Hi all! Some of you may know me from my last two diaries (museumworkers quest to consign the mortgage to history and Making the Future Happen). A lot DID happen during my last diary, mostly things that threw me off the MFW course, including an unexpected (but much loved) third child and a new full time job! These are both changes for the better, but adjusting to even less time with even more responsibilities unfortunately took its toll on my health and wellbeing as well as our finances.

Anyway, I now feel like I've turned a corner - my health is improving, I'm settled at work, we have local childcare arranged (no more commuting with a toddler and buggy come September!) and we are starting to tackle the mortgage again. Rather selfishly I would like a new diary to mark this new phase as I feel a bit like my old one is, well, if not stained then a bit dog-eared. And who doesn't like the feel of a crisp new diary, all shiny, new and full of hope!

This time my journey to mortgage freedom has to be healthy and happy. I can't let myself get ill again, the whole family suffers. The mindfulness part is more aspiration than reality at the moment! However I've gained so much benefit from the mindfulness work that I have done that I really want to make it an integral part of my life. And I really want to enjoy my time with the kids, aged (nearly) 3, 5 and 14, and nurture my relationship with the very neglected OH. We love to travel and have days out, though usually there's a discount voucher and a packed lunch to hand if you look closely enough! Of course there will be challenges along the way, but if I can build personal resilience and keep a positive outlook I'll be much better placed to deal with them.

I would love it if you read and posted along - words of encouragement, suggestions, comments, questions, observations, witticisms, light ribbing - and the occasional reprimand if I start being self-negligent!

Some facts that always help at the start of a diary:
Mortgage balance at start of MF journey, March 2011: £190,000
Current balance July 2017: £95,979.89
Mortgage rate: 2.39% fixed at Feb 2016 for 5 years.

OPs in 2017 to date: £9,249.16
Total OPs 2011-16: £45k

LTV when house purchased 2008: 83%
Estimated Current LTV: 15%
Old mortgage rate: 5.09%
Old mortgage monthly payment: £1,200
Current mortgage monthly payment: £623.15

Original end date at renewal: February 2036
Current end date with no further OPs: October 2033 [guestimate, will check next time I call]
Target: April 2022 = £1,200 pm OP / £14,400 pa OP
Stretch target: September 2021 = £1,400 pm OP / £16,800 pa OP
Super stretch target: April 2021 = £1,600 pm OP / £19,200 pa OP

Just realised that means am possibly talking only 4 years or so until we're mortgage free ! Wow, that feels so unreal - but incredibly motivating!!

Lots more to say, but right now we're off to bed. Thanks for reading!