A Dream Worth Dreaming?

Sensiblesaver

You are doing really well, your mortgage reduction is impressive.  I'm glad you realized that working 7 days a week wasn't sustainable and found a better balance. I can also get a bit obsessed with the figures and stare at my spreadsheets way too often, but I have tried to find other goals non financial related, like fitness, cooking different meals, learning something new etc. It is a long journey and you need to enjoy life whilst trying to achieve mortgage freedom. Good luck on your journey!

Watty1

Focusing on the "why" helps me pull through the tough times.

So first time around when I was working hard and paying off the mortgage my "why" was to give up work and spend time with the animals and in nature.  I had a plan drawn out of what my days would look like. That was my "why"

In my case it was a disaster as my ex had another plan in mind and soon as the mortgage was paid off became really difficult.  We were not married and it was a mess.

Now my "why" has become derailed as I'm spending money on the house to "make it mine".  I have a clear "why" as that is part of my recovery plan from a relationship that went (very) bad.

When that is done my "why" is to fund my savings pots for financial security and retirement within two years.

That said I do allow treats and fun things too.

savingholmes

I found developing a long term plan that went beyond mortgage freedom helpful. I realised I didn't want to reach early retirement and still be over weight and unfit. I also need the house to be suitable as I get older and see that as cheaper to resolve now. I also need friends, continued learning and hobbies and possible side hustles...

 Try to develop a broader picture of what makes you happy now and what you will do / need to give your life structure when you reach FI. Vicki R is great for spelling some of that out.

fjireland

Thank you everyone … I think the why is important to remember. I want to take the pressure off in a couple of years and feel more secure and that’s important to keep in mind..

I do think looking at the broader picture is important too… I think I could end up with the mortgage gone and feel a bit hollow and like what next ? I need to prioritise friendships, social life and hobbies too as much as my mortgage ops now. 

savingholmes

fjireland said:

Thank you everyone … I think the why is important to remember. I want to take the pressure off in a couple of years and feel more secure and that’s important to keep in mind..

I do think looking at the broader picture is important too… I think I could end up with the mortgage gone and feel a bit hollow and like what next ? I need to prioritise friendships, social life and hobbies too as much as my mortgage ops now. 

That sounds like a good way of looking at things.

Bargainhunter30

I started listening to the 'I will teach you to be rich' podcast by Ramit Sethi and it has changed my super frugal outlook. I'm now working on living a rich life and thinking it's ok to spend money on things that are important to me. Good luck

fjireland

Haven’t checked in on my diary in a while …

It’s been a tricky few months ….. still managing to op the mortgage but life has thrown some curveballs (as it does) …

over the summer, long term relationship has broken down - after 8 years … strangely, I feel relieved - but scared of being on my own again too… it’s a funny one - together 8 years but they had their flat and a rental rented out so mortgage paid off for them, meanwhile I’ve been busting a gut to op my own and worked so hard - the weekend work truly did impact my relationship until I copped on a bit this year and reduced it … but I’ve been growing resentful this year that I’ve worked so hard solo to op my mortgage whilst they live here making contributions to bills only and have enjoyed lots more free time, spare cash and less working hours and I’ve felt saddled alone with my mortgage journey 


really I realised over the summer- it’s not a real relationship - just convenience - for them to enjoy an easy life whilst I work socks off and me, well I guess I was too scared to be alone at 40+

Anyways, they won’t be gone until December so have to be civil and put up For now … 

still on the mortgage free journey- pretty on target for this year - end of last year, I started to reflect on the sacrifices I made socially etc to focus on mortgage … think I’ll keep going next year but maybe ease down a bit more and give myself some breathing space to not have a fixed date for the end of mortgage so set in my mind

ops will continue on some scale 

hopefully, this is just start of a new chapter  

LadyWithAPlan

Indeed a great new chapter - maybe journal what you want to achieve /do/see/travel to/learn in the next 8 years 

beanielou

A new chapter can be good. 

savingholmes

Sorry about the difficult times. Hopefully this is an opportunity for a fresh start.