Hopefully cruising, with focus, towards retirement

in_need_of_direction

hello and welcome to my new diary. I’ve been kicking around here for a fair few years and dealt with debt for a lot longer. I am however happy to declare that I am debt free and mortgage free. This is despite my last mortgage starting at £160k on the same house where my original mortgage was £38700. Multiple consolidations that didn’t work plus, by the time I was here, I had cleared lots of unsecured debt.

I was fortunate that I was in a relatively well paid job with my children allegedly off the payroll. My last diary saw the mortgage cleared while I embarked on self employment. I fell into the trap of thinking that I couldn’t say no to potential work and emerged from the covid period incredibly depleted and, to be honest, it’s taken a long time to recover. It’s only hindsight and lots of counselling that has rendered that visible.

So, here I am, aged 58, married a second time to a new improved model with two, on paper, grown up children one of whom lives in England and the other who bases herself with us in NI, in between assignments working away. Over the past 2-3 years, each has had a cancer diagnosis of a different type and both have successfully completed treatment. DH works full time earning a stable income while my self employment continues although significantly scaled back, except for year end.
From both life experience and being an avid reader of diaries, I’m increasingly aware that life can be short and should be lived for enjoyment and also for the benefit of others where possible. @blackcats introduced me to the concept of pixie dust. They have chosen to sprinkle this as it suits them. My approach is slightly different as my pixie dust is by way of financial and other resources including my time and belongings. For example, passing on an unused soft toy that fits with a nursery theme for a new baby or gifting an unused item to where it’ll get guaranteed use.
In addition, partially inspired by black cats and also by a relative, I have decided that I would like to gift my children £20k each over the next two years. I had both when I was a teenager and consequently have not been able to share pension lump sums etc. with them. According to my daughter, there is no need as “I raised two strong independent children and I should accept their strength and independence”. That said, I am at a stage where I see older people with the money they could have benefited more when they were younger. I’d sooner provide a buffer now for my two especially as obtaining mortgages may be more difficult due to cancer diagnoses.
due to my exceptional procrastination abilities, I’ve been working up to starting this chapter. I’d love to have company along the way. I’ll be back later with some aims and targets.

teapot2

Will follow along to hear about the next chapter, happy new diary……

MillQueen

I love this! It makes me think what a good hearted person you are. You have done so well with paying off your debts and mortgage, and you and your family have been through a hard time. These are wonderful ideas and I am looking forward to hearing more about your plans. I think just writing it down starts the manifestation of making it happen 🌟🌟!!

I hope you will remember to put something to personally look forward to for you into the plans too though… as well as the lovely thoughtful plans for helping out and looking out for others… ☺️🌈

Blackcats

a very happy new diary to you. I finished my old diary and started my new diary recently and it has really energised me and given me more focus on what is important to me and mine at this stage in my life and their lives.

I think your plan to gift your children a generous amount of money is great. I have mentioned on my diary the book I'm reading The Art of Spending Money. It's so aligned to how I want to enjoy my money - I think you'll enjoy it. It's not about how to spend money on "stuff" - I was an expert at that in the spendy, debt ridden years. It's about what truly makes us feel rich and for me that's having enough for a comfortable life and the ability to enrich the lives of my family with my time, my money and any wisdom I might have.

I will be following your next phase.

FootyFanDan

looking forward to following along the next stages of your journey.

in_need_of_direction

so, having already fallen behind with posting, here goes with some more musings. This week pixie dust was spread by getting a friend to the airport for an early morning flight and absorbing the ridiculous drop off charge. I expect my family to walk from free drop off but am ok paying for someone in their 70s. I’ve spent half a day at a client site but otherwise worked from home. I put a few items into an auction house that sold yesterday so £14 earned before charges. I need to figure out how this gets paid. And now for the targets.

1. Continue the declutter
2. Gifts of £20k to each child by June 2028
3. 7 gifts needed for overseas children by sept when someone will be going to visit
4. 1300 Canadian dollars for same trip as gifts for same connection

Ok, so there are more targets but every time I add a line, one drops off so I’ll leave it for there.

Today I am grateful for

Finding a home for an unused item taking up garage space

DD treating us to a meal out last night

No rain while we await repair of a leaky roof

in_need_of_direction

thanks everyone for your words of welcome and support. @MillQueen, I’m not sure about being good hearted as such, I just hate to see people struggle unnecessarily if something small can make a difference. I benefitted in this way at various random times from people who probably didn’t realise the extent of the impact. I just want that for others.

Well this has been a funny mixed bag of a week. DD left on Friday for a two month assignment during which she will celebrate her 40th birthday. We went to a great concert on Friday after which I pranged the car that’ll probably need 2 new doors, a new wing mirror and repairs to the other party’s car. I still can’t understand how it happened and feel sick every time I think of it but, it is what it is.

our builder showed up on Friday and suggested insulation given the work needed on the roof. We, of course, agreed and by yesterday evening, our return roof is now weatherproof but he wants to return today and paint window sills while scaffolding is in place. He’s one of the good guys. I’m hopeful he can also fit an extractor fan making use of scaffolding even if we will need to source an electrician. Post shower, our bathroom could currently be used to host stars in their eyes as there’s so much steam.

Today I did my weekly weigh in. Last week I was 12 st exactly, I have lost just under a pound and am registering at 11st 13lbs. My ideal target weight, as determined by me, is 11st 2lbs not achieved since I was 21 still, I can dream. I’d happily settle for less of a loss if only I could pick where it comes off.
last week also marked my first week on a reduced dosage of anti depressants - given it was a week of ups and downs, I think it went ok.
Moneywise, we need to take stock of where things stand but dh has just been paid and I got some invoices issued which is always good. Yesterday we got a bakery tgtg bag for £4 that will cover our bread requirements for the next week.
over the past week I have also sorted out and sieved soil from derelict plant pots with a view to using what I have to pretty up the garden. As well as decluttering, I want to optimise what we have. Right, enough wittering on, I need to get going.

Today I am grateful for

DD’s safe travels

No injuries from the car prang

A good concert

Catscoffeecake

Happy new diary! I dropped in and out of your old ones (under a different user) but will be sure to follow you on this new journey. Best of luck!

in_need_of_direction

thanks ccc. I read your old diary, did you get it resolved.? And have been following your recent adventures. Positive vibes please as today I’m going to see the cost of car repair

Blackcats

what a nice use of pixie dust - I love using my pot of money for little acts of thoughtfulness.

Glad you are ok after the car accident. Fingers crossed for the car repair costs.

in_need_of_direction

a bit of a mixed week. The other party involved in the prang is away for a few days so no idea of the likely cost. The organisation that may have cctv aren’t responding and I need two new doors plus paint work.

ernie donated £25 to me and £200 to dh. Our roof repairs were slightly less than expected plus I won 2 tickets to a mickey bubbles concert on Wednesday that were subsequently upgraded to golden circle. I went with a friend and we treated ourselves to dinner first.

I got a rejection letter through from a long shot I applied for and am ok about that although I failed on a different criteria to the one expected. Hb had a reduction on the cleaning product needed to get the water damage (from the leaking roof) underway. It was only 30p off but that’s 30p better in my pocket than anyone else’s.

Some clients made payments which mean I can cover my end of July tax estimate most of which I should subsequently be able to claim back. I’ve picked up 5 days work with an existing ad hoc client and I even cleared up some stuff.

I also bit the bullet and started to gift money to the dc. They each received £1.5k so only £37k to go. The remainder of our October holiday has been paid for and my sparks money to go towards sept’s Canadian gifts has increased through buying what I would have been buying anyway.
we had the money in a current account since I did my year end withdrawal from my business account. When the roof repairs and subsequently car repairs became needed, I wanted a comfort blanket but realised that living in fear made no sense esp as our emergency fund could cover it. So the non interest bearing balance in the current account took the hit. We also cleaned out the treat pot entirely to cover holiday and it owes general funds £1300 to hopefully be paid before we go. The £200 dh won will go towards that once it is paid. My winnings go to general expenses.

after focusing on debt and mortgage, I struggle to spend and/or transfer large sums.
last week I also got items to the charity shop and have some things to be posted today. I have also decided to return a mail order item despite having to pay postage as it’s not as advertised. Yes, I’ll take the hit on the postage but I’ll still be £10 better off. Pixie dust this week was sharing an item I had with someone else so they could try out without spends.

right, I think that’s me for now. Today I am grateful for

A repaired roof

Winnings

Being able to spread pixie dust