My journey to Mortgage-freedom

unhappy_shopper

unhappy_shopper wrote: »

I have had a run-in with Virg** Trains regarding their issuing a wrong ticket. They have admitted that it is their fault but so far refused to reimburse me the costly ticket - they have agreed to refund the cheap Advance ticket. Talk about :money: by big companies :eek:

Today I received my refund for the additional expenses incurred due to their mistake. I am happy that I did not take it lying down when they tried to make it out to be my error rather than theirs.

I have a few M@rks & Sp@rks vouchers for 20% off clothing, beauty and homeware valid until 1st July to giveaway. If any of my fellow MFWs are planning for a big spend there, I'll be most happy to share them (the vouchers and not the spending ). They can be used instore multiple times and online once.

unhappy_shopper

Good morning MFWs,

It is bleak and grey here in the NW. Hope the sun comes out atleast during midday.

Just a reminder for those peeps on O2, you can get free BHS flipflops, lunch at Upper Crust and Delice de France through Pri0rity M0ment$.

Have a good day!

unhappy_shopper

Today we had a nice outing. We went to see the Olympic Torch Relay and there were lots of people with children. It was an exciting evening with everybody cheering the torchbearers and the flame. Tomorrow, they will be passing just 50m away from our gate. Hope to catch them tomorrow too. Also, in the mail the vouchers for Te$c0 Taste of India dishes came. So, we will have a free Indian meal one of these days.

unhappy_shopper

With the weather improving throughout the day, I have been able to do some gardening. The June drop from the apple trees is worrying, still I am sure we will have enough for us and also to share with our neighbours and friends.

I was awake early today morning to catch up with the Olympic torch relay. There was indeed a respectable turnout in spite of the early hours and the drizzle.

On the way back from church, popped into a MrM local store where I have never been before. The staff were marking F&V at 70% off prices around noon. So, got enough for a week. I couldn't wait until they marked down the meat as I had someone waiting for me. I was quite tempted by the ready meals, but refrained from buying them. Do people buy them at, say, 70% off even though you cook regularly from scratch? I agree it is quite handy for times when you just want to pop a container into the microwave and get that on the table quickly. Or is it false economy?

Yesterday, I popped into the B@rcl@y$ branch to empty my 'Fujitsu' to go towards mortgage OP. There was £32.10 in coins in there.:D

All-in-all a good and restful Sunday in preparation for the maniac week ahead. :-)

unhappy_shopper

4th NSD today and pay has hit my bank a/c. So I have a mortgage OP of £2K. :j

unhappy_shopper

I was hoping for a NSD yesterday. But, then went to MrT to get the Taste of India stuff and did the rest of my weekend grocery shopping too. There were quite a few good deals in the World Foods aisle, particularly the Indian section with dessicated coconut, chopped toms, chickpeas, mango/tropical juice drinks, curry powders and Patak's curry pastes, pickles and chutneys on offer. So bumped up my spend to get the 5p off petrol voucher. On the way out, in the trolley bay I wombled another 5p off tillspit and a receipt with 80 odd CC points unclaimed.

I am way behind on surveys and ebay. But hoping to catch up soon. I had to turn down some ££ earning surveys as I won't be here next week to take part in them. I am looking forward to next week, when we will be having a short holiday in the Mediterranean soaking up the sun. :-)

And I got accepted to the Pinecone research panel. So, I am looking forward to earn a few quids.

Have a good day, everyone!

unhappy_shopper

Good morning fellow MFWs :-)

Back to work after holidays in the sun. I am proud to say that the holidays needed very little cash outlay - flights and hotel through MrT CC rewards, free meet & greet parking through price guarantee.

I need a small help from fellow MFWs having Woolwich mortgages. How often do you get the Mortgage Statement? I haven't had any since last September. When I overpay, sometimes I get a letter stating the new monthly payment and the outstanding balance. Quite often I don't get that too. No online access too :mad: Even though I have a mortgage spreadsheet, it would be nice to tally it with the bank statement. What are your experiences on this score? TIA :-)

unhappy_shopper

Here in the NW the sun is shining :-) which means that the rain is not far behind :-( Anyway, I have washed and line-dried 6 loads of washing over the past 2 days. Now off to take up with the ironing. This weekend, I have stuck to a tight budget and bought only the essentials and some YS bargains. My aim is to run down the freezer as much as possible so that I can make space for the GYO fruits and veggies in there for the winter. The peas have been picked (got almost 1 kg in this round) and the plants put in the compost. The french beans have lots of tiny flowers. The cherries have gone into the freezer, after dry freezing in small tubs, handy for pies and pancake toppings later on. And I have done a bit of batch-cooking for the coming week.

I have also taken time to update all the spreadsheets and now I know how much I owe the bank! I couldn't stay away from the M@S sale though. Bought some new bedlinen and also a pair of suits for DS2 for his sixth form uniform. Remembered to go through £co and got loads of points through codes. I am awaiting £30+ in M@S reward vouchers for this quarter, so could have waited until they arrived :-(

unhappy_shopper

We are working our way to MF slowly and steadily. This week, I have done a comparison for broadband and line rental and switched to TT for £5.62 pm taking into account £60.60 TCB and £25 LTS voucher. This is the cheapest I could find. Anyway it is only about 1/3rd of what we pay now. So, good saving :money: there and have rerouted the £12 to mortgage OP pot.

misscousinitt

Even the smallest savings are satisfying - keep going.

Take Care.

MCI