Part 84

A shorter post than normal this week as, unfortunately, I just found myself running out of time to meet the publishing deadline.

Quote of the Week

This week’s quote comes from Jeremy Wasson, who appears to be quite an angry child.  In a Facebook thread that was discussing whether people should be vaccinated, I suggested (only half jokingly) that those who refuse the vaccine should be banned from public places.  Although trolling on social media is a source of great entertainment for me, I do wonder what goes through the minds of certain people that they feel this sort of abuse is a reasonable response.  In addition to saying I deserve death, young Wasson said I should “be hanged” and that I should “go be a communist somewhere else” and that I “don’t belong in America.”  My reply, that I don’t live in the US and that I instead live in a country with free national healthcare was, perhaps, a little below the belt.  

I think when Jeremy grows into adulthood he will be embarrassed at his childhood actions, and I shouldn’t be too critical as I also said some stupid things before I hit my teenage years.  

What is slightly concerning is the number of people that are just so angry at the prospect of being vaccinated.  These are people who claim that they want to know what they are putting in their bodies, yet I know they are smashing through at least one McDonald’s takeaway a week.

Weekly Update

This past week was my last working week before going on holiday for a while.  I need the break as I’ve been feeling physically and mentally exhausted for a while now.  I think part of that is down to the state of my mental health, whilst part of it is down to not sleeping well.  Either way, I’m looking forward to a break and getting some fresh air.

Our new cat, Bob, seems to be settling in.  He’s had two full weeks with us now and he is starting to relax.  We play regularly as I shine the laser pointer for him to chase.  He also has a selection of other toys he likes to chase and scratch at.  He has also ventured onto the balcony and started sitting on the chairs much like Sweep, our previous cat, used to do.

I did enjoy meeting up with a friend I’ve not seen since last summer.  She brought her partner and daughter along and we had lunch at a food hall.  It was the first time I’d met her partner but we didn’t get much chance to talk as their little girl was not feeling too good.  Hopefully we will get out again with my girlfriend for dinner before too long.  

2021 Goals – to be achieved by 31/12/2021

1 – Reduce weight to 92.8kg.  (Current weight 120.5kg).

2 – Finish 104 new books. (Current total: 44).

3 – Complete RO3 for my DipFA. (In progress).

4 – Complete RO4 for my DipFA.  (Not started).

5 – Complete RO5 for my DipFA.  (Not started).

6 – Complete RO6 for my DipFA.  (Not started). 

I’m now up to 44 completed books but am yet to make any progress with my weight loss or DipFA studies.  I’m hoping that this break from work will start to push me in the right direction.

Financial Update

Assets

Premium Bonds: £1,500.00 (no change from last update).

Stocks and Shares ISA: £23,347.95 (down £302.47 from last update).

Fuck It Fund: £300.00 (no change from last update). 

Crypto: £475.76 (up £40.76 from last update). 

Pensions: £46,368.00 (up £309.60 from last update).

Residential Property Value: £199,355.00 (no change from last update).

Buy-to-Let Property Value: £128,644.00 (no change from last update).

Total Assets: £399,990.71 (up £47.89 from last update).

Debts

Credit Card: £89.00 (up £14.00 from last update).

Residential Mortgage: £139,592.09 (down £357.45 from last update).

Buy-to-Let Mortgage: £93,103.52 (down £18.05 from last update). 

Total Debts: £232,784.61 (down £361.50 from last update).

Total Wealth: £167,206.10 (up £409.39 from last update).

Investment Income in 2021: £1,005.09 (target £5,000).

I’m a bit disappointed that my ISA dipped slightly.  Much of my ISA balance is invested in a single stock, which has been steadily rising and is up approximately 20% over the last three months.  This stock is one that I will eventually cash in to fund some more BTL purchases over the next 12-18 months.  

I have started crunching the numbers in a little more detail in regards to my second BTL purchase.  I’ve said before that it will be a cheaper property than the first one we bought.  I still think we got a good deal on that first house, but we definitely had to look at a higher priced set of properties than we first intended.  I think it was just important to get that first deal over the line because it’s easy to get bogged down in analysis paralysis.  

Please show your support

I spend several hours each week writing this blog and make it freely available to all readers.  I do not hide my content behind a paywall.  However, maintaining a website incurs costs.  If you can afford a small donation, it would be gratefully accepted.  Click on the Buy Me A Coffee image to be taken to my supporter page.  You can either make a one off donation, or sign up to a monthly subscription.  If you can’t make a donation, please share my blog on your social media.

My Instagram is @david_scothern and my Twitter is @advisoronfire. You can also email me at mortgageadvisoronfire@gmail.com.

You can still see Sweep’s Instagram @sweep_the_kelham_island_cat.  

Finally, have a look at Darren Scothern’s fantastic blog at darrenscothern.com.