The march to financial freedom

Ali-OK

Well, last night I went to bed with the hot water bottle around my neck/shoulder area and woke up to find Doglet No.1 had taken it and had it in his bed :rotfl:. Neck is a bit better and has eased as the day has gone on, just a bit of pain into my arm and tightness in upper back. Suspect my lower back problem has moved, as it does, so must make an Osteo appointment.

Considering my plan today was to potter around, relax and just do odds and ends, all the housework got done, batch chilli and a cottage pie were made and I've dipped in and out of MSE reading diaries along the way (with a cuppa of course ).

Another NSD :j
Bank account checked
Nectar adpoints and canvass - no change
Nectar search bar is working again - hoorah! - up to 70 points
Nectar card value up to £27.66
freepostcodelottery checked
Inbox Pounds £5.65 - only one tiny bit done!

A new small DFW thing I'm doing is listening to the radio via my iPad. I've been told that it's cheaper to charge an iPad and listen via that (battery last approx 10 hours for radio), than to use the radio, as it's the transformer that uses the power. So, for the 4 hrs it was on today, it's used 3% of battery. Will be interesting to see how that works out over the coming week.

Elec and Gas readings were taken and plugged into the supplier website - used slightly less than the previous 7 days which is good. Couldn't access all the details I wanted, as the site was being 'improved' - well, if they call putting different colours for the different quarters an improvement, I can see why consumers complain about operating costs! Some IT bod probably being paid double time to give the Summer bar chart a pooh-shade of brown :rotfl: :mad:

Also had a letter from them about my tarriff deal ending on 28th Feb, and providing a new supplier contacts them within 20 days of that date to change, they will continue with charging the old rate. That's worth having - just need to find out how long suppliers take to change. That's like asking how long is a piece of string, isn't it?

I'm starting to look at March birthdays now too, as there are several close family to buy for so it's an expensive month. SIL has asked for PJs, but specific cotton jersey, button front and not white. Internet trawl has begun!

Treated myself tonight to an Irish coffee and another box of Christmas chocs sits patiently waiting for me to delve into Candles lit, heating off and enjoying a bit of tv. Hair colour will have to wait until tomorrow, along with more study decluttering.

Hope everyone has had a good day

Rollercoaster_Rach

Sometimes when I don't overwhelm myself with a long to do list I end up doing more (like I'm not noticing it? ) Oh dear all the strategies of a professional procrastinator (SP?)......

I also like popping on here during 'tasks' as it stops the boredom and seems to give me that boost I need to do the next thing.....

RR x

Ali-OK

Hope you've been resting after your not so good outing to the PO and are feeling a bit better.

I'll admit my motivation with the housework was mostly because I've got Flash Liquid in Cotton Fresh (blue) back in the house :rotfl: and just love the smell of it. The wet cleaning areas always seem to take longer, so I did all those first and then it didn't seem to leave much to polish and hoover.

A few races were going on too - against the kettle (folding up washing on airer), against lunch in the oven (polishing lounge) and against the dogs and their paw prints (steam mopping floors)

I do like a little tea break inbetween jobs, agree with it being a boost.

Ali-OK

Today I've already discovered how easy it is to go off at a tangent. Searching for March birthday presents, I've ended up buying a Bench t-shirt for a birthday which is in June :rotfl:

Still, £20 with 70% off and free delivery, via Quidco for an extra 10% off and 5% cashback, means it has cost £5.13. :j I'm starting a birthday list in the back of the little A5 book where I am writing meal plans, grocery spends and DIY To Do list.

Racked up some more on Inbox Pounds as well - up to £6.15.

Cups of tea during this time - lost count :rotfl:

Must go and get dressed! Have 2 doglets following my every move, well stuck to a leg each more like, waiting for me to take them out . It's dry and the sun has come out, so a good time to go.

Have a great Sunday

Rollercoaster_Rach

Ali you are ridiculously organised

You are an inspiration!

Your words at the end of a post 'don't forget to check TT packages and insurance' are haunting me and I won't rest until I've done it!!!!

You have made me feel accountable and this is what I need. There are so many distractions and other things to do it is easy to leave the 'boring' stuff to 'another time' :rotfl:

Will get back to you on this one Have no kids here so will try to crack on...floor needs washing but that can wait.

Take care...hope dogs have a good run...sunny here

RR x

Rollercoaster_Rach

So Ali......I got my Sky reduced by £9 per month!!!! For nothing...no changes (have to keep Kids channels for the ds) Whoo Hoo!

Transferred £1,852 from Barc Mastercard to Tes CC 0% interest 14 months....I'm finally getting some wriggle room....

Signed up at Conf . com and realised I could reduce insurance monthly costs by almost £30!!!!!!!! Annoyed though because I went to phone my insurance to tell them and they had just closed at 2pm! Never mind...babysteps...have all the paperwork in place for the call.

Had you in mind and sat by the phone with tea and papers and most importantly no kids to interrupt!!!

Thanks for the nudge...I feel all saintly and got a real lift.

RR x

Ali-OK

Rach, that's brilliant, well done :T:T:T

So, annually, you've just saved:

£108 on Sky

£360 on the car insurance

A ton of interest by getting onto a 0% card

TT yet to go...and a minimum saving there of £144 we reckoned....

That's a very good days work indeed.

:beer:

Ali-OK

I've spent the afternoon lusting after the smell of the beef brisket that has been gently cooking away since lunchtime in stock with carrots, onions and garlic. Mmmm...just waiting on the potatoes and I think brisket might become a firm favourite. It's like a lush American pot roast to look at, hoping it tastes just as good!

At the same time, I've photographed and listed 3 more items on the Bay of E which took 2.5 hours :eek: I really haven't got the hang of it, have I? :rotfl: These are slightly more expensive items so have started them at higher prices, will have to see if any get bids or sell at BIN prices. Got 1 watcher within minutes, so that's a good start. I've got one more item that I could put up today, but am conscious I've got a hectic work week w/c 27th, so can't get bogged down in trying to get to the PO too much. I guess Hermes would be useful to use and the little shop nearby does that..hmm, that's got me thinking!

DS and I sorted the 2 x 6ft bookcases in the study. We've both been ruthless and whilst the study is looking much tidier, there are now 4 piles of books on the floor to get rid of. :rotfl: I'm not sure where to sell them - car boot jumps to mind, but I think a few might be worth a bit more than pennies. We spent a little too long looking at the multi-photo frame of him age 18mths-4 years all taken at his nursery. Aww, brings back memories.

After dinner, it's a race to the bath :rotfl: DS will want one, and I still haven't had my pamper time, so I'd like one too Hair colour to do as well, that's a must!

Heating has been off all day apart from a couple of hours first thing, it's really not cold here at all.

The iPad has been playing radio all day apart from when I was out walking the dogs and it's still got 85% battery - a really good little saving compared to using the plug in radio. :j

Didn't find any March birthday presents, but plenty of time for that. Must remember to post another of the Jan birthday cards with the 2nd class stamp on tomorrow - it is making me conscious of it. Previously, I'd just pop a 1st class on because I could leave it another day :eek:

Hope everyone has had a productive day.

mizmir

Well done on the eBay listings - and for thinking ahead about when you will need to be posting things out. I've been listing things all day but most are just postcards so will be postable without the Post Office. Sold one thing (BIN) instantly - perhaps underpriced but am happy with what I got.

Ali-OK

Hi Miz

Well, I've prepared photos to do the 4th listing as I think its worth it with the free insertion fees, especially the BIN ones. I'll just have to make sure I am super-organised next week.

Well done on your sale, that was quick.