We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Small steps lead to big changes...
Comments
-
Moths are something that doesn't bother me at all - I can happily coexist with them, or catch them and pop them back outside.
As for Breakdown cover - our cars are both with AXA and on the occasions we've needed to use them they have been extremely good, too. How much it costs depends on the age of the cars so could be worth getting a quote. They were certainly extremely reasonable for us.🎉 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 -
I agree with thisladyholly said:I think the concern about moths ove butterflies is we usually see moths flying around lights inside whereas butterflies are normally outside so although we see them they are not in close proximity for long."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 -
Isn't it funny how we all react differently to various flying/crawling things. Big flies, spiders just shoo them out the door/window unharmed. But tiny flies have me wondering how I can swat them. They make my skin crawl. Insects outside I still wouldn't stomp on them even though they do seem to have a very nasty habit of biting me
1 -
I'm not too fussed about them, but the kids freak out at flying things. I only googled this one as I'd never seen it before. But it was definitely a bit bizarre having several on the window and one flapping around in the bathroom. The kids would have had kittens if they'd seen it,EssexHebridean said:Moths are something that doesn't bother me at all - I can happily coexist with them, or catch them and pop them back outside.
As for Breakdown cover - our cars are both with AXA and on the occasions we've needed to use them they have been extremely good, too. How much it costs depends on the age of the cars so could be worth getting a quote. They were certainly extremely reasonable for us.
Thanks for that info on breakdown cover. Our vehicles range from 14 years old to over 50 years old, so I'd kind of like to stay where we are as I know we are covered, but not unless they come down in price significantly!"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 -
Well I've phoned and haggled, and got the price down a bit with 3 free months, but it wasn't enough for us so I've cancelled. We've got time to look at other companies and find one that suits (and check what cashback offers are available too).
I've been playing again with the retirement spreadsheet. I've removed all the extras like the work on the house etc that I included before, and focussed solely on the basic income needs. I've also added in DH in case he changes his mind once I give up work. So I've now got a figure for me, one for DH and a joint one. When we get to that date, then we can consider whether we've got enough or not. Even working 10 hours a week at minimum wage will add another £400-£500 a month each to our totals, so if we can't quite retire, we could work significantly less!"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 -
Oooh exciting.
Do you have a provisional date to look forward too?I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post 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 & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** in ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger.
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.[/b] [11 months left.[/b]2 -
We've both been looking at retirement figures the last few days then Jwil!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 -
Yes, I've got my countdown in placebeanielou said:Oooh exciting.
Do you have a provisional date to look forward too?
31st March 2033, 3474 days 
It's the point at which I plan to move on from full time work - the mortgage will be gone and I should know what the kids are doing with regards to uni/work etc. If I don't feel able to retire financially, or don't want to, then I will look for part time work. I can't access pension for another two years so would need to support myself from savings for those two years. Of course, I could also decide to stay where I am - it's having the freedom to choose which is my aim.
Very true! Though I look at mine several times a week to see what I can tweak to make sure it's possiblesavingholmes said:We've both been looking at retirement figures the last few days then Jwil! It's a real focus for me, so I am very much constantly looking at what I can do to achieve my aim. It's also keeping me focussed on healthy eating and exercise so I'm able to enjoy it, so it has wider benefits 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 McGee4 -
Today's PAD - £2
Jan - £141
Feb - £139
March - £89
April £149
May - £79
June - £270
July - £253
August - £173
September - £112"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 -
The freedom of choice of priceless.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post 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 & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** in ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger.
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.[/b] [11 months left.[/b]3
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 355.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 456.1K Spending & Discounts
- 248.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 605.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 179K Life & Family
- 263.7K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards