Countdown to Freedom

gallygirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Morning, after last night's voucher shopping (extraordinaire), well for me it was, but I have a lot to learn, I have decided to be more sensible about vouchers. In our financial overhaul it is the main area where I have not got to grips with it consistently.

I need to spend a little more time reading the coupon thread and see if I can get my brain round it.

I used to get them and not use them! Now as soon as I get any which I SHOULD use (as opposed to 30p off chicken nuggets etc!) I trasnfer over the money as an OP then I feel obliged to remember them

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning GG, I think that's a really good idea. I do OP TCB and £co, but vouchers I tend to forget. I have a load on SSM which I should look at again, I haven't printed them off, so I know the dates are OK.

I have just been on line sorting out quotes for breakdown insurance :eek: The quote from my existing provider is over 33% less than checking the open market. I think we will stay where we are.

Have a good day, Tilly x

ammonite

I got basic breakdown from the AA for £30 with £21 cashback from Quidco only last week so effectively cost me £9 and the cashback tracked straight away You can also get breakdown cover using Tesco vouchers

I have recently got into couponing too - got McCain wedges for 50p last night, they were on offer for £1 in Mr A's and used a 50p voucher. I only use the coupons I would use to stock my freezer or cupboards I won't use them if I won't use the product (I know that sounds obvious!).

Good luck with the weight loss Tilly - I sometimes find that if you change foods rather than eating the same old same old your body has a bit of a loss. From a long term serial dieter

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Afternoon, Mr Tilly has received a 10% discount card, off all spends in waitr@se through to 5 August. We only shop there occasionally but we may be able to benefit from their reduced stuff. Will have a go on Sunday afternoon.

I have received another TCB voucher so I have OPd £11.22 :T

Just back from supermarket and total spend of £38 for next week. We are living off the garden for veg but I did treat us to a joint of beef. Will be changing my menu plan so that I can use the left overs next week.

I am taking GGs advice and any vouchers I plan on using, I will OP the value. That way I am gaining maximum OP funds - and as this diary is only to focus the mind on clearing the millstone, that makes sense.

No further spends needed this weekend. Off out with friends tonight, may pop to the seaside with a picnic tomorrow, AVOIDING the rain hopefully, otherwise we will hibernate.

Breakdown insurance continued with existing provider as they were at least 33% cheaper than alternatives. Not what I had expected but its down to the £s.

That's it for now. Tilly x

brizzledfw

Just popping in Tilly..good to see how well you're doing. From reading a few posts I will be adding mangetout to our meal tonight! Great idea. Basically our allotment is not doing well. Slugs and caterpillars! :-(

Hope you have a good weekend and weather is not as terrible as predicted!!

Brizzle

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Brizzle, yep still raining here :eek: Sorry to hear about your allotment, I agree that the weird weather has affected the crops. We have loads of salad stuff, peas, mange tout etc, but things like leeks, parsnips are not doing well, which is a pain as that impacts our crops later in the year. We have also had more ants than normal. Loads of little slugs/snails around and you can often find me just before going to bed, have a snail clear out - I must look barking mad in flip flops, dressing gownie thing, and a pot to drop them into.

We have also lost a blueberry bush, which I may have posted about previously. We do have a few though, so it's not the end of the world, but they have always been so prolific.

I cannot believe I am typing this on the 6 July whilst listening to the pouring rain.

Have a good weekend

Tilly x

Peonie

I trip to the beach sounds lovely; I'd quite like to go now. As the rain seems to be holding off today I think the garden needs to be tackled instead.

hillside777

Sorry to hear that you have bad weather again.

Well done on the overpayments. :j:j

Keep up the good work.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Good morning, I seem to be back to my old self - it has taken a few weeks though and has been pretty frustrating but not to worry - great to have my energy back.

Right, let's crack on with updates:

Bargainous gammon purchased - 5.3kg :T. £12 :T:T
That is currently simmering with apple juice, onions, all spice berries, cinnamon - thank you Nigella

4 bargainous packs of fish - 2 x salmon £1 and 2 x cod £1 - these would have been over £10 :T. I am making a Thai fish curry next week.

2 x whole chickens £1.50 each - all jointed and half marinating in tandoori spices and yoghurt, with the other half is in the freezer.

That is a big help with reducing the weekly food costs. I am going to start OPing the difference between my budget of £60 and what I actually spend. Some weeks that could be £35 ish, others maybe a couple but it's all going to help from now on.

Roast beetroot and turnips from the garden with dinner, along with HG potatoes, mange tout. Can't wait.

Money wise, apart from bargainous shopping, I have started a new savings pig (not in the bank but at home) and 20p are being dropped in. This will be OPd at Christmas, as the mortgage christmas present - mad I know but hopefully it will become a bit of a talking point for us all, and it may encourage us all to drop coins in.

All the ironing is finished, yesterday we had two dog walks averaging 2.5 miles each - managed to miss all the tremendous rain bursts. Didn't go to the seaside as the weather looked even worse there an home :eek: We did have a great day and evening though.

I have cleaned the windows and surrounds outside this morning, no more window cleaner which will save £180 and yep, I have set up a SO to transfer £15 per month to the mortgage. If I don't, then the money will just get used elsewhere and I would rather it was used for the mortgage.

That's it for now. I can't think of any other ways of OPing at the moment. Have a good day, Tilly x

Peonie

Wow, £15 a month for a window cleaner. Ours is £7 a month and I think we have a lot of windows.