I'm paying how much interest a year??!!

Moneyminded

Have you considered switching to an offset account. Any savings you have will be used to offset that interest and you are not typically limited to the standard 10% overpayments you can make with other mortgage products. My own offset mortgage allows me to overpay 99.9% of the mortgage amount without penalty. The interest rate is also significantly more attractive than your current SVR. 

Whatever you choose good luck with your overpayments

here_for_the_tips

@Moneyminded oh one to research up on, thank you.

here_for_the_tips

Still the trip to the dentist to come this month but already overpaid more then I have managed the last 2 years

Tjh1412

Well done on the OPs, that's a really good chunk you'll save on interest too 

here_for_the_tips

Unexpectedly got some money back from a family member, never really consider these sort of transactions a loan, you help out if you can and all that. Been at the other side of this myself in the past (years and years ago, younger and dafter) with the mortgage due to come out and the overdraft maxed out. Cash straight onto the balance for another £250 OP.

Don't consider myself a soft touch and close family have got their acts financial together last year though one in law is a chef and constantly has itchy feet every 3-9 months so I may get a text msg come April I'm determined to stick with this OP plan but can't see myself saying no if asked, will factor it into thinking. 

here_for_the_tips

"really more aware about how much I'm spending when I'm not tapping a card / phone. Quick forum search and I'm not alone here either it seems - going to adopt this when out and about going forward, start with cash in the wallet and don't go over it. Will see how that goes out with the lads for football late this month."

Well I have discovered my Kryptonite here early in the challenge at least. Lifted £50, bar was card only, good time being had by all, rounds flowing and very much overspend on the evening at £120 with travel and food. Not a disaster as such, good progress made this month and I like how my mindset is to record the fact I'm annoyed as that's £70 that could have gone onto the balance. Don't regret a January session with the boys but going to have to reign myself in for this year. Big events only going forward.

here_for_the_tips

So a final end of month bank balance payment of £219.85 for a January total of £1,242.65. Will have another £100 or so to pay out to the dentist next month, taking the Mrs out for a birthday meal this weekend plus 2 x girls haircuts (why are they so much more then boys?) so not sure what the next month will bring but we'll see. 

Flossymuldoo

Wow, well done on the OPs.  I'm still in the process of getting my savings where it needs to be but i'm champing at the bit to get overpaying.     I have a target of £10k for the year too but won't be able to start in earnest til around April 

I will aim to try and keep up with you 

here_for_the_tips

So tough to know when to say enough is enough in the emergency fund. I decided to re-assess my savings goal to get the overpayments going in earnest, yes I'd rather not touch the 5k in the high paying regular saver with Natwest as it took an age to reach that amount at £150 per month plus double round ups but it is there and I can access it if needs be. Fingers crossed it does not happen but if I have to dip into savings I can cut down on OP's and bring the total back up to £15k across the various accounts. After this really need to kick start the retirement savings, FIRE feels like a pipe dream just now but one thing at a time. Would love to go out of the rat race at age 57 in 11 years time but we'll see.

Flossymuldoo

It is really tough but both hubby and i were made redundant last Jan and it scared the living daylights out of me.  I imagined us destitute and queuing for food banks.  In reality that wasn't likely to happen and we both got jobs straight away but the panic feeling hasn't gone away. 

And I've also been looking at pension. We have nowhere near enough at the moment  

Well done you for getting a plan and being really motivated with it.  It's so easy to let those £s just slip away rather than putting them to good use!