Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

themadvix

I have some redcurrants.... most aren't ripe yet, but some are getting there and probably enough to make some redcurrant muffins or similar. Don't seem to have a problem with ants (I would if the bush was in the front garden), but I'd be the same if there were lots - just thinking about it is making me itchy!

ETA: Off for a quick potter in the garden, followed by 2nd breakfast This is the problem with having croissants in the freezer! :eek:

themadvix

Morning all!

The sun is shining here and there's not a cloud in the sky.... but I can only see it through the window!

Have spent £3.98/£75 so far - picked up milk and eggs in M&S yesterday (after checking that prices were comparable to other options (annoyed to discover that I didn't check SEL/product closely enough - picked up large eggs not medium, so more expensive than I thought). Used gift card but will count it against budget anyway. Failed on the gift front - apparently I missed the sale in its entirety while I was away! Might have to be an Amaz0n gift yet. Did pay in the cheques though and had lunch at mum's.

Artichoke for dinner was ok - tasted nice but what a lot of effort for a tiny bit of food! Did make a herby hollandaise to go with it using stuff from the garden - was lovely! B&B pud recipe had to come from my Nan's ancient recipe book as all the modern ones seem to insist on adding cream, which is ridiculous for a use-up dessert!

MS things:
* YG survey
* Finally less than £10 to go to £40 payout on 1P!! (Balance £30.10) :T
* PA survey
* Clicks etc.
* Dinner from stores - might be stir fry as I'll be late home from brownies tomorrow.

Gratitudes:
* Fresh raspberries off the cane.... mmm
* Have done various Brownie-related admin so feeling more positive about the weekend (AGM and day out)
* Uplifting music (courtesy free Sp0tify) while working this morning - rarely can listen to music as it distracts me from the work.

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

It is the two day Prime offer days on 15-16th July with lots of offers, if that is not too late. I am wondering how close we can run it for a free 7 day trial to buy a couple of must have things I cannot get locally

themadvix

Thanks for that SL. It would work for the little one's present, although if my sis wants something from there too then it would probably tip it over free delivery.

themadvix

Hi All,

Have stepped away from the forums for the past week or so, as I was becoming a bit unhealthily obsessed with not spending any money, especially as we're in a position to spend money and save. So I have been doing all my usual stuff, but trying to relax the purse strings a bit and not spending quite so much time on here.

Since my last post we've booked our return flights from the US. We couldn't get the super-bargainous ones to CDG with Delta ($6.50 for deltaone), so they cost about £300 for PE back from SFO to LHR. Still not a bad deal overall. We're also going for 2.5 weeks as that's when we could get reward flights. Fortunately this uses up both of the May bank holidays (did anyone else know that May Day BH is on Friday 8 May next year to coincide with 75th anniversary of VE Day? Couldn't they just have given us an extra BH?!), so DH's leave is only 12 days! Now we've just got to fill the rest up! Am still using my Virgin CC as we're hoping to have enough remaining points to book chauffeur service to the airport!

We've had a lovely couple of days out that were gifts from Christmas (the last one and the one before) - llama walking and a trip to the theatre. The costs associated with these will come from our treat fund (Christmas present money). We ate at The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden before the theatre - it was excellent and was fairly good value for top quality food until they put a 12.5% (seemingly non-negotiable) service charge on the bill. Wasn't impressed by that and might contest it another time - service was excellent and I would have given a tip, but a) 12.5% is a bit steep and b) I don't like being told to pay it. Oh well, it was a great night out anyway.

It's been an expensive morning so far - have just ordered a new-to-me phone as my lovely old Windows phone has completely died this morning It was needing to be replaced anyway as all support has ended and the very few apps that did work (Whatsapp) were also going to stop working soon. So have gone over to the 'dark side' and ordered an Iphone 7 on ebay. DH opted for an Android when he replaced his Windows phone and he's not been happy with it and I'm not overly impressed with the security of data with google (she says, totally reliant on Gmail and Google calendar), so I thought I'd give an (expensive :eek: ) Iphone a go. If I really hate it I can always resell it for decent money.

MS things:
* Clicks etc. Good surveys on SBs.
* TCB £5.94 payout
* Cashback and Nectar points on Ebay purchase
* RM survey stuff

Gratitudes:
* Lovely days out

Have a good day all!

Karmacat

I hear you on managing the obsessions around moneysaving! Always good to keep an eye on. The flight bookings and the days out sound great. Iphone ... hmmm, not sure. My brother uses one, and of course, when its running, its wonderful. Fixing it, though - as bad as a bad thing. Never mind - yours will be fine

Watty1

I found the apple store geeks very helpful for fixing Iphone. A couple of fixes were free and the major one was expensive but wayyyy cheaper than a new phone. And they were very friendly and non techy

themadvix

Thanks for that Watty - I've only ever been in an Apple store once, this week and I found it to be quite intimidating. I guess it might be different if I am looking for help, not wandering around aimlessly and having not a clue about how to use their phones! DH has found a couple of intro videos on YT, so I'll be watching them when my phone arrives tomorrow!

themadvix

Morning all,

I forgot to say yesterday that I've been making a concerted effort with 1P and PA over the last week or so. Have cashed out on PA (£20) and back up to £7. And 1P is finally on the home straight - £31.90... :rotfl: Undecided as to whether to keep it open once I cash out or not - the problem is that I'm always more enthusiastic after a sustained period of doing surveys as I have got back into it.... but not sure if I can keep it up!

New phone will mean I can utilise a lot of apps that I previously didn't have access to - ones for the surveys I do and Shopm1um etc too. Hopefully this will help streamline things and save time, as well as opening up opportunities (the job-posting app appeals!).

Before I disappeared I set a target of £75 for food this month. I've not kept much of an eye on this, but I've also not spent very much either. Did a top-up shop of £7 yesterday but apart from that and the veg box last week (not one today as we've still got plenty), I've not spent very much on food (helped by eating out twice at the weekend). We're having spinach and ricotta ravioli tonight - homemade! :eek: Have all the ingredients, so just need to make the pasta and fill it. I haven't used my pasta machine in ages, so it'll be good to get it out.

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all,

New phone should be here today, but I've ordered a replacement SIM for it, so probably won't be able to use it today

Pasta was okay last night - a bit thick and chewy, but I had real problems getting it to roll out and was running out of time. I did a double batch, so there's another meal in the freezer, plus leftover filling that I'll have as an omelette for lunch and still some more ricotta, so will have to work out what to use that for.

Brownie leaving party tonight (we've got another meeting next week and the holiday still to come, but wanted a party and this was the best night for it). Will probably eat enough there, so save on dinner. Likely to bring stuff home too?

MS things:
* PA surveys: £9.08
* 1P: £32.15
* Clicks done, 100SB survey (2mins! )

Gratitudes:
* Enjoyed the pasta making, even if it was tricky
* The years of Brownie fun (put together a slide show of pics yesterday - lots of memories)
* A gentle weekend at home to look forward to - feels like we need one!

Happy Friday! Have a good weekend all!