It won't happen overnight. But if I do nothing it won't happen at all. (MFW diary 5761)

misstara

Lovely post seventh88.  You've absolutely smashed your mfw target this year and I've no doubt you can do the same in 2026

carboot_karaoke

I love how thoughtful and considered you're posts are 🥰

You've done an incredible job this year and I'm sure it will continue into 2026 and beyond.  

RedLipstick

Great update @seventh88, love that for you!! You're a perfect example of what happens when you put your mind and heart to it! I know it's not always easy, especially doing it solo has its extra pain points, but as carboot_karaoke says, you've done incredible work this year and you should be proud of yourself! Very well done!! Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and well deserved break! 

beanielou

A lovely post. 

seventh88

Thanks for your encouragement and support! @misstara @carboot_karaoke @RedLipstick @beanielou @South_coast
Here’s to 2026 for us all! 

seventh88

Hi everyone,

This is my first update of the new year. I hope 2026 is being kind to you all so far.

After last years mortgage OPs, along with some other savings I had (that were originally for something else on the house but I've decided to take it off the mortage instead), I'm starting the year with a balance of £88,519 (original mortgage was £132k). It feels motivating to have it under £100k.

Successes

1. I'm trialling a new app for my sinking funds (I have another one for day-to-day spending like food shop etc). So far so good, it's making things quicker and easier
2. I'm making more of freebies on local apps, and the odd collection here and there really helps, I'm noticing it all adds up
3. I did a bigger financial review at the end of last year and looked at all my spending, and noticed a couple of areas where I was giving myself a bigger budget than I needed - so I have rejiggled, and it means there's a smidge more each month towards the OPs
4. Mortgage OP for Jan £472, and for Feb (just been paid) £670. It's been a quiet Jan, hence having a little extra left over for Feb, so I'm really pleased with this start
5. This is my second year of doing a MFW challenge, and I do feel in a more positive place to where I was this time last year. It's a huge help having this forum and community - thank you all.
6. I've also upped my MFT goal a little, to increase the challenge, but have still allowed a little breathing space if life throws some financial curve balls that mean I need to re-prioritise

Challenges

1. Work is very challenging at the moment and makes me want to look for other jobs. I'll work on it, but I'm mindful of the mortgage and wanting to keep up my OP
2. A close friend is being made redundant, with a very small redunadancy package. This has really brought home that this could happen to any of us, at any time. I am worried for them, and want to support them, and it has also rattled me a little. So I'll take deep breathes, keep focusing on the mortgage and keep trying to have a little fun alongside this too - I don't want to let it scare me and take over.

What next?

1. Last years' challenge was planning in fun stuff alongside OP on the mortgage, so I'm going to look at more of that in the weeks ahead. I've realised that for me, fun stuff doesn't need to be expensive stuff - it's often just downtime to myself that feels luxurious!!

Thanks everyone. Sending you all the best in your own journies.

V3cash

sounds really positive start to the year and good luck with your MF goal!

I think it’s really important to factor in some nice things and they don’t need to be expensive, I’m off for a countryside walk this morning by myself, can’t wait 😊

RedLipstick

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81860875#Comment_81860875

Have missed your update, I thought you've posted it today but I see it was back in January.

What a fantastic update on the mortgage, go you!!! What a difference, super proud of you! You won't notice and it will be below £80k in no time now!

Sorry to hear about your work and worries. I especially feel the challenging part, it's no different here unfortunately, and I'm already on a lookout. I'm finishing my degree now after two long years so want to wait until I get the final results and will sit down to updating my cv, thankfully I have options to move internally, maybe something to consider if it's possible at your workplace? I've worked my bits off big way in 2025 and really they are just giving me more and more, and it's very challenging, I no longer even like the work they are wanting me to do. My workplace is also so entangled in constant structural changes, redundancies every few months, etc. So on one hand although I can move internally, I'm not going to avoid all the relevant restructure drama and constant thought at the back of my head. So I really feel it for you, and sending virtual hugs and good vibes your, and your friends, way.

It's been a while since you last posted, so I hope you're doing well and you'll pop in soon to give us an update on how you're doing and what nice plans you're having. All the very best xx

seventh88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881085#Comment_81881085

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Yes - exactly that - countryside walks, an hour in a coffee shop staring out of the window, sitting somewhere cosy with a book and no other agenda - it’s those things that I find really luxurious!! Hope you had a restorative walk and that the weather help up for you

seventh88

@RedLipstick thanks for your support and yes - exactly this (with the work situation) - I really hear you and I think I’m the same, I just need to leave for something new rather than reshuffle as it’s largely a toxic/challenging environment. I’m starting to look for things now. It sounds like you have a timeline in place of when would be the best time for you to jump ship too, and I think that can really help you keep going, can’t it? When you see some light at the end of the tunnel and you have an end date in mind.

Things are financially steady at the moment, although I think I’m recognising I’m having some anxiety around money. I have enough to live off but have a fear of not having enough, and as a result, I hear myself saying no to a few more experiences/things in favour of stability. Will this even out when the mortgage is paid off? Maybe. Is it a typical level of worry given the current rising cost of bills and the fact I live alone and have solo finances, or is it tipping into clinical anxiety? Hmm maybe tipping - I’m not sure.

I’ll post my next update when I’ve been paid at the end of the month.

Thanks everyone and I hope you’re having a good month so far