Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Goodness SJ1, you're on the ball tonight - I am doing a quick reply, not a post, so I have no smilies to add, but I was laughing when I read your mail.

I only cook lasagnes for 3/4 of the time, before freezing, so they don't dry out when I am reheating, as I like them cooked in the oven and golden brown cheese on the top - am almost salivating now.... sorry....I often thaw things overnight, as it's no hassle to take it out and pop in the fridge.

Think you need to get stuck into the icecreams, as 3 is a lot if there's not much space. The kids will be delighted tomorrow after tea, when its icecream for pud!

Maybe on the bread front, weigh up the advantages of not having to cook from scratch each night, with having to pop and buy a loaf or two mid week? Or, have a go at making some. Ooohh that's a whole new set of posts to come. I love the smell of home made bread and we used a bread maker or years, until I bought the economy gastronomy cook book, and DH tried their recipe. Thats it now. It is really quick to do, anyone can make it, no BM needed, and it really is a pleasure.

Even now, the kids are delighted to get home from school to the sight of a dozen home made rolls and a couple of loaves, far cheaper and much better than shop bought, with much less salt which is also good.

Happy to PM you a recipe and give it a go - fab and the kids could help!

Night Tilly x

SJ1

Hi Tilly

You are so quick on the responses as well! I do a lot of typing for work so can rattle a response off quite quickly myself!! I have the economy gastronomy book so will have a look for the bread recipe thank you. I love that book, did the meat recipes last week..., mmmm!

I try to stay out of the supermarkets through the week if I can but we do use bread for lunches, toast in the morning, egg and soldiers - ok salivating myself now, I LOVE a runny boiled egg. Do you think I should try to see what I can fit in the current freezer for a month or two before deciding to go for the additional freezer space?? Hubby thinks we should wait but I have visions of pulling batch cooked food out of the freezer 2/3 times a week and not having to stand and cook!! Very tempting....

I usually cook from scratch but saved a lot last week from making one recipe from 5lb of meat and then using it in a lot of different ways...

SJ

P.S. Don't worry about the ice cream, I am on it!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

SJ1, I think you just catch me when I am on line, although I know I type quickly.

If I were you I would hold off buying a second freezer, but work on getting the most from the existing one. Even down to making sure you have more stackable containers etc, so all space is used wisely.

If you can get to the stage where you have a rolling two weeks of base recipes then you can ring the changes over a two week period, ie make the chilli base minus the chilli, turn some into chilli, some into cottage, some into spag Bol, then have a chicken theme, and make a chicken pie, or pasta etc.

I think you would find that works well and buying your bread on a Sunday means it would keep until Wednesday and have a go at the bread recipe with the kids. I am sure they will love one of their own rolls (they can make cuts in the top and sprinkle stuff on). Maybe give it a go for a couple of months and try a few variations. If you ever want any recipes just PM me as I love sharing recipes and make things up as well.

Right, really going to turn in for the night now.

Night, Tilly

SJ1

Thanks Tilly! Will give it a go, it would save £130!!

SJ

sweetdaisy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

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.

This is me most evenings! After the children go to bed and the house has been cleaned, I half watch the TV and half do online surveys, post/rate reviews etc. I put all money earned from surveys/reviews towards Christmas and Birthday presents.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SD, the whole review thing is a bit beyond me. I can't get my head around how it works and who does what. Maybe that can be my February project.....

On the shop and scan thing I am considering getting DS to scan the shopping every week as his contribution to our journey. I am probably showing my age here, but I feel a bit like the Mom from Bread in the 80s with a pot on the table and everyone sat at the table dropping money in::rotfl:

Anyway, only 1.5 weeks until payday and then a new set of switching commences. :j. I think I need to get out more as I get far too much excitement from switching...

Have a good afternoon

Tilly

SJ1

Hi there Tilly

We must get paid on the same day. I didn't realise that it was so soon! I work my monthly spends out on how many weekends there are in that month so Jan is a long 5 week month for me.

I am going to think about the switching thing and move some money over into a 'pot' for my yearly one offs like cars, Christmas, home insurance, birthdays and things like that. Do you just switch it and then keep a virtual pot spreadsheet or do you actually have 5 savings accounts for the different things?

Any advice on switching would be good, I think it is going to be key for me to ensure I keep on track.

SJ

P.S. Was doing really well today and then bought a pair of trainers:eek:

pavlovs_dog

macgirl wrote: »

I unsubscribed from Groupon because everytime I saw a good deal, it was exactly the same as the deal already had :ie 60% off at Gap - they'd already sent me the VIP thingy. Perhaps I need to look at it again, thanks PD

a lot of the daily offers will be totally carp at best, and at worst totally irrelevant/unsuitable for you. However, for the few minutes out of your day to scan and delete the irrelevant ones, you do find the occasional gem.

If I know we are going away (eg we had a few days in Liverpool over October half term) I will check the page for that area daily too. We had some great meals out doing this for a lot less than it should have cost.

My area currently has a really good offer for MOTs, and the voucher lasts just long enough for when our MOT needs to be done. Just need to do some research to check that the company are decent before I take the plunge, but that's a potential saving of £25 all being equal.

don't forget that you can go via quidco (and, I *think* possibly TCB) for some extra pennies. also, if you can get people to buy from your referral link (on the referral board here, put it on facebook, email colleagues etc) you can potentially get yours for free.

pavlovs_dog

SJ1 - nice to see a new face :wave:

Tilly - can't believe how much money you'll free up by remortgaging. Can only dream of being in that position when we come to remortgage in 2015. My mission is to get to as close to 40% LTV as possible (or £100k, give or take) to open up the best rates. Being able to change the term or free up £ss for extra OPs would be a huge bonus.

SJ1

Hi there Pavlov

Nice to see you too. Tilly what is your secret about the mortgage, is it because you went for a much shorter term? I remember you did post around this but can't quite recall the detail. Pavlov, I too am v impressed, enough respect!

SJ