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A Very MSE Advent 2025
Comments
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MAB those are beautiful - what lovely things to have! I was admiring the lamps and candle lantern on the RSPB site yesterday, but can't justify them, although I'll be having a look in one of the shops after christmas to see if they reduce them!
Today it's earrings for me - the pair of two-tier bead drops I made for myself decades ago which are sparkly and look a bit like baubles!
I might dig out a sparkly nail varnish this evening to put on ahead of going to the beer festival tomorrow!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her6 -
I knew I was coming back into work today after a few days off with lurg, so dug out my copper infused turquoise pendant (rich purple, and pink with kind of bronze streaks) and a pair of rich pink garnet earrings. Warming colours for a cold day
KKAs at 17.03.26:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £219,071
- OPs to mortgage = £17,793 Estd. interest saved = £9,021 to date
c. 16 months reduction in term
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 25 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 5th April.
Produce tracker: £73 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.9 -
Today's 'treat' was allowing myself to choose a few decorations for the fireplace from the box in the loft. I am allowing myself to keep everything quite minimal and not put up a tree. I am changing the carpet and furniture in the main bedroom so everything is in upheaval. I hope paring back Christmas decorations will help the house feel calmer. I will make (or treat myself) to some kind of natural foliage decoration for inside the house. I made a wreath for the front door yesterday.7
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Spotted this today. Creating lots of happy faces in the neighbourhood!14 -
Aww that's lovely. A lot of effort has gone into thatBlackcats said:Spotted this today. Creating lots of happy faces in the neighbourhood!Making the debt go down and savings go up
LBM 2015 - debt £57K / Now £26,764....its going down
Mortgage Free December 9th 2024! 18mths ahead of schedule.Challenges
EF £1570/£3000
.
Studies/surveys April.....£43.44
Decluttering items 1402/2025. 172/2026
Books read 23 in 2025. 2026- 10 (target is 52)
Jigsaws done 20 in 2025. 3 this year.
My debt free diary...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6396218/we-will-get-this-debt-d£own-the-savings-up4 -
Out in the cold and rain with fabulous earrings on.
Got the chocolates for the stockings.
Ordered Mr PIP's big gift.
Ordered some comfy loungewear bottoms for mum, quite envious 😁https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael6 -
Have put out December 4th's Advent item - a collection of Scandinavian-style handknitted baubles which my sister made for me. I always display them in a carved wooden bowl which my Dad won in a raffle & gave to me because my Mum didn't like it. It's perfect for these baubles because it is simple & the wood shows up the red, cream & black yarn nicely. I can almost guarantee that I will be retrieving them from 4 corners of the living room by tomorrow morning though, as Soot & Ash are bound to think they are new toys for playing with. Oh, speak of the devil.....a very soggy stripey boy has just arrived & is trying to dry his fur on my tights!
F x2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!8 -
My Advent joy today was more of a mini miracle because I managed to co-ordinate my dad and his brother (aged 98 and 90 respectively) to get together for a birthday tea party. My dad is house bound and my uncle is in the last few weeks of his life, but his amazing care home sorted out transport and a carer to bring him to dad's. The brothers chatted, had a sing song and a hug probably for the last time. Thank you to care homes that care, carers that go above and beyond and taxi drivers with adapted vehicles and oodles of patience and kindness.
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That's amazing @Blackcats, what a time to cherish.
I might have something in my eye 😭❤️https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466032/an-in-between-phase/p1
'self-blame can be as egotistical as self-praise... any work worth doing is greater than we are... we must not overrate our importance to it, either for good or ill' Margaret Kennedy Lucy Carmichael3 -
PIP - I had watery eyes too - maybe it's the weather?
For further sentimental connection I wore my mum's pearls today. My mum loved a family get together.5
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