The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

judi24

Wow thank you Ampersand - you're post is so lovely, thoughtful and thought provoking all at once! The day my debt hits zero will definitely be something to celebrate - my natural style is pace setting according to the Hayes group analysis I have had done! this is not always a good thing as I often put a lot of pressure on myself and others to get things done - I think this is a case in point - however I do think getting the debt out of the way as quickly as I can is the only way I can do this - I am realistic in that I have set myself a real challenge getting it paid by the end of the year but even if I have a disaster and that slips a little I will still be happy! (well not really but I'd cope!) - it has changed my mindset!
As for work - I am very lucky to now do a job I love, fits with my core values and pays the bills pretty well! Once I am debt free I will be fairly well off compared to many - and I am thankful for the help I have had along the way - my goal after the debt payment is to make sure the Rev gets what she needs to have a happy retirement when she chooses! I owe her about 3 million in childcare!
The pork joint was a great buy – but I never quite get the crackling crispy enough – any tips?

ampersand

judi - just google 'best pork crackling' and decide on one.
Time allowed:3mins 26secs:-)
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&'s way: well-dried rind, so unwrap, wipe and plate joint now, leave in fridge. Doesn't matter if it's looking dry-ish when you come to use it. Deep cuts[cross-hatch or parallel lines], olive oil+big salt rub. High temp. start - big 9[might be the only time you have oven this high]for 20-25 mins. Make sure oven really is that high before piggy goes in, sitting on some sage leaves, qtrd onions, cored qtrd apples>top shelf.

Lower temp to 4-5. By 'big joint' - assuming a good 5-6lbs at least, so another 35mins-ish per lb, but subtract those first blasty mins from the total. Prob. at least 180-ish mins[yup, another 3 hrs] to go.
***Plenty of time to have Tim singing to you, with a glass in hand.
DO leave it to rest a good half-hour.
Temp. back up for taties and Yorkshires while you do gravy on top - only using lushy pan crusties and extras and flour and whatever liquid you have about - veg. water, wine, water, stock leftovers....yum, think you'll have extras at table from this Thread.

What's for pudding please?
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***Other times/places, I've dropped this one in, from St Tim, Minchin Divine:
[reduces audience to breath-held silence and tears at end of every show, with a little extra for antipodeans present], but it's spot on now for you and Rev. maman and your lives to come.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q&list=RDfCNvZqpa-7Q#t=10

judi24

I do everything you suggested - except perhaps having the oven up so high to start - I love making a roast dinner I just wish all my gang would eat the same meat - DD1 likes everything, DD2 only chicken, DS beef pork and lamb but not chicken and DD2 chicken and pork but not lamb and beef!!!! So Easter Sunday I will do lamb and chicken and everyone will be happy! The pork is in the freezer for another weekend (not this weekend - home made lasagne is on the menu as DD1 is running a half marathon and is home for dinner so requested lasagne!) - pudding - blackberry crumble with supplies from the freezer


I love Tim Minchin - this song is great! Thank you - and so very true! I can't even begin to quantify what the Rev has done for me over many years - mostly in childcare - but included night shifts, long days, early mornings and late nights! (the joys of being a nurse I guess!) I would not be in the position I am in if my mum hadn't been around to pick up when school called and look after sick kids, give up her holidays to look after my kids, and run them to clubs when I was in work! - I have found a little flat that she would love and when I am debt free that is my goal - to remortgage and free up some equity to buy it for her!


Not a lot to report on the MSE front - did spend today! £22 to pay for my share of the dragon boat I have been persuaded to help row in the Dragon boat Race in the summer! Its for a good cause though! (My work!) and should be a fantastic day out on the river Dee. Also nipped to Al*I - was only to get a few bits but ended up doing a full shop but it saves me a job tomorrow! (forgot to get lasagne sheets though!!!! - so will have to get them tomorrow!)


Quiet weekend planned - house work, uni work and gardening if the weather is good - so hopefully not too much spending!!!

ampersand

Don't pile into Tim until after Diss - [&wags finger.]
& is currently doing so; every single song, polemic, virtuoso wildman thaiinnng he does is brilliant - this currently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ElXYzFX_w
and adore 'Drowned'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ne9eruxSYg
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Then DID:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h2kvd
and now this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGErC6QQdoc
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Currently looking unlikely &'ll see him again on the road this side of atlantic, given his current projects.

judi24

No - no distraction until after dissertation!!! Must get focussed! - will have whole world of fun to catch up on when I'm done!

Fizzy11

I've missed Amoersand on your posts as well.

Judi I just wanted to say that anyone who has done camping will save money with a water meter. The reason being the kids will be use to brushing their teeth without an abundance of water & the same goes for washing up. We moved to a house with a water meter so no option of going back & I was terrified of the bills plus bigger mortgage. S lives in a dream world so I thought he'd leave the taps running, D has a mane of hair that desired a power shower everyday! Treat was a dishwasher which I also thought used a lot of water. Our bills have halved.just keep reminding the kids they're on holiday.

My S is an adult & on the autistic spectrum but he loves our trips to London. Yes we do waste money on the hotel but the rest of the time we survive on offers & deals. His favourite cup of tea came from the cafe below the museum in Trafalgar Square. One of the cheapest ever bought sat on benches watching the fountain change colour. Who needs Fortnum & Mason?? Well ok I'll give you that one but I can't afford that.

After lying awake worrying about the next nasty letter then finally clearing our debt I make no bones I love saving money & actually can't waste it either nowadays.
D has furnished her flat with stuff from charity shops & is proud of it. You are entitling your kids into a life that doesn't need consumerism. In your line of work I don't need to tell you that it's the small things that matter & times with the kids ( regardless of how irritating girls can be) is the best purchase you can make in life.

I'm going to have to roast pork the Ampersand way now I've read his post.

judi24

Thanks Fizzy - well done on clearing your debt! Must be a great feeling. Definitely going to do a water meter I am sure it can save a little bit.


The trip to London is going to be super cheap - free rail fare (might even get 1st class on the way down) with my refund, £88 for the room for 2 nights, street food in Camden on the Fri night, then we will get breakfast and lunch food to have as a picnic Remembered I have a red letter day thing - (was a gift to dd's from my ex and when we split they didn't want to use it! - but waste not want not so I got it extended ) so now have a 3 course meal and cocktail in Camden for £9!


My DD1 is so frugal and very good at bargain hunting and making do like your DD fizzy - its DD2 that doesn't seem to get that! I agree life is for living - every minute matters - but it is not money and things that matter - but not always easy to show to kids who are so absorbed with having the right stuff though!


My house tonight was filled with life and laughter - DD1 was home and was obviously trying to spend time with friends and keep me happy - so huge lasagne, garlic bread, salad for 7 was produced! Lovely night all round! - but oh dear DD1 gets more like me every day!!!

Fizzy11

How wonderful to have everyone home. There's a website which gives you very cheap entry to stuf if you've gone to London by train but like you say the museums & people watching is the best value.

I love walking along the south bank from Tate to the Wheel. S loves the Tate modern because the art is so different! Man in tent. Row of bricks, but our favourite was the television showing naked man shaking bits around. Our sons response in a very loud voice was "how come when I do that I get told to put some clothes on!! We left soon after.

Everyone says London can't be done on a budget but it can. We had free tea in a Pret off Leicester Square because the sun was shining.

Enjoy your night of laughter with the girls cos we both know they can change in a split second.

judi24

Fizzy that is so funny - I can just imagine my DS saying the same!!!


Today we were up early and off to Liverpool to see DD1 at the end of the half marathon - weather was miserable! But she did really well - we went for brunch afterwards which was a bit more expensive than I had planned - but really lovely and quirky place - and food was great!


On the way home I went to buy my tickets for London as I couldn't use the refund vouchers online - what a faff!!! took about 40mins to get it done! Managed to get a 1st class ticket down and standard back and only had to pay an extra £5 on top of the refund - they wouldn't give change and the standard class both ways was less than the voucher - so thought I would get my money's worth and go first class - it will save me packing a picnic as I am going straight from work! Booked a meal with the Red letter day and even got another voucher for 2 for 1 cocktails at the same place so 3 course meal plus cocktail plus a second cocktail each will be a grand total of £11!!! not bad at all! The homeowner for the Airbnb sounds lovely too and said we can help ourselves to butter, jam. tea coffee etc so will buy a few bits for breakfast to have at the room cutting cost again!!! I am on a mission to do this London trip as cheaply as possible!


The cold that started last week as a sore throat has now turned into a nasty cough - I could do without it! but I really shouldn't complain - I spoke to my friend yesterday and she is not doing well at all - terrible pain in her back, ankle, shoulder and hip that isn't responding to anything. She has now been medically retired from work as a nurse officially. Its so sad - she has been through so much (breast cancer survivor!) Last week she missed a hospital appointment cos she said she was in so much pain she couldn't walk from the car to the clinic! I have offered to take her to her appointments to save that happening again - but its not a great situation - I must make an effort to go and see her this week


I really need to stop spending - it has been an expensive weekend - but hopefully I will need very little in the way of food shopping although started back at fat club so need to buy lots of fresh stuff which is expensive - the budget just needs to be used carefully! Yesterday made lasagne but made extra Bolognese so now have 1 portion lasagne and 3 potions Bolognese in the freezer. Tonight's curry made 2 extra portions for the freezer so plenty in - just need to get lamb and some veg for Easter dinner but should have everything else - organised this year and have eggs already (normally I am the one running around the coop at the last minute!!)


4 day week this week - but so much to do - no idea how I will get it all into 4 days!!!!

ampersand

Steady, steady, steady again judi - please.
You're at the start of big days off and hol.s partout, mixed with need to Diss-focus as well.

Biggest congrats should precede this - to dd1 for that half-marathon! Special mse-not brunch was an absolute YES! for that.
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' lots of fresh stuff which is expensive ' - that's a warning bell.
YOU choose, YOU only spend to fit budget.

You know you feel clean and lean with this mindset, when unfrazzled.
It's been working so well for you so far and you've employed it to dazzling effect for your London day.
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BUDGET DOES NOT NEED TO BEND for 'fresh stuff' - OK?:D

Involve a child/children in competitive hunt for best catchweight /rtc deals.
RANT ALERT:
& would ban those brain-killing 'hand-held' machines from all supermarkets. Apart from 'held with what else?', paper and pencil and price-noting and adding up are faster tools AND brain-gym essential.
Mental Arithmetic Rules OK?
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Brrrm-brrrrm-broom control is tricky today.

Dicton du jour :

Souvent, la Saint-Am!d!e,
Est de mars la plus belle journ!e

But not here, this is blutty albion:-)