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Mortgage Free for a better life for me (and the family)

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  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 4 September 2015 at 2:16PM
    Morning all,


    Well I had a couple of days off from posting as Weds was the kids last day of their school holiday so we went off to Norwich to look at the dragons (a great free activity so very MSE):) and the had PizzaHut for dinner (not so MSE :( but did complain about our pizza as their was hardly any BBQ sauce on it and they took off my sons buffet meal so saved £4 :) )
    Yesterday was mainly spent tidying up the house and I also went through all of the Christmas presents I have been getting in during the year and I have made a list. I found loads of bits I had forgotton about and both kids already have a long list of items on it so I'm quite pleased:)
    I have also made a list of presents I want to make using my craft stash so hopefully I will get cracking on that later as well :)


    Anyway my list of "little things" for today will be:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 64/50 bonus 5 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none in my area :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE £1.15p One Poll :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 26 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE £1 off Fish and 50p of Yazoo Milkshake in Tesco :)
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1255/850 including bonus 80 :) Plus went up to Platinum level and am waiting for a bonus £7 amazon gift card to be confirmed :)
     8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Chicken & Bacon Pie with mash and veg :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 3 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 85/300 -
    12/ List items to sell on Facebook
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Download some craft classes from free trial on Big Picture Classes -
    15/ Download more photos bought on photo passes whilst on holiday - currently more downloading :)
    16/ NSD -
    17/ Make a start on handmade Christmas presents - DONE Wooden garden tag coloured and ready to give :)
    18/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening -
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 5 September 2015 at 6:22PM
    Morning all,


    Well I was planning a trip out today with the kids but they both have loads of homework which needs doing so may turn out to be a NSD instead :)


    Anyway my list for today:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 40/40 bonus 4 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none in area :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE 80 Nectar Points, 10p One Poll, 25 You Gov and 375 Isay :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 100 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE free Princes Tuna spread sent for by post :)
    7/ GiftHulk -
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE pasta bake with potato wedges and salad :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 3 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 85/300 -
    12/ List items to sell on Facebook
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Download some craft classes from free trial on Big Picture Classes -
    15/ Download more photos bought on photo passes whilst on holiday - currently more downloading :)
    16/ NSD - DONE :)
    17/ Make some handmade Christmas presents - DONE 2 magnets made quickly :)
    18/ Complete Tesco survey on receipt for clubcard points and prize draw - DONE 25 points awarded :)
    19/ Complete Pizza Hut receipt survey for 2 for 1 voucher - DONE potentially saving £15 :)
    20/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening -
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi all,


    Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I have still been doing my "little things" on most days but been too busy to post/enjoying time with family as hubby been back home whilst off shift :)


    Will update now on the last couple of days and then post list for today later:-


    11/9/15


    NSD
    Friend gave me runner beans from her garden saving £4.50 :)


    12/9/15

    Craft Fair - made £52 profit :)
    Surveys - One Poll 40p :)
    Swagbucks - 15 :)
    Gifthulk - 130 :)
    NSD :)


    13/9/15

    Gifthulk - 1113/750 inc 70 bonus :)
    Comps entered - 18
    Swagbucks - 40/40 bonus 4 swagbucks :)
    Nectar - 2
    Superpoints - 8
    Coupons used - £15 (3 x£5 at Toys R Us plus got £10 voucher for use next week). We have started buying kids Christmas presents so all the vouchers they are sending are coming in useful as they are currently the cheapest place for what we are wanting :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 15 September 2015 at 7:34AM
    Today's list of "little things":-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 78/60 bonus 6 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none in area :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE 10p One Poll :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 32 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE 48p Asda Price guarantee printed and requested £2 Danone coupons to be sent :)
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1373/850 inc bonus 85 :)
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Chicken Pie with mash potatoes, free runner beans, carrots and peas :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 2 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 85/300 -
    12/ List items to sell on Facebook - DONE listed topper sheets and Minecraft books (total if sold £22) :)
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Download some craft classes from free trial on Big Picture Classes -
    15/ Download more photos bought on photo passes whilst on holiday -
    16/ Make some handmade Christmas presents - DONE Mni Bunting made for Auntie :)
    17/ Upload receipts to Checkout Smart, Clicksnap and Shopitize- DONE waiting for verification - should track as £1.38 :)
    18/ Pay cheque and cashinto savings account - DONE £200 cash and £760 from PPI refund :)
    19/ Use coupon from parking on basic shopping - DONE £1 coupon used :)
    20/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening - DONE :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 16 September 2015 at 7:10AM
    Morning all,


    Hubby had to leave to go back to Aberdeen today at 1am :( so think I may be having an early night tonight!! He's back again in 9 days so I'm setting myself the challenge of spending less than what I earn in the time he is away. I'm hoping that it will encourage me to use up all the food I have and have more NSD's so fingers crossed :)


    Anyway onto today's list:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 68/60 bonus 6 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none in my area :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE Isay 55 (redeemed £10 voucher), One Poll 10p and £6 Pinecone :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 23 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE 50p Simple :)
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1120/900 including bonus 90 :)
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Chicken Burgers with potato letters and salad :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 2 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 85/300 - DONE 1 pair of daughters shoes (never worn still with tags, DM's which are too small for daughter and 1 x BN with tags wellie boots from son) 87/300 :) (on investigation with Tesco I can take wellies back for a credit note for full amount as cannot find receipt) :)
    12/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook - DONE 2 craft CD's listed for £3 each or both for £5 plus bumped books listed books yesterday and added to another selling page :)
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and more stock for craft stall -
    15/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    16/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    17/ Start making up sets of clipart to sell in supermums shop and on ebay (I used to sell them ages ago and still have the license to resell so wont cost much to start again)
    18/ Wait for lady to collect topper sheets sold via Facebook for £10 - DONE £10 in pot :)
    19/ NSD - DONE :)
    20/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening - DONE :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 17 September 2015 at 7:57AM
    Morning all,


    Well so far on my mini challenge I have earned £10 and spent £0 so, so far so good :)


    It's a horrible wet day here in Norfolk today so I'm determined to spend the whole day completing my "little things" :)


    Up for today is:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 2nd target met 101/98 bonus 10 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE Nectar 80, One Poll 10p and I-Say 5 :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 99 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE 50p Crème Fraiche :)
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1043/850 inc 85 bonus :)
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Spag Bol & Garlic Bread :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 3 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 87/300 - DONE 47 greetings cards, bag of plaster letters and large pile of scrapbooking papers now 90/300 :)
    12/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook - DONE listed cards mentioned above for £20 :)
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and more stock for craft stall - DONE words jar of joy made for my dad for Christmas :)
    15/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    16/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    17/ Start making up sets of clipart to sell in supermums shop and on ebay (I used to sell them ages ago and still have the license to resell so wont cost much to start again)
    18/ NSD - DONE :)
    19/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening - DONE :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 18 September 2015 at 8:15AM
    Morning all,


    Another horrible wet and cold day here today :( but a brilliant one for money saving as I don't want to go anywhere :)

    Todays "little things" will (hopefully) be:-

    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 2nd target met 129/100 bonus 10 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE accepted for £6 telephone job on 21st Sept :)
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE Nectar 2, One Poll 25p and I-Say 10 :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 20 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE no new ones found :(
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1075/800 inc 80 bonus :)
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Jacket Potatoes and salad :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 5 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 90/300 - DONE 7 pairs of fluffy handcuffs (don't ask!) now 97/300 :)
    12/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook - DONE topper sheets from mags listed (over 300 sheets) for £20 :)
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and more stock for craft stall - DONE 12 Christmas gift tags and two beaded angels made for stall stock :)
    15/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    16/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    17/ Start making up sets of clipart to sell in supermums shop and on ebay (I used to sell them ages ago and still have the license to resell so wont cost much to start again)
    18/ NSD - DONE :)
    19/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening - DONE :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 September 2015 at 8:23AM
    Morning all,


    The sun is actually shining today although its still quite cold.


    I'm helping at my son's school this afternoon so not got much time for my "little things" today But I'll put the usual list up and see how far I get:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 74/60 bonus 6 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE none in my area :(
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE I-Say 175, Nectar 160, One Poll 55pand YouGov 50 :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 20 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE no new ones found :(
    7/ GiftHulk - DONE 1525/850 inc bonus 85 coins :)
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE Sausage, mash, peas and sweetcorn :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 5 :)
    11/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 97/300 -
    12/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook - DONE listed 250 scrapbook papers for £20 and also bumped up previous listings which have not yet sold :)
    13/ Write a complaint email to BA
    14/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and more stock for craft stall - DONE made a beaded angel for stall today :)
    15/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    16/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    17/ Start making up sets of clipart to sell in supermums shop and on ebay (I used to sell them ages ago and still have the license to resell so wont cost much to start again)
    18/ NSD - DONE (number 11 this month) :)
    19/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening - DONE :)
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 September 2015 at 10:52AM
    Morning all,


    A beautiful sunny day here in Norfolk at the moment so lets hope it lasts :) There is a local free arts festival on this weekend so the plan is for me and the kids to head down there later and enjoy the shows :) I'll take a few drinks and snacks with us so hopefully it should only cost us the £5 to park :)


    I'm going to try and get some of my "little things" done as well so here goes:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 51/50 bonus 5 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - Applied for online job £5 for Mon :)
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE I-Say 10 :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - DONE 20 entered :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE no new ones found :(
    7/ GiftHulk -
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE pasta bake with garlic bread and salad :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints - DONE 11 :)
    11/ Maximiles - DONE 225 collected :)
    12/ Gift Hunter
    13/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 97/300 -
    14/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook -
    15/ Get 3 loads of washing dry on line - One load done and drying on airer inside as sky looked grey at the time but now sunshine. 2nd load in washing machine :)
    16/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and/or more stock for craft stall -
    17/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    18/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    19/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening -
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
  • craftingmad
    craftingmad Posts: 3,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 27 September 2015 at 9:09AM
    Hi all,


    How bad am I for not posting for nearly a week! I have been doing lots of little things but just have not got around to posting on here :)


    Anyway I'm going to get back into the routine of posting so here are my "little things" for today:-


    1/ Swagbucks - DONE 92/84 bonus 8 swagbucks :)
    2/ Check mystery shopping jobs in my area - DONE applied for £5 job :)
    3/ Check for any surveys - DONE I-Say 10, YouGov 150,One Poll 10p :)
    4/ Check freepostcode lottery - DONE not a winner :(
    5/ Enter 20 competitions - 10 entered so far :)
    6/ Check for new coupons - DONE no new ones found :(
    7/ GiftHulk -
    8/ Plan meal for today - DONE jacket potatoes or chips with chicken burgers & salad :)
    9/ Turn mobile off while at home - DONE :)
    10/ Superpoints -
    11/ Maximiles - DONE 50 collected :)
    12/ Gift Hunter
    13/ Find more items to sell - currently up to 97/300 -
    14/ List decluttered item to sell on Facebook - DONE bumped up and reduced all items previously listed :)
    15/ Get 2 loads of washing dry on line - DONE all dry :)
    16/ Make some handmade Christmas presents and/or more stock for craft stall -
    17/ Upload an item into my Supermums online craft shop
    18/ Promote handmade craft item and supermums shop on Facebook
    19/ Raise Quidco claim for missing cashback - DONE :)
    20/ NSD - DONE :)
    21/ Read book in bed instead of play on tablet this evening -
    Mortgage - £2338.07 paid off Feb 2023 BTL 1 £51,089.10 £35789.36 paid off July 2025 BTL 2 £81,504.52 BTL 3 £77,497.02
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