Statement of intent

EssexHebridean

ROFL re the cat - yes, they have a habit of doing this sort of thing. The first weekend we were here - cat was obviously not allowed loose outside for the required two weeks to allow her to think of this place as home....I was sat outside with my Aunt who had come over to see the flat, with Her Ladyship on her harness and lead at our feet - before I knew what had happened she had (goodness knows how) wriggled free of the harness and made off across the gardens :eek: - I can assure you that you have never SEEN anyone open a can of tuna so fast! :rotfl: It worked too - back she came for her favourite treat and thankfully all was well!

I suspect you will end up getting the mortgage paid up early - I don;t think you will be able to resist the buzz, and I can't blame you for a second. You're quite right too - with no mortgage to worry about your savings would grow again in no time and the added security of knowing that whatever happened the rof over your head was your own.....incomparable. Whatever you decide I look forward to following the process of the decision making on here - you're very much our voice of reason on these threads and however you end up plaing the final months of your own particular challenge will undoubtedly be carefully thought out and the very best decision for your family.

All the best for a happy and peaceful christmas and a prosperous 2009 Stuart. Thanks for all your help and assistance over the past few months also.

shirlgirl2004

I can see you'll be very tempted to pay off instead of just offsetting. I think we'll do the same. I just don't think offsetting will be the same as being able to say "I'm mortgage free!"

Good luck for 2009 :beer:

SingleSue

Hehe at the cat stories....

We have had similar with our now no longer a kitten, Jasper, except he went straight into the bush that runs between mine and the neighbours house..only problem is that he got himself in it and then completely stressed out as he couldn't find the way out!

We didn't worry at first as cats tend to get themselves out of bother like that but after a time of pitiful cries, had to go and rescue him...with a very pensive Ti-ah (my older cat) sitting by.

Poor Jasper is not able to go out at the moment though, it has been discovered he has pretty severe hip dysplasia and until he has his first operation in a couple of weeks is not allowed just in case he jumps at something and completely dislocates his hips causing more damage.

StuartGMC

SingleSue
Thanks. Well, to add to the tale (or is that tail?) he went off a long way late this afternoon once he'd been climbing the trees in our hedgerow, well out of earshot and not responding to calls etc. Still not home at 5:10pm when I got in and I then joined the hunt. Eventually turned up sauntering up the footpath of street opposite us at 5:45pm over 2 1/2 hours after last being seen (despite being let out hungry). Even then he tried to dodge me!

Whilst I had a cat when young, it started with us as a kitten and "grew" his territory slowly; our new male seems to think (after 15months in a cattery then the a week in the rescue centre) that to wander off 500m or more is nothing, possibly he had been over to the fields or farm but that is a long way off.

Concern is to be certain he knows where home is, he didn't seem distressed when I found him, but I am not sure he recognised home either on just the third day from the house.... but he hasn't been near traffic for a very long time either.

I guess the positive thing is it should be wearing down his sharp claws, which, now he seems very happy in the house, he combines with some excellent teeth (so the vet described them) and upon occasions then "attacks" me in fun. Even so, he has a strong bite :eek: but it is entirely play related. He is an active cat and I think he will spend a lot of time out and about.

StuartGMC

Just had the Offset summary from mid Sept to mid Dec; offsetting alone saved us £182.18 this quarter. This makes £1453.73 saved in interest since June 2006, which is not a small sum when you consider that we only remortgaged at £32.5k

So I guess I can update my signature a little now :j

Also, was lucky to see the e-mail from Next within a few minutes of it being sent on Sunday for their "VIP Sale". So we secured the 1830hrs slot and have grabbed a lot of bargains (>50% reductions) on items we really need, so for once I didn't miss the note and end up with a late slot and no stock remaining!

StuartGMC

Well, if I said the Next bill was £502 I am sure many of you would be reaching for your keyboard to admonish me....

....so I should highlight that this covered a lot of items for the three of us, and if all of it fits, then we'll have saved some £600+ on the items. :j
(Oh, and £10.15 is now showing on TopCashBack too!)

All were things we need rather than frivolous e.g, I got three suits in that total plus two pairs of decent shoes, and a range of ties, wife has a range of outfits smart/smart casual, and last, but certainly not least, our rapidly growing daughter got most of the remaining replacement wardrobe's worth she needs as she is growing upwards by the day at the moment!

I've *happily* paid £200-300 per suit previously so we'll see how I feel about these :rolleyes:

Just need to await delivery around end of year / new year now.

Little_Mama

StuartGMC wrote: »

(Oh, and £10.15 is now showing on TopCashBack too!)

Oh bum, I always forget that Next are on TCB now, it was the excitement of some bargains that did it but if it wasn't my list I wasn't buying it.

Hope you had a good Xmas and all the best for 2009.

LM

happilass

Hi StuartGMC,
thank you so much for the spreadsheets you sent to me. They are great and just what I wanted, this is the first time I have spreadsheets that are relevant and detailed enough to be able to track everything that I need to, I have been using them,nearly said playing with them!, all morning.
Once again thanks I think that they will transform my budgeting organisation.
Happi

Smithills

Thanks Stuart for my spreadsheets too, been filling them in today, and am identifying some areas where a little trimming back could easily be done I think. And then that will pay for my new bathroom, kitchen, etc etc!;)

StuartGMC

Glad to hear from you all regarding the spreadsheet; it's nice to think it will help a little.

Have some unplanned expenditure to cover now; the cat; that is the Jag )not the furry one, which has settled well and truly in the home ) decided on Saturday evening to start "playing" one of it's alarms for no reason at all. This is an electronic alarm that lasts for 30 seconds, stops and then recommences.... and can do so, over and over again :eek:

Needless to say, very embarrassing and I did apologise to one neighbour on Sunday (our cats were "chatting" on the path:rotfl:). Car with Jag dealer this morning but not heard anything so far regarding the passive alarm itself or the main battery, but either way, it'll be a "princely sum" to pay for it.

Very annoying as I had hoped to save some cash in January which will now be depleted by this cost!

...best laid plans etc.....

Meanwhile, Nintendo Wii is great fun for us all and In-Laws etc who were with us yesterday; thanks to all for the recommendations :T

Best wishes for an enjoyable New Year celebration and for 2009