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

themadvix

Morning all,

Didn't really do a huge amount yesterday - the weather was totally uninspiring. We did replace the fence panel in the front garden that had totally died. I also trimmed the neighbours' hedge with the hedge trimmer borrow from Mum (we'd borrowed it as a small bit of the hedge had grown through the fence panel, so we needed it for that, but I offered to do their hedge and they said yes - very satisfying, as a) it was a mess and b) using a hedge trimmer is so much fun!). I also got rid of the defunct pepper plants in the back garden and picked the last of the tomatoes (to ripen inside) and the two whole apples from our tree! Apart from that I sat around reading quite a bit, treated the cats as it was their 7th birthday, did a workout (mainly to keep warm and avoid putting the heating on!) and made pizza for dinner. 

I've just made a list of the credit I have with various survey reward companies and who I can get vouchers for from them. The credit has rather built up as I'm loathe to get vouchers only to discover the company in question has gone bankrupt before they can be used (and bearing in mind I try, but don't always succeed,  to avoid Amazon for ethical reasons). Currently I have (don't feel you need to read this, it's for my benefit! - companies listed aren't all, just ones of relevance to us):
SBs - £10 (Amazon, Itunes, M&S, JL (online only)) *redeemed*
Bing - £20 (Decathlon, Halford, TK Maxx, Uber, Lastminute.com, Currys, Greene King, JL, M&S, Pizza Exp, *bucks)
RM surveys - £17 (Am, *bucks, M&S, Itunes, L2S (which offers a whole host of other things I need to look into), NT, JL
S&S - £60 (Am, Argoose, Uber, Virgin Exp, NT, TK Maxx, Fatface, Arcadia, Not on the HS, B&Q, Paul Smith, Halfords, Book tokens, Adidas, Pizza Ht, Buyagift)
PC - £21 (Uber, Havrester, Caffe Nero, M&S, *bucks, Itunes, JL, Am, Argoose)

Have also redeemed a £10 Am voucher (ironically) from Gfk TV survey for attachments for cat toy. 
Aim is to use some of this for presents in the next couple of months and not all on takeaway (Uber) and eating out! I need a gift for a friend's baby, so I think first port of call will be a £10 M&S voucher from SBs. *Done* 

DH is currently fiddling with the mini in the garage, and I need to do some filing. Have popped a couple of bits on a (specialist) FB group for free - I think they've been taken so need to get payment for postage and sort sending for tomorrow. I think the plan is to head to the in-laws for the grand prix (although I don't think DH has actually mentioned this to them!) and maybe a walk there this afternoon. Dinner will be..... erm... fish daal and naan maybe? 

Marcus have announced that the interest on that account will be dropping right off, so rather than keeping it open (with about £7 in it), I will close it if I can work out how. I did finally receive confirmation from RBS about their account - I needed to upload some ID, which I've done, so that should all go through now. Will leave the other TSB account alone until the rate drops (diarised) as it's better than the rate at Skipton.

MS things:
* Voucher shenanigans
* clicks done
* Cat sitting review left

Gratitudes:
* Woolly jumpers
* Cuddly cats
* A cup of tea made for me (it's a rare occurrence as DH doesn't drink hot drinks very often )

Have a good Sunday y'all!

South_coast

I had emails from both S&S and Consumer Pulse the other day, saying they were bringing back the paper vouchers, but the lists still look exactly the same to me 🤔? I'm currently saving for a frying pan from Argos (such excitement!) so no rush at the moment anyway!

themadvix

Yes, DH got that too (it’s his account really). But no, it doesn’t look to have changed yet. I think the new range is much better though - and all plastic free!

South_coast

I just wanted a WH Smith one to get my Mum's traditional Christmas present of a calendar! I always have to top up with an overpriced card to get it over a tenner though (paper voucher, so no change), so maybe the wider range in Calendar Club will get a visit this year!

themadvix

Oh I see, that’s annoying!

themadvix

Morning all,

In the end we spent most of the day at the in-laws - arriving for the GP and lunch and staying until after dinner. We did fit a walk in and did some decluttering in their loft (full of junk - and lots of it their sons' which they don't want to get rid of because 'it's not theirs to get rid of', even though it's utter rubbish that the sons don't want!). It was lovely to have a home-cooked roast dinner  

I have a varied week ahead, with some random jobs to do alongside work. Am calling round at Dad's later to see him and we're going to pick some apples from the village orchard - I need a few to supplement my paltry two from our tree so I can make a crumble! I also need to finalise the supermarket delivery for tomorrow and post a few bits. Tomorrow DH is taking the mini to a garage to get a full suspension set up done and I'm meeting my Brownie friends in the afternoon for a walk, which will be nice. I also need to get to the nursery for some winter colour for the garden (selling expenses ) and make a card for a friend's soon-to-be-3-year-old. Lots of nice things to do!

The sun is shining again here today (thank goodness), but it's chilly and we did have the heating on for an hour this morning. Currently wearing my thick winter socks over normal ones and need to add an extra jumper (and more tea!). 

MS things:
* Clicks done
* Extra layers
* Free apples later (as an ex-resident of the village, I feel entitled to a small portion - especially as Dad usually doesn't bother!)
* Am order of cat toys only cost me £1.50 real money
* Meals at the in-laws - unintentional savings!

Gratitudes:
* Lovely roast dinner cooked for me
* Woolly socks
* Sunshine

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all,

DH has taken the mini for its appointment this morning, so I have the house to myself! I'd forgotten what it's like! I've got some work to do this morning, then I'm heading to Mum's for lunch and meeting friends for a walk/cuppa later.

It was nice to see Dad last night and we picked a bag of apples. I've filled the fruit bowl with eaters and have made a crumble with some cookers, with a few more to prep and freeze. I also dropped off his electric sander, so we've regained a bit of space in the utility room (and will return Mum's hedge trimmer later too). 

MS things:
*I've cancelled the veg box for this week - we've got enough to be going on with, I think. So have added milk and onions to tomorrow's delivery.
*Supermarket delivery this evening, including a stock up on cat stuff.
*£2.69 arrived from £co, and I've claimed £3 NW reward, so £5.69 added to savings.
* No heating - it warmed up well yesterday!
* Clicks done
* Free apples (and there were plenty, so no guilt attached - suspect without apple day this year there may be quite a few left. I may go again, even if just for windfalls)

Gratitudes:
* A morning to myself, as in days BC
* Heated seats in the car
* Scrumped apple crumble with foraged blackberries

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Two more viewings done and dusted. One sounded positive, but the other thought it was too small. Whatever.

Work is quiet today, so I need to use this afternoon to get some trips done - the nursery for winter plants, the zero-waste shop for some risotto rice as my friend is coming for dinner tomorrow, and the baby present as the M&S voucher has come through. Conveniently all of these are in the same direction, so it should be a productive trip. Also have a few bits to sort out here - tidying the airing cupboard and other such delights... If I have time I may pay myself and do the money shuffle dance (getting easier as the accounts disappear!)

Lemon quorn linguine for dinner tonight; we ended up having shove-in-the-oven fish and chips for tea last night as I was running out of time to cook before evening class. Had a lovely walk with friends and good catch up. Family quiz tonight.

MS things:
* No heating - just not been needed
* Refund requested for bean burgers that were missing from our delivery last night
* RM survey items posted
* Remaining apples stewed and ready for the freezer
* It was my turn to pay yesterday but hot drinks were half price in September, so £7.49 for 3 teas, a toasted tea cake and some toast

Gratitudes:
* It was lovely to see Brownie friends
* Wonderfully warm weather for our walk
* This morning's viewing effort might have been worth it?

Have a good day all!

Amni90Palad

Hi all!

Am intrigued - based on the title of the thread... is it better to pay off the mortgage or use some of that to invest in other things (stocks, another property to rent out, bit of both or other!)?

Was intrigued from everyone's experience?

Stay safe all!

Suffolk_lass

Fingers crossed that viewing follows through for you