Debt free in ten years-my new, more realistic challenge.

poohbear59

Ham Hock/shank broth recipe for brizzled
I buy broth mix from A1di or approv3d foods and soak it overnight to soften the marrowfat peas in the mix. If the mix doesn't have any whole peas you can get away with not soaking. Next day, I put the ham shank into a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer until cooked: usually around an hour. Remove the ham shank from the water and add the contents of one bag of broth mix plus two finely sliced leeks (or onions if looking for a cheaper meal), one small or half a large swede grated and four medium carrots grated. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer until the broth mix is cooked (when the lentils can no longer be seen in the broth). Don't forget to check that the broth isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan, add more water if necessary. The shank should have cooled by now so remove the skin and remove half the meat, cut into pieces/slices and add to the broth. I usually cook some potatoes and add them, cooked, at the end to make the broth a filling meal. Serve and enjoy. My grandma used to give the fanily the broth in varying sizes of bowl. Grandpa got a pudding basin

Next day use the ham for dinner, we usually have ham, egg, chips and mushy peas. I cool the broth on the day I make it and put it in the freezer in individual portions so it is available for a quick lunch or supper. Sometimes there is enough meat on the shank to make Pasta Alfredo too.

poohbear59

ROSSPA sell discounted foods online and deliver for around £4.50 per 25kg. I bought 24 tins chopped tomatoes plus fruit and vegetables, mince and chicken and lots of other things I was trying out. The mince smelled a bit funny as Mr P kept it in the living room with wood burner on all day til I got home as he 'didn't know what was ours and what was DDs). We had it as spag bol on Saturday amd mince and dumplings last night and have no ill effects. In fact it was very tasty and I have one serving left to go in the freezer as a ready meal.

I am on a role still with ebaying so will continue.

poohbear59

Today I posted 12 parcels of ebay sales It feels good to be doing something productive and getting rid of 'stuff'.

Co-op loan down to £3500. I like getting below certain levels, so it feels good having £1500 paid off.

I have just calculated that we have paid £7000 off our debts in a year. Not a lot compared to lots of people on here but the best we could manage. And we are still having work done on our house to insulate it better. Only paying for materials so we are making lots of savings.

beanielou

Dont under estimate the amazing achievement of paying off £7000 in a year~that is amazing :j :j

please-let-me-be-lucky

Completely agree with beanie, £7k in a year is fab :T Xx

poohbear59

I am just impatient I want to be at 20% paid off but still little over 10%.

Today I am going to try to sort out household paperwork. It just piles up until it becomes a problem-pile falls over :rotfl:

And still trying to get a cheaper kitchen loan.

poohbear59

I have spent what seems like days on the phone and trying to sort out finances. We were hoping to find a cheaper loan deal but have been turned down left, right and centre. It feels like a wasted few days.

beanielou

Oh well I suppose you havent lost anything as such other than your time.
Frustrating though.
Keep plodding.

brizzledfw

Hi PB...that's a great recipe. Sorry haven't caught up until now....it's being in the frozen North that has affected my Internet time! ;-) I will try it for sure and I am a big fan of pease pudding..why we don't have it in the South I will never know

Sorry to hear about the time on the phone...I have come clean with OH about how worried I am ...ie. low level stress about our financial situation...it did help. A bit. Sit tight and try again soon. X

poohbear59

I know I am lucky that I have lost nothing and it was just time that I lost. It made me even more aware how difficult it must be for someone who is desperate and is turned down.

I was shocked when I was eventually put through to someone who said they could give me a loan and when I queried the cost was told the interest rate was 56%!!! We are paying 12.9 and I was working on paring it down a bit.
brizzled I had a chat with DH today too. I think it helped but not sure...

Can't sleep ATM had some bad news about a family member and it has been on my mind a bit so I thought I would come downstairs, tidy up a bit while I don't have bodies getting in my way. It is much easier but I hope I won't be making habit of it.