE :)
4. Restaurant job (3 hours) - DONE - WAS ACTUALLY 3.5 hours :)
5. Pay in wages from restaurant from last week
6. NSD - DONE :)

That should fill my day but if I have time for anything else then I shall let you know :)

Have a great day everyone x

Total hard cash actually added to savings account today - £0

Total added since 4th March 2026 £2327.02 :)

craftingmad

Morning everyone,

I'm obviously getting older as I feel shattered from my double shift yesterday but no rest for the wicked as I've not got a day off until Monday :( I keep telling myself it is for the greater good and I can rest and relax once we have retired in three years (if all goes to plan) but it's not helping. (Baileysbabe if you are reading this then pleased ignore the bit about me not resting and relaxing ;) )

I'm not planning on doing much after work today. Hubby has another day off so I've instructed him that he is in charge of dinner tonight so we will probably end up just having a can of soup! In fairness I won't mind as long as I don't have to cook it :)

The good news my lunch will be free courtesy of the cafe as there is a cheese scone and piece of fruit loaf with my name on it today :)

Just seen the time so posting my list quickly now so I'm not late.

So Today I will:-

1. WeR8 - DONE watched 8 videos for 40p :)
2. Mistplay - DONE played for 15 minutes and earnt 2 points :)
3. Cafe job (6.5 hours) - DONE was 6.75 hours in total :)
4. Pay in wages from restaurant and transfer to savings
5. Make mothers day cards from craft stash - DONE :)
6. Prime Opinions surveys
7. No heating on until at least 6pm
8. NSD

Total hard cash actually added to savings account today - £0

Total added since 4th March 2026 £2327.02 :)

daisy_1571

There's a difference between im working all hours as I have a mountain of debt, 8 children and no food on the table to im working all hours, stressing myself out, being knackered, missing out on time with my family and pets who are all getting older all the time and yet I have money in the bank, have paid off several mortgages and have a self imposed timeline of i'll relax in 3 years!

Sorry, I just feel you have got caught up in the treadmill and have forgotten how far you've come and that there's no point being flat out if at thi designated point in the future where its all going to be roses and honey but you've given yourself a heart attack!!

Anyway, please take 5 minutes today to feel pleased at all you have achieved over the last couple of years 😀

Dxx

beanielou

Have to agree with @daisy_1571

craftingmad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913259#Comment_81913259

Thanks Daisy - I needed to hear that.

You and beanielou are so right. I am going to attempt to take a step back, appreciate how far we have come and make sure I plan more time for family, friends and myself now we are in a great position to do so x

daisy_1571

You are doing great. Remember back when you thought you were unlikely to get the job in the first chippie? You've both worked such long hours these last few years, enjoy a little coasting for a while 😀

Dxx