We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Watty's Awakening
Comments
-
Glad you found a dentist you trust. Hope you find the right solution for you. You've made me worry about the three bridges in my mouth now though!!Achieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.3K Equity 36.55%
2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £30.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 35.5/£127.5K target 27.8% 14/11/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 62K or 48.6%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5.1K updated 14/11/252 -
They may be fine @savingholmes The issue was that the pin would be, in the opinion of my own dentist, not be stable enough. We shall see what the referral chap thinks.Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!3 -
Three days at the local county show. I feel like I have had a holiday and have walked into work to find a huge backlog of work. It was however a wonderful 3 days, I watched the class that the Charming Cob was entered for, bumped into friends, walked around looking at all the shopping stands and realised my decluttering meant I did not want to buy anything but I enjoyed looking. I found some wonderful food options and enjoyed a glass of Rhubarb Fizz most days.
Friday I was calm enough as I trusted the ex would not be there but Saturday and Sunday I was nervous so spent quite a bit of time in the members area watching from there as I know he doesn't have that option (I have a lifetime membership which was an expensive treat for me that I bought last year . It cost no more than a good holiday and I can enjoy the show for the rest of my life free, plus I get free tea and coffee in the members lounge, a special viewing area, can take a guest every time I go and I even get a car park away from the busy area and loos with no queues!
I really enjoyed the show. WattyDog loved the dog pool. He had a swim there last year (you throw balls, the dog jumps in and they retrieve them and swim back). He remembered it from last year and was delighted to have a go but on the last day he was physically shaking with excitement at going in. Such a joy to see. This morning he is tired and really looks his age. My legs ache too from all the walking. He is on the sofa and I am back at work.Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!12 -
The show sounds a delight and your lifetime membership was well spent.
Perhaps you could add a dog pool to your garden plans? 
I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/225 -
I'm so glad it all went well and you and Wattydog had a lovely time4
-
Glad all went well.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.4 -
Glad the show went well and your strategies for ensuring your emotional and psychological safety worked so well. Good on Watty-dawg 😊❤️
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 -
Sounds wonderful for you both xxx22: 3🏅 4⭐ 23: 5🏅 6 ⭐ 24 1🏅 2⭐ 25 🏅 🥈2⭐ Never save something for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. The diff between what you were yesterday and what you will be tomorrow is what you do today Well organised clutter is still clutter - Joshua Becker If you aren't already using something you won't start using it more by shoving it in a cupboard- AJMoney The barrier standing between you & what youre truly capable of isnt lack of info, ideas or techniques. The secret is 'do it'2
-
Thrilled for you that the time at the show was so enjoyableAchieve FIRE/Mortgage Neutrality in 2030
1) MFW Nov 21 £202K now £171.3K Equity 36.55%
2) £2.6K Net savings after CCs 10/10/25
3) Mortgage neutral by 06/30 (AVC £30.9K + Lump Sums DB £4.6K + (25% of SIPP 1.25K) = 35.5/£127.5K target 27.8% 14/11/25
(If took bigger lump sum = 62K or 48.6%)
4) FI Age 60 income target £17.1/30K 57% (if mortgage and debts repaid - need more otherwise) (If bigger lump sum £15.8/30K 52.67%)
5) SIPP £5.1K updated 14/11/252 -
Just ridden Most Handsome who was very naughty. So naughty he makes me cross and then I end up laughing. He isn't dangerous, I'm in no danger of falling off but he is silly, pretending there were tigers in the nettles patch so he could not go there and that WattyDog was a wolf so he could not go near the gate and so on. Hopefully one of the people I am trying to hire to do outside work will turn up soon and remove the nettles which should help him calm down.
Also very aware all progress on the house has stopped with all the other stuff going on so I am kick starting that. I have hung another picture in my office. It is a huge poster from a 1986 Louis Wain exhibition, all bright colours and one of his cats in a bright blue frame. It has been in the loft for years and looks super in the office. I will pop my running medals in the memories box. I don't run much now but would like to get back to it but just now is not the time. I want to keep the medals though. The memories box is a really old Indian papier Mache my sister gave me maybe 40 years ago. Large enough to store real things but not to big to be a clutter box. I love bringing these things into "my" house.
Finally put a key box up too. I'm very aware that I am single and it would be all too easy to lock myself out so a key box is now in the tack room with a spare front door key in. The VNM has a key too but I do feel so much better having a spare here that I can access if the wind blows and locks me out or I just go out without keys.
Sadly i have lost the box with other house bits that needed doing but i have found the list of priority jobs so I will see what else I can do simply and easily to move things along. Will also ring the builder to see when they are back.Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!10
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards