More Effort Required - the next 5 years

SandyShores

Thanks Beanielou. I cleared the largest area and laid the membrane down, it was a 10m x 3m pack so the hardest bit was unravelling it and wrestling into the space to cut it to size (4 x 3). I guess I could have laid it out on the lawn and measured to cut, but that would have been the sensible option. I threw down the spare bucket of stones to hold down one corner and a paver in another. The corner I didn't weight down mysteriously lifted up, not long after the cat had gone out, so a pot has been stood there. And I've just popped out and put one in the fourth corner. I'm looking forward to getting the other half of the area done, but need to order another 1500kg of stones, first Lots of other little gardening jobs to do too (does it ever end - no, I know) but its really starting to take shape now. I love it when a plan comes together 😂 and feels great to save a load of money by doing it ourselves.

SandyShores

• Just creating a list of things to do, and one of the items was book the chiropractor. I followed this youtube video this morning and now able to cross that off. Helps that I have a foam roller and foam roller ball.

SandyShores

Good news I have reached the age when I can claim one of my occupational pensions. Form sent off, now just to wait. While its not a life changing amount it will allow me to change my life IYKWIM.

• Book Chiropractor Follow exercises first
• Complete work pension form and pop in post - done
• Move clematis to bigger pot (repurposed a pot - winter job to transplant)
• Order stones for garden seating area - ordered
• Adapt the bird table to stop the starlings making a mess
• Look into gold prices for potential OP
• Complete self watering planter

• Finish laying weed membrane and stones
• Add final metal edge
• Declutter office
• Tidy garage
• Make an awning for the wooden shelter
• Continue house re-decorating (maybe in cooler weather!)
• Make a bird bath using the old clematis pot later (need a large dish)
• Reading/Crochet/Knitting etc.
• Course/Climbing/Driving

SandyShores

I started this thread exactly 6 months ago in January 2026 and it is going to be the last of the five year cycles in my debt-free/mortgage-free journey. It's a reminder to review my outgoings again, as I know some unnecessary spends have crept in again.

It's lovely to see the mortgage interest has been shrinking, from last year's £21.71 per day, to the latest £19.51. That's over £800 a year! End date was 2038, current provider doesn't update it, but I've calculated that keeping payments the same its now 2035 (aged 71). Another 4 years to get it to SPA, but once that occy pension hits my account I will be making another OP. Really excited to see the effect of that one.

I'm really pleased that the hardest work in the garden is now done and, apart from one blister and feeling slightly tired, there were no injuries to shoulders, backs or hips this time. Still lots to do but apart from the money for a decorator, most of it seems manageable within the monthly budget:

• Finish laying weed membrane and stones
• Add final metal edge
• Declutter office
• Tidy garage
• Make an awning for the wooden shelter
• Continue house re-decorating (maybe in cooler weather!)
• Make a bird bath using the old clematis pot later (need a large dish)
• Reading/Crochet/Knitting etc.
• Courses: Projects/Climbing/Driving

SandyShores

Made goo progress in the garden today and also started decluttering the office. The boot of my car contains a pile of stuff for a recycling centre trip, and I have another pile for donations. It's been really satisfying. There are a few things scheduled in my calendar this week, but wherever I can spare an hour or two I'll be carrying on with the decluttering. I also need to buy some more bark to top up the borders. I really like the pine nuggets, they may be more expensive but seem to smell much nicer. No idea how many bags I need but will buy a bag or two to test.

• Finish laying weed membrane and stones
• Add final metal edging
• Declutter office - started
• Buy/spread bark on garden borders
• Tidy garage
• Prune apple tree
• Wax the garden bench - is outdoor wax a thing?
• Reading/Crochet/Knitting etc.
• Make an awning for the wooden shelter
• Continue re-decorating the house (maybe in cooler weather!)
• Courses: Projects/Climbing/Driving
• Make a bird bath using the old clematis pot (winter job and need a large dish)

SandyShores

Feels like slow going but at least I am getting things done 🐌. I'm ticking the bark action off as I just need a bag or two for the corner behind the garage and there's no rush for that. I spotted some plastic Adirondack style chairs in the range today. £24.99 each - wondering whether to buy two to see if they get used before splashing out on better ones.

• Finish laying weed membrane and stones
• Add final metal edging
• Buy/spread bark on garden borders
• Declutter office - started
• Tidy garage
• Prune apple tree
• Wax the garden bench - is outdoor wax a thing?
• Reading/Crochet/Knitting etc.
• Make an awning for the wooden shelter
• Continue re-decorating the house (maybe in cooler weather!)
• Courses: Projects/Climbing/Driving
• Make a bird bath using the old clematis pot (winter job and need a large dish)

SandyShores

This heat is just too much to get on with my tasks, so I've been chillaxing today. Still watering the garden, shopping, cooking, trying to sleep in the heat plus the odd hoovering and bit of cleaning. I keep thinking about those chairs in the Range, I might get just one for now to try it out, but even that's too much effort ☀️

AgathaSquirrel

I’d planned just to read your first page but it was too compelling. Amazing progress on the mortgage. I also track daily interest. It’s so motivating to see it come down. I was laughing at you going through your direct debits to cancel, that was also me a couple of months ago, audible went along with Apple and a professional subscription I’d forgotten I had.

Lovely you are able to claim your first pension. It might not be huge amounts but every little helps.

Off to do some more work in my garden now.

SandyShores

Thanks Agatha 😊. Once this pension gets into payment I will be throwing that at the mortgage too. And I definitely need another cull of the direct debits - how do they keep multiplying?!🤣

I finally got some motivation today to have a good spring clean downstairs. The upstairs is in my sights tomorrow, especially decluttering the bedroom. (I realised that before fully decluttering the office I need to make space for a few bits to keep).

So all in all I feel like progress has been made this week and I feel like the weekend will be productive too. Roll on next week and I'll be working towards ticking a couple of things off my list before payday arrives at the end of the month 😀

Editing to add link to comment with The List.

SandyShores

Made it to the gym this morning for my session. Then ended up pottering through the morning. Living room was hoovered first and then tidied and cleaned the ensuite. Had a declutter of the surfaces and put all my clothes away. Or more like rammed into the drawers - I've just got too much stuff that I don't wear so need to have a proper cull. It will be easier now that the surfaces are clearer.

Managed some gardening too, just deadheading and picking up fallen fruit. And finally managed to collect the last of the bark and spread it around the back beds. One load of washing done, dried and folded. Quick trip to the shops for tea and afterwards started watching a Nordic series in Danish - riveting but fell asleep at the end of episode 2 so time for bed.

Just realised I have got (for the first time for a long time) a weekend where I don't have any chores planned. Looking forward to watching more of that series, reading and maybe even doing some crafts and cooking.