Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Morning a whole day without any meetings which is just such a joy. I am hoping to get at least 1 of my reports done today so there are only 2 left to do. I do have some other bits of work to do but they are not that bad to get done. My colleague suggested using AI so I will try that too. I have my haircut tomorrow but it is at the end of the day so will not interfere with work.

I did go to spin last night it was the christmas karaoke it was really fun and not that hard. DG did not go which was a shame. One the Christmas present front I am just doing a list:

DG done even if we are not meant to buy anything I have got tickets to a local theatre to see a drag show in March.
BIL sorted just need the creme eggs
Niece sorted  
Sister need a small other present and the one i bought her is really heavy so not ideal for taking on a plane
Nephew only thing on his christmas list was a £120 bottle of perfume and I am not buying that. Honestly insane! Tom Ford leather something look it up!!
Mum she is now out of hospital so will be able to see if there is anything she wants we said we would make it easy this year and do more next year. 

Feeling better writing that list plus there is time to get stuff in Denmark. 

Finances still pushed especially the joint ones due to bills from last month mainly going out a lot and booking parking and hotels. There is also the bill for servicing the hot tub on my CC. We do have some savings in the holiday fund so can use them and then both have to pay a bit towards any shortfall. Why is December always so expensive at least no Council tax in Feb & Mar that will help

TallGirl

Quick check in as I managed to get 1 report done it just needs checking over today and then it is ready to send to the first office. Then there is just two to go 1 I will get done today and the other one next week as I still need some more information. 

My mum was feeling better but now her back has gone again which it does on a regular basis so not a major worry but  think it is because she has spent so much time in bed in hospital. Mine does it if I do not do anything for a while. She is very excited about the house we are viewing in Denmark which is nice as normally she finds something horribly wrong with anything I suggest. She also loves the town we want to move to and might come to the viewing too. 

Had to order more of my HRT cleaning spray it is so good I do not mind having to buy it again it lasts for ages. Still no update on anything for my nephew but I got a Tango selection pack in Lidl so he can have that with some money at the very min. Still need something for his girlfriend problem is I just do not know her at all. 

We did get the free cake in Lidl and DG now has enough for one as well. They were sold out of brownies but hopefully get some for tomorrow as my old neighbours are coming over. They live in Australia and it is only her and the son that is coming. I was great friends with them when we first bought our house exDH and me. I look forward to seeing her and glad we have cancelled the neighbours as there are a few things we need to do and I do not need to be hungover Sunday. 

Small to do list just for this weekend:

-hottub
-empty water out of pool
-shop for lunch for Sat (we have most things just need pudding)
-present for nephews girlfriend. 
-get all stuff together and get it ready to pack for trip home
-pick up key from estate agent 

TallGirl

Morning what a lovely sunny day it is here. Friday we went to the range and played awful golf plus I bought us an expensive drink but it was cold. Saturday was nice seeing my old friend and daughter and then going to Bookers which had the creme eggs in so they are now already in the suitcase ready to do. Sunday we managed to get our freebie mulled wine and stolen at the club but did also practise golf and used the spa/pool which was really nice. House is finally tidy there are a few more xmas bits up but I do not want too much as it is not great for when we return after christmas. Next year hopefully we will be able to go all out and actually spend time there over christmas. 

DG sorted her Amex bill out which was full of joint stuff so I had to add to the shared account. We did also stick all the presents bought at the weekend on the joint card. She will pay me for the hottub clean next week then I can actually move some to the credit card and for a change next month there should not be much on it only some train tickets and Dgs present reason it is so high is due to booking the Mystery Shop stay for Jan, my new insoles, DGs MRI but the rest I have already been paid back for. 

Anyway in January things should straighten out a bit. We keep discussing the house we are going to view. I really wish we had a buyer but hey we do not. If we were to buy it before we sell  it is up for £211257 but I would not want to pay more than £190K so about £11K difference. There is no stamp duty but there would be £10K for legal fees and I do have my PB. Not ideal and there would be no money to do any renovations until I take the 25% pension. Also really what would I need a house for 7 months early you would still need to pay taxes and utilities on it so not great either. However what if it is the right house and no other houses comes up just in that area then what. Also I do not fancy doing it up while living here as I want to get it right in terms of changing the layout. I think you can only really do that once you live in it and know what you will be using etc. DG is concerned moving out for renovations will be difficult for the cats to which I agree but hey they will just have to cope. Anyway I am trying not to think too much about it right now it can wait until we actually see the house again. DG might not like it.   

Weekend list
-hottub - done
-empty water out of pool done
-shop for lunch for Sat (we have most things just need pudding) done
-present for nephews girlfriend. I have asked for see her list but she has not granted it
-get all stuff together and get it ready to pack for trip home done
-pick up key from estate agent not done

That's not bad for a weekend I love getting lists done!!

TallGirl

Morning I am off to my appointment to see if my new insoles are ok. I am not sure they are and I would love a second pair so we shall see what the cost is but for this visit it is free as its part of the package. 

Booked a pensionwise app for DG she needs to understand them better she was convinced until a few months ago it was not worth saving for a pension as they would never pay out enough. She was looking at the annuity rates not draw down. She also has a Defined benefit pension she can claim this year so wanted to make sure she knows her options plus she wants to add a lump sum into the pension to reduce tax for this year. 

We did not leave the house yesterday but there was some more spending on Christmas for nephews girlfriend and also DG from my mum but I get that back. Today I just have to order my friends present then we buy my mums at the airport and that is it I am done. 

Right I better head off now or I shall be late. 

badmemory

I will be honest here.  I did not find pensionwise very helpful although it was some years ago, so things may have changed.  Basically they asked me what I was thinking of doing & said yes that sounds okay.  Certainly back then they would not suggest anything.  Although they will say if something seems like a bad idea.

It may be worth her looking at the pension threads on here.  You very quickly pick up who knows what they are talking about although of course will not give advice.

TallGirl

badmemory said:

I will be honest here.  I did not find pensionwise very helpful although it was some years ago, so things may have changed.  Basically they asked me what I was thinking of doing & said yes that sounds okay.  Certainly back then they would not suggest anything.  Although they will say if something seems like a bad idea.

It may be worth her looking at the pension threads on here.  You very quickly pick up who knows what they are talking about although of course will not give advice.

Thanks badmemory that was my experience as well with them but she has little to no knowledge and she is not interested either so better to have someone to ask really basic questions at as although I can tell her it might be easier is someone else does. I do find the pension forum a bit scary they are so quick to shoot you down but I did get a good answer last time as you say you know who are the good ones to give an answer. 

I am finally catching up with work and should have completely clear decks by Friday. We had another IT meltdown yesterday when the internet just went. There was no out take in the area and it did say on the app ours was intermittent. I did get the option to book an engineer so that is what I have done (Virgin) so they can check it and also tell us why our TV freezes constantly when trying to pause Netflix. First world problem I know but she was in the middle of a long document so not ideal 

I went to the gym thinking it was 18.15 the class starts but on a Tuesday it actually 18 so I just made it. I also did aqua so felt very good when I got home. Hot tub clean is happening today so that is so nice, he says it is in good shape just needed chemicals and I knew that as we have just let it be. £250 is a luxury to have someone do something we can do but it is cold and wet and he will also do a report so that is useful for the sale. It also means we can finally get in tomorrow which I actually look forward to lets hope the wind drops and it stops raining. 

I had to buy milk yesterday. Went to BP that has an M&S I could not believe it. £1.20 for 2 pints of skimmed but £1.40 for 4 pints of semi skimmed. I actually needed 4 pints of skimmed and two pint of semi so you can guess what I bought instead. 

The neighbours will feed the cats Saturday while our friends travel up and our friends will move the car from the station parking so all is slotting into place for Friday and the flight back Saturday. We are taking our own snacks to have in the hotel room with drinks. Not sure what we do about breakfast in the morning at the airport might have to get something as much as I hate to. It is an early flight so not work having the lounge.

Still not had my Long Tall Sally refund so left them a review of the quality of the clothes which they replied to saying the take their customers serious and believe in quality. Yes right you've always been rubbish even before Next took it over. I will continue to buy and I can fix my own clothes or send it back at least. 

TallGirl

Struggling to get into work this morning and also forgot I have an actual MSE update. 

I increased my pension payments by 5% so wanted to see what difference this makes. My pay is £151.65 less but I actually gain £232.03 pension increase due to my employer giving me the save NI back as well. Obviously I get the 20% added on top. Really pleased with how the pot is growing now I really should have increased the payments sooner but hey ho. 

I have also chased the £35 I am owed from LTS it bounced back but should now be on its way. I also had to chase for a present for my Danish friend as it is a magazine subscription and I am not sure she is getting the paper copy or just the electronic version. 

Also just had by expenses approved so that is £34 hitting my account before Christmas which is nice. 

Spent £9 on a new mouth guard case as I have lost the other one in the house. It can also be used to clean it so dual purpose I hope. Right back to work!!!

TallGirl

Reflections on 2024

Pension 
This was the biggest shift as I increased to 10% in 2023 but changed to 20% early in the year. I am now going to pay 25% so that will make a massive difference. I wish I had done this earlier but I did top my other pension up with £20K as well. 
Works pension current balance is £54K I will take the 25% before I move to Denmark. 

So with that in my here are my thoughts on things I want to do for 2024:

* Have a better idea of what it entails to move to Denmark permanently including moving pre-retirement achieved but a lot more to learn. 

* Try to save £12K in 2024 achieved

* Top up ISA by April 24 -change of plan and added £20k to pension instead

* Continue to add £6K plus winnings to Premium Bonds until I reach £50K - achieved but took some out to pay into pension and will now not pay any more in unless I get spare cash. I won £800 in 24 versus £900 in 23 but I did have more in the account last year. 

* Weight loss ideally get below 80 kilo's 75 would be even better helps now the DG is on the injections I have dropped a couple of kilos and feel much more on track. Current weight 86.

* Gym 3 times a week ideally but minimum 2 (That is 6 or 4 classes) Attend golf too. This has not been too bad we had a lot of illness in the Summer but usually I go once a week at least and I have also been playing golf. Recently I am back doing 3 classes over 2 days that is really the min. 

* Play golf once a week minimum ideally in ladies competitions We have played in a lot this year but could be improved. Boozy weekends stops us playing so that could be better planned.

* Spend more time with family in Denmark. This has happened as I bought extra leave and I have bought even more for 2024. 

* Declutter especially the loft this has started but has a lot more to go

* Do more creative stuff use my knitting and crochet kits and sew more. I feel this has been achieved as I did a lot of knitting early in the year and only just stopped when I finished my last project. I also attend sewing club about once a month locally which I love. 

I feel all of these could be my aims for 2025 as well but I will set those in January. 


Holiday Plans 2024
January - trip to Denmark for be there for my uncles memorial party. Only costs will be flights booked now £96 no luggage other than small rucksack which is fine.  Plus train to Gatwick £31.This was a great trip I am so glad I went. There is another on in Jan 25 but I am likely to miss this. 
February 
March 4 day golf trip to Spain £769 plus flights £378.40. Staying two night new Faro airport before meeting the others at the airport. This saves £60 on flights and the hotel is £60 per night so in effect getting three extra days for £60 and will be well rested by the time we meet them to play 3 rounds of golf. Parking at Gatwick also needed. Parking at terminal £82 This was a great trip and really set us up for the season and my golf improved massively as a result. We are going to Portugal next year and already booked a pre-stay. 
April
May - trip to Ireland with my mum was her 80th birthday present. We are paying for this and it still needs to be booked this was a fab but expensive trip but your mum is only 80 once. It was good to reconnect with DGs relatives and my mum saw real Ireland which was just amazing. 
June 
July - 7 night in a 5 bed seaside cottage in Denmark with my family and DG. I then plan to stay on for another week DG might do too to play golf with my mum and possibly stay on the island we used to have a summerhouse. Weather wasnt the best but good family holiday and cheap too. Unlikely to go this year as we will be moving but lets see what the family decide to do. 
August
September
October - cheap trip to Spain or Greece for 1 week. We did go to Morocco in November and it was great much better than Gambia even if it wasnt as cheap due to change of hotels. Would go again. 
November a mystery shop break to snuck in here it was under £200 for 3 nights so well worth it. 
December - trip to Denmark for Christmas going on Friday. 

I will update for 2025 holidays in January we already have a lot planned plus we are moving. 

Current split in finances (Second figure is without property):

2023

Total Cash		5%	9%
Total S&S non Tax Free		3%	7%
Total S&S tax free		17%	33%
Total Pensions		27%	52%
Property		48%

2024

Total Cash		5%	9%
Total S&S non Tax Free		1%	3%
Total S&S tax free		19%	34%
Total Pensions		31%	55%
Property		44%

2025

Total Cash		4%	7%
Total S&S non Tax Free		0%	0%
Total S&S tax free		18%	32%
Total Pensions		35%	61%
Property		43%

So main change is less in cash (about 4K) and the non tax free investments are now in an cash ISA instead. The S&S has stayed largely the same but it has actually grained about £20K over the year with no more payments. I have increased the property value as it was on the market and we know we can at least this at amount which is £55K higher than I had predicted in Jan 24. According to my spreadsheet my total balance minus the house is £85,866 more than this time last year. That is a lot but it is not all from me paying in, it is also stock market doing really well on my pension & S&S ISA. I do not pay tax on the interest and it is easy access as my emergency fund. 

I am not going to reflect on 2025 yet as there will be huge changes but nice to see the increase and that of the house value as well (not in the £85K figure) 

Shame I no longer have an IFA (I have the useless TP who will stop when I move) but I think I am doing ok myself. 

TallGirl

Morning penultimate day at work now and then it is off. Did go to Spin last night (yes you guessed it DG bailed again) there was only 4 of us but hard work as usual. My newly adjusted insole were not good though still not right but not sure if I should just not use them for that class. Not back now until the new year the classes.

Went to light a candle for DGs mum at our lovely village church. They were setting up for something so it was not very calm in there so we did not stay long. Went to Lidl got humus to take to the hotel with out snacks and a brownie which we shared. We used to eat a whole one but so glad we changed our ways they are very dense and calorific. DG is doing ok on the 7.5 she had some bad indigestion the day after the injection but she had some gastro tablet from when she got the pain killers and that actually worked. She has very little appetite so hopefully we can stick at the 7.5 for a while. That would obviously be good as less medication taken but it is also MSE as it is cheaper.

The hot tub is now clean and should be hot enough to go in. There is nothing better than going in when its just been changed we have not used it for a month now so will be lovely. Virgin is coming out today so hopefully see what is wrong with the tv box and maybe the internet. 

I had another look at houses yesterday all in the same areas, 30 min from my sister, 10 min to the new golf club and close to the main town. Here are the figures so if you wan to help out looking at two options feel free please: 

House 1 price £210 size 160m2 plot size 1122m2 built in 1979 52m2 double garage as well and private beach

House 2 price £265 size 146m2 plot size 717m2 built in 1997 but completely renovated last year. Carport and shed 

House 1 has the private beach which I love, has been heavily smoked in (I saw it last summer and it is strong), garden is stunning, does not currently have the ensuite to master bedroom but could be done by removing the entrance and use the utility room. It is very dark (you can see all the lights are on) but you could add a conservatory which would add costs and I think the dinning area would still be dark. Floors would need digging up and underfloor heating put in as radiators are not effective with underfloor heating.  

House 2 was fully renovated last year and is 100% to our taste I would change very little I mean what is not to like! Does not look like there is much parking and it is obviously smaller than the first one. The first one also has really good storage but house 2 does has a shed and there are a lot of storage in the main bedroom. 

So let me know which one do you like? They have both been for sale a long time (250 days +). 

Right back to work

daisy_1571

how to choose between them? They both look lovely,  can't see much evidence of the smoking but I only looked at the first photos didn't go through to vendor website.   Love love love that oriel window.   Both gardens look good.  Anything inside can be reconfigured to gain storage where you want it or extra hut in garden for your bar area etc.  I suppose the biggest factors will be the actual area they are, is it near shops/jobs/family etc

Dxxx