One thing I love about Facebook, apart from being able to keep in touch with family and friends from all over the country, is the little box that pops up each day with your 'Memories' for that day for each year that you have posted on Facebook.
One of today's was the photograph above and a link to THIS post.
Wow .. how far we have come in three years!!
In that post I talk of carrying on with the savings and over paying on the mortgage. For the first two years that we were here we were allowed, under the terms of our mortgage, to pay off an additional 10% as an overpayment once a year. We did just that, and then this time last year we left that restriction behind and although our interest level went up a smidge due to being out of the special offer period, we could then start paying off as much extra as we like and can now pay off the whole amount whenever we want to.
We have been paying a double payment each month since last September and we are now on track for paying our mortgage off sometime in the first half of next year. It's been a big ask, but we have stuck to our guns and challenged ourselves over and over and this has helped us stay on the straight and narrow with regards to spending.
Yes we do buy things when we need them, but that's just it .... it's when we need something not just because we want something. I can now go round shops and admire what I see but not have the slightest inclination to buy anything. It's nice getting home and having nothing to put away.
It's not been a hairshirt couple of years either, we do still have the occasional cup of coffee when we are out and about, we've been out for a couple of meals and even had holidays, well long weekends away here in other parts of Wales, but all that has been budgeted for and been designed to be at the times when things might have been getting too much for us.
After all it's no good reaching the finishing line demoralised and totally knackered is it. It's been a good three years, and thank you to all of you who have been along for the ride, and there's even more still to come :-)
Sue xx
All the photos in today's post were taken when we viewed this house for the first time in June 2013.
I can't believe how the time has flown-x-
ReplyDeleteI really admire what you have been able to do. I know some people who have paid off their mortgage and I often wonder how they have done it. You should be extremely proud of yourselves! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI am full of admiration for your committment Sue - what a feeling of admiration you must get when you realise you have almost reached your goal. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThat is marvellous! Having no mortgage made such a big difference to us - it meant OH could retire early.
ReplyDeleteThat is marvellous! Having no mortgage made such a big difference to us - it meant OH could retire early.
ReplyDeleteWow you are an inspiration, hopefully one day soon we can we in the same position, will done to you both, you work hard and deserve this xx
ReplyDeleteMaking that last payment is the best feeling in the world - for weeks after I kept walking around the house and garden thinking 'I own all this outright' I remember looking up the garden one day from our summer house/craft room and realising that it wasn't just the bricks and mortar that I owned but every inch of the land - you're nearly there - within touching distance of making that last payment - will your Hubby then retire? - will be great for you when he can xxx
ReplyDeleteHe will be working reduced hours for a couple of months from March next year, and then a smaller contract in following years that will just entail some work from home and just three overnight trips a year.
DeleteAt the moment everything is going to plan 😊
Well done!.
ReplyDeleteI,m getting there too just under £20000 to go yes it's hard!. Colleagues on computer buying this n that, no I don't wan,t anything just so want to say what are you doing!. But they wouldn,t understand!.
One colleague pays over£1000 month in rent, thinks she,s posh as lovely house!.
Buys designer clothes , but is skint last week in month, borrowing money for works canteen grrrrrrr.
Wow ... well done 😊
DeleteI don't understand people like your colleague, and it's usually intelligent people who live like that.
It's been so much fun watching all your renovations over this time, and congrats on the decrease in the mortgage. It is very freeing to not have a mortgage payment.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing we did - even though it wasn't advised back then- was to pay off our mortgage 10 years early and then save some money and do up the house...........you just never know whats round the corner but having no mortgage, some savings and a house to sell can never be the wrong choice.
ReplyDeleteWe paid off our mortgage at 55 and 56 respectively and I retired 2 years later. We ignored people who told us how lucky we were as we have never had really expensive holidays etc which is how we did it. It's the most wonderful feeling to know that something that was twice a millstone round our necks with a 15% motgage, is now a valuable asset for our older age. I have loved following your new life and my DH has mega serious envy of the workshop!! Catriona
ReplyDeleteSlowly chipping away and not over spending works so well. Being mindful of achieving life goals is how I live too. Your blog has been an inspiration to me and all your tips have been amazing.
ReplyDeleteJean
Well done for sticking to your guns. I'd like to see the big smile on your face when next year come's around and the debt is gone.
ReplyDeletexx
You have worked like troopers ! And I have a great admiration for what you have achieved and the way you go about it. Hats of to you ! xxx...x
ReplyDeleteWow you have come such a long way in three years, I have been watching with interest all the things you have been doing, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYou have done some much work and what an adventure for your readers as well! Thanks and congratulations and wishes for continued success.
ReplyDeleteI need to budget like mad, I'm rubbish at it
ReplyDeleteI want your house......
ReplyDeleteA belated congratulations too for your awards x
How wonderful - congratulations to you both! And I do love the part where you remind folks that you are not making yourselves miserable along the way - just being mindful about your spending and doing things sensibly and together!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Now I know why you're so frugal. Can you believe my husband will not agree to paying any more than the monthly mortgage on our house? He says it has something to do with paying with inflated dollars. Go figure ( because I've never been able to figure it out!). We ARE both retired though - He at 75 and me at 56 - we both have good pensions and both get social security (I was just eligible this year at 62) so we aren't poor. But we've had this place 35 years and after re-mortgaging it a few times to modernize it still a long ways from being paid for. But like the commenter above I feel it sure would be nice to be able to say we own it outright.
ReplyDeletewell done! congratulations to you both, must feel great knowing it will all be owned outright soon you have done wonders to the place too.
ReplyDeleteit's been wonderful to be a part of your progress :))
thanx for sharing
How different it all looks now, what a lot can happen in three years. And I hadn't realised how close you were to paying off your mortgage, what a wonderful feeling, well done
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