Countdown to Freedom

Courgette

What I find difficult with planning and shopping is allowing for a little spontaniety whether it's down to the weather or spotting a genuine bargain or whatever. I'm slightly annoyed with myself this evening as in my quest to run things down a bit in the freezer I have run out of frozen veg so with had toad in the hole, mash, gravy and nowt else this evening. Not the end of the world but a bit annoying.

I'm doing my grocery challenge partly to attempt to keep myself out of the supermarkets as although I'm fairly good with not buying extras it's a pain with DS2 and there are things I'd much rather be doing than topping up on this or that. It's very hard though to come out of one of the big four without spending the best part of £100. Thank goodness for cheap places I say!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya Courgette, I understand exactly what you mean about spontaneity but the good news is we can always change a plan, and I know I have done that on occasions. That's a bit different to running low/out on/of something particular though, that's a pain in the but!. I did that recently when I wanted to make a quiche only to realise DD had used the creme fraiche with strawberries - i always use 1 medium tub CF with two eggs to make the custard -very frustrating......

Not sure how we would manage with L!dl and Ald! though. I refuse to let the big 4 take much of our money any more.

The other thing I am interested in is the variety of things you can make with some core ingredients and Mr Tilly and I were talking about this tonight. As he made chocolate eclairs over the weekend, mmmmmmm, he is looking to do a similar recipe but for a savoury dish instead. Who knows what delights we have in store next weekend but I am glad he likes cooking

Have a good week, Tilly x

Kazza41

Hi Tilly, I am fairly new to MSE site, and have just started reading some of your diary, which I have really enjoyed re the walks and cooking, glasses of wine etc Have been catching up on some ironing and have started your diary from the beginning and was even more impressed at your trip to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - that was also my husband's birthday treat - in fact seeing them again in the summer as my daughter's SATs treat, she loves them too and this will be her first concert.

Keep up the fab cooking tips - will be trying the foccacia.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thanks Kazza, having a diary really does keep the mind focussed on the journey. I would recommend starting one sooner rather than later. I lurked for a year and could have used that time better in my opinion.

Good luck though, this site is a mine of information.

Best wishes Tlllym

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi MuseumWorker, sorry I missed your post yesterday. In the EG cookbook, I find all the Paul recipes great, but the Allegra ones don't sit well with me. I cannot give you any logical reason and I like her on the TV, I just thought her choices for the book didn't resonate. (if ATT you are feeling better and in catch up mode, that one's for you x).

The ones I want to have taken in are smart work stuff. I live in jeans the rest of the time which I tart up and down, but I still occasionally need to be in my best togs for work and I refuse to buy more clothes, given my love of shopping, and frugalness. I have 3 pairs of trousers, 3 skirts and a couple of dresses to alter. If these were taken in, then I could manage again. Fingers crossed it works out.

My mind was all over the place with my last little one - I actually fell asleep in a meeting as well, so embarrassing.

Best wishes Tilly x

Kazza41

Hi Tilly, kids and DH out at various clubs so I am ironing again - the joy if it, and reading your diary - only up to end of November, saw you mentioned about pet supplies online - you have probably sorted this, but if not I find Chemist Direct excellent - they are on Quidco too, I have to pay £10 for prescription from the vet for advocate but still save so much buying it online than direct from the vet, also do good price on gillette razor blades, bio oil etc - it is a really good site.

Kind regards,
Karen

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Kazza, thanks for the tip, I will book mark them and check them out. I did buy a years supply so it will a while yet, but always good to have price comparison options. We did that with dog food as well and knocked 1/3 off the price. As I tend to buy that half yearly or annually I find it helps keep the money in our bank not someone else's.

Another delightful wet day ahead so dog walk is going to be delayed a while.

Have a good day, Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, just looking at my signature and I have just under two weeks to go until payday at which point we will have achieved the £275k target and be on the way to the next. My head feels a little full at the moment - thoughts about the journey, plans for the kids, holidays and booking a couple of dates with my DH. I could do with a little more quiet thinking time, so will have to squeeze some in.

Dog walk is definitely going to be later now.

Have a good day, Tilly x

gallygirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Morning, just looking at my signature and I have just under two weeks to go until payday at which point we will have achieved the £275k target and be on the way to the next. My head feels a little full at the moment - thoughts about the journey, plans for the kids, holidays and booking a couple of dates with my DH. I could do with a little more quiet thinking time, so will have to squeeze some in.

I know what you mean hon, my head feels a bit full as well. Nice calming bath tonight required I think. I'm payday -16 days, not that I'm counting down or anything :rotfl:. Great that you've nearly reached your target - what is your next one, and more importantly when is it, so I can nag you to bring it forward .

Hope you have a good day and doggies get out.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi GG, we need more pay days - now how do we arrange that? :T

Next target is £250k and aiming for September pay day, but more likely to be October. Looking to pay an average of £5500 per month, which includes covering the c£600 interest pm. I feel a little sick looking at the figures but it's doable and any bonus and salary increases will be used to accelerate over the next 4 years. Fingers crossed.

That's prompted me to think what complete idiots we have been for years. I know I know, I shouldn't dwell on the past, but just occasionally it hits me in the face with a thwack :eek::eek: what a lovely word that is.

Tilly x