Bumbling along to be Mortgage Free

Courgette

Hey Michelle,

Have just read your diary from the start (not sure why I've never done this!) and what a good read it was too!!! You're doing brilliantly, I love all the tiny OPs :money:And what a lot of teachers there are around too!
Keep up the very inspirational work :beer:

Courgette xxx

gratefulforhelp_2

So how do you normally get your menu inspiration? Is there a cheap ingredient you don't use much that you could introduce more of?

Next question...how old are the boys?

Butterflymind

Hello Cha

I just wanted to add my encouragement along with everyone else. What you are doing is really impressive with juggling looking after your sons, yourself, gardening and only one wage coming in! We did the same kind of approach (little and often, and moving ISA savings into paying off chunks, and really hard budgeting).

We don't have kids sadly, but, we were also juggling renovating our bungalow which was in it's original 1960's condition (along with mushroom painted kitchen units, psychedelic carpets, no double-glazing, etc and pink and black bathroom - yeesh!). So although our mortgage wasn't huge to start with as we bought a fixer-upper before house prices went ballistic, it grew to £57,000 with all the renovation work. It all started way back in 1999, and we did pay it off by 2008 (check out mfw roll of honour if you're interested).

It can be done and I'm very impressed with how quickly your mortgage is shrinking. :T Keep it up, I am really enjoying seeing your journey (and others too)

gratefulforhelp_2

cha97michelle wrote: »

Hiya Grateful

Seems like we have an absolute glut of potatoes so i think i am going to have a look on OS and see what i can do with that. I'm just not very motivated at the minute. I'm thinking potato bakes, maybe some rostis? I'll have a look tomorrow when less tired.

The kids are 3.5 and almost 2. Does that help with menu planning ideas?

Thats nice about your son's BD, hopefully a good omen.

The two questions were a bit unconnected, I was wondering if your eldest uses his 12.5 hours free childcare (15 in September)??

As for menu ideas, I'm not much cop as am vegetarian, but pie with mash topping instead of pastry? Curry? HM chips, dead easy and low fat? soappie is your girl for menu planning, pop in and ask.

I will know who to ask if I want to sell some gold, do they take stones as well?

Valli

well done on the gold sale - even if it isn't the best price it's also decluttering
thanks for looking at my meagre efforts!

-where are you selling your cans (I'm assuming they're aluminium) - we used to be able to cash them in to Alcan who came round with a van, many moons ago...

LittleBit_2

Michelle, What did you put in your veg and lentil soup? I made one the other day and it was lovely. I put a bit of chill powder in, and some bbq sauce and other bits and bobs in and it had a nice kick to it, but DS1 still wolfed it down

LittleBit_2

Ooh ham sounds nice, I might try that. In fact I'm going to have some for my lunch today. Have been following Slimming World to lose the baby weight, and have only got 1lb to go before I am at the weight I was before DS2 was born. About 10lbs to go til I weigh the same as I did before DS1 was born though.

gratefulforhelp_2

Michelle my BS won't allow me to make overpayments other than by standing order or cheque (BS if you ask me!) Can you imagine how cross they will be if I send them a load of cheques for 47p?? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

gratefulforhelp_2

Hugs, some days you win and some you lose. My year 11s told me I was a lesbian today if that makes you feel any better :rotfl:

LittleBit_2

and my DS1 told me I was a "big jerk"