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Escape to the country & living off savings
Comments
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😂 wild duck & plum sauce flavour large bag 150g. I gave him roast pheasant flavour last year bought from a different garden centre❤️Mum 2018
0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House cash purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 & left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year
❤️Dad 2025
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p15 -
Ah, I didn't realise that about he heated airer..thanks
If you have built castles in the air, your work should not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them
Emergency fund 350/1000
Buffer fund 100/100
Debt Free (again) 25/07/20252 -
BILs gift would be appreciated by most foodies, you've done him proud again this year.
That fancy lunch was a good price and sounded so tasty!Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.2 -
Just popping in to say thank you to you all for your company this year. The friendship and support you have given me, especially since my ❤️ wonderful dad ❤️passed away has truly helped keep me going.Hope you have a lovely Christmas and a blessed peaceful healthy and happy new year.❤️Mum 2018
0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
House cash purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 & left work. 🤗
Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year
❤️Dad 2025
Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1
Living off savings diary
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p15 -
Here's to this Christmas being filled with new memories being made and old ones being cherished and celebrated. 💖 And 2026 being a year of freedom and joy for you.
KKAs at 15.12.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £227,385
- OPs to mortgage = £12,881 Estd. interest saved = £6,203 to date
c. 16 months reduction in term
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 80 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 25th December
Produce tracker: £457 of £300 in 2025
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.4 -
And to you SYA - thanks for all your kindness (and just being lovely you!) and invaluable information you provide on here. Big hugs to you xx ❤️🎄Lancashire
PV 5.04kWp SW facing
Solar Battery 6.5 kWh
🐙 Intelligent Go
Mortgage freedom January 2024 - paid off 7 years early by making overpayments where we could.3 -
Sending you comfort and joy and my best wishes for 2026
FDF savings target = £20k by 31 December 2027 ... 105 weeks to go!
October 2025 = £8217.86 November 2025 = £9463.40 December 2025 = £97676.07
January 2026 budget =£400.00 and 34 27 days remaining2 -
Sya, wishing the exact same for you, a truly inspirational person x3
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From me too xx"Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee2
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Thank you SYA you have been an inspiration to me. Wishing you health, healing and happiness at Christmas and beyond XIf you have built castles in the air, your work should not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them
Emergency fund 350/1000
Buffer fund 100/100
Debt Free (again) 25/07/20252
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