2024 Mortgage-Free Wannabes

julicorn

A very warm welcome to the Mortgage Free Wannabe 2024 thread!

Over the last few years, this challenge has been providing support for everyone who wants to overpay their mortgage, whether it is by a big or small amount. Every little helps, and together we have been overpaying a fantastic amount of money every year over the last few years (even during the pandemic, cost of living crisis and everything else that's been going on in the world - well done everyone!)
Whether you're a brand new mortgage free wannabe, a veteran on the final stretch of the long slog, or someone who has cleared the mortgage and wants to provide some help and encouragement for others, this is for you. The challenge runs from January 1st-December 31st 2024, and you can join or change your target at any time up until December 31st 2024. And if you're expecting to be mortgage-free before then, you're still very welcome. Likewise if you're saving towards something house-related (extension, new OP allowance, etc.).

SPREADSHEET
See how we are all doing on the big MFW 2024 spreadsheet HERE. 

Links to previous challenges are here:

• 2023 mfw
• 2022 mfw
• 2021 mfw
• 2020 mfw
  
• 2019 mfw
  
• 2018 mfw
  
• 2017 mfw
  
• 2016 mfw
  
• 2015 mfw
  
• 2014 mfw
  
• 2013 mfw

TO JOIN
If you've participated in the last few years, please post in this thread by the end of December 2023 saying that you want to take part again and what your goal is for this year. Please also let me know whether you would like to keep your number or whether you don't mind. For everyone who's given an update in the last 6 months, I've reserved your 2023 number for now (unless you paid off your mortgage entirely, in which case well done again!).

For all the new participants, please post on the thread and I will allocate you a number - numbers will be first come, first served.

Bear in mind that the challenge runs for the 2024 calendar year when setting your target. You're welcome to track total payments, overpayments, savings, etc. - whatever motivates you!

UPDATES
To provide progress updates and/or change your target, just post on the thread - I will 'thank' posts when I pick up the update. I do make mistakes from time to time, so if I miss an update or get it wrong then please let me know.

A few requests from me to make keeping track easier:

• When providing updates, please include your MFW2023
•  number and the month(s) you are updating
  
• Multiple overpayments in a month are fine and most certainly encouraged, but it will really (really, really) help me if you include a monthly total when reporting updates (e.g. ...another OP of £200, which makes £600 in total for April...)
  
• It's fine to miss a month or two and then provide updates for several months if you prefer, but please make it clear what you want allocating where.
  
• It is helpful for me if you keep a running total for the year in your update post and/or your signature as I can cross-check the spreadsheet against your overall total, but this isn't required at all.

Updates also don't have to be limited to just your stats - a bit of chat and encouragement can be hugely motivating.

Finally: If you spot any mistakes, let me know, and I'll try and fix them ASAP. Similarly, if you have any requests for additional stats/features for the spreadsheet, let me know, and I'll see what can be done.

HotDog2020

Hi Julicorn thanks for the post, I have been posting a journal for a few years but never once joined the group attempt. My Target for next year will be £150*12 = £1800 Total Over payments. Could I have position number 5?

hellosupernova

Hi new join here. Happy to be given any free number on the spreadsheet. Can you please add me with a target of £6,000? Thanks

Sistergold

Thank you again @julicorn for organising this for us. I will be very happy to be moved to a smaller number if possible but if not then my current number is fine.

My target for this challenge is £600 which I will review upwards in the year. 

twinklie

Thanks @julicorn. Think I’m going to go for a conservative £600 this time. We plan to do some (small but expensive) house renovations so that will eat up our extra. 

Happy to stay number 6. 😁

AnotherNewDay

Hi @julicorn - could I join please? Target of £10,000. Thanks

julicorn

HotDog2020 said:

Hi Julicorn thanks for the post, I have been posting a journal for a few years but never once joined the group attempt. My Target for next year will be £150*12 = £1800 Total Over payments. Could I have position number 5?

You absolutely can, a warm welcome to the challenge! Number 5 is all yours. 

julicorn

hellosupernova said:

Hi new join here. Happy to be given any free number on the spreadsheet. Can you please add me with a target of £6,000? Thanks

Welcome to the challenge! You've got #9 for this year  

julicorn

Sistergold said:

Thank you again @julicorn for organising this for us. I will be very happy to be moved to a smaller number if possible but if not then my current number is gone. 

My target for this challenge is £600 which I will review upwards in the year. 

You just went straight in there and bagged yourself #10 Thanks so much for joining again. 

Springfield1970

Hi could I join please? My goal is £6000 for 2024. (Aim to be MF mid 2030)

julicorn

twinklie said:

Thanks @julicorn. Think I’m going to go for a conservative £600 this time. We plan to do some (small but expensive) house renovations so that will eat up our extra. 

Happy to stay number 6. 😁

That's fab, thanks so much for joining again, especially in a year where you've got some other big commitments!