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Small steps lead to big changes...
Comments
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Love that you got to the seaside in the fabulous weather we've had!
My target with the new house is that I can get the housework type stuff to a point where I can keep on top of it with an odd burst during each evening and thus not have to give too much of my Fridays over to it - at the moment I'm still at the stage where I'm working round it doing deep cleans of a bit at a time though, and the "new house novelty" is stopping it feeling like too much of a chore!🎉 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
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her4 -
Thank youjoedenise said:You're doing well with the PADs - those small amounts certainly add up. It's a great idea keeping track of how much it is each month.
I'm always surprised at how much they add up to. It keeps me focussed on doing surveys as well so I can bump up the total. "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 -
Thank youEssexHebridean said:Love that you got to the seaside in the fabulous weather we've had!
My target with the new house is that I can get the housework type stuff to a point where I can keep on top of it with an odd burst during each evening and thus not have to give too much of my Fridays over to it - at the moment I'm still at the stage where I'm working round it doing deep cleans of a bit at a time though, and the "new house novelty" is stopping it feeling like too much of a chore! It was definitely nice to get in the sea in this heat!
I like to try and get as much done as I can during the week, so I don't worry about it too much on a Friday. It doesn't always work, but my aim for moving to compressed hours was to have some 'me' time, so I could do stuff I want to rather than freeing up time for housework so I do make a good effort!"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 McGee5 -
I'm not feeling well at all today. I think it maybe something I ate yesterday which I thought might be on the turn but it was in date so I continued. Also the heat at night means I'm not sleeping well, and general anxiety seems to be rearing its head again. Hopefully a good night's sleep tonight, though it's not meant to be significantly cooler here overnight. It has been cooler today though which is a relief.
Nonetheless, I am pleased with myself, as I did walk the kids to school today and didn't use feeling grotty as an excuse!
I nearly had a bit of a meltdown working today, as I'm just getting stuff thrown at me from all directions, and everyone wants something urgently. I did take a 5 minute break before responding to the latest request and letting them know that it wouldn't be happening for the next few days. I've already got a back up of my own work which isn't getting done!
My car is due MOT so I have messaged a different garage that always gets rave reviews here. We normally use someone DH has known for years, but in recent years the service quality seems to be reducing, and it's becoming a bit of a hassle so I'll see if the new garage respond. They offer a collection and delivery service too, so that will be something I am willing to pay for even if it's not very MSE!
9 parcels packed and posted for DH today, so it's good that stuff has gone and also that some of the hoarded packaging has been used up too!"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 McGee5 -
Martin's advice re MOTs is to use a garage that doesn't do repairs. They will usually replace bulbs & wipers but they have no financial interest in charging you for repairs as such. My advice is to never ever use a main dealer. Their bonuses are dependent on how many sales/repairs they get in.
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Hope you sleep well and feel better tomorrow. Take care3
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Thanks, I thought about using a garage that doesn't do repairs, but was worried that if something needed fixing (I think my exhaust might) then it would be a hassle to get someone else quickly as everyone seems busy. I've never used a main dealer, always independents. The guy we normally use doesn't do MOTs himself, but is in the next town and has been often overbooked so sometimes I'm without a car for several days which can be annoying. The garage I've contacted are a more local independent, and get rave reviews all the time so worth a try.badmemory said:Martin's advice re MOTs is to use a garage that doesn't do repairs. They will usually replace bulbs & wipers but they have no financial interest in charging you for repairs as such. My advice is to never ever use a main dealer. Their bonuses are dependent on how many sales/repairs they get in.
Thank you, I slept much better last night, and feel like a new person todayteapot2 said:Hope you sleep well and feel better tomorrow. Take care "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 - £7 (survey cashout)
Jan - £141
Feb - £139
March - £89
April £149
May - £79
June - £270
July - £253
August - £173
September - £58"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 -
Glad you're feeling better today - I think the hot weather is so energy sapping and that doesn't help if you're feeling even slightly off colour, does it! And of course it affects sleep too - I've certainly felt far higher energy levels thanks to a couple of decent nights sleep since it's cooled off a bit!🎉 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
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her2 -
Glad you are feeling better. I think if you pick the right garage whether or not they do repairs as well as mots is less of an issue. It can certainly be more convenient if you can go to one for both. I did last year and wasn't stung at all.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £165K Equity 38.88% 6/9/26
2) £1.5K Net savings after CCs 29/8/26 (but owed £130) so £1.6K
3) 47/82K @29/8/26 = 57.31% AVC Goal by mid 20281
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