Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thanks LWAP I am glad I am not the only one and I do try to eat less carbs more protein and more veg. It is the sweet stuff that is my downside. I agree about sleep also being hungover makes you more likely to want to eat junk. I like your Orca whale analogy I do not always feel like that especially with current changes at work.

DG has paid me minus £1200 so I have done some shuffling and wanted to write it down.

Interest earning Credit card to be cleared 23th May (after next pay day) £1432

0% interest free credit card to be cleared in 15 months £5470 plus paying min payment each month There is still £500 credit left on this card so I might do some swapping at some point but hopefully no more big expenses now. 

Savings earning 5.08% £3800 

I will use what DG owes me to pay off the CC or if it is next month stick it in the savings account. Things are a bit tight but I can do it plus I am saving £300 a month that will be available in December. Some big expenses with the golf club membership and the golf gear but the membership was planned and at least now DG has paid me back.

TallGirl

Morning Friday at last and a long weekend to look forward to. 

Painter is doing great he is really tidy and takes great care things are done right I can definitely see progress and he is finding all the cracks. Bit manic with both him and the cleaner here yesterday. I paid him £100 for yesterday as that is his day rate seemed fair enough. We mentioned about moving to Denmark he is happy to do work for us over there and stay with us. Certainly a tempting proposition as wages are so high over there. 

Went to the club traffic not too bad so now have everything for the new bags and trolleys and they just about fit in the car. Can't wait to try them out on the course. I have never had an electric trolley.

Also found out while up there that I have won a competition and got a free round of golf for 4 people at a local course we used to play a lot. I have invited our two friends (the ones we have not yet invited to the civil ceremony) and they are keen. I just need to know if there is an expiry date on the voucher and then book it. It should be a lovely day although we will be needing buggies as it is very hilly. Very nice prize so I was chuffed. Now I just need to get my suitcase back and I really would feel blessed and lucky. 

Went to vote looks like we got rid of the tory councillors in our ward but they still hold the main Council sadly. 

Replied to RL as I had not had my £150 and read the answer again and asked them to confirm I could stay a customer if I just wanted to draw down on my sums. Hopefully they will answer. I had a think and the earliest I could move is August 25 as I need to be 55 to take 25% interest free out of my pension. I might by that time have added the max I can from my ISA but if I do then I definitely cannot plan to come back as you cannot get your ISA back obviously. Anyway it was kind of nice to think that in just over 1 year we could go. I would still need to work but who knows what happens to my current job. We also talked about the business premises and I really need to get them transferred into my name so I can hopefully sell them to my BIL. So that is now going on the long to do list. 

Got quite a bit of work to do today but time to do it so that is all good. Need some breakfast before the painter turns up.

- Paint the front door surround - will get done by painter starting 6/5
- Order hot tub cover cleaner
- Get cleaner for hot tub cover and clean cover
- Change water in hottub order pink stuff. 
- Book trains in Ireland and bus to airport
- Change my address and marital status on DK site
- Research tax on ISA and Pension in DK
- Await compensation from RL
- Paint all wood in back garden
- Paint the 3 new fence panels - paint sprayer arriving today.
- Paint raised beds looking tired 
- Sort will out to include civil partnership
- Book reading for Civil Partnership
- Book car in for service and MOT - DONE
- Start process of registering business premises in my name
- Check my mum into flight from UK to DK
- Move savings from Santa to Monzo 20th May rate drops to 4.2 and Monzo is 4.1 so might as well keep it together.

TallGirl

Morning hope you all had a lovely Bank Holiday we certainly did. Not a lot of chores got done in fact none but we really did enjoy ourselves. 

We played golf after work on Friday which was really nice and we played nicely. We had a glass of wine after at the club then bought a nice bottle of wine (£13 instead of £6) and drank that slowly at home. All paid for by DG as a thank you for me paying for a lot recently.

Saturday we were due to play early but our partner pulled out and a random bloke of the internet booked in with us. We were already behind the other in the comp so it would have been slow so we asked if we could play in the afternoon. They were happy with that so once we had played DG treated us to lunch and we sat outside in the lovely sunshine. We then got ready to go in the spa area however we did not realise it closes at 7pm so we only got 1/2 hour but it still felt like we had spent the day away somewhere nice with lunch and spa plus golf obviously. Bonus was that DG got the same score as those who came second but she only got 1 point out of 4 on the last 4 holes so lost on countback. She was still really pleased and said she felt like a proper golfer so I was well chuffed too.

Almost forgot while we just on the course we got a text from DGs cousin I will be with you at 16.47 today the trains are delayed. Had to quickly text him back well you were invited for next week it is DGs birthday on the 9th. I had all the time said the 10th so it was his mistake. Honestly I know I am disorganised at times but he is a different level. 

Sunday we did not do a lot went to see DGs aunt, had McD which was bad for the diet obviously. Chilled in the evening but I did do a small amount of gardening and we started doing the washing but then it started raining. 

Yesterday we played in a competition with two other members. They were really nice and they both bought us drinks afterwards which was very nice. We did not play that great (I also played rubbish Saturday) but feeling better towards the end of the day as we have our knockout competition on Thursday DGs birthday. 

I went to the local sewing club for the first time yesterday. There were 6 of us and it was really nice. I got 15 squares of the knitting sewn together but next time I will be working on a proper sewing project. Some are quite knowledgeable so some help to be had if needed. Also one is a knitter which is handy. 

Lovely weather here today so got the load of washing out we could not get out yesterday and another in the wash. The handyman is on his way  so hopefully make some progress. More to add on the list today and nothing can come off it. 

Today it is 3 weeks since I lost my bag I am starting to lose hope. I am going to double check I have lodged it with the right railway as I am getting compensation for the trip up and that is a different company. 

Right be crack on short week this one especially with Thursday off. 



- Paint the front door surround - will get done by painter starting 6/5
- Order hot tub cover cleaner
- Get cleaner for hot tub cover and clean cover - looking in the hot tub shop it is the same you use to restore vinyl in a car so wanted to check if cheaper online. 
- Change water in hottub order pink stuff. - Got pink stuff so can be done
- Book trains in Ireland and bus to airport
- Change my address and marital status on DK site
- Research tax on ISA and Pension in DK
- Await compensation from RL
- Paint all wood in back garden
- Paint the 3 new fence panels - paint sprayer arriving today.
- Paint raised beds looking tired 
- Sort will out to include civil partnership
- Book reading for Civil Partnership
- Start process of registering business premises in my name
- Check my mum into flight from UK to DK
- Move savings from Santa to Monzo 20th May rate drops to 4.2 and Monzo is 4.1 so might as well keep it together. 
- Set up new Santa regular saver £200p/m to pay off 0% credit card at end of period. 
- Book  round of golf at C 2nd June

TallGirl

I am really struggling with work so thought I would just get this down on paper feel free to ignore it is not remotely money saving. 

Had a chat today at work about the savings that are needed in the organisation and it is looking huge. It is much needed but the way they do it is to hire a new person for each task (usually from outside) then you hear nothing for 6 months and they there are more changes and it all seems to get lost. This has been going on for 3 years and I think now it really is crunch time. They clearly have not got a strategic plan for how it is to go forward but they are going to make cuts. Last time they did this they paid a lot out in redundancy got rid of the really good knowledgeable people and kept the less so. They are still hiring so we just know it will be a car crash. My job is relatively safe but we might have to cut hours as and when demand is less so not sure how they would cope with that. 

My colleague thinks there is a clause in our contract stating we cannot work from abroad but I cannot even find my contract so that is not helpful. I know I could just ask but I dare not as I do not want to know the answer as you know. 

If they did let me work from abroad I would offer myself on a zero hour contract which could work for them but this is further down the line. I have only been there 5 years in October so actually not that much if redundancy was on offer. 3 of my colleagues have several decades in the job. Uncertainty is always hard but it is also very exciting maybe I should ask for a copy of my contract and ask them to show me where it says we cannot work from abroad. Problem is they always ask my line manager first and I do not need her involved at the moment. 

Also feeling down at the loss of my suitcase on the train. Started to add it all up and it is depressing

Brand new case £23
Nice toilet bag £25 to replace
Dress was on sale in Next so cheap
Lovely Vagabond ankle boots £50 to replace  I am guessing
Work laptop and phone (HP and Samsung so quite a bit) 
Black roll neck (not much)
Dressing gown only from TK Maxx but still needs to be replaced
Kindle £100 to replace
Undies socks and bras (old but still need replacing)
USB plug 

 Anyway thanks for listening best get on with work. I think I will send a message to HR asking for a copy of my contract and their stance on working abroad. 

savingholmes

Nice competition win. 

Sorry you've had no luck with the bag. 

Hope you are safe at work. No harm in asking for a copy of your contract you don't need to explain why.

TallGirl

Thanks SH I did ask for my contract and asked about the rules regarding working from abroad in case my mum needed care we shall see if they answer. 

I am feeling a bit happier today I have lots of meetings today plus a biggiesh presentation to make on my area of work. It is just for my team but I feel underprepared. 

We did make it to combat last night and then aqua which was as fun as last time with loads of ABBA songs. I could feel how hard it was. Tonight is gym session followed by Pump 6 to 8pm but DG is not going she did 3 session yesterday. Last present for DGs birthday arrived yesterday so that was good she is picking up the cake she ordered from a friend tomorrow and her cousin has now booked the correct date for the trains so he is coming down Saturday. That means no rushing around as the painting will be done Thursday but hopefully the cleaner will get most rooms done. The pool is being opened up today and the weather forecast looks good for the weekend so happy days maybe even a swim who knows.

Still not had the compensation from Royal London wondering if I need to chase them again they are just the worst honestly. 

TallGirl

Work was a big fat no for working abroad only England and Wales not even Scotland lol. I can get two day paid carers leave or take unpaid leave. Well at least I know and I have now got my contract for the fix time job I did when I first joined so just asked for the other one I am thinking I never got one but surely that cannot be true. A bit strange if I didn't but you never know.

The pool is now open and ready to go in. I have uncovered some of the garden furniture and it is glorious outside. 

I am thinking about setting up the Santa 5% fixed account you pay £200 a month into. That would do nicely for paying the credit card off when the interest rate starts again.   

Painter thinks he will be mostly done today then it is only the office to do. Not sure he will get a chance to look at the issue with the damp or he even knows how to deal with it. Not concerned it will most likely come back next winter but we can deal with it then. The cracks are slowly going and the front door is starting to get filled in. Slow progress but I can see he is quite good. We talked about him coming to do some work for us when we are settled in Denmark he was well up for that thinks it would be a once in a lifetime. I think he is really hard up he is a single dad to a 4 year old but has help from the family. I do really like him just wish he would finish off some areas so when the cleaner is back tomorrow she has got some space. We shall see what happens.

My presentation went fine but I lost 10min due to the meeting overrunning so that was a shame. I got some really good compliments though so pleased about that. No spends today other than joint account for the birthday cake my friend made ( we asked for it) 

savingholmes

Could you do a z0p@ isa at 5.08% easy access?

Well done on the presentation

TallGirl

Thanks SH I have just opened a Cash ISA with MoneyBox it pays 5.16% and as I will need it to pay off the credit card it makes sense that it does not impact on my ISA allowance just in case I come into some money. 

We had a nice morning for DGs birthday we got up early I cooked us a HM fakeaway MCD breakfast and she liked her posh sodastream and her headcovers from TEM* so that was all good. We had the cleaner here and the painter so it was a bit hectic but we got off early to golf and practised beforehand. 

We did not play the best but we kept going but sadly lost in the end. DG got frustrated yet again with her game so was sulking with me and her golf confidence is now broken again. It is hard when you hit every second ball to see how your own game is actually doing. Our opponents are really good players and they played so well did not miss any puts. 

The painter was still here when we got back he said he finished at 3pm so carried on with some painting in the garden I had asked him to do. He worked until 6pm so I paid him 1/2 extra even though I would have paid for a whole day but he wanted to get it done. I still have a few bits to do in the garden but a lot has been done and I finally have a full wall and fence with black panels. They still need doing on the outside but look good from inside. He did a rushed job on the front door but we can fix that. He claims it needed longer to dry but he had 5 days so should have started it earlier. I paid £600 and all cracks are now gone and the paint matches totally with the existing paint plus not sign of mould. I am happy with that it would have taken us days and putting up coving would not have dealt with all the other cracks from filling in the fireplace or the window in the kitchen. I still want to tidy up the bath panel in the bathroom as DGs uncle made a mess of the silicone. That is a quick job and we need silicone around the front door anyway. I savings are gone but pay day is less than 2 weeks away so that is all good. 

DG was sulking when we got back and did not want to go out but came and did not speak to me for most of the evening but it was nice to speak to the others there were 16 of us in total. All really nice people. I had 1 glass of wine and drove home. Bill for us was £85 which was ok for 3 courses and coffee plus we had some free wine as well as paid for a bottle. 

Did not sleep that well DG stayed up but I am working today as next week is manic before I go on leave. I have now finally been given more work just a shame I could not have had it a lot earlier. 

It is Friday it is lovely and sunny here and that is at least something. We have a game of golf tomorrow just  for fun I think DG just wants to play for fun and not in comp so that is still on. Then DGs cousin is down until Monday. Should be a nice weekend. Other good news I got the £80 for opening an HSBC account so that is a nice bonus. Might use that to replace some of the stuff I lost with the suitcase loss. 

TallGirl

Morning what a lovely weekend felt like we were the Spain! Straight from early Spring to hot summer so strange. 

Saturday we played 9 holes and got some chores done and then picked DGs cousin up from the train station at 5pm. We had dinner outside and watched Eurovision. Being American he had never watched it before this was on DGs second year of watching it. We were messaging my family in Denmark at the same time they are really into it. Shame for Olly he deserved better also a shame Denmark did not make the finals. So political with Ukraine and Israel doing so well in the public vote I think it should be about the music. 

As we had sadly missed the light Friday night we tried to get to see them Saturday night I think the whole town was out on top of the hill. We did not see anything but it was kind of fun. We live on top of the hill but has views of the South not the north. 

Late night and Sunday was a proper pool day just lounging by the pool and we also got in as it was lovely and warm. It finally felt worth having a pool. We did need to empty the hot tub it is yucky so we did not go in it. We also need to check in for our trip to Ireland and book luggage. I need to get a new toilet bag and some other bits I lost on the suitcase I think I have to accept I am never getting it back now. Very sad but it is what it is and I have to be more careful. 

We dropped the cousin off at the train station last night it has been good seeing him but he is still a strange character and something does not add up. He still has his full time US job while working full time in the UK. He says he needs both jobs but he keeps saying how much money he is on. He has just bought a house in the US and is renting here. He rents it out to friends but that does not cover everything as one person is not paying. He acts like he is broke or maybe he is tight but seriously it was DGs birthday Thursday would you not have brought something down even if it was a bottle of wine, he brought nothing at all. It is not a problem but if someone is doing too very well paid jobs (he is in computer animation gaming as a graphics something so he must be earning good money not min wage). Anyway I hope he sorts out whatever it is he needs to money for at that level. 

Monday today and I have cancelled pump tonight so I can do some chores instead. Like the emptying of the hot tub  .

No spends over the weekend which was most welcome other than Lidl and Dg paid for a drink at the club.

Edit spent £15 at Temu on travel essentials incl new toothbrush, washbag and bottles. Also got a set for DG. It was £15 in total and to replace the one I lost would have been £20 on its own but they no longer do the colour I like and DGs is already broken so best to change. If it is rubbish its only £3 lost.