Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

I just wanted to come on here to say I have finished the course! I am so happy I still need to do some activities but I might do them with my colleague.

They are also sending the refund for the oil and I do not have to send the bottle back. I will still gift it to my friend but she will get two presents I feel OK about that it is still full and it is just to cap that is missing. What would you do? 

Got a present for DG a book on Danish Gramma it was only cheap but should be helpful as Duolingo does not do much on gramma.

Going to log off now and have some dinner. 

Course - progressing got 7 sections left to do I can do this DONE
Write final review for headphones, waiting for final email
Presents for friend I do have her list now DONE
Pump water out of pool
Clean hot tub filters
Find a present for DG only have some really small things but do not want to buy just for the sake of it. DONE

TallGirl

We seem to have lots of IT issues today, my new headset keeps cutting out and DG is still firmly locked out due to the cyber attack and that does not look likely to resolve until who knows. 

Trying to catch up with work but I am just not feeling it. I have had two amazing compliments today so that felt good 

Done the pool and the hottub is down to DG so that should be the TO DO list sorted for now. Sadly the book I bought for DG is not the right one. I might keep it but I need something else to go with it. So annoying. 

Work is not too bad and not been too bad eating apart from the TGTG bag last night but M&S chocolate donuts are lush. 

TallGirl

Just on my way back from the big smoke where we had a short team meeting and lunch. We’re so a small team but it was nice to catch up with everyone. 

Got to call the successful candidate and tell her she’d got the job. She was amazing and I’m so pleased she’s taken the job. 65 applications and 3 interviews and only 1 was employable (two cancelled their interviews). 

I’m convinced one didn’t write her own cv she was so different on the call. 

Got a free Greggs coffee with my priority app and didn’t get around to buying another on expenses so no freebie stamps. 

Will be home by 6 so not too bad I did get on the train at 7am. 

savingholmes

It's easy enough to get professional help on a CV - so you may be right that one didn't write it. Glad you got enough applicants to recruit - that's what counts.

I'd give your friend the gift and not worry about it. Well done on the refund.

TallGirl

Thanks SavingHolmes glad you think it is ok to gift it to her she will get double that way but that is fine she always gives good gifts. 

DG got another TGTG last night it was not as good so think we will stop for a while there are only so many stale pastries you really need. 

In good news DG has got access again to the files I would love to know how it got resolved and if any ransom was paid out. Surely there must have been some sort of insurance involved. Still she is up and running again and can now work on winding down those files and opening up new ones with the other start up company. So much better and only one IT system to melt down over. 

I am actually on a work call right now it will be doom and gloom so this is a welcome distraction.

Also got DGs uncles birth certificate so we can send off for her dad's birth certificate. The grandparents were born in Ireland too so that would have been another route but we should not have to worry about that. 

In sad news my uncle did pass away last night my mum is fine   and there wont be a funeral so I do not need to travel over before Christmas which is actually quite handy. Their might be something at the end of January so I will go over for that if it happens.

I am sneaking away from work early tomorrow to meet friends to go to a Christmas market. Should be nice to see them and their little doggy. 

Right best concentrate on the work call. 

daisy_1571

Sorry to hear about your uncle tg

Dxx

savingholmes

My condolences.

TallGirl

Thanks it does feel strange he is gone and a shame I did not get to see him last time I was home but it is what it is sadly.

Woke up early so got some work done pre 7am so I can leave at 1pm for the train. We both thought it was 2pm but it is clearly not. Best not miss it. 

Got 3 emails from Sage about my coffee cleaning stuff and descaler is coming soon. I thought I had cancelled the order but clearly not. Well next time I best get it cancelled as I have plenty. Still annoying though as not cheap. 

Cancelled cleaner between Xmas and New Year my friends who are cat sitting can do it themselves I should not have to pay for that. It is quite nice as she is coming up on her own the night before whereas he is going to a funeral so we have a night with her on our own. She is my friend so nice to spend some time just us I must say. The BF is ok but not my favorite although he is better than he was and they do make a good couple. 

If I get things done today I shall be having an ok week next week workwise. I have taken on another piece of work in the Midlands so might have to try and make some excuse to go up there and also see the others I have been working with for the last couple of years. Need to do it before April as we are in full on savings mode after that. 

Speaking of savings I am not going to make my £12K as DG will not be able to pay her full amount next month (she will make it up later in the year). The cyber attack meant some big cases are not settled and also the one off work has naturally dried up due to Christmas. 

I have got my £5 Costa voucher so need to download that could even use it today! This was from the financial seminar and they did actually talk a lot of sense on why I need to plan our move to make it the most tax efficient. I have booked an appointment with them last time I did not go through with it due to the fees but now that we are moving if I can get any advice from them that would obviously be ideal. I think it will help me find out what I need to do as they were talking about start planning 3 years in advance so we are right on that. 

As always work to do and I am sneaking off this afternoon so must crack on. 

savingholmes

I am all for planning. I've given myself a 6.5 year target and that is due to be very stretching. You've already got the house paid off though so that is a big help. You need to be aware that SP is frozen if you move abroad and consider how much that may / may not affect you - whether you stay or if the move doesn't work out and you return. Also consider how relationship status laws / marriage and also inheritance laws vary by country and protect yourselves accordingly. I think this is already on your radar but just in case...

TallGirl

Thanks SavingsHolmes I had checked and we should be ok to get increases as Denmark is in the EAU. Yes being mortgage free and be able to upsize but actually put money in the bank (£100K) ideally is also helpful. We definitely would need to be married to protect ourselves but the tax is still going to be something but then again there are some massive benefits. 

My mum is having her cataracts done. She went to the doctor end of November and was offered the op in February so she tells me she is now having it done just after Christmas. She has gone private but not having the pay as the waiting list was more than 60 days the state has to pay for her to go private as they have missed their targets. 

Back to here and now just played a very pleasant 9 holes of golf in a competition did not play well but still enjoyed it. No meltdowns from DG and free mulled wine and mince pies afterwards saves having to eat lunch. 

Ordered my last few Christmas present of Amazon but disaster with my friends present as the Vinted seller has not posted it yet and I ordered it last week. I have chased but it might not get her in time which is so annoying as she is the one getting the oil without the cap already. 

If this last lot arrives plus the Vinted present I am all done. I am going to start putting it all in the suitcases so we can see how much room we have for clothes. DG is working she has already done some work (pre 9am) and will do a bit more as all her files are back after the cyber attack. 

Almost forgot the saga about meeting our friends at the Xmas markets on Friday what a disaster. They were coming from London and us from down south so we were both 1 stop from Winchester when all trains were cancelled due to a jumper at WInchester. We went into Spoons and considered our next move and no busses for 1 1/2 hours. Our friends jumps on a local bus and are meant to change to come over to Winchester. We decide to get an Uber rather than risk busses even though it was a rip off at £20.  We get there 1 hour late and sit in the pub. 4 hours later they are still stuck with no buses so get a bus back to where they started and take the train home. We never got to see them and we end up drinking in a pub and seeing the market which was ok but we could have stayed at home. 

Spent loads of money but did have a nice time.