The Mortgage Free Roll Of Honour

Never thought I'd do it. Its all been done in panic since I had to take over the house on my own around 15 years ago. Then my vindictive ex partner, after 3 years, entered into a trust deed having gotten himself into deeper dept to live his way as a lad. The company he used claimed I owed him money from the equity on the house. There was none when he left. However I've done it, and I've managed to do it 5 years early.

Pearl of wisdom : should you find yourself in my position make sure your lawyer does not put "for no consideration" when you are having the house signed over to you. We had a private arrangement where my ex partner kept joint savings to set up on his own but this was not registered anywhere. This allowed the trust deed company to come back to me. I cant remember the legal term they used but its like when criminals sign all their worldlies over to the wife/ partner so the law cant take them.
I discovered this site after about a year of being on my own, in a panic, and not being very savvy. I learned so much from this site about credit cards, shopping tricks, upping my income (mystery shopping) which fed me for quite some time lol. I learned how to sell on ebay, sell through amazon and sold my Boots bargains in my workplace and carboot sales. I done just about everything I could to pay extra, and it worked. Thank you Martin for saving my life.

Date I made the final payment: 17th July 2018.

a) 2011
b) 98,00
c) February 2011
d) stop chasing bigger and better properties and try to seek out one that is easy to maintain, cheap to run and affordable.
e) other mse stories of inspiration
f) no diary, just did it

a. ALWAYS wanted to be mortgage-free, so saved up a lot and stayed at home for years.

b. Highest debt was at the start - £173k but put initial down-payment of £80k down. NOTE: because of circumstance, Nationwide waived all interest paid on the mortgage to date (about a year's worth). I had some chasing to do but they did it and it was good of them.

c. Mortgage-Free some time this year, I forget. Rubbish circumstances - my wife passed away. Her passing did not massively help toward being mortgage-free (we both saved a lot and our financial situation would be the same were she here). I'd rather have her back and be homeless.

d. Save, save and save - and don't go for flash cars or eat out a lot or any nonsense while you're still "in debt" or soon will be.

e. n/a

f. n/a


I actually need some advice now..............

Will try to keep this brief.



Mid-30s, no mortgage. Widowed with grown step-daughters.

Putting £200 per month into a fund managed by advisor (£40k invested).

I increased pension contributions at work to 30% to bring me down to 20% band. ~£85k in pension (really not a lot...). All-in approx £2k per month into pension.

Still saving £1k+ a month just going into Santander 123 (x2 accounts) for the moment (just under £30k cash).

Could get a pay rise working elsewhere but commute would go up and work might intensify (so probably a no-go plus I still like where I am despite recent pressures). Considered a 2nd home closer to work (commute ~90+mins total each day and I hate that) but the costs are prohibitive and gains taxed at 40%. Also, I got our home for my wife so there is an emotional attachment and it has good local services for one of my step-daughters.

Used to have VLS100% but sold to move into managed fund. Might consider just bumping money back into that. I'd love to not be dependent on work and retire early but at the same time, I lost my wife to cancer and realise how short and fragile life is, so I don't want to squirrel everything away and never see it (a 4-day week would be great but no chance of that).

What would you consider in this position? I'm not sure about Lifetime ISA. Obviously advisor would recommend putting more into his managed fund but I like to diversify. Maybe re-open an investment account and dive back into VLS100? Business venture? Rent a room out in 2nd home closer to work? Just pile more in to my managed account and enjoy life (more holidays, eating out, gigs etc)?

I spent so many years saving, I've had a bit of a blowout this year. I'm out of touch and need to get a plan together. House paid off is great but if job is lost, it seriously hampers the dream of a comfortable life / retiring early etc,

Thanks - and that's a good shout, thank you

Well done Natty :beer:

Thanks for keeping me and other MFWs inspired