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I feel for you on the school uniform and similar spends. So grateful that parts behind me for now...Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.8K Equity 36.37%
2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £27.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 34/£127.5K target 26.6% 10/10/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 60.35K or 47.6%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5K updated 10/10/251 -
I always underestimate what I will need.savingholmes said:I feel for you on the school uniform and similar spends. So grateful that parts behind me for now..."Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee1 -
Morning everyone. I've been out and done my walk today, so feeling pleased with myself again. It's always easier when I'm not working, so going back to work will be the big test.
DH is back to work today, so just me and the kids. With the weather forecast we'll probably have a quiet one around the house today. I'm off the whole of next week anyway so we can do more then.
Padded a little extra this morning, 'just because'.
My new kitchen bin should be arriving this morning - how exciting! I've gone for something a bit more flash than the cheapest plastic thing, so I'll feel very posh
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee3 -
Today's PAD - £5
Jan - £141
Feb - £139
March - £89
April £149
May - £79
June - £270
July - £253
August - £59
"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2 -
Well done on the walking. It is so good for mental health as well as physical health. I know you have children so this might be difficult but there are lots of walking groups out there for all distances/abilities including some attached to health centres. It brings a social aspect to it too.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
Click on this link for a Statement of Accounts that can be posted on the DebtFree Wannabe board: https://lemonfool.co.uk/financecalculators/soa.php
The 365 Day 1p Challenge 2025 #1 £667.95/£472.78
Save £12k in 2025 #1 £12000/£124503 -
Thank youenthusiasticsaver said:Well done on the walking. It is so good for mental health as well as physical health. I know you have children so this might be difficult but there are lots of walking groups out there for all distances/abilities including some attached to health centres. It brings a social aspect to it too.
I've no interest in joining a group, I'm not very sociable and I prefer to walk at my own pace alone. I'm happy listening to something or being with my thoughts and just mooching along as I fancy it. That might change as I get fitter, and indeed as I get into retirement, where I might have more need for socialising, so it's a good suggestion thank you. "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2 -
I've got my posh new bin, and the kids are very impressed that it is a pedal bin so they no longer need to use their hands
Despite paying for 3-5 day delivery on all the clothing I ordered, it looks like it's all going to be delivered today. That's very handy as we're in anyway.
The kids and I are currently making a volcano from a kit that's been around for a while. Not sure if it counts as a declutter or not
I made soup for lunch and have enough to put away for another day as well, so that's good."Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee1 -
It could be worthwhile having a saving pot for school uniform/requirements, as they will sadly be an ongoing expense.
Well done on the mile loop, especially with the gradients. After a few weeks, try increasing your speed for the uphill section, swinging your arms vigorously.
What would you get if all you got was what you were thankful for?2 -
The volcano definitely sounds like decluttering to me - and decluttering that you get some entertainment from, too - winner!
I can also identify with the "new kitchen bin feeling" - we had a new one when we got the kitchen done - paid a little more for it than we might have ordinarily done (albeit not to the level of some of the so-called "designer" brand ones - designer bins, who knew?!) and absolutely love it - it still looks great now and will fit in perfectly in the new kitchen as well I think.
Great stuff with the walking. I'm with you on being quite happy to walk with something to listen to - have you caught up with the fact that there is a Martin Lewis Podcast? It's on BBC Sounds!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her3
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