Countdown to Freedom

Goldiegirl

Hollyboll wrote: »

The query about Tilly tidies reminded me … did you ever see the thread where that was asked with particular confusion … I know there have been lots on these fora, but this particular one was brilliant because the poor OP had thought it was a new beauty treatment … some variation on Brazilian. :eek::eek:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: That's hysterical !

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Clearing a mortgage is one thing and I'm being really honest by saying that I feel uncomfortable sharing the savings, when people are working hard to clear or offset their mortgages.

Totally understand where you are coming from.


Although our savings don't rival some of the figures thrown around on the pensions board, the amount in our 'pot' is larger than I ever thought it'd be, and I'd definitely feel a little uncomfortable in revealing figures. I think it's fairly obvious I have some money in savings, as I've been in a position to stop work early - but for people who are at the start of the MFW journey it might be To Much Information. Even more so for DFW people, who often have no choice but to live very frugally.

atypicalblonde

Tilly, I wanted to say a huge thank you for the menu plans. They have come in really handy and I am very grateful.

There is no need to reveal your figures for the future pot, as KC says we are all here cheering you on and rooting for you to achieve your future dreams as soon as ever practicable.


If it hadn't been for reading your diary I would never have started on my own journey, and I must admit I still dip back into the older pages of yours for inspiration.

Best wishes, ATB xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Thanks for your posts. I think Apple's % suggestion is excellent.


Right, Wednesday. Mr T has been paid and I've moved funds around :j. We are thinking of demolishing our conservatory and changing how we use the downstairs, in terms of rooms. We have decided to keep the house and let it out when we move and the conservatory will require maintenance. We are looking to make everything as straightforward and simple as possible. If the house is occupied that's excellent and the income will be used wisely, if we have voids, then that's ok apart from preferring the house to be lived in, for security reasons.

I'm off to make a chilli and chuck washing in the machine.

Best wishes Tilly x x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, £7.80 claimed from TCB and Mr T needs three more hotel nights to earn another free night for us

Volunteering today for three hours. Looking forward to getting stuck in.

Mr T and I are on our own for dinner this evening - I'm going to snaffle Mr MWCs salmon dish to cook

I am struggling to believe it is November next week - menu planning required. This year has flown by.

Chores to do now.

I'll share a little comment from DS yesterday - I thought we had done a good job bringing up our kids, but perhaps not :rotfl::rotfl:

"There are people at school who don't have a dishwasher" said with surprise............

Good job I love him so much - he will be volunteering today and will be working with people who have very little. I guess this will help.

Best wishes Tilly x x

slowlyfading

Delurking to ask a question - hope you don't mind! I seem to remember you mentioning cooking oxtail? I've got some reduced and was wondering what an earth to do with it, I haven't eaten it before! Have you got an easy-ish recipe I could use, hoping to use the SC to make a nice tasty stew

And, as an aside, I share our Ultimate Dream Fund numbers, which is the same as your future pot, but as I'm very much in it for the long, long term, and our savings are slowly and steady, I don't mind sharing them. But, I wonder how I'll feel once they're more substantial....

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Slowly, I would recommend dropping the oxtail into a bag containing a little flour, s&p, paprika. Shake to give light dusting. Depending upon qty of oxtail, add sufficient diced parsnips, carrots, onion then throw into SC. I would add a cupful of stock, you could add more if required due to qty. Cook on low for 6-7 hrs.

I often add cinnamon and star anise, but omit paprika if you do that.

Really easy and delicious. I always take the meat off the bones before serving. There is less meat but the flavour is fab.

Best wishes Tilly x x

Hollyboll

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

I'll share a little comment from DS yesterday - I thought we had done a good job bringing up our kids, but perhaps not :rotfl::rotfl:

Tilly it's a tribute to how sure we all are that you have done a great job bringing up the teenage Ts that I join you in :rotfl::rotfl::
If for one second I could imagine Master T as an entitled brat - and remember we've read about him over several years and hundreds of pages - it would be :doh:
But it's not, it's clear this was an aberration and you know that or you'd not have shared it with a laugh :rotfl:

Sure you gave him some serious words though and hope the volunteering helped with the focus!
xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

I can safely say DS has worked his butt off today and is definitely grateful we have a DW at home :rotfl::rotfl:

I look at our lives and the things we moan about and boy, we have NOTHING to complain about. The challenges people face and the difficulty in changing the trajectory you are on must seem overwhelming.

We can only do what we can do but I am quietly, going to work to help some individuals. It will be done anonymously but if people have a desire to study and can't for various reasons, I'm going to see what can be done.

Right, I need to sort dinner :)

I am being wined and dined tomorrow as a late birthday celebration. Looking forward to a good catch up.

Best wishes Tilly x x

AlexLK

:rotfl: Re. the dishwasher. We don't have one, Mrs K and I usually do the washing up together after dinner and she usually tells me about her day.

I think you're right about it being very difficult to change, I know I often wish I could start over.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, wet, dark and dingy day but we are taking the hounds out in a moment and I can see them run :T

I will menu plan for November first thing and get that job out of the way. Ironing can wait .

Alex, we've always used our family evening meals to catch up on our days together. The children would run through what they've been up to, then us, then what's going on in the world. Their Headteacher advised all the children to listen/watch the news before going to school, in order to be able to discuss 'big' issues - both still do this which adds to our family chats.

I/we feel truly blessed to be able to chat and laugh our way through family meals. Mr T said last night that it will be quiet when DS leaves home as well. I reminded him that we have our chapters to fill and then, no doubt, grandchildren. A life of plenty.

Best wishes Tilly