MG - The Matrix Re-wired

greenbee

Want to do my meal planning MG? I'm really not feeling that interested and I know I need to do one if I'm going to lose weight and have the energy to start running again...

Started today with multi-flake porridge with seeds and ground linseed made with rice milk. I have lots of leeks and onions, so need to make some soup - but first I need to do a freezer inventory as I haven't managed to run down one of them, let alone two

Memory_Girl

I think I shall be on the "Ultimate Grocery Challenge" from Jan 1st - got three years of my own challenge to go so time for a serious de-stock IYSWIM. Thing is, my January plan won't even touch the sides of my store cupboard - it will be interesting to find out how far it does stretch.

I now have 35 individual (muffin tin /200ml/ 1 cup) of turkey stock in the freezer - so soups will feature heavily in January I think.

Off to turn around the washing - although will NOT be hanging it out. It is blowing a gale outside - bridges are shut to high-sided vehicles and everything, really too wild to even think about taking DS2 to the park. Brrrr!!! still at least our pipes are not frozen like last year.

MG

Kittikins

I wish I could meal plan - and then stick to it! I need to stop buying food as I want to run down the quarter master's stores before we move, and the cupboards are full to bursting. But as I have to save up lots of pennies to do work on the forever house, it would be a good idea to put the equivalent to my grocery budget in a different account and force myself to eat from the cupboards first!

greenbee

Looking forward to the challenge MG sadly I don't have turkey stock (I always find with a good turkey, even the second boiling intended for the dog is too rich for her, so use that for soup and boil it up a third time for dog food!) but soups would be good. I have lots of pulses too

Suppose I should do some washing as well... I'm also hoping someone will want to go for a walk. I used to go for long walks on my own but i'd prefer company.

And make sure you invest in some lagging for your pipes at some point if you haven't already! Hopefully the insulation you rehomed will help next time it gets that cold.

Memory_Girl

Would be a great start to your 2 grand challenge Kittikins - why not get that "House Account" up and running? I shall be salting away my savings into the MFin3 pot unless I get inspired to do some more DIY.

................... if the wind doesn't blow the roof off in the meantime:eek:

MG

Marru

I am on the roll, I have:

- Contacted coop and got my rewards to go to my bank account instead receiving coupons
- Cancelled a magazine subscription
- Filed my PER for 2011
- Paid my ACCA membership for 2012
- Resurrected an old savings account (that had 1.57 on it)
- Sent my profits from the table top sale to the above mentioned savings account
- Signed my new tenancy contract (I think I got it over a month ago to sign and send off )

Feeling rather virtuous, more still to do and for some reason I keep pushing the toads to the bottom of the pile but as the pile is getting thinner I will need to face those toads sooner rather than later.

So question: I found my cat from the local rescue last June. She came with a one month insurance which I haven't renewed. What is the concensus amongst the cat owners? To insure or not?

Bitsy_Beans

Marru I haven't insured killer cat but I guess in light of what happened to my mums cat daisy I really ought to. Wouldn't want to be lumbered with a £500 vets bill!

Aesop

I don't have pets marru, but from reading threads, and from 3Dogs thread, I would say insurance is a must!

but don't just rely on the comparison sites for best quotes, go to individual companies too, like direct line, not sure if they do pet insurance, but they will not be found on comparison sites. and they do their own version of cashback.

what I am saying is type in pet insurance in google, and see what other companies come up, not just the big brand names, and then check all of them for the best deal.

then clear your cookies and see if any of them come up in cashback sites, or if independent company and not on cashback site, see if they do any offers like their own cashback, etc.

greenbee

We've never insured pets Marru - how about self-insuring by saving an equivalent amount each month into a 'pets' account. OK, if something happens early then it may not cover it, but in time it should cover all unexpected pet-related costs.

Unpacking of study is continuing, although somewhat slowly. My filing tray is empty for the moment, and my desk is clear (even if the windowsill isn't ). It will be lovely in there when it is finished - and then I can move on to either the spare room or utility room.

I also need to start making better use of my millions of notebooks. I want to go back to having a daybook for work where I prepare for my calls or make notes relevant to my research, and another for research (where I can transfer notes from calls across to the relevant topic). It should save me having lots of bits of paper floating around, but is something I haven't done for a long time, so will be a difficult habit to build.

Memory_Girl

greenbee wrote: »

And make sure you invest in some lagging for your pipes at some point if you haven't already! Hopefully the insulation you rehomed will help next time it gets that cold.

Unfortunately it was the outside waste pipes that froze last year - mind you we did have 3 and a half weeks at -10 and below. Inside is AOK.

I did two boiling's of the stock and mixed them together so got well flavoured rich stock for soups and gravies. Back to the 30 Soups for September challenge methinks

MG