Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thank Earthgirl2 I did get it sorted and it was super helpful to speak to my colleague definitely do that again if I am stuck. I have got a presentation to make in about 10 min so just come on here so I don't start anything workwise.

Did indulge myself yesterday booked a garden expert to come and give me some advice on my garden as I want to make it more me and also cut back some of the large bushes to make more space. It is £70 but I will work with her and learn as I go along. She charged £30 an hour to then do the actual work but I can probably do some of that myself but we shall see. She is really good and has been before. 

Gym tonight two classes so again trying to be good with food. Made 4 single portions of cauliflower cheese last night. DG hates it and hates the smell (I agree) so I will have one for late lunch today and then freeze the rest for me as an easy meal. Foodwise we were really good yesterday hopefully carry on today. 

I have a call straight after the team meeting and then I shall have time for late lunch which I shall look forward to. 

Weather is so grim here cannot be helped but feeling the cold now. Had to have the heating on 45 min this morning. DG is all calm still about golf long may it last she is working really long hours but making money so that is a good thing.

Anyway best log off as I need to get to my meeting. 

savingholmes

Glad you got some help from a colleague as well as help with the garden.

TallGirl

Morning all happy Friday and it is sunny at last here so nice.

I did not post yesterday so a quick recap. Did make gym but 1st class was cancelled so did 30 min in the gym and then joined for the second one. We did have food planned out but DG was not happy so as we had a free bakery item in Lidl I agreed to go. We went got the items we needed plus a few more came home and I had not ticked the activate on the app so no free bread. Bloody annoying so will have to go back I just love their seeded sourdough. 

Joint spending account is now empty but we did get a £135 credit from the car plan when I changed it over so that was much needed. I also looked at our netflix account and we are on the premium which is the one going up to £17.99. DG was not keen to log in but it took 2 min and we are now on the £10.99 as we do watch from more than 1 device. Actually we share with our friends in Cornwall but Netflix hasn't spotted that yet. I know they will but we will deal with it then.

I also got my red ribbon in the post which means I can complete my sewing project. We have got golf both Saturday and Sunday but if it rains then Saturday will be cancelled as I am not up for getting wet twice. 

We have done some more talking about the house in Denmark and looked on their right move equivalent. There is a quite a lot of choice but often people have extended really badly and the interior is just such a mess. We have looked more into the new build option and all the standard options are just what would suit us and some really nice features I just think it might be too expensive or actually a bit silly. We saw a plot that is 2300 m2 in size that is twice the normal size of newer one (no idea compared to UK) but it is 1/2 an acre. On that you could build a 170m2 house which is roughly 4 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and big utility room. Issue is the build would be about £350k and the land only £30K. However all the houses around it would be in the £200K price bracket so could you even sell it. I would not have to worry as I would not be around really but still something to consider. That example would be based on a plot in a small town near by sisters. No views or anything but walking distance to a supermarket, baker and hairdresser etc. Anyway that is in the long term dream right.

DG has been up since 5am working so she needs breakfast so will do that any then crack on with work. 

 

QueenJess

Just catching up on some diaries as I’m very behind. I was curious though on the wellbeing time you mentioned. What’s that?

TallGirl

QueenJess said:

Just catching up on some diaries as I’m very behind. I was curious though on the wellbeing time you mentioned. What’s that?

Morning and thanks for the question Jess. We work 37.5 hours a week and there is no flexi however we are now allowed to take 1 hour to do something for ourselves and our own wellbeing. Some teams take that hour all together and do something however mine we just do our own thing and I decided to do my Thursday morning gym class in that hour. I am now also going to the gym on a Monday so that is why I try to start work early to even it out. I am lucky I have a supportive employer in terms of working from home and also my workload is very manageable. I know not everyone are that luck. This morning I am only doing 1 class as I have a meeting at 10.30. 

Weekend was nice although we had a ..... drum roll you guessed it ......dg meltdown at the driving range. I think as one of you said about it triggering her it is now mostly at that range it happens. I think it is because we go expecting it to be a nice evening out and when when it does not go well it is worse than if we were just 10 min up the road at the club and we can go home anytime. The range is about 30 mins drive each way but you can go in the evening. She pulled out of the Saturday game. Everyone else did but another lady and I had not realised so we went out and after 3 holes it started really raining and it was slow so we went in. DG did not want to go Sunday (pre-booked game and lesson) but I kind her told her she had no choice. She was fine and actually enjoyed it. I know I should just let her not go but her pre-anxiety is stopping her from doing so much. She is now happy again with golf so the meltdowns are a lot shorter lived now but next weekend is Abba so no games and nothing else coming up soon. 

We watched a money saving programme on telly (I think BBC) and they tested a Vax spot cleaner. Well we were both surprised it was £100 only and our cats keep being sick on the rugs and carpets (never on the wooden floor or tiles). We got one on Amazon and it is so good it really works and the stains are gone. We could do with getting the carpets done and then just keep on top of things with the Vax it is only for spots really but so good. 

Payday for me today so will do some money shuffling and make sure I can clear my credit card. Joint finances are ok just about for another week as we got the credit for the car service plan. Best get my water bottle filled up and ready for gym they are starting road works today so it might be slow. 

Hope you all have a lovely Monday. 

TallGirl

Morning waiting for a team call to start so thought I would come and say hello. I do have a lot of work to do today so hopefully get my mojo back workwise. 

Call was ok but a pain being on wifi but that is another long story with my manager which I cannot remember if I shared. She is not very well I am sure she has Covid at least I cannot catch it via a screen lol.

Credit card payment to clear in full goes out tomorrow. The joint account still owes me £500 for Xmas flights but if I take it would leave things really tight. DG is really struggling to make enough money to cover her share of the bills so I might have to stop my £500 a month into Premium Bonds so I can pay a bit extra. She has got some of her longer term cases coming up to settle but she ideally wants to use that money for retirement so the smaller cases are meant to replace the part time wages she had. Unfortunately the smaller cases she has to pay a higher percentage to the company (they give her the work). She has asked them for a bigger cut and they are negotiating which is actually also a sign that she knows what she is doing and they need her. Fingers crossed it will only be temporary but she is much much happier working for herself so I do not really want her to go back into paid work as such.

I do have my 1stDirect saver maturing in December so that will be handy for a while but I do need to use some of that money for golf club fees for next year (in May). 

Had a chat with my mum and sister the other day. She thinks we should go for a relatively new build in Denmark say sub 15 years rather than go through the hassle of building things ourselves. She has actually pointed out an area of the town she lives just outside that looks really promising. I know it is too early to plan anything but at least at Christmas we can take a look. Also if that really nice but expensive one is still up for sale we might be able to get a viewing. 

Guess I best get on with some work   

TallGirl

Got distracted looking at Danish properties I mean look at this for £140K 

daisy_1571

Oh tg, that's lovely,  I'd have that big bedroom upstairs as a living room so you can make full use of theview and the balcony.  Very nice

Daisy xxx

earthgirl2

That looks lovely and such a good price!

TallGirl

Thanks Earthgirl2 it is so cheap in some areas over there. Still we are here and need to save up to pay for that lifestyle. 

Got an email from Virgin yesterday offering me 20% off if I took out a new plan for 18 months. Saved £15 a month by doing that. Might have got more had I actually chatted with them online but we are not looking to leave so I feel this is fine for now. At least we cut down Netflix so a bit better. 

Also had a look at MSE email re the HSBC global account that sounds like it could be really useful for me and DG as I no longer have an account in Denmark. I took out my 1st Direct account pre 2018 so I should qualify.  

I did spend £10 on some binding for a Xmas table cloth for my sisters family and £5 on some plastic bits to enable me to stick the cotton and the bobbin together as one. I did not order binding for my own Xmas table cloth as I am not sure I need one although I do have the fabric for one. I am going to use the last of the red binding to make a tote bag out of a small piece of fabric I got given for free so there will actually be no cost to that project. 

I did get a lot of work done yesterday so I am starting to feel back in the grove. I have a meeting with my manager this morning so at least I have something to update her on. Oh well she has just cancelled I think she has Covid but she is at least testing today. 

In money update my credit card is paid off, Premium Bonds topped up and the last payment to 1st Direct saver on its way. 

Still need to order envelopes for my clothes I want to sell on Vinted but I also need to photograph them first. 

Just taking out a free months Apple subscription to The Telegraph I really like their money pages and they had one about expats so reading that. Feels like the more I can prepare the better but also makes it feel better actually. I do not want to wish my life away as I have a very good life here but it is also nice to have something to look forward to. 

That is it for now hope you all have a lovely Wednesday planning on gym later please give me a hard time if I do not go.