Hello everyone, please help AuntieMabel on her mortgage free mission!

cha97michelle

I've seen the odd nasty post on here, basically saying we are fools for doing it or laughing at us because we are scrimping to pay off small amounts, but they quickly get deleted. It is pretty nice here, but not all MSE'rs are nice. I think the DFW board get more who go in to stir it up.

Best to stay here where we are nice.

yukkibear

I've never seen any nasty posts, not going to look for them.

katsu

I think it is places like the moneysavers arms which is quite feisty. The DFW advice is to stay away from there. I started on DFW which I found incredibly supportive (and still find lots of great people there). Loans and CC boards can be less friendly to people who want to do foolish borrowing. Now I feel settled here, having made friends

I think the benefits of the experience we get is worth the risk of the odd horrid poster.

AuntieMabel

Rang Boden about a top I bought in the sale which had shrunk after only 1 very gentle wash. They have immediately refunded the £13 before I have even sent it back, also they said I can return another item I bought 5 months ago but haven't worn for a credit note . I don't buy much at all from Boden cos it so expensive but once or twice a year it's one of my treats so I was v.disappointed about the top as it was lovely.

The chicken pie I made on Friday for today was blooming lovely so will definitely make again. Used 2 chicken oxo cubes and a pinch of mustard powder with the flour to make a white sauce and topped it with breadcrumbs from stale bread which I'd got in the freezer.

Also cinnamon buns were delicious and very easy to make.

Just about to go to work for the first of 3 night shifts so might not be back for a few days.

AuntieMabel

Hi Guys,

3 night shifts done and dusted, so that's me done til next Wednesday

Painted the skirting boards last night ready for the new floor to be laid which is happening as we speak. Also splashback tiling has been done in chimney recess, the tiler is just coming to finish them off with a grease resistent sealer tomorrow. We've used more tradesmen doing the kitchen than we've ever done before as we used to do loads ourselves. My logic this time was that as this is our 'forever' home I wanted it all done properly and not the slightly hamfisted job that we often turn in. Also DH really hasn't got the time (or let's be honest - the patience) to do DIY after work. I had to wait longer to get my kitchen budget high enough to include paying tradesmen but it's been SO worth it. Much less stress for us and they have all been fantastic . Flooring guys should be finished tomorrow, all that needs doing then is the electrician to come back and put the new shiny chrome sockets on and it's done :T

Then you can have some pics

AuntieMabel

Wow, what a busy few days I've had.

Tiler and flooring chap finished working their magic on Friday so kitchen nearly done now.

We had our first visit to the allotment on Saturday - weeds were chest high!! 3 of us who will be sharing it, 2 DHs and 9 kids got stuck in and managed to clear half of it in 3 hours. The soil is fabulous, dark and rich so looks like it will be fabulously fertile. Went back on Sunday and had another go. Will take a lot more clearing but we've made a start

Feel like we've spent a fortune this week settling our bills with various tradesmen even though the money is there in the kitchen fund account. Need to have a bit of frugality now to balance things out :rotfl:

So far today I have made a loaf of bread, 12 muffins, 30 hobnob style oaty biscuits and a flan case for a spinach, ham and cheese flan for tonights tea with salad leaves from the garden

CathT

All the work sounds fantastic, you can enjoy your kitchen now. Is that what inspired the baking - that sounds delicious too!

AuntieMabel

Yes there's nothing like a new kitchen to get you baking.

Blooming expensive incentive though

We'll be eating frugal pie for the rest of the year whilst I return to my MS ways :rotfl:

yukkibear

I would love a new kitchen to inspire me to bake more

AuntieMabel

Very frugal day today. Only bought carrots to go with potato and leftovers pie which was deeeelicious

Needed a doorstop so made a great one using a freezer bag full of sand wrapped in a fabric remnant, trimmed the edge with pinking shears and tied a bit of ribbon round the top. Voila - just the job!

Having an allotment meeting with my gardening buddies tomorrow to discuss what we're going to do with it.