Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sadly no man update - I must have had Froggy on my mind :rotfl:

Tilly x

elantan

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sadly no man update - I must have had Froggy on my mind :rotfl:

Tilly x

Darn I was looking forward to it as well

abouttimetoo

elantan wrote: »

ATT i would say it is too early just now, best wait till middle to end of march as they usually bring deals out then for this year and next year ... check the isa board there is a great sticky there that tell you all you need to know


now this vantage account? what exactly is this?

ive just had a total nightmare of a day trying to open halifax reward accounts... we were at it for a few hours today and will need to get at it for a few more hours another day as well

hope you are all well

ohhh i got my toilet rolls today:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Hi Elatan, thanks, I thought it was a little early too. What I'm really trying to find now is an ISA calculator that shows you the benefits also broken down for standard and higher rate tax payers. I know I've seen one before but can't seem to find it again so if anyone knows where I can find one all info greatly appreciated

What's the problem with your Rewards accounts? I know they are soon changing the T&C's so I'll have to do a bit of DD rejigging to keep qualifying for the £5pm


Elatan, the Vantage account is a 'normal current account' that regulary has better interest rates that savings accounts. Because it's a current account it often flies under tha radar of the 'best savings account' type reports that various folk produce. Not too many years ago they were doing 5% for £5-7k then dropped it to 4% then last year dropped the max balance for £5k. Plenty people used to have large numbers of Vantage accounts (e.g. 5-12) until Lloyds twigged what was happening and put a limit of three per person on. You must pay in £1000 per month but don't need to leave it in and can recycle the same £1000 through all the accounts then back out again.

This means for my family member (and many others) if they have between £18k and £30k they want to have instant access to - and receive interest monthly - they can have three Lloyds Vantage and three BOS Vantage.

Links below in case anyone wants to learn more
http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/vantage.asp

http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/bankaccounts/vantage/

Regards
ATT

Froggy-G

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sadly no man update - I must have had Froggy on my mind :rotfl:

Tilly x

Glad I am on your mind Tilly!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Goodness I was only back to work on Wednesday and I haven't stopped since. Lovely night out with friends and I will catch up with you all tomorrow.

LauraWaxx, I won't forget to respond on menu planning - in 2012 it was the biggest area of economy in the Tilly household.

Night Tilly x x

BookWorm

Hi Tilly - happy weekend to you

I also had a £2.80 lottery win in the same draw - been trying not to let it go to my head

BW

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

LauraWxx wrote: »

Sorry its a bit late by Happy new year!!!

Just wondering how you get on meal planning for so long? I normally plan for the next week but really want to get into planning for a month at a tiime and doing a big monthly shop rather than lots of little ones.

Is there anything you can suggest or is it just simply sticking to what you plan!!??

Hi, after much experimentation I've found that monthly planning gives me the best £result.

I use a spreadsheet with dates, activities, what to take out of freezer and when, menu plan and any relevant cookbooks. It's not complicated but clear and helpful.

I bulk buy meat from costc@, have a day a month batch cooking, use both ovens, slow cooker and wok, so it is a busy day, but this saves me literally hours each week.

Managing the meals in this way has saved us between £40-50 per week. I do bulk buy cat/dog food and now loo rolls and washing powder etc. Everything else is included in weekly shop.

My personal view, is that we get into a habit of buying set patterns of products each week and have full fridges and freezers but don't work through them systematically. I know we used to do this and those days have gone. During 2012 we cut our food bill and make everything from scratch, which if you batch cook is as quick as a ready made meal. Overall, I don't go into a supermarket apart from once a week, otherwise the budget would go out of the window.

Currently I am aiming to only buy fruit and milk until last Saturday in January, on day 12 of no food shopping spends. I have £10 in my purse but reckon £5 is enough.

Mr T makes loads of bread and rolls, cakes etc so the kids lunch boxes are always fairly interesting.

I hope that helps and good luck with your plans.

Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Bufger wrote: »

Hi Tilly, long time lurker of your thread here.

I've been losing weight since September last year and I can recommend the 30 day shred. Jillian Micheals is the most annoying person in the world but you will not find a better workout DVD out there

Once your fit try P90X, thats extreme!

I'm 40lbs down now with some more to go. Its well worth doing as it enriches your life just as much as having a handle on your money! It will affect the bank a bit, i've had to buy so many new clothes...

40lbs weight loss is amazing well done :j:j and I know that's worked due to your dedication and determination. Good luck for the rest of your journey. I am shredding in a couple of hours with Mr T :eek: I've never heard of P90x - will have a hunt for that. I am curious about how long it takes me to move through the shred levels :eek:

Best wishes on your journey and feel free not to lurk, it's a long old journey so a bit of chat and swapping of ideas helps

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

BookWorm wrote: »

Hi Tilly - happy weekend to you

I also had a £2.80 lottery win in the same draw - been trying not to let it go to my head

BW

Crikey we could have been joint big winners :rotfl:

Now did you OP it?

Tilly x

[Deleted User]

Oooo Tilly good luck with the shred- it really does up your fitness (having said that I wimped out before level 3!!) I am debating shred or run this morning ... still in my pjs procrastinating !! :rotfl:

Definitely agree with you re: batch cooking- a lot of time and mess/washing up on the day , but invaluable when you get home from work and just have to pop something in the microwave!!