Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Tuesday, Drum roll please!

     Well folks I did it!  It is done!  It is paid off!  I went to the Credit Union yesterday with my 2115.00 in 5 dollar bills.  I also raided my penny savings which had about $575.00 in it.  I took another $1600.00 which would have been our standard payment and then took $599.14 out of my savings account.  It is paid in full.  I have to pay my savings back but will have at least $500.00 of that when I go pick up a check from the studio owner this evening.

     I am keeping this a secret from hubby as I will present him with the pay off paperwork on his birthday in December.  I don't feel guilty about this as I have been the one that has scrapped and saved and figured out how to do this.  He is oblivious, but I must give him credit as he is not a frivolous spender and that helps tremendously with my budget. He knows we are close and we have both discussed having a mortgage burning party.  Which I am thinking will be New Years Eve this year.

So as the sign says, Now what?

Well we are not completely out of debt as we have the car and the house loan.  The house loan could be paid back today as we have not used it, but now we are really going to tackle the projects we neglected to do this summer.  The car is at 0% so I am in no hurry to pay that off and will do it after the house projects are done.  There are a lot of them.We will also have more money to cash flow projects.  I also have CC bills for travel which I will pay off this month.

How do I feel?  Well, relieved,excited, happy, proud.  I have just so many emotions right now.  Will my life change?  Maybe a little.  We had a whopping $1580.00 a month mortgage on an income of just under $4000.00 a month. I was putting at least an additional $1000.00 on this every month for the past 15 months.  Most months it was an additional $2000.00.  Out of that $4000.00  a month I was trying to keep everything under $1500.00 (insurance, food, utilities, car payment) so all other money could go to the mortgage.

I will not change my frugal ways one bit.  I plan to start updating the house to sell one room at a time and I will cash flow this. But right now I am just going to bask in the glory of no mortgage.

I have to say, that I was a slug (no reference to by best buddy).  I didn't even start the laundry which is out of control.  I pulled out a pan of stuffed shells for dinner.  I binged on netflix. It was wonderful. I did have quite a bit of work come into the shop and I do need to get some things done today.

Will I slow down?  Perhaps a little.  I have a very driven workaholic personality.   I don't think that will ever change.  But the immense pressure of always being behind the 8 ball, will hopefully diminish.

I am so grateful to all of the blogging community that has gone on this journey with me.  It has been long and hard.  But I can honestly say I could not have done this without you.  Just having someone to be accountable to daily was such a boost to my stamina in paying off debt.

Will I quit blogging?  No, I still need the support (yours).  I still need a kick in the pants in so many ways, either to get something(anything, you know what I did yesterday right?)done. I just do better when I have to be accountable for my day(s).

So let's see what I do want to get done today?

1. start the friggen laundry woman
2. maybe get dressed and put on some makeup and do your hair. (just a thought)
3. get in the shop and review the pile
4. get my flue shot
5. go get blood work done for specialist appointment
6. clean out the fridge and take stock of what's available and what needs to be cleaned out
7. do something anything on Novembers list, maybe 5 things as it is the 5th.

Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.

Kim

53 comments:

  1. Kudos to you for hanging in there and doing the tough work of paying off your house. You deserve to celebrate. This is one thing that a lot of the younger generation don't understand - how much these big bills can weigh you down. Also how much interest you have saved by making extra payments! They seem to want it all - everything that our mothers and fathers worked a lifetime for but they want it right now. With this comes a big price tag financially, mentally and physically. We live in a paid off manufactured home. Is it the nicest one here - nope. But it's in good condition and it's all ours. The peace of mind know you don't own any one for your home is lovely. We have a place to live! Around here - Nevada we have had a lot of big corporations move into the area with their distribution centers and have seen 1 bedroom apt's for 500-600 a month go to 900-1450 a month. We have none of that worry. Take care and congratulations on paying off your mortgage. You worked hard at it and did it! Be proud.

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    1. Thanks Crystal, it has been a long haul let me tell you and I am so happy.

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  2. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you! You should be so proud of you! Heck everyone should be proud of you!!!!!
    I am amazed that you have kept this huge accomplishment from your hubs. Won't he be flippin' surprised!!!!!!!
    OH my goodness - you have to have the biggest grin and the biggest sigh of relief.

    Again, Congrats - onward and upwards!!!! Blessings to you sweet lady.

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    1. Well Joel does know that we are really close and that payoff was scheduled for December sometime and as his birthday is in December, I thought it would be a nice surprise.

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  3. Wow, congratulations! That was a huge mortgage based on income and you paid it off early! You saved so much interest by doing so. Now you will have a little more financial freedom and probably will be able to cash flow more projects than you think rather than using the line of credit. As for the car, if zero percent interest it is leave that as the last debt and fix up your house first:) Being mortgage free is such a treat after so many years of having to pay it!

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    1. It has not really sunk in yet but I am sure in a few months it will. Thanks for all of your support over the years.

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    1. Thanks Deanna, knowing people like you were out there rooting for me made all the difference.

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  5. I am SO happy and SO VERY PROUD of you!!!! Can you believe it?? All that penny-pinching paid off in a big way! I'm over here doing the happy dance for you!

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    1. You will be in that debt payoff zone sooner than you think. We have been through a lot of years together haven't we?

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  6. Congratulations!!!! How amazing. I wanted to ask with your charts, how do you manage to get them done so quickly? Do you put $ in every day until you get to $1,000 or do you do 2-3 amounts per day? I really want to knock some charts out but I am not sure how your method works exactly!

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    1. I have a weekly budget and when money is not spent say on groceries, or gas it goes on the chart. So I see how little I can spend. Then the shop and sewing helps some. So I have a $100.00 a week grocery budget and I tried from the beginning of the year to only do $50.00. With all the food I have amassed some weeks I only spent $10.00 the other $90 went on the chart.

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    2. That is amazing, thank you! My friend and I really want to tackle it and I told her about your method. Thank you, and congratulations again!

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  7. Wow, Kim!! Your hard work and perseverance are amazing! Congratulations on reaching this BIG goal of paying off your mortgage! Applause, applause!

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  8. Fabulous, you are a clever, hardworking woman - an inspiration,- theres a thought- perhaps you could give talks and inspire others to take control of their debts, perhaps through the church. I think people need to know that it is possible and you are living proof. You've certainly helped me so much. Hearty congratulations!
    J.P.in the UK

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    1. I would love to, but I think that people around here just don't get it. Either they don't have money problems or they don't care to hear about it. Most of us Personal finance bloggers sought out this advise.

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  9. Yay you! I have loved watching from afar as you battled the mortgage. Kudos, drum rolls and trumpet voluntaries!

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    1. Anne I am so happy, I am still kind of numb about it. But it will sink in soon I am sure.

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  10. Look at you go!!! You provide motivation and inspiration to those of us who need it. So very proud of you, Kim!!!

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    1. Thanks Lisa, it has been a long haul, I never thought I would see the end.

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  11. Fantastic! I remember when I first started reading your blog, things were a hot mess. I think maybe it had something to do with keeping up with the dance studio loan? Also much credit card debt, I believe. Anyway, that is all in the past. Congrats!

    Isabella

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    1. I was a hot mess for almost 40 years. I now have PTSD when I have to spend money. Thanks for the support.

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  12. Congratulations! It is finally over and you should be so happy that your hard work paid your free. Now, take it a bit easier and try to enjoy life a bit more not at a break neck speed and with so much pressure. I am single and worked 2 jobs for 12 years to pay off mine. Best decision ever. I have kept debt free and was able to take early retirement at 63.5. Just went yesterday to sign up for SS and will be glad to not have to pay 1600.00 a month to cobra for health insurance......but I made it to retirement, debt free and having the tim of my life and staying frugal as I will never go back to work....42 years of nursing as enough! I hope the same wonderful and content life for you......you have earned it!

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    1. Congrats to you Karen, you sound like a chip off the old block.

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  13. YIPPEE SKIPPY KIM!!!
    CONGRATULATIONS!

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  14. Congrats!!! You rock! I admire your motivation!

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  15. OMG KIM! I have been away and missed so much. I have to catch up!

    CONGRATULATIONS on paying off your mortgage! I am so PROUD of you. I know how hard you worked to do this! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    New Year's Eve will be so much fun this year for you and Hubby! And what a wonderful gift to give Hubby!

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  16. Congratulations!
    Look at you!
    How awesome. : )

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    1. Thanks Billie. Now go take a picture of someplace in your house that is messy for me and my life will be complete. Just joking. I luvs you.

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  17. WOW! Such a milestone. Congrats on reaching your goal! Of course you deserve to celebrate, but you'll have to tone it down until you reveal the big surprise to your hubby.

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    1. I know this skipping around the house has got to stop.

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  18. I am doing my Snoopy Happy Dance! The day I paid off my mortgage was such a surreal day in my life. I was able to relax mentally for the first time in a long time.
    Congratulations! You may have to give him an early birthday gift this year--the news and paperwork.

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  19. Well dome Kim, you are an absolute star xxx

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    1. Thanks Lizzie. Thanks for the support it meant so much.

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  20. Congratulations. Can you quietly celebrate your big achievement by allowing yourself to do NOTHING for a day or two?

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    1. Funny but I have done nothing for a 2 days, I am wondering if I will ever work again...

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  21. Girl you rock!! Congratulations on an awesome job!!

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  22. Congratulations. That is such a huge milestone. We are starting to pay extra to our mortgage starting in January. I cannot wait.

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    1. It really adds up quick at the end. Can't wait to see your progress.

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  23. I am late to the celebration because I was off working the polls. Dog tired but I just had to add my hearty congrats to you. The day has finally come!!! Now onward and upward to the next big milestone, but first we partay! lol

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  24. Congrats my friend!! I am so happy for you!

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    1. Thanks Rhitter, from you this means so much. We have been working this now for over 9 years. We are going to do it my friend.

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  25. Oh Kim, I am soooo happy for you! You have worked so hard to get this done! Very inspiring!

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    1. Thanks Lucy, I have loved watching you get where you are going also. We all need to stick together and help each other.

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  26. oh Kim thats awesome!! Congratulations!!! doing a happy dance for you :)

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  27. So very, very happy & impressed for you. NAILED IT! That is amazing. Congrats!!!

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  28. I'm one of your newer readers (so I don't know about the years of "hot mess")--but I still want to congratulate you! There is nothing like the feeling of being mortgage-free. Your dogged, determined scrimping and saving really paid off! You are truly one hard-working woman. If anybody deserved to take some time off after achieving all that debt elimination, it's you.

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