Trotting along nicely - my MFW diary

yukkibear

Ayeshalush wrote: »

and cashed out a £10 Amazon voucher from Ipsos. Now, this is supposed to go in the pot for xmas/birthday presents but at the moment I am coveting a Kindle:o. Does anyone have one? What do you think of them? Would you recommend them?

I've got a kindle and I love it. So easy to use and light to carry. I would reccomend getting a case if you do get one but they are cheap enough. I take mine everywhere.

LAM2011

hi there - the 'trotting along' got my attention so popped in. I dont usually come into this section as I am a way off joing the MFW - currently a DFW But I do enjoy reading the diaries from time to time as it gives me hope that I too may join in one day.

Good luck in your journey. I am similar age (+1 ) also an accountant (although unlike you am terrible with my own money) and have horses (previous horse being most of the reason for my debt!) I also do the surveys, ebaying and other suggestions from here to make those extra pennies

Ayeshalush

AuntieMabel wrote: »

Can offer my experience on the business of cat-moving. I found mine to be extrememly tolerant where moving was concerned. With the two cats we had at the time, we moved house a grand total of 9 times :eek:. After the first couple of moves, we kept them in for a few days before letting them roam, but TBH by the time it came to moves 6,7,8,& 9 we just thought 'they know the drill, they know where we'll be if they want fed', and we found that they didn't wander far to begin with but got more adventurous (?sp) as time went by. As you say, if you get kittens now, by the time they're ready to go on outside adventures you could be moved away from the main road anyway.
Get feline friends right now is what I say!! :D

I just typed a big long reply to this and ended up in floods of tears as I was typing about my lovely cats who are no longer with me.:mad:

Thank you for your reply AM. Wow, 9 moves :eek::eek::eek: - I've only moved once (apart from when I first left home) and I dread the stress and hassle of doing it again.

I know you are right about getting the cats now, and I know they will cope fine with a move as long as they are kept inside for the first week, my main concern is, what if I don't move. My previous cats were just happy to potter in the garden while I was either in the garden or the kitchen with the back door open. Cleo was never interested in wandering far anyway and Dillon was too timid too venture further than the garden. He was originally a feral kitten (and a real spitfire at that - had to wear biker gloves to handle at the start!!) that I rescued and tamed and I was the only human that he ever truly trusted.

I also worry about not passing a home check for Cats Protection because of the road. I used to be a volunteer with them and performed home checks at the time, though that was a few years ago and the criteria may have changed since then. The road isn't overly busy but they drive along it quite fast. It's also at the side of the house, so giving the cats only access to the back of the house (and hoping they don't wander to the front) isn't an option in this case!

I think I have more or less made my mind up to go for it, but will leave it another week or two just to mull things over a bit more.

A
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Ayeshalush

misscousinitt wrote: »

Hi and welcome

Our mortgages outstanding are not too dis-similar, so its nice4 to know there are some out there with small mortgages who are just as determined to get it paid off.

As far as your 'luxuries' are concerned ie Horse and skincare, I would only say that try and pick up some tips from others regarding Horse MSE and look out for deals and money off vouchers etc on your skincare - get the best value for money out of your 'things' and it makes them all the more satisfying - mine is nice food....and if I can get the same quality (or product) for cheaper - I will!.

I also find that posting on the 'small things' board keeps you motivated on a daily basis and you pick up some good tips on the way.

Good luck with your journey - we are all here to help and support if we can.

Hi miscousinitt. Thanks for posting and for the warm welcome. I see you have your own diary so I will pop along and have a wee read.:D

As far as the skincare goes I do shop around to buy it as cheaply as possible but when it comes to the horse that sort of goes out the window. It has to be certain brands and more often than not I end up buying things from the outdoor shop near my work for convenience. A bottle of anything for a horse be it insect repellant, mane & tail detangler, etc never seems to be less than a tenner!! in fact I had to buy hoof hardener last week and it was £26! It isn't begrudged at all though and I never skimp on animal care but I do think that a lot of business take advantage of this trait in people like me!!

I did post a few times on the small things thread but haven't kept it up. Will def get back to it as it was motivating to read other people's efforts each day.

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Ayeshalush

yukkibear wrote: »

I've got a kindle and I love it. So easy to use and light to carry. I would reccomend getting a case if you do get one but they are cheap enough. I take mine everywhere.

Thanks for your opinion yukkibear:D. You're not making it any easier to resist my urges, lol!

A
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Ayeshalush

LAM2011 wrote: »

hi there - the 'trotting along' got my attention so popped in. I dont usually come into this section as I am a way off joing the MFW - currently a DFW But I do enjoy reading the diaries from time to time as it gives me hope that I too may join in one day.

Good luck in your journey. I am similar age (+1 ) also an accountant (although unlike you am terrible with my own money) and have horses (previous horse being most of the reason for my debt!) I also do the surveys, ebaying and other suggestions from here to make those extra pennies

Hi LAM, thanks for popping in. I was hoping the 'trotting' might attract some horse owners who could offer money saving tips. Any you know of and can pass on would be greatfully received.:D I've heard that diluted hair conditioner is a cheaper mane & tail detangler and I suppose that does make sense but is it really ok to use on horses, do you know? Also don't want anyone on the yard to think that I'm not willing to spend the necessary money on keeping a horse because I am but if there is a cheaper but just as good alternative then I am willing to try it as that means more mortgage overpayments:D.

I've not always been great with money but having some less than secure jobs in the past and living on my own for a while have all contributed to me wanting to have as little debt (incl the mortgage as poss).

A
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LAM2011

One of our three horses belongs to my OH (who has no debt) who spoils the horses all the time. We go to watch a couple of the big events every year and he always buys things like mane and tail conditioner, kevin bacon hoof cream, fly spray and bits and pieces that seem to last forever. However on the horse and hound forum there is a section somewhere that has loads of money saving tips. Have also heard that furniture polish is good for mane and tail (and I have used before) and Avon skin so soft as a fly spray.

My biggest way of cutting costs through the winter was putting all my horses onto deep litter beds and took the 2 mares shoes off as we had nowhere to ride for nearly 5 months! The gelding would have been crippled without so he still had a full set throughout. Moving back to civilisation this week and horses going back on livery so front shoes going back on and I will be looking at ways of saving those pennies as I would like to do a few comps this year as well. Will pass on any tips I come accross.

I found this website earlier this year and now I also go on here regularly :
http://www.equinecompare.co.uk/win-horse-prizes.php

and since Jan I have won - a saddle pad, a show shirt, a blouson jacket, treats for horses, a hoof pick and a high vis vest. So worth the time entering them

LAM2011

And here is the link to the H&H money saving tips

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=136717

cha97michelle

Still just ahead then. I wonder how long i can manage that for. :money:

I have a kindle, and i have barely used it since i got it at christmas, but then again the kids keep me pretty busy and then i need to try and earn the pennies when they are occupied or asleep, and it doesn't leave a lot of time. I want to use it, and keep downloading stuff onto it, but i also have a lot of paperbacks that need reading which seem easier to pick up.

And for the cats, we had both types. Our boy who loved home died in January. Our other boy is a timid thing inside and wants to go out as soon as the kids get up and be out all day. We are lucky it is all open fields at the back so he goes that way in preference to the busier front where he might meet other people or cats. Some cats just prefer being out don't they. He even stayed out in all that snow last December rather than brave the snow and sit in with the rest of us.

starlight_xx

I got a kindle a few months ago and LOVE it, wouldnt be without it now at all