Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Taking the daily interest to the next level, circa £1350 was my previous monthly interest and from March it will be circa £600.

Around £750 of extra OP per month just by moving the mortgage - it makes me feel quite sick thinking of these figures and definitely pushes me to aim for 4/8/16.

I need to sit down with DH this evening and really talk this through.

On a practical front, I have just packed up 3 lasagnes which I made yesterday and are now heading for the freezer. My freezer is now full to the brim though, so no more batch cooking for me for a while.

Have a good day all.

Best wishes Tilly x

CathT

The amount we pay in interest is shocking isn't it, and that's on fairly generous rates. Will be so nice not to have to worry about it when we are all MF.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi CathT, when you start extrapolating the figures it's quite amazing. It equates annually to an additional £9k per year in extra OP.

I find it quite galling that they lend money on daily interest, but when you save it's only monthly.

Seems very one sided and yes I know they have to run humongous companies and shareholders etc but I find it very frustrating.

I will be glad to see the back of it all. Our house in the UK is in an excellent school catchment area and the values have held fairly steady. We will be downsizing once chilblains leave home which is only a few years away now and after that who knows where we will be. A whole new chapter awaits us. More adventures to be had.:T

Best wishes Tilly

macgirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Around £750 of extra OP per month just by moving the mortgage - it makes me feel quite sick thinking of these figures and definitely pushes me to aim for 4/8/16.

That is fantastic :T

Yes it is sickening when you think of all the interest and is a great motivator to be MF.

Good to hear you're enjoying the exercise, but allow yourself the odd treat - you've earned it!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening MacGirl, i had a good old walk with the dog and it turned into a walky/jog with her. Good fun for both of us. I definitely feel stronger physically which is a great feeling. I do feel as though I am dragging myself round, however, at least I am doing it and not sat on the sofa, as tempting as that is.......

Sherlock was superb last night, but I did jump a couple of times, much to the amusement if DH.

Have a good day tomorrow.

Tilly

SJ1

Tilly that is incredible! What a difference... it really makes you think doesn't it!

I sent the smaller slow cooker back and have ordered a 6l one which actually wasn't that much more money (£5). I am going to take your advice and start a diary although I feel a bit funny about doing it as we aren't paying off the mortgage yet, we will be saving instead but mortgage being paid off is my ultimate aim and this is the board I always aim for when I come on here, where I am most at home:o

My freezer is full at the moment, it is only a small one so I am considering purchasing a small freezer which I could fit into a cupboard. I can only batch cook one set of meals at the moment so I think that this is the way forward. I am also very tempted by your idea of having meals sorted for 3-4 days a week a few weeks in advance, this would just save me so much time through the week. Quick question for you on this, do you freeze the lasagne up all together or freeze the meat up separately and then defrost that and make it up then? If you do freeze already made up what containers do you use as I would have to use up one of my all important rectangular dishes that I use for loads of things?

We have had a shocking January, there will be no spare cash next month so I need to get back on the straight and narrow as soon as possible. We could have a lot of spare cash if we really are careful. I think that the first mortgage payment I could make would be next Christmas.

Spending diary has been started. I got sent a lovely leather journal that I was wondering what to do with and writing down every spend, just before I spend it, seems like a great way to use it!! It does focus the mind somewhat!!

Anyway, hope all is well with you and v pleased with your massive saving, well done.

SJ

sweetdaisy

All the best with your new MFW target . You'll have your mortgage paid off in no time!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SJ1, it was a big surprise to me when I started looking at the figures today. £9k is a huge amount of money, and thank goodness in future it will be working to our advantage.

Back to more important things though - first of all, if your freezer is small are you making the most out of the space, by that I mean does it help you run your home? For example, if you have limited space, I would say that most of the contents should be really earning their keep, not 3 loaves of bread because they were reduced, but take up masses of space. If you meal plan say your Monday-Thursday meals, and then have more time Friday-Sunday for fun cooking, then your freezer could probably take a number of base type dishes. That could be mince meat (marvellous if you find it reduced), browned first (although sometimes I don't bother), with lots of onions, garlic etc. I also chuck in any veggies which are on the turn, pop in the slow cooker and leave for 6-7 hours. Then portion and freeze, that would give you the base for a cottage pie, lasagne, bolognaise - perhaps you wouldnt win awards for authenticity but who cares. One lot of cooking could be turned easiy into 4+ dishes.

In terms of containers, for the lasagnes, I have some large foil containers which I bought in Home Bargains. I make the lasagnes up in them, cook for about 3/4 of the time, cool, wrap, label and freeze. Then I take one out the night before, sprinkle some grated cheese, often have one lurking in the freezer, and throw in the oven. Tastes just as though it had been made that day, and no effort.

I agree, I don't like to use all my plastic containers up in the freezer, but these foil ones, I find, can be used numerous times, BUT don't use a metal knife to cut/serve the food. I use a spatula so I don't cut the bottom of the containers.

Good luck with your slow cooker, and don't add much liquid, I have said before the recipe books are mad and need to be ignored.

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening SD, if we manage to achieve 4/8/16 then we will both be jumping for joy.

The key is going to be upping the income. I can see us sitting on the sofa, half watching TV, half doing surveys, after working like lunatics during the day, but thats what it's a about isn't it.

We are all, on this forum, doing everything possible to achieve a dream, and that takes some effort and determination. I read some of the dairies on here and am amazed at what people achieve. It really is fantastic, plus some really young guys who are just starting out, with such a superb attitude. I wish I had been that sensible, as does DH.

However, all of our lives will have changed as a result of this site and I think Martin deserves an award for his crusade. Yes he will be reaping the rewards but they are justly deserved. :money:

Goodness I don't know where this all came from but clearly better out than in......

Night, Tilly xx

SJ1

Hi Tilly

I am probably going to bore you now but you did ask!!!!..... In my freezer at the moment is/are

- fish fingers - 1 pack
- chicken nuggets - 1 bag
- smilies (children's chip things) - 1 bag
- 2 ice cube trays with ice!
- vanilla ice cream and two tubs of ben and jerrys (what can i say - it was on special at christmas!) .. can't believe it is still in there!
- 4 portions of chilli boxed up
- frozen peas (1 bag)
- 2 portions of tomato sauce made up for meatballs for the kids
- usually 1/2 loaves of bread - these are bought fresh on Sunday and always used by the end of the week

Freezer is only a small compartment at the top of the fridge so that is it full with all that in it. JLewis are selling one for £130 that I could easily fit into a cupboard that would double my space. I do use all of the stuff on a weekly basis.... well except the ice cream!

Out of interest, why do you cook for 3/4 of the time?? I have never heard of that before. And do you defrost or cook straight from frozen. Like the tin foil idea, will look out for those.

SJ x