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

Jessy103

I bet you'll never want to see another sticker ever again after all the cutting out! 😂

craftingmad

Jessy103 said:

I bet you'll never want to see another sticker ever again after all the cutting out! 😂

Totally true!!! 
I cannot feel my thumb and the tip of one of my fingers is numb!!!

craftingmad

Better late than never - I've been busy cutting stickers  

More stickers to cut out for me today - only 400 left and then I've done - thank crunchie!!!! I don't think my fingers and elbow can take many more!!

I've also got to try and get our daughter Taylor Swift tickets today - dreading on how much it will be if we do get lucky. We did just try for first pre-release and had two standard tickets in our basket for £599 each That was more than the VIP packages originally cost so somebody obviously wants to clear their mortgage as well I might try buying the maximum of 4 tickets allowed and seeing if I can make a bit of money on the other two as well Not fancying my chances of even getting one though to be honest - it's like a rugby scrum!!!!

At least I have something to bribe our daughter with to cut quicker though - these stickers will all be cut by today!!!

Here's my little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - 2 points so far today 
2. Work on huge sticker order - 600 stickers left to cut today - DONE we have finally made it   
3. Claim for Royal Mail lost large letter
4. Meal Plan for week - DONE
5. Food shopping sticking to list
6. Scan food shopping for Shop and Scan
7. Purchase Taylor Swift tickets without becoming bankrupt - not achieved we had to pay £599 per ticket plus £100 booking fee for each one We do have one very happy daughter though  
8. Take a little bit of time for me as feel been working at 100 miles an hour for what feels like forever

craftingmad

The sticker order is finally complete and will be posted off today - I cannot say that I am sorry to see the back of it. My fingers and elbow are still hurting so I think I shall have a chilled day today to try and recover

I got woken up at 5am this morning by the sound of dripping water - the kids had left the bathroom window open and we we were having a huge storm so I now have a very wet bathroom floor! Luckily the bathmat was right under the window so has taken the worse of it. Just hoping the floor will dry out pretty quickly and no damage has been done. Hopefully no harm done and nothing which a bit of fresh air and a carpet cleaner cannot fix

So here is my (not so) little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay  - DONE 27 points so far - now have enough to cash out £5 voucher but might wait until reach £10 voucher as will save 100 points overall
2. Complete a Nectar survey - DONE 100 points earnt  
3. Check bank account and see if cheque has cleared - DONE £6.05 transferred into OP savings account  
4. Make up sticker sheet order - DONE
5. Design proofs for nail planner order from Etsy - DONE  
6. Complete Shop and Scan survey - DONE 800 points added to my account  
7. Post off stickers order - DONE
8. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
9. Work out postage for item on FB Marketplace
10. Enter competitions - DONE 28 entered today
11. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji - DONE not a winner    
12. Food shopping and stick to list - DONE I was very good and only spent £86/£125 budget
13. Scan shopping for Shop and Scan - DONE
14. one load of washing dry outside (if the sun decides to show its face) - on line but looks like rain  
15. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds
16. Complete a survey on Panelbase 
17. Complete a survey on Prime Opinions - DONE 5 surveys completed for a total of 338 points  
18. Look for items needed for daughters camping trip to save buying more 
19. Renew breakdown insurance
20. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages - some new ideas written down. Going to look through forum boards to see if I can come up with any more
21. Enjoy a little bit of time for me - DONE made two cards and feeling suitable relaxed  

craftingmad

Good morning. I'm feeling ready to face the day ahead and try and do lots of little things to help move this mortgage mountain.

It's really hot already which might slow down my progress and I have to get both kids into work for 10am so that will be a bit of a challenge (especially as neither of them are up yet!!) but I am determined to make even some small progress today

I've been seeing stories of peoples new mortgage payments after finishing their fixed rates so this has really motivated me to get these mortgages paid as quickly as we can!

It's looking to be an expensive month as hubby has just had to replace all four tyres on his car at a cost of £400 so don't think there will be much left at the end of the month this month even with hubby doing lots of overtime.

The good news is that his work have asked him to stay another year at the base here (he was due to move over under redundancy transfer to another company at the end of the year but he has worked for them before and the pay and conditions are not great) and also guaranteed him a position at Plymouth after this time so at least we know he will not be out of work. It is a huge weight off our minds but now we have to decide what the best move will be. For now I'm trying not to focus on the changes and just focus on the here and now.   

So here's today's (not so) little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay  - 52 points so far (aiming for 100 today)
2. Complete a Nectar survey - DONE 80 points from survey and disqualified from 3 so further 6 points added  
3. Make up nail planner and post off - made up but no time to post
4. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
5. Work out postage for item on FB Marketplace
6. Renew FB Marketplace listings - DONE  
7. Enter competitions - DONE 17 entered
8. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji - DONE not a winner   
9. Two loads of washing dry outside - two loads on line outside
10. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds
11. Complete a survey on Panelbase 
12. Complete a survey on Prime Opinions - DONE one survey completed for 35 points, one for 50 points and one for 230 points 
13. Look for items needed for daughters camping trip to save buying more - DONE found travel toiletry bottles, a sleeping bag and a rollmat so no need to buy them, Annoyingly I could not find a travel pillow for her although I know we have a few so will have to buy one this afternoon    
14. Renew breakdown insurance
15. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages
16. Enjoy a little bit of time for me - DONE made two more cards today. This little half an hour is really helping me to lift my mood  

craftingmad

Morning everyone.
I'm feeling a bit low today and not sure why. I've had a little cry and feel a little bit better so fingers crossed I will snap out of it shortly and normal service will be resumed for me.

Going to try being kind to myself today and rest and relax if my mind is telling me to so not sure how much I will get done today but I'll pop up my list and play it by ear. 

So here's today's (not so) little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay - 42 points so far
2. Complete a Nectar survey - DONE 100 point survey completed
3. Post off nail planner - DONE  
4. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
5. Work out postage for item on FB Marketplace
6. Enter competitions - DONE 20 comps entered
7. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji  
8. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds
9. Complete a survey on Panelbase 
10. Complete surveys on Prime Opinion - DONE 124 point survey and 100 point survey meaning I now have enough points to cash out £10 voucher
11. Renew breakdown insurance
12. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages - sat in car whilst watching son skateboard and came up with a few ways I can get more orders
13. Enjoy a little bit of time for me - DONE listened to a podcast in the car  
14. NSD - Not quite spent £1.18 on a bottle of water and a bag of apply slices whilst waiting for son - going to transfer over £4 into OP savings pot as nearly weakened for a KFC but went for the fruit option instead  

craftingmad

Good morning. I've had a nice relaxing start to the day but mow its time to do some small actions to climb our mortgage mountain so we get to see the amazing view from the top.

Todays (not so) little list includes:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 2 points added
2. Complete a Nectar survey 
3. Make and post off nail planner for Etsy order just received
4. Design proof for business card order recieved on website
5. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
6. Find scrapbook albums advertised on FB Marketplace so I can work out postage costs
7. Enter competitions
8. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji  
9. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds
10. Complete a survey on Panelbase 
11. Complete surveys on Prime Opinion
12. Complete an offer on Oh My Dosh
13. Complete accounts for June 2023 (been putting it off as was a bad month but putting my big girl knickers on and getting this done today) - DONE not as bad as I thought - I actually made a little bit of profit thanks to the huge sticker order
14. Design and make one new item to list in Etsy shop
15. Plan social media posts to advertise business for rest of month (I need to be seen more so I hopefully start getting more sales again) - one weeks worth of posts planned
16. Comment on in search of posts on FB to hopefully get some orders - DONE 4 posts commented on but no new orders yet  
17. Renew breakdown insurance
18. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages 
19. NSD - DONE £5 transferred into OP savings account
20. Chippy Shift - DONE although busy it was a good one last night  

 

craftingmad

Good morning all.
The sun is shining and my mood is good. I'm feeling very productive. 
I didn't manage to get much done yesterday and I'm not sure why but hey ho today is another day
Our daughter had to give up on camping after just one night as the weather was so bad it broke their tents. I'm glad I managed to find out a sleeping bag rather than having to buy one and that she didn't ask to borrow our tent. It lives to fight another day

I was supposed to be working 11am -8.30pm today at the chippy with an hour for lunch but apparently the boss got it wrong and I am actually only working 12-1.30pm and 4.30pm - 8.30pm so I'm losing some hours but it actually fits in well with taking son to and from his work meaning that OH does not need to leave work early so I'll take it  

Nothing else exciting to report so here is todays (not so) little list:-

1. Play on Mistplay - DONE 207 points earned  
2. Cash in £5 Mistplay voucher as now no less points to redeem £10
3. Complete a Nectar survey - DONE one survey completed for 80 points I now have £30 in my Nectar pot   
4. Make and post off nail planner for Etsy order just received
5. Design proof for business card order recieved on website
6. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
7. Find scrapbook albums advertised on FB Marketplace so I can work out postage costs
8. Submit barcodes and receipts to Shop and Scan - DONE 1600 points should be added to my account (£1.60)  
9. Enter competitions - DONE 20 entered  
10. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji - DONE not a winner   
11. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds - DONE one survey for 10p and 4p from spins  
12. Complete a survey on Panelbase 
13. Complete surveys on Prime Opinion
14. Complete an offer on Oh My Dosh
15. Complete surveys on Shopper Thoughts - DONE two surveys for 25 points each  
16. Design and make one new item to list in Etsy shop
17. Plan social media posts to advertise business for rest of month
18. Comment on in search of posts on FB to hopefully get some orders - DONE commented on three posts  
19. Renew breakdown insurance
20. Find something to list on FB Marketplace - DONE found 3 decoupage craft books which I will never have the patience to cut out - not sure what I was thinking when I bought them!!! Will list them for sale tomorrow  
21. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages 
22. NSD - no time to spend money today so £5 transferred to OP savings pot  
23. Chippy Shifts - lunchtime shift done £21.60 to be paid in next weeks wages Evening shift done £45.90 in next weeks wages  

craftingmad

Another day another Doug as we like to say in our household.

The expensive month is continuing with our induction hob now going wrong and needing replacing. It's not done bad as we have had it for nearly 15 years so I think we have had our money's worth!!! It would have been nice if it could have hung on another month as at this rate there will not be much left in the account at the end of the month but on the plus side, hopefully will not have to break into the savings to buy a new one as hubby's OT should cover it.  
I've never been that keen on it to be honest as it turns itself off at the slightest drop of water going on it but seeing as it has lasted so long I am wondering whether to replace like with like - I'll have to sleep on it and see what I decide.

Not much planned for me today. I've got to take our son into work and collect him, I've got some things to make for orders and I want to pay my wages into the post office but other than that nothing special. I'm also waiting on hearing from daughter to see if she is coming home from her little jolly away today and wants collecting from the train station. Knowing her she will phone me when she is there and expect me to drop everything and get her (oh to be a young adult again!). 

I'm also feeling exhausted and bunged up today so think the pollen count must be high already so I may just be kind to myself and have an easy day.

Here's the plan for today (whether I stick to it will be another matter):-

1. Play on Mistplay - 122 points today  
2. Cash in £5 Mistplay voucher as now no less points to redeem £10 - DONE £5 transferred into OP savings account  
3. Complete a Nectar survey - DONE one survey completed for 60 points
4. Pay in chippy wages - DONE £70.20 transferred into OP savings account
5. Two loads of washing dry outside - both load on line and blowing madly - hopefully should dry nice and quickly
6. Make nail planner for Etsy order just received
7. Design proofs for business card order received on website
8. Raise invoice for business card and sticker enquiry - awaiting further details from customer
9. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
10. Find scrapbook albums advertised on FB Marketplace so I can work out postage costs
11. Declutter and tidy hall, stairs and landing - stairs and landing tidied and I found some floating shelves to list on FB. Still got to go through some boxes and tidy hallway but at least made a start  
12. Enter competitions - DONE 46 entered  
13. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji - DONE not a winner   
14. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds - DONE two surveys for 25p each and 6p won on spins  
15. Complete a survey on Panelbase - DONE survey completed for £2.50   
16. Complete surveys on Prime Opinion - given up tried 7 and none of them loading or I get kicked out two thirds of the way through  
17. Complete an offer on Oh My Dosh - DONE signed up to a survey site for £1 in my cashpot  
18. Complete surveys on Shopper Thoughts - no surveys available
19. Design and make one new item to list in Etsy shop
20. Plan social media posts to advertise business for rest of month - DONE
21. Comment on in search of posts on FB to hopefully get some orders - DONE commented on three today
22. Renew breakdown insurance
23. List decoupage books on FB Marketplace and renew any existing listings - DONE listed 4 decoupage books and the floating shelves all at £7 each  Fingers crossed they sell as its been quiet on there recently  
24. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages 
25. NSD - DONE no time for spending today £5 tranesferred into OP savings accout   
26. Meal plan for next week - DONE  

craftingmad

Morning all. 

I think I must have scared you all off either that or I have bored you all to death - sorry!!!

I'm really pleased with how much I achieved yesterday. Hopefully all these little things will lead to payouts over the next few months and I cannot wait to add them to my OP savings pot.

Today is mainly going to be spent running around after the kids and hubby. I've got to take son into work for 10am, get daughter from train station in the City (1 hour 10 min drive there and back) at 2pm, collect son from work at 3pm, get daughter to work for 5pm and then collect her at 10pm tonight. 
Add in to that I have to wait for a new hob to be delivered (OH ordered without asking me so no induction hob for me!) between 10am-2pm and collect his prescription from the doctors by 3.30pm, I'm just working out how I can be in two places at once!!!

When I do get little pockets of time I shall be using them mainly to get orders complete and posted off. 

I'll add in my list what I would really love to get done but in all honesty I think it will take a miracle for me to cross much of this list today.

I hope your day is not quite as hectic as mine x 

Here's my not so little list for today:-

1. Play on Mistplay - 64 points so far - aiming for 100
2. Complete a Nectar survey
3. Two loads of washing dry outside - one load dry and now inside but now looks like rain so other load will have to wait until tomorrow
4. Make nail planner for Etsy order and post off - made and ready to post  
5. Design proofs for business card order received on website - DONE  
6. Make up a pack of plantable hearts and post off - Made and ready to post  
7. Follow up with customer regarding business cards and stickers as know she wants them urgently - DONE invoice now sent
8. Submit claim to Royal Mail for lost large letter
9. Find scrapbook albums advertised on FB Marketplace so I can work out postage costs
10. Declutter last bit of landing and hallway
11. Enter competitions - DONE 33 entered  
12. Check free postcode lottery, Win a Dinner and Freemoji - DONE not a winner   
13. Complete a survey/searches on Inbox Pounds
14. Complete a survey on Panelbase  
15. Complete surveys on Prime Opinion 
16. Complete an offer on Oh My Dosh
17. Complete surveys on Shopper Thoughts - no surveys available
18. Design and make one new item to list in Etsy shop
19. Comment on in search of posts on FB to hopefully get some orders 
20. List one item on FB Marketplace
21. Brainstorm new ideas on how to pay off our mortgages 
22. NSD - failed as treated us to a take away
23. Write food shopping list ready for tomorrow - DONE nice small list so should be well under budget this week