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Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3
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I've been over that aqueduct several times on a narrowboat - it's very 'interesting' when you can only see a sheer drop on one side! Years ago we took a photo with the clear shadow/silhouette of our boat being projected onto the field, way below us.#2 Saving for Christmas 2024 - £1 a day challenge. £325 of £3665
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Thanks JGB1955, WD, Skint, Beanie, Crystal, Baileys_Babe, KK, Jwil and Blackcats
I'm glad I'm not alone. I can cope with certain types of heights - but it is the sheer drop with no railing on one side - and the uncertain depth of the water itself that combines to make it scary. Plus I was scared my glasses would spontaneously fly off my face / I'd knock them off or similarly drop my brand new phone!! I found it I stared straight ahead it was less scary but that defeated the object of crossing it! The bridge paving / tarmac was slightly bumpy too which also didn't help.
I'm glad I tried walking it first WD - I had considered attempting to kayak it as I am trying to create memorable experiences that make me feel more alive - assuming I even meet the weight limit which I'm not sure I do - but now I've been there in person I don't fancy that at all. Some family members have been across it in a narrowboat which would be slightly preferable to walking but would put me closer to the edge so I don't think I fancy that either now. My BIL had shared some photos from there a while ago so it was on my list...
The cleaner has been today and worked her magic. I spent most of the day prior to her arrival trying to put holiday related things away and do washing and put it away. I still need to strip the bed and re-make it - but that will be another day now.
Confession: I loved my holiday so much I've booked flights to return towards the end of August - and added a couple of days to explore Verona. I still need to book the hotel - but want to see if I can get a promo code via a newsletter or similar before finalising. It's cheaper to book direct - but will mean I need to use public transport etc to travel. I did part of the journey while away with another couple and it seems relatively simple. Much of the onward journey is also free via a local guest card - providing the hotel activates it on time. It looks like extra £ into pension will be postponed a little longer to pay for living now. I'm okay with that.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £1.6K Net savings after CCs 14/8/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £25.3K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 31.1/£127.5K target 24.4% 15/8/25
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 29/7/258 -
Who wouldn't want to go back?
Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £1.6K Net savings after CCs 14/8/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £25.3K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 31.1/£127.5K target 24.4% 15/8/25
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 29/7/255 -
Happy for you that you’ve booked a further holiday there. 😊 I’m impressed by your focused drive for living ❤️
Do you know what the temperatures will be like then? I know it’s at elevation but I also know it gets HOT in Italy! (One of my bosses lives out there and works by one of the lakes.) You might want to think about your daily routine so you can avoid the worst of the hot / sunny times?KKAs at 15.07.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £233,521
- OPs to mortgage = £11,816 Interest saved £5,28 to date
Fixed rate 3.85% ends January 2030
Read 41 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 9th August
Produce tracker: £276 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 -
The last time I was in Llangollen there was a two hour boat trip from the train station which took you across it. I was tempted but I was on a nostalgia trip so went for the horse drawn canal boat instead3
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How exciting to be going back!"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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Thanks KK, WD and Jwil
Yes I checked the weather. I think with it being a Lakes and Mountains area it is cooler than other parts of Italy. The weather turns around August / September - but they still have a lot of rain even in their summer so it should be okay. You never know though. The humidity is slightly higher than June but the temperature is supposed to be around the same. Plan to return with walking poles and a waterproof coat.
KK: "Focused drive for living". I feel I've spent a lot of my life existing / surviving. I tend to have more motivation in the summer months so I'm trying to capitalise on it - and my recent weight loss - and continue to turn my life around in a direction I want to go. Think at worst my holiday would cost 2-3 months to pay off.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £1.6K Net savings after CCs 14/8/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £25.3K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 31.1/£127.5K target 24.4% 15/8/25
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 29/7/256 -
I channelled my inner MSE person and after a bit of tooing and froing I got 10% off my stay. Pleased with that.Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £174.8K Equity 32.77%
2) £1.6K Net savings after CCs 14/8/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £25.3K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.2K) = 31.1/£127.5K target 24.4% 15/8/25
4) FI Age 60 income target £16.5/30K 55.1%
5) SIPP £4.8K updated 29/7/256 -
Well done ☺️I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.3 -
I like the term 'a focused drive for living' we all need that
Glad you rebooked for another holiday in Italy. Something nice to look forward to...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 100/1000
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Debt Free (again) 25/0720255
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