Its time to grow up and pay off the mortgage

OS_QS

Hi MRN, I love love love blue cheese, but OH doesn't, so I often just make cream of broccoli soup, then I just crumble blue cheese on my bowl.... Doesn't seem to smell as bad, but tastes just as good.

For my carrot soup you can make it with honey also. Just as nice it's really really easy- my type of cooking!

Chop onion, soften in butter in pan
Peel and chop whole bag of carrots
Add veg stock (I use the knorr stock pots as they're not too strong or salty)
Let it bubble away until everything is soft
Blitz with blender
It should be a nice orange, not too watery, then I just squeeze in some maple syrup or add a spoon of honey to taste..... I have a real sweet tooth, so I give it a good glug though you definitely need more maple than honey.
Note: Always stir it in well before you taste and decide you need more! I once was a bit too enthusiastic with the honey and OH suggested we serve it as dessert :rotfl:

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Thanks for the recipe... I seem to be collecting them from MFWs at the moment. It's nice to try some new tried and tested recipes.

OS_QS

I have a place in my kitchen where I stash receipts/coupons etc and was clearing it out yesterday afternoon and noticed I had loads for tesc0 which expired that day. Made a list and went in on a mission. Did a weeks grocery shop plus key items......£90 shop updated to £67 after scanned vouchers, with £12 worth of points (which I double up for train fares) not bad!!! Checkout op was shocked at the wad of paper I handed over but congratulated me at my organisation the lady behind me want so impressed though :rotfl: normally I would've been embarrassed, but I literally saved £47:rotfl:

OS_QS

I *think* we are finally getting somewhere with EDF..........its only been 14 weeks! They're making all the right noises, what a pain and hassle endured to save some precious pennies, but hopefully all sorted until 2014!

Am also being a bit more sensible with buying my christmas presents this year - trying not to go over the top, as i effectively get a 5% cut in take home pay from January next year :mad: as I've to pay into my pension. So although there will be less money paid to me each month, its being diverted into my pension. I know its sensible, but part of me wants to keep my pennies and pay off my mortgage!

OS_QS

Refund on a disputed mobile bill (their error), got £5 refunded + £5 apology J

Won £25 on Premium Bonds!

Fingers crossed there's a lucky third thing

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Can yo buy me a lottery ticket?!

OS_QS

I think I'll have to buy some lottery tickets - the third unexpected lucky thing has happened!!!!!!!

I got promoted!!!!! :j

One very happy QS - finally some recognition. Never realised how under appreciated I felt until I felt tears coming and the relief that my hard work had been noticed was unbelievable. What a rollercoaster. But what a third thing indeed!!

OH is away for the weekend, so will have to wait to celebrate

ETA: just worked out that my pay rise will absorb my pension contributions and give me something a little extra each month. :T Very Pleased and relieved that my take-home pay wont be reducing next year like I was worrying about, but the knowledge that I've just gotten back to my pre-recession paycut 4years ago certainly brings me back down to earth! :think:

OS_QS

Right called up sky to cancel the HD pack, even tho I had it half price, it was still too much when you viewed it over the year, especially with the F1 season finished and we don't have movies. I noticed that with the tv licence and sky, we were paying over £40/month for tv!!!! So now at least it's only £35, but still rather expensive.

Also miffed that it cost me over £1 to cancel HD since I don't have a sky call package. Honestly?!

Considering bt vision with the you view box if we fibre optic is available next month. Anyone got the bt vision? We have a particularly poor freeview coverage (hence sky) but wondered if I was any good?

Best get cracking and watch up all my recorded shows in hd before they disappear!

gallygirl

Well done on the promotion - what a great week :T:T:T:T


_party__party__party__party__party__party__party_ Party!!!!!!!

OS_QS

Cheers Gallygirl! I love a good party! and to think no hangover! :rotfl:

Back to more mundane moneysaving Got screened out of 5 (!) surveys - having a bad run of late.

I have the place to myself this weekend, and was totally up for a good clear out and inventory of my store cupboards....but now its a cold, wet and windy day and I just want to curl up on the sofa with a good box set!
its a battle of being sensible vs indulgent!

Since the boys are away, the girls are gonna watch the xfactor final with a few bottles of wine and nibbles - so I best not haul too much stuff out in my clear out!