Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thanks QueenJess I love finance too that is very clever the 13 payments. In Denmark you set up a seperate pot that a set part of your salary is paid into and then when you wish to go on leave you claim the salary from that pot. When you change jobs etc there is no issue with over or under used leave. 

Anyway back to Monday and something as baffled me already at work so I have had to ask for help from a senior. Not a great start. This week will be busy with lots of meetings and I have my haircut and colour tomorrow afternoon. 

I am going to do some shuffling of money as my credit card has been paid and I can now transfer over the deposit money our friends have paid us for Turkey. DG owes me and also for some other flights but at least it is not loads. She is waiting for a big payout plus we sold her coat on Vinted so she has £30 coming from that. 

Low spend weekend except I did buy 3 pairs of trousers on Long Tall Sally. I am not sure they will fit me but they were cheap, cheaper than you could make them for yourselves and my day to day wear is getting really worn out and cannot be seen in public. 

Nothing else spent not even on food or drink all out of the joint pot or my friend bought me a drink yesterday so that was a free but we did use our free vouchers so our friends have now had 2 free rounds each which would be worth £80 each or so. Anyway it was a nice round of golf both Saturday and Sunday but my feet are now suffering a bit. Weather was fantastic yesterday really warm I played in a t-shirt but I could easily have played in crop trousers it was that warn. 

Tonight is sewing club but I have not progressed since last week so I might try to do a bit before I go there tonight it is not until 7pm so I have time. Also need to post the coat DG sold. First load is in the machine going to try and dry outside. 

TallGirl

What a night DG was in so much pain when I got back from sewing club that she was really struggling by the time she went to bed. The whole leg was in pain. We called 111 which I think calmed her down and I also got her to put ice on it. We then got a call at 3am but they only rang 3 times so she missed it. They did call her again around 6ish but she was on her way to work. They were a bit upset she was going to work but she has a case in court at 11am today quite a remote location so could not be helped. They then got our normal surgery to call and she can see them this afternoon which is better than on Tuesday which was the original appointment. I did try to sleep until 9am but do not feel rested. 

This morning is busty as I have a meeting at 9.30 I then need to leave early to go another one at 10am. 

I have heard from the land registry my transfer will happen February 2026 which is crazy isn't it. I do wish I had got it done sooner as it has been on the list for ages. 

Only spend yesterday was £5 for sewing club. 

TallGirl

Yesterday did not quite go to plan but wasn't too bad actually. 

Meeting first thing was great finally got some interesting work to get on with. Got delayed because the main persons mum died which was obviously very sad. I got my haircut so that was the only spend £110 for cut and colour which I think is really cheap and she is a friend so that is nice too. 

I then planned to go straight to the gym but cancel my aqua class as I could not get my hair wet after the colour. Turns out it was not there so must have been cancelled. Anyway had time to go home first. DG wanted me to take her to Tesco chemist to get her painkillers which the GP prescribed. It was 30 min before my class when she was told they did not have any and to find somewhere else. The traffic was awful so decided to go to one I did not know. Turns out it was not a chemist at all but then found another which we called and they closed in 20 min but they got it all sorted by the time we got there (10 min away) and she got her meds. There are some kind people left in this world and we will do a good review for them they were amazing. They are quite close to a major hospital so wondered if that is why they had so much in. Anyway all sorted but no gym and I got a black mark against me for not turning up. DG would never have got the meds sorted as she does not know the area as well and we were in the car you cannot hook up to GPS. 

She managed to dull the pain so had a good nights sleep but we are hoping she will not be on these pain killers long term. She has private physio Tues and also proper GP appointment. She definitely needs to start exercising again. Diet still going well for both of us I was so hungry last night and we were driving past MCD but DG stopped me and I was glad she did. We did have food at home as that was good. 

I do feel really broke this month due to the extra expenses for the holiday and also that DG has not yet paid me back for last months CC bill. I have paid the CC off this month and should be ok next month if she can pay me back but I do not want things to be this tight and she is paying for the weight loss medication too. We always get this at this time of year because the main insurances comes out but we just are not organised enough to have pots for it. Virgin did apply for £30 credit so that helps this month for sure. We have the pots but there is never enough to pay into them. I will try and set it up this year as it is too tight. I might take some out of Premium Bonds if it gets too tight at least we will not need much while on holiday as it is all inclusive. 

Right best get on with work.  

TallGirl

God I am struggling to get into work but this has just come up for sale it is the one with the private beach area. This house is sadly too small for us but it shows there are more coming up for sale. I am going to watch and see how quickly it sells and if it is still there at Christmas DG can come and view it perhaps. 

Also I had a message from a buyer of one of my items of clothing there was two holes in it. It was woollen so I guess I just did not spot it. Not good so gave them a full refund and told them to keep it. Must be more careful but at least the rest seems to be fine so far so good. Just waiting for the final £30 for DG's coat then I will set it to holiday for next week. The Long Tall Sally stuff that arrived is great works out at £20 per pair of bottoms and I could not buy fabric for that cost and then I would have to get elastic and sew it so best to buy for now. 

Right back to work call in a minute. 

TO DO
- Sort will out to include civil partnership - postponed as solicitor is on maternity leave 
- Get witness to signed then post forms for land registry DONE will get done by Feb 26!!
- Look into international pensions - Sent questions to association and they are passing it on to adviser who did webinar. 
- Buy ice machine as built in one is broken. NOT DONE 
- Send SAGE machine back - emailed to accept their offer and sent yet more pictures

House stuff
- Paint the 2 back fence panels 
- Repoint worst bits of patio - SPRING 25
- Repaint the gates and back fence cream before re-listing house
- Get Hive fixed DONE

Social/holiday
- Book Gatwick parking for Christmas 
- Order Moroccan currency. NOT NEEDED
- Book activities for Morocco DONE will book out there now hotel has changed
- List trousers on Vinted DONE and Sold two summer pairs left to do

Watty1

That house is fantastic and in UK terms bargainous. 

TallGirl

Thanks Watty it is just a tad too small when working from home but perfect location with that beach front access.

Yesterday was a no spend day although we did go to Lidl to get sweets but forgot to get stuff to make the hot chocolate. I can make it from old fashion cocoa powder to will do that and save money as well. Win win. We did not buy anything rubbish either (no chocolate brownies) the meds are definitely working for DG. 

Her knee did play up last night and the night time painkillers did not work. I really hope the physio can do something Tuesday as I would hate her to be like this on holiday. Not funny. 

Listened to the budget yesterday I did not hear anything about limits on pensions in terms of 25% lump sum or salary sacrifice. I did hear about the increase for 2nd homes it did make me wonder if a landlord has bought next door and is going to develop it into a huge HMO or something. It does not have much parking so hopefully be refused but it is sold none the less and it would be ideal if ours is sold before the new owners start converting the two garages. With a bit of luck it has to go through probate and then they will have to apply for planning permission which we can object to. Hopefully the financial adviser will get back to me at some point with the free advice and a quote for the paid advice. I spoke to my mum last night she agrees it is worth paying for it to get it right. She has just come out of hospital and I think my mum will visit  

Still trying to fit work in before I go and struggling to get dates from people. Lets just say I am going to be busy next week so trying to get as much done now as I can. 

Transferred by balance of £87 from Vinted to my bank account. Still £30 in there which is DGs so that is all fine. I have however spent £185 on clothes this month alone. That actually surprised me and does not include the £10 on the £7 on the Monsoon dress from Vinted. I have not bought any clothes for ages and it is all LTS which does last. It is actually 4 pairs of trousers, 1 hoodie + bottoms and a Sweater dress so £26 per item average for LTS is not bad and my last order with them was 2021. No more clothes shopping things are too tight in more than one way lol. Once I lose weight I can fit into much more stuff anyway. 

I should also get my expenses £50 very soon so that will help the bank account slump. 

Cannot wait to put that out of office on next week and roll on Friday. 

TallGirl

Morning we did not get rid of all the sweets yesterday so they can go in the foodbank pile (unopened) and I also made far too much hot chocolate I forgot the adult only come out early with the kids. We drink it anyway so I just need to get it into a bottle really rather than in jugs too good to waste. It was lovely seeing the kids and neighbours people know us now and they say how much they look forward to our house. Makes use of the pool bar at least. Next it will be decorated for Christmas.

Our neighbours brother is now also selling then they are all going to Scotland. It will be sad but hopefully it will be a while before they sell as they are such handy cat sitters. 

I managed to get a big piece of work done yesterday so that is a relief hopefully I can finish what I need today and go to the weekend with a clear work to do list. My manager is now off until after I am back so that is quite handy too. My old one used to give me work but this one does not so much. 

Saturday we have a viewing and also dinner with our friends. No golf planned as we will be too hungover Sunday to play in a competition and DG is still struggling with her knee. She has had to ask the GP who said to up the night time dose which did help. She goes on the 5ml skinny jab tomorrow fingers crossed that is ok. She is still doing well me less so but hopefully weigh in tomorrow will show results.

In money news DG got paid a big job yesterday so she is going to pay me back for all she owes me including the holiday spends due next month. I do need to find my own money for those bills but having her and that of our friends means I can relax a little. Right now I do not have enough in my current account to pay the DD's coming out which is not really ideal as there is nothing to shuffle over. I think me upping my pension payments to 20% has made an impact. I get my regular saver paid out in early December so that is for Christmas but also for golf membership. Not sure what we will do this year I am guessing we will pay monthly as we will not need a whole year. Also the Danish association has sent a long email reply I shall take my time to read as it is technical and in Danish.

My mum is feeling better and my sister is with her so that is all good. I am very pleased my sister went over there I cannot wait until I can do that for my mum.  

TallGirl

No wins on PB a bit fed up as I have only won £150 in the last 6 months that would have been better in a savings account. Will need to do some thinking if I keep them. 

As for the Danish pension situation I have been thinking if it is worth stuffing more money in there via salary sacrifice as the rate of tax you pay on the dividends is so much lower 15% tax for pension dividends versus £33-38%. There is a lot to think about.

Helping Dg doing her accounts and I have decluttered a few perfume bottles plus found stuff for the loft. We were offered a viewing this morning at 9.45am but DG said no so they are coming on Weds evening just as we leave for holiday. Need to keep the house tidy and clean hence the declutter today. The people viewing have nothing to sell so that is something but I just want us off the market now. So in our little close of 12 houses no8 is sold, no7 is us not sold, no6 sold immediately (lady died needs lots of work but lots of room to extend), no 3 have just gone up for sale (moving to Scotland with no8) and no 2 has been for sale for ages and still is. 2 Others have sold in the last 2 years so they do move in our little close. 

Going for dinner at our friends tonight which will be lovely as not seen them since June. He is an excellent cook we will get a cab back tonight. Sadly no weight loss for either of us which was disappointing but DG is now on the 5mg so lets hope it moves the right way. 

Booked and paid for the Xmas meal at the Golf club it is a Thursday £33 for dinner and music which is quite good. 

Plan for today is to make sure all my clothes is ready for holiday and also put a load of stuff up in the loft. Managed to burn a load of papers at Halloween so the office is tidier now. 

Hope you all have a lovely Saturday. 

savingholmes

All caught up. Hope DG recovers soon. Horrible to be in pain.

Great news she has a payout and that will help rebalance the budget.

I'd max out your pension while you can if you can manage without.

TallGirl

Thanks Savingsholmes yes fingers crossed she is still out of pain but we both suffered after Saturdays excess at our friends. It was lovely to see them again and they told us they will 100% come and visit when we get to Denmark and should we need a place to stay just to come to them. Also if we are between places we can stay with them before we move. A really good night but felt crap all day yesterday did not get a thing done. 

Saw the neighbour who is the last to sell now and he gifted us some cocktail glasses. They have just paid their mortgage off (early 30's) so it was really nice to congratulate them in person rather than just doing it here virtually. They are looking to rent in Scotland but not be relying on the husbands sisters family they will chose their own area. I am pleased about that as he wasn't even keen on moving last time we saw him and now they are for sale. He thinks no 2 will take their house off the market they have had 1 or 2 viewings. Anyway it will be good for them when we come off the market. 

DG paid me so that was really good and I have shuffled things around. I have paid the Turkey holiday up to date so has DG so we just have £400 each to pay now. I will pay the deposit off my CC this month with the money everyone has paid. I have also taken money from the joint acc to pay for the car insurance and our Superdrug order so with the deposit coming off I only have £800 to pay when I get paid. It was nice that she paid me up for everything I will need to raid my regular saver when it matures but I wont need to pay for a whole years golf upfront this year we will have to pay monthly as we should not need a whole year from May. 

I do want to up my pension payments but obviously when I then come to draw in down I will get taxed 45% in Denmark so a bit to think about. I will reply to the Danish Association if work stays quiet I can do it during work time.
Got meetings solidly from 12noon to 2pm today so a but annoying for lunch. Going to have a smoothie in a min and then see how I go. DG can make lunch I can eat it later. Diet still ok but obviously ate and drank too much Saturday. Our friend is an excellent cook and I did not have any cheese at least. 

Taxi was £11 but that was well worth it. We cannot get Cabs where we are but from his its always really easy. I shall miss that in Denmark. Right need to get on with some work.