30 small steps

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  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
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    edited 26 September 2015 at 3:55PM
    Planning a stocktake of the cupboards this afternoon and then thinking up some new recipes.....hopefully! My standard OP has been increased to £223 which isn't a massive difference but small sums to add up in the long term. I think I may fall short of my 2015 target of £4,000 but should be close to it.


    DH is away on business two days next week so wee man and I can eat simply. We both like omelettes and crepes and I have lots of eggs so it should be ok. I am even planning to have an electric free day whilst he is away. My car electrics decided to work properly again and garage just charged me for the MOT so not too big an expense. The car does need filling up so must take it to mr T to take advantage of the last of my money off points. I also need to convert my Eon points to take advantage of boost points so we get enjoy a meal out later next month. I need a break from the kitchen to look forward to!
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • well done on upping the OP :] over time will make a big difference :]

    shame you wont hit 4k mark but try your best im sure youll get very close indeed
    Mortgage--- [STRIKE]£67700 March 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£65221 April 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£64983 July 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£64780 sept 15[/STRIKE] Remortgage [STRIKE]£67295 oct 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£66599 Nov 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£65878.73 Dec 15[/STRIKE][STRIKE] £64834 1st Jan 16[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]Feb 16 £64,511.89[/STRIKE][STRIKE] March 16 £64,056.40[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]April 16 £62550[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]May 16 £62,396.20[/STRIKE] Feb 17 £60.800
    Emergency fund 23k
  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
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    A couple of pieces of good news today. Firstly checked my energy use and at long last we are slightly lower than a house of similar size average use. Still a bit off from an energy efficient household but moving the right way. The second piece of good news is that I won a prize in the school raffle so £25 better off. Oh happy days! Wishing everyone a piece of good fortune this week too.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
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    Another weekend over. They seem to just disappear at the moment. Feeling quite MSE as made lunch at home rather than dine out as we had originally planned. Our builders finally installed the timer for our new boiler so this winter we can use the timer rather than have heating on all day. Food for the week delivered so fingers crossed I won't have to spend any money this week.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
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    The change in the weather is my justification for spending money on cheesy garlic bread at work this week. My aim for this week is to switch to having porridge in the morning to give me enough energy to get through the day. I make mine with raisins to give me one of my 5 a day so it is a healthy start to the day.


    I think I can freeze my mint and chives so going to try that before the frost gets them. We enjoyed eating some of our raspberries yesterday when we were out in the garden. The freezer is looking a bit empty now so will stock up next week.


    Going to check I am on the best deal with internet and phone as would like to save some money to put towards this year Op target of £4000. Wish me luck.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • Ooh cheesy garlic bread - yummy! Porridge is perfect for chilly mornings, I find it really comforting, especially with a drizzle of honey and a few strawberries on top. Ooh you've made me hungry now. :)

    Good luck with your op target and hopefully you can haggle your way to a better deal with the phone and internet.

    Have a good week.

    MGx
    :jMortgage free 08.08.19 :j
    2018: £19410.25 / £9,300 2017: £7646.64 / £11,000 2016: 4557.98 / £11,000 2015: £10,230.37 / £11,000 2014 =£6703.26 / £11,000 2013 = £4288.51 / £8000 2012 = £1600/£5000 2011 = £2579/£3000
    MF date was Nov 2041 - mortgage neutral 23.07.18

  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
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    edited 18 October 2015 at 10:46AM
    Porridge with honey is yummy. So far we are doing well as we haven't yet put the heating on but it is getting colder. I have managed to find an extra £200 to put towards the Op this month. This is partly because our energy supplier is holding a £100 credit and it is our end of year review so should be zero so going to get this refunded. This brings this year's target that little bit closer. Fingers crossed.


    Small update - had to put heating on as had clothes to dry. Meter readings revealed actually £150 credit so that is good news.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Heating on tonight as I am cold and just not feeling very well. No chocolate or biscuits to cheer me up but found cooking chocolate in the cupboard so have made some chocolate kripsy cakes for later.


    I have spend a frustrating few days trying to speak to my bank and am still trying to get hold of them to sort out the house valuation. My goal is to get sub 60% LTV to get the best deal possible. As I have spent time on this I still haven't sorted out a better deal for my phone and broadband and think I will leave this to next week when am feeling better.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • cookie9
    cookie9 Posts: 764
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Time for a review of my small steps.


    Cost reduction
    1. Energy saving is going well. At long last we are below energy use of a similar sized house and working towards an energy efficient one.
    2. Meal planning is ok but I need to try out some new recipes. The cupboard check revealed some curry sauces I received in a gift and had forgotten about so planning some Thai curry this week. Best new recipe has been Cajun chicken with black bean salad. Tasty and healthy and made from a lot of store cupboard ingredients.
    3. Cost saving also in the form of wine drinking as received a gift of two cases of wine so no need to buy any for quite a while.
    4. Fortunately Christmas is coming soon so guess who is asking for new clothes then.
    5. Free days out. Looking forward to Autumn walks in the park.


    Money making
    1. Made some extra money this month by working additional hours. Hoping to add this to my OPs to get near to this year's target of £4,000.
    MFW 91 op 2014 £410/1000
    MFW 91 op 2015 £4051/4000
    MFW 91 op 2016 £4040/4000
    MFW 91 op 2017 £812/4500
  • Luckyinlife
    Luckyinlife Posts: 1,613 Forumite
    Hey cookie

    Great cost cutting :]

    Your going to really close to 4k with OPS this year over 3k next op :]
    Whats the balance on the mortgage currently ?
    Mortgage--- [STRIKE]£67700 March 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£65221 April 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£64983 July 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£64780 sept 15[/STRIKE] Remortgage [STRIKE]£67295 oct 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£66599 Nov 15[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]£65878.73 Dec 15[/STRIKE][STRIKE] £64834 1st Jan 16[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]Feb 16 £64,511.89[/STRIKE][STRIKE] March 16 £64,056.40[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]April 16 £62550[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]May 16 £62,396.20[/STRIKE] Feb 17 £60.800
    Emergency fund 23k
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