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A Better View 🌄
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I put Xmas decs up at the weekend - mostly new ones - but a smaller amount than normal due to the imminent move and general lack of energy. But like you I don't feel festive - just that my list of to dos has grown as although I've now bought everything I'm gifting (or should stop buying) - I still need to wrap stuff and that feels never ending.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/253 -
Lovely to be able to budget a new company and way of income
I wouldn’t know where to start on dress making beyond buy a pattern, pick probably unsuitable material and just stare at it
I am hoping to do a garment making course in the new yearDON'T BUY STUFF (from Frugalwoods)
No seriously, just don’t buy things. 99% of our success with our savings rate is attributed to the fact that we don’t buy things... You can and should take advantage of discounts.... But at the end of the day, the only way to truly save money is to not buy stuff. Money doesn’t walk out of your wallet on its own accord.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6289577/future-proofing-my-life-deposit-saving-then-mfw-journey-in-under-13-years#latest4 -
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Finally, I can draw breath 😊 It's been a busy time but it's just Mr F and I for today and tomorrow so we can relax. Lots of eating, drinking and napping in front of the fire is in the plan 😴
I think I'll take the opportunity to review this years progress whilst it's quiet. I usually find it quite a positive thing to do and we have friends arriving for Twixmas and New Year so chaos will be descending again soon 😆
I hope everyone has a Christmas filled with peace and goodwill.
Fortune x
Mortgage: 100% paid Emergency Fund: 100%
A Better View 🌄 'Being on the edge isn't as safe, but the view is better' - Ricky Gervais10 -
2023 - The Year That Didn't Go To Plan 😆
I've just read back over my diary for the year and I can say one thing for definite - it didn't go to plan 😆 We seem to have spent most of it recovering from various health issues, challenging emotional situations and unexpected events 🙄 But we are still here, still standing and in a good place to welcome in the new year - hoorah!
There was some good financial news:- we cashed in/drew down some small pensions to overpay the mortgage. This reduced the outstanding amount by a further 15% leaving only 14% remaining
- we bought Mr F's company car from savings
- and then managed to restore the savings to 100% of target
- some of this was thanks to the sale of the car we'd bought for our Ukrainian guests
- we moved the savings around to benefit from the higher interest rates available
- as a result, we were in a position for Mr F to hand in his notice
- and set up our own company so that he could work part time going forward.
Other achievements were:- our new log burner was installed
- we booked a lot more social events (easier to do without Mr F's work commitments getting in the way 😁)
- I freed up some time by dropping a couple of WI commitments
- and completed one painting and started another
- Mr F learned how to coppice and lay hedges
- I learned how to sew and make bread in a new breadmaker
We didn't get much achieved in the house this year, other than general maintenance, but something had to give with everything else life was throwing at us and I'm pleased with what we've accomplished.
And if anyone is wondering about the Phantom Pooper - we never did get to the bottom of that one 🤭
Now I'll have to give some thought to where to focus in 2024. But first a nap 😴
Fortune x
Mortgage: 100% paid Emergency Fund: 100%
A Better View 🌄 'Being on the edge isn't as safe, but the view is better' - Ricky Gervais10 -
Merry Christmas Fortune 🎄🤶🎅 - Wishing you and Mr Fortune a very festive season!
4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)New projection - 14 YEARS 10 MONTHS LEFT OF 20 YEARS (reduced by 15 mths)Psst...I may have started a diary!3 -
What a lovely round up of the year Fortune! Some excellent achievements there, big changes with Mr Fisher job especially. Looking forward to seeing what exciting things you have planned for 2024!4
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Positive changes from the start to the end of the year, there, and you can be proud of taking the big step to improve your lives! May the good things continue and the bad disappear for you for 2024Start mortgage date: August 2022; Start mortgage amount: £240,999; Original mortgage free date: August 2056
Current mortgage amount: £226,957.97
Start student loan 2012: £29,750; current student loan: CLEARED July 20254 -
Merry Christmas and happy 2024 ponderings x4
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Getting away from Mr FS old boss sounds a huge achievement for the year. Mr FS's health scares this year also sounded extreme - so glad you are both making it to the end of the year with lots to celebrate. Having so little left on the mortgage is also fab. Enjoy your painting.
Your wreath looked stunning.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £3K Net savings after CCs 6/7/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £22.5K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.1K) = 28.2/£127.5K target 22;12% updated 6/7
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.6K updated 6/7/254 -
I loved reading your look back on the year Fortune, you definitely did a lot, got through a lot and have a new year to look forward to, building on your achievements. I'm just doing a similar exercise and its interesting to look back now that its doneFortune_Smiles said:2023 - The Year That Didn't Go To Plan 😆
Happy New Year!"Think of many things, do one"
Mortgage 30 Jul'25 est. £209,749 £309,749 (aiming for sub-£200k next)
Seven Goals; 12.5lbs lost in 4 months (5.5lbs to go); walk/run/exercising/weights/yoga5
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