Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

KajiKita

Oh well done for already OPing / paying each month what your payment is likely to move to. I applaud your organisation and self discipline 😊👏 (I didn’t manage that …. shame faced shuffle … 😉)

What would motivate Mr Shores as a ‘get MF and then what’ goal? Some serious travelling? Experiences? Learning something completely new? Other? Mr KK has zero fiscal idea, slowly absorbing some from my painful mess ups 😉 but is very motivated by the fact that being MF would mean he could work less / tinker more … 😊

KK 

SandyShores

Thanks LWAP.  During lockdown I had dumbbells by my home desk and did three rounds per day between work.  Funny how easy it is to return to the model of intending to do everything and ending up doing nothing.    I've got some free time today so I'm going to have a serious think about what I can fit in and make a plan for sticking to.

Thanks Kajikita, there's always something else to buy/do around the house isn't there. Prepping for the higher monthly payment is helping MrShores find some much needed focus.  Sadly any material aims won't serve as a motivator for him - once an idea is in his head he wants it now (or sooner!).  But the work less / play more goal is a good one and we have been chatting more about mortgage end dates and overpayments this week.  Its always been a 'tomorrow problem' for MrShores, but its becoming real for him now, and will be more real when we remortgage next year.  Apparently mortgage rates should come down a couple of percent again in 2027 🤞 so possibly only a couple of years of pain.

I've been having a lovely 'do nothing' morning, and have decided my priorities are now going to be exercise/healthy eating and cooking and also reading/crafts.  It feels like a relief actually, however, the financials, decluttering and development will carry on but in the background supporting the healthy work-life balance I've been striving for.

SandyShores

Continued my relaxed weekend and this morning and have tried french toast for the first time ever.  Feels really indulgent, and there's a lovely cinnamon smell in the house now.  But was all from store cupboard ingredients and I used the new airfryer spray oil so is fairly healthy according to the calorie app.  I've got some more shopping tasks today so I'll nip out and do those in a minute.  Then its over to me to decide what to do as I'm trying to stop being a slave to the long list and stick to my two priorities first.

LadyWithAPlan

Sounds like a lovely weekend and OPing your new increased  mortgage is a great idea
i always aim now to save the difference between my current rent and my likely mortgage payment each month - it’s a good target to hit, though some months it’s difficult 

savingholmes

French toast sounds lovely. I recently got myself a candy floss machine - which feels decadent but I'm loving it.

SandyShores

Thanks LWAP and savingholmes.  I've been a bit up and down healthwise this week, but its good to remind myself that although the cleaning/decluttering has taken a backseat I have actually kept up with the OPs and self-care.  I think a bit of french toast is in order this morning.  

SandyShores

Feeling loads better this week.  Being a bit blurgh actually gave me time to think about priorities.  I've maybe been trying to do a bit too much at times.  So although I've got lots of things to do, I'm going to focus on just a couple and then dip into the others when I've got time and energy.  Mortgage is obviously number one and then second is going to be keeping my home in order.  I've signed up to the flylady thread which should help me keep focussed on keeping down the clutter etc.

SandyShores

Made some in-roads into the pile of things ToDo.  I also need to close down a savings account that was leftover when I did a current account switch.  I didn't realise that when I did the switch my online access would disappear altogether, so there's about 2p in an account that I keep getting letters about, forwarded from my old address.  I could write, but with the cost of stamps these days I think I'll walk into town later in the week and try to tackle it in person - apparently I need the account number and proof of ID so should be fairly simple.

I've a few appointments to make including the opticians, the dentist and a call to the garage.  Some washing to do this morning (done), some shopping later (done) and a prescription to pick up.  If I can get all of that done I will be giving myself a pat on the back and a few ticks off the ToDo list.  Part of me is wondering why I haven't done these things before, but it feels like there is so much to do I never seem to know what to do first. Then they build up and I'm overwhelmed. That's my excuse anyway!!

Today - washing / shopping - done!
Tomorrow - defrost freezer and look at job application
This week - go to building society, collect prescription, repair a zip for Mr Shores, look at password managers, make appointments and calls

Exhausted thinking about this, but determined to do it all.

Edit - also had a tidy up downstairs before I went out this evening.  Folded all the throws, plumped all the cushions, tidied the kitchen table and put lots of bits away.  Then had a quick spray and dust.  Was really lovely to return to a tidy house.

SandyShores

FF defrosted and application done.
Final load of washing done, and just have to unload/load the DW.
Bath and book waiting.
Tomorrow is looking like a busy one.

LadyWithAPlan

Glad you feeling better and good you are focusing down on the essentials - too easy to say yes to everything ..