Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

themadvix

Evening all,

I thought it was time I started a new diary, as we've now been mortgage free for 18 months and the last pesky bit of mortgage debt (on the 0% card) went in October. We're now almost through Mr MV's 40th, Christmas, New Year and my 40th (coming up next week), so it seems like a good time to start afresh and regain some financial focus.

The past 18 months has seen us perhaps do more spending on fun stuff than the previous 12 years (or even further back, given we were saving for a mortgage/wedding and had much smaller incomes then). It kind of feels like we had earned this, given our laser focus on the mortgage. But it's not all been frivolous spending - we bought an EV in May, with cash (and trade-in value) so we've not really slacked that much on the saving front. The last six months have been a bit more spendy - in part because we've been doing our '40 before 40' list, some of which have involved costs (although far from all). So, time to reassess and have a think about the future.

Mr MV is still in a job he mostly dislikes - and he is beginning to look for a new role (again). He struggles with this though, both because he doesn't really know what he wants to do and because he's so worn down/burnt out that finding the energy to look is hard at times. (And, let's face it, there's often something more appealing to do in the short term.) I don't think, until he's moved jobs and we know what that looks like that we'll be considering moving. I think at some point we will move unless he really has had enough and decides to take a much lower paid job/set up his own business. In a worst case scenario, we could manage if he just walked out and didn't go back, although life would look *very* different to our current lifestyle. However, for now, we're staying put and enjoying what we've got.

The only debt we currently have is the last 11 (?) months of interest free credit on our solar panels, which Mr MV pays off every month and I have absolutely nothing to do with. We are both saving for the longer term – potentially with a view to moving, although also possibly just to buying some woodland in the future.

We haven't yet had our 'financial summit' for the year (Mr MV would run away screaming if he heard it in those terms, but he's perfectly happy to discuss finances, just not so keen on 'meetings' 🙄), but it will include discussion of financial goals for the year, which may include a heat pump, an additional house battery, finally sorting the front garden, creating a space where people can stay over, buying a kayak or buying a kit trailer-caravan for the Mini. Obviously we won't be able to do all of the above. Once we've talked about the above, and made a general outline for the year, I'll let you know.

So what does living/spending in alignment with our values entail?
* Having a minimal impact on the planet (hence likely heat pump/additional battery);
* Growing a lot of our own food (for me, less so for Mr MV);
* Spending quality time with friends and family (often at home, but sometimes by supporting local businesses);
* Spending time outdoors; and
* Seeing more of the world.

The last one naturally conflicts somewhat with the first one as I'll try to avoid flying again this year. A holiday to Italy by train would be amazing, but it won't come particularly cheap. Flying isn't permanently off the cards, but I want there to be a good reason for it - long-haul travel for special holidays every few years, rather than short hops because it's cheaper than the train.

Growing a lot of our own food is likely (weather and slugs permitting) to be easier this year - I'm now at the top of the list for a second plot at my allotment site and am hoping that the plot that's lay vacant next to mine for the past three years (despite having plotholders) might become available soon. If not, I'll stay at the top of the list (at least for a while), so I can choose something else - possibly one with a greenhouse?

One thing we've learnt from our 40 before 40 activities was the benefit of having a plan for the year and list of things we want to do. It has meant we've actually planned for them and done them (in many cases, although we've not actually achieved all 40 things) and I want to continue this this year - which will cover some of the 'time with F&F' as several social camping trips are on the list. The kayak is also part of this plan - we borrowed a kayak from BIL and SIL and went out with them last year and loved it. It's something we can also do with my Sis and Niece and with some friends too, so I think it will be a good investment.

So, roughly the plan is to save money for some of the big things on that list (tbd) alongside pensions and RE savings (these tend to tick along quite nicely for us in the background - we are both ahead of where we need to be for our ages) and spend on those that will allow us to live in alignment with the values above, while not spending on things that don't add value (Travelodge breakfasts, I'm most definitely looking at you) or we could do better ourselves. (The usual basically, for me, just with a fresh start and more focus.) 

Anyway, I think that's enough waffling from me right now - back shortly with today's post and then when we've done some actual planning, I'll let you know!

themadvix

After a couple of days of feeling rather rough/lacking in energy (I have not been taking my Floradix recently and it was beginning to become clear - now remedied!), today I felt more on it and productive. I've finally finished a small piece of work that I managed to drag out across the festive period (and it could not have been less festive either), which will leave me clear to do some much delayed Cambridge stuff tomorrow (they're all still off - some for another week - so no one is waiting for it yet).

MS things:

* My low-spend January didn't get off to a great start when I realised that I'd used the last of my porridge oats to make Mr MV some granola (although that was to stave off having to buy weetabix for him, so the intent was there). So popped to T's (on bike) for that and managed to grab 2 lots of fish pie mix at £1.16 each and a pack of smoked salmon for 88p (the pie mix is in the freezer, the smoked salmon will be a nice treat for lunch tomorrow).

* Baked bread in my new Netherton Foundry tin - enormous loaf! Used spent grain from Mr MV's brewing on Wednesday, so 200g of flour saved (and another 200g of grain in the freezer for another time).

* Cat sat (will be last visit tomorrow)

* PA survey - £4.60

* Made parsnip dal with the remaining parsnips from Christmas (roasted the other day when oven was on for granola)

* Leftover lentil bolognese with coucous for lunch for both of us

* Used Am gift card from client to order some litter bags that seem to be OOS everywhere else and the remaining £30 was spent on a donation for our local Cats Protection as it makes me feel better about having to  use the voucher at Am.

Low-spend Jan on groceries may take another hit on Saturday as planning to make a trip to bulk buy sunflower seed mince and chunks from a zero-waste shop in Winchester which I've learned today is closing down 😔 (I was already planning on going as it's the only place I've found in the UK that sells it since Brexit) - I will stock up on the basis that I don't know when I'll be able to buy it again. But I'm not going to count this in the January food spend as it should last many months.

In shocking (for me) news, I've noted down my spends so far this year (all two of them!) and may try to keep this up. I am terrible at tracking spending, but think it would be insightful.

Gratitudes:
*Sunshine - it's been cold but lovely today
* My loaf tin 😊
* Super affectionate cat client

Have a good evening all!

redofromstart

Happy new diary. 

Your mention of kayaks reminded me that are three kayaks attached to the back of the summer house that I will need to rehome.  They were second hand from a kayak club when we got them 20 years ago, but Mr Redo and the older boys had the best holidays when we took them along and they got used in the sea quite a lot.  I remember it being tedious work to get them onto the roof rack on the estate car though. 

themadvix

Thanks Redo. We are planning on getting an inflatable one - definitely don’t have room for a rigid one, nor the means of transport. 

Cheery_Daff

Hello, and happy new diary! 😃 Sounds like you have some fun adventures planned 😊😊

Jessy103

Oooo shiny new diary! Will be following with interest as always! 😀

rtandon27

Happy New Diary!  Duly subscribed 😁

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary. 

Sallyforth

I've bookmarked your diary along with a few others I follow - looking forward to it.

I keep saying to myself I should start a diary here too but just not sure where?  I've been in huge debt and had a mortgage but now am luck enough to be clear of both so a bit stuck really.  I still need to be accountable for expenditure so I don't repeat past idiocy but don't want to come across as smug because I know how difficult life can be in debt with a mortgage too.

TallGirl

Happy new diary I will be following along. 

SallyForth well done on your achievements I have also paid off my mortgage but I find having a diary is great for keeping track and making sure you dont fritter money. 

themadvix

Morning all and thanks for the new diary wishes!

It's a chilly one this morning, but the frost looks beautiful in the sunshine. Am planning on cracking on with Cambridge work this morning and then doing some out and about jobs this afternoon - we didn't get to the vets yesterday (just to pick up some meds), so that's on the list. We should be heading to the pub this evening, although Mr MV is tired (and rather out of sorts) - and he's gone into the office today, so may decide he doesn't want to go to the pub (equally, it may well be a necessary opportunity to wind down!).

I am toying with trying YNAB... it seems the easiest way to keep track of spending. The problem is I don't want to allocate all of my money the YNAB way and I don't have budget pots for every single little thing, so I'm somewhat resistant. I would welcome thoughts. LaPlan is a total convert, I know, and given she has a varied income like me, that has made me a bit more curious....

The weekend is going to involve a trip to Winchester for the sunflower mince/chunks. We've never been, so I expect we'll enjoy having a wander round - there's an NT water mill just around the corner from the shop we're going to. I think Sunday will be spent at home/a quick trip to WGC (to drop off the CP donation).

MS things:
* Forgot to say I stewed some hg fruit (and a soft apple from the fruit bowl) for my porridges this week. I did buy bananas in T's but I'm going to mainly let Mr MV eat them and try to stick to stewed fruit - it's free after all!
* PA survey
* Mr MV has taken a sandwich today (encouraged by the fact there was some smoked salmon to put in it!)
* Parsnip dal made 4 portions - so 3 are now in the (rather full) freezer.
* Not sure if I mentioned the other day but the turkey curry required garam masala and I was all out of it, so I made my own. This used a good chunk of the cardamom pods we bought in excessive quantities on our honeymoon (ahem 12.5 years ago), so that was good (I've already given a decent amount of the cardamom to a friend and there's still plenty left.... un-focused spending on 'cheap' spices is dangerous!). I know some would say it's so old it can't be any good, but it smelt plenty flavourful enough and the garam masala tastes good (there was some in the dal too).

Gratitudes:
* A full freezer with lots of easy meals - could do with an inventory (I did use up some coconut milk and tomato puree that was in there in the dal)
* Sunshine again today
* An improved weather forecast for my birthday - sunshine!

Have a good day all!