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Next steps; grip-relaxing bimbling, and avoiding the temptations
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The community lunch sounds lovely, @Suffolk_lass. You are much more sociable than me! I do like how bee-keepers seem to support each other. It sounds like quite a little community in itself.
F2025's challenges: 1) To fill our 10 Savings Pots to their healthiest level ever
2) To read 100 books (46/100) 3) The Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
"Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards" (Soren Kirkegaard 1813-55)4 -
@Suffolk_lass - when you've recovered from your hectic day, could you explain what frost-catcher's are? - I've even done a quick g00gle search - and the answers are decidedly not enlightening!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)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Dec 2039 (reduced by 21 months)1
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Thank you for asking. I’m wondering too … 🤔rtandon27 said:@Suffolk_lass - when you've recovered from your hectic day, could you explain what frost-catcher's are? - I've even done a quick g00gle search - and the answers are decidedly not enlightening!
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 2 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 4th January
Produce tracker: £10 of £400 in 2026
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.2 -
As was I!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.2 -
Everyday is a school day chez SL!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)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Dec 2039 (reduced by 21 months)0
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Frost-catchers are little, low-powered heaters that you leave on to stop your pipes freezing in places like community buildings. They also just take the chill off, preventing damp and mould, if used. I might have a photo...
The ones we have are called Frost watcher and Frost guard (brand names) but the generic is a frost catcher.
I also have three of the tube-style ones that do the similar thing at home (not this brand but this type of thing) - one in the tool shed with the fridge freezer, one in the greenhouse and one in the motorhome (the last is screwed to a plank, the others are wall mounted, again on planks or posts). I think these are marketed as greenhouse heaters. They are a great way of stopping unlagged pipes bursting, if you can't get to them easily to insulate them - such as in the space between the wall and the roof-slope at my Mum's house. With a fused switch they can also be used in a cold spot and just turned off or on as needed. People really noticed the difference, with three women remarking that the hall felt much warmer and more welcoming than normal. I mentioned the lobby and toilets, and they said, yes, that's it. The musty smell had gone completely.
Here endeth the lesson...Save £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here5 -
Oooooo - I never knew! - fascinating, thanks for the lesson SL!
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)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Dec 2039 (reduced by 21 months)0 -
Ah … 😊 Thank you. I had come across wire heated lagging before for pipes, but not little background heater units like this.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 2 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 4th January
Produce tracker: £10 of £400 in 2026
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.1
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