Saving £100k for mortgage, living a simple life

Muser1

Found it ) x

Alchemilla

What fabulous tutoring success Earthie.
Well done!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Looks like your plans are all coming together. Well done!

SeriouslySeekingtoSave

Hi Earthgirl - very exciting and I'm so happy for you! I can't say Scotland would be my dream area to live as I'm a total wimp about the cold :rotfl:London is quite chilly enough for me .

I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you.

greent

Woo hoo! Great news re buyer! Hopefully good news re Scotland too! x

Beckyy

What area of Scotland are you planning on moving to? I moved up from England and it's really beautiful here, not to say there isn't beautiful parts of England but it's a different type of scenery. And the Winters aren't all that bad really, my family down in England get roughly the same weather as us we just get more wind being by the coast! Best of luck earthgirl

earthgirl

Thanks for all the encouragement! Beckyy its the west coast, by the sea. Its the same village as my parents in law, so I should be able to get some of my veggies into their green house, and with a couple of waterproof suits for the kids, I am sure I won't notice the weather!!

Due to the different systems in Scotland/ England we have to have the money in the bank from the sale of our house to even put an offer in on our new house. We shouldn't have a problem getting a mortgage 'cause of the low ltv ratio. Whilst OH and the children could stay at ohs parents, I have to work my notice here no matter what, which is going to cause a few problems, such as where I will live!


So I managed to keep my shopping below £20 this week, by just buying the minimum, and with a few treats from the 50p chiller. I went to the green mrAs as I was passing and working on consuming less petrol, and I have to say I was very impressed and the smart price stuff (lunch box fillers) were so cheap and reasonable quality. I have also halved the expensive things I use and bulked out with other stuff, and sprinkled fresh herbs from the garden to make the meals feel more loved!

I have watched a program called 'extreme cheapskates' what a shock - I thought I was thrifty!! Anyway inspired by this I have been collecting paper towels and using them erm around the house, and I have also handwashed about half a load of washing in the bath! Crazy but I will give it a try. Handwashing clothes makes you really focus on what you are chucking in the wash!

DS2 has had a few trial days at childminders and on the whole its gone ok. Did a tutoring today, and another tomorrow. I want to do just a little cleaning tomorrow, and then maybe make blackberry cordial. DS1 loves elderflower cordial, and it doesn't stain so I will keep it for him. I ordered the virgin card for the wine, so hopefully that will come this month.

Ooops forgot to mention I made an op of all that I had been saving up on mat leave, and its come to an op of over £5000 which I am very pleased about. Sunday I become employed at 0.6.

Alchemilla

Lots of progress. Well done. X

newgirly

Hi earthgirl, so exciting to hear about your move to Scotland , your parents inlaw must be over the moon you will all be closer.

As you said you are trying to cut washing costs, I thought I'd mention
Laundry gloop. I have been using homemade gloop for a couple of years now and its so quick and easy to make , plus it washes up fine.

My receipe is :

1 bar of mr t lemon ordinary bath soap (about £1.50 for 4)
1/4 mug of borax substitute ( £1.70 ish a box Robert dyas)
1/2 cup soda crystals (99p any supermarket )

Grate soap into a large saucepan, add borax and soda crystals , top up with warm tap water then heat and stir on hob until all melted, then tip into a clean washing up bowl or bucket and top up with cold water.

Once its cool enough to touch decant into old milk cartons/ lemonade bottles or whatever.

When using just squeeze a big squirt into the drum (not drawer!!)

You can use any soap but the lemon one gives a nice scent, so no need to use conditioner, you can also use vinegar in the drawer to condition if needed.

Alchemilla

Borax has been recently found to be teratogenic just in case you might be considering more children.