Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Morning all yes I did have a nice break savingholmes just what I needed. DG got back late Friday and had not been shopping with her friends as her work took longer. So we did get out to the physical shops Saturday something we never do. I did get a bra to fit my dress and also tights at M&S I had an old gift card from a bank switch so it only costs me £17. I have ordered some nude shoes on Vinted for £5 might not work but we shall see. DG struggled to get a bra as her dress is halterneck and she does not want anything padded so you cannot get the ones you can change the straps on. We also looked for shawls and shoes. No shawls all winter stuff now but we did find some shoes in Clarks. They were £80 but marked down to £24 and the perfect shade. She got the second shoe out and it was a different shade due to one shoe being out. It was noticeable so was going to say no but then they dropped the price to £10 and we got them. The shoe is now in the window to try and fade a bit more. 

We did share a pudding out. It was ok but not amazing. 1050 calories in the past we would have had one each and we actually agreed 1/4 each with a bit more ice cream would have been nice and less calories. We then decided to sign up for sunbeds to try and get some colour before the ceremony. They had a Jan offer by 60 min get 30min free £38 for me so we have started this so had DG. Booked in for lash tint and nails the day before the ceremony at that local place too. 

We also got the lunch booked in after the ceremony there is a funeral too so we will sit in the main bar but as it is not busy it will be fine, The lounge bar is actually a bit cold and empty so should be fine as long as they do not have the football on the tellies. 

Sunday we worked on the website planning so we are ready for the call today. We also realised DGs cousin had used a log design website which we can use ourselves so we do not have to wait for him to change things for us which is really good. We have to pay so will see if the web company offers this service or we will just get the logo sorted. 

We then went for dinner at our good friends (proper home cooked sunday roast with everything) planned the ceremony. We did not drink so it was no cost for taxi. 

I have also found another house I am quite keen on so email the agent for the survey. It is a 5 bedroom with a separate dinning room that can be the office. Also two balconies. Right my manager has just messaged me so must crack on. 

 

TallGirl

Morning £125 win on the PB about time I last won in October so that was nice. 

Did our tanning last night and went to Lidl spent less than £10 so no free cake yet. Tonight is gym (both of us) and then to get cash out for cleaner. We also have the pool guy coming to do a Winter check. We will get him to clean the patios so it is ready for sale before April. Then with the painter coming in and us getting the carpets cleaned we should be ready to list. The garden I can do myself. I reckon I will need about £700 to get the house ready but we do want it sold quickly so hopefully be worth it. 

We also had the meeting with the web company and it was really handy that we had done so much prep work. They can do our logo so we can save money on that. They also do templates for 3 social media platforms of your choice so that will be good. We will get the first draft back in a few days time but because of the civil ceremony and me being away with work we wont be able to really work on it until last week of Feb. 

It is starting to feel really real now which is nice as it has felt in limbo for such a long time. We had that first quote of £14K to move the furniture so I need to get more obviously but it is also a case what is worth bringing back. A lot of tidying to be needed which is fine I would like to clear more of the loft. 

Got loads of meetings today the joys and then up at HQ on Wednesday but I have downloaded my Octo Nero vouchers so that will be nice. Best crack on need another hot drink. 

TallGirl

I’m on the train it was hard getting up so early but should be nice to meet the pal who is slowly becoming a friend and then course with my team before a little social afterwards. I’ll be home late but I did the gym yesterday and I’ll do spin tomorrow instead. 

Forgot to say £44 interest in my M@neybox saver shame the rate is dropping next week. The money in there is to pay off the M&S card. 

I’ve been paid for the last Mystery shop break was £295 and bill for drinks etc £119. They paid £240 so still a very cheap weekend. The next one they pay 75% not 50% and drinks are incl so will be very cheap. About £200 I record for 3 nights full board. 

Anyway put the money to pay off the CC and moved money from joint but the card is still seriously high. DG does owe me for the vet bill and the new MS is also on there £800+ so might have to take money out of savings to pay it down. 

Today will be on expenses and I’ve downloaded the Nero voucher for my second coffee so all is good. 

Another house was sent to me last night. It’s in an ok area has a nice size plot but it’s bungalow so might be a bit close to neighbours. It’s huge 5 bedroom master suite with walk in closet, dressing area, two full bathrooms and wait for it a pantry! It was built in 2000 and renovated in 2012 when I say you need to do nothing that’s true. The price £330k which is £30k over. It’s not on the open market only selected buyers. It’s tempting but no sea views(because it’s a bungalow) further to the beach but closer to town. 

Anyway back to this life on the train early morning lol. I did tell my manager about my Danish plans felt good to get it out. She reckons we will know by July so that’s still all on track for me. 

TallGirl

Morning I had a nice trip up to HQ yesterday no hassles on the trains either (well apart from a person being drunk and towing up so it got delayed. They did cancel some stations and we made it back here on time. 

I got my freebie Octo drink at Nero, 2 on expenses and some Greggs stamps so that was cool. Also good to see my colleagues and catch up a bit. I was shattered when I got home it is when you are not used to travelling that is the worst. I did managed to be 5 min late to my first meeting as DG and I was looking at our new website and logo plus a couple of houses. My sister thinks we should go with the one we have already seen (with the private beach) and just spend the extra on doing it up instead of spending £300K on the big modern ones. We could also build our own which could be an option if we do want to spend £300K but the location and size of plot might not be so nice. I know I need to switch off from looking but it is also fun so it is hard. I feel I need to get Feb and Mar out of the way as the house will be on the market and then more properties will have come on as well. Good thing is that they do not sell quickly over there so that is ideal. 

I have got lots of work to do and the week after next I am away so really need to crack on with things. Diet still going well doing spin tonight then tan session as we are out anyway. Actually not had breakfast yet but DG is making my slimfast I am hungry now. She has no appetite as she is on the 10ml Mujaro I am not sure she really needed such a high dose but she felt she had stalled. Interestingly enough our friend who is a prescribing diabetes nurse told us the .5 doses are stepping stones and you are not meant to be on them longer term. 

Done some money shuffles my credit card bill at the end of this month will be £1230 left to pay. DG owes me £200 and it also includes £838 for the MS in June which I will get 75% back. I will add the Civil Ceremony cost to the CC and they will be on next months statement. It wont be much just lunch at a local pub for 6 with drinks, taxi back and forth plus drinks and snacks in the evening. Cheap way to do it until the bigger Danish affair. Anyway must get some work done.   

TallGirl

Morning it is Friday that is such good news and 2 weeks until our civil ceremony. Feel a lot more organised the £5 Vinted shoes are perfect. We still need to work out what to get in so there are snacks for the evening. I am thinking some cheeses, crackers, chutney and grapes. Simple but it means no one has to cook. I might do a baked brie if I feel fancy. 

No gym last night I did cancel I just was too tired after that day out in the big smoke. Anyway we did get to Lidl (no brownies left to get free one) but did get a couple of bits we needed. Starting to miss the mini meatballs hopefully they will be back soon. Did the tanning for 6 min it is starting to show on me less so on DG. She did try her dress yesterday it is getting closer to fitting but main issue is still the waist bit the rest is fine. She has lost 1 kilo so that is good. 

Window got replaced so I need to send the money over for that. It was an installation fault so that was a pain to be told that lets just hope nothing else happens with the rest. To be fair they did fit the windows on the worst day of the year 5 years ago still annoying. Anyway it is paid now.

Need to catch up on work so I can switch off for the weekend. Hope you all have a lovely Friday. 

LadyWithAPlan

I love the idea of a solo shoe sunbathing to ‘pale’ it down ! 

Alls sounds like it’s on track 

savingholmes

Exciting about your ceremony.  AM**** is a good option for shawls all year round 

TallGirl

Thanks LWAP shoes is still in the window very often chilling out with the ginger cat. 

Savingholmes thanks for the heads up at least they are quick delivery we are waiting for one from Shein. 

Nice chilled weekend it was nice to play golf as a team yesterday we played with two friends and had a lovely chat afterwards. We did go to the spa afterwards and tanning and then home for late lunch. 

Today we have been out and got the car valletted it really needed it so now its sparkling. DG also got a new cheap swimsuit and I got a top from TK max which is casual but smart enough for work calls online. 

We have also spent a couple of hours looking at the initial website design and sent back our comments. It is definitely work the £400 we paid it would have taken us forever to design ourselves plus the logo looks great too.

We have paid for our Turkey Holiday with the two friends and also Dg has paid me for the cat injections so card looking a bit better again. It is mainly the new mystery shop that is on there. There will be more expenses this month such as the lunch after the civil ceremony, the rings (we are paying for our own), taxi to the CS and also drinks for after. 

Right now I am going to cook some dinner, hm chilli from the freezer, hm potato wedges and sour cream.    

TallGirl

Morning busy week lies ahead and I am trying to keep focussed and not dream my life away. I had a chat with DG and a bit my sister over text and we are not sending her out to view any houses for now. It is too soon we need to at least have ours on the market especially if we go for the more expensive all done up ones. 

We did not get to look at DGs pension stuff yesterday so that is now next week but there is still time. She did not get much out of her Pensionwise app as she did not get everything ready on time but she is taking more of an interest at least. As long as she pays in before April she will be ok. 

When we spoke to our friend on Saturday she mentioned a company that specialise in tax across borders. Now they might cost a fortune but if we could find out if it is worth setting up say a LTD company here before we leave that would be handy. As we will both get an income from the work we do but it will be in DGs consultancy regi we need to look into this a bit more. Once we know what options there are we can then ask the Danish side and hopefully work out what is the best option. Another thing to add to the list together with the wows which have still not been written. 

I best crack on have a lovely Monday. 

TallGirl

Morning I had my first call at 8.30 (my manager booked it and I was joining in) and then a second one at 9.30 so unlike me but good to have them done already as I have another three this afternoon before I can head off to gym. 

DGs bra arrived so as long as the dress fits we have a few more bits. coming from Shein hopefully soon they are out for delivery. DG is also finally showing a bit of colour after the last sunbed session but she still cannot fit into the dress. She is still on the injections 10ml at the moment so expects to lose 1 kilo or so this week. I am doing ok just a bit addicted to sugar. 

Sewing club (spent £5) was really nice last night I finally fished the bag I started months ago and I also got DGs leggins taken into shorts for the gym. The plan is for the offcuts to be added to mine so they are long enough. Lets see if it works for they can just be cropped like they are. 

Knitting is going ok I keep having to unpick as I go wrong but I am getting there. I have tried to make it longer so that is a bit of an adjustment. I might struggle with that for the second one with the fancy pattern.

Right back to work I have another meeting in 45min.