Getting a mortgage and then becoming mortgage-free!

Kittenkirst

It's the weeeeeekend and it's Halloween soon!

Halloween is my favourite time of year, the dark nights, spooky goings on, dressing up and having fun

Off to Xtreme Scream tomorrow with a group of friends. We have gone to scarefests and the like most years and tried Xtreme scream at Twinkakes last year. It's cheaper than Alton Towers and has some awesome scream mazes. Managed to find a discount code to save £2 each (it all helps) and we're going to car share for the five of us tomorrow night.

Had a meal out with friends last night which was lovely, we went to las iguanas as one friend is coeliac and they have good options. I think all dishes we had (except my ribs) were gluten free so he was able to share. We had a few cocktails (buy one get the same free) and they have a pineapple martini- it was heavenly but like sweeties in a glass. Spent £35 each (budgeted for!) and we had a good catch up.

Today's been a slower day- went to yoga together and then have been cleaning the house etc. Dinner is a lazy supper of the leftover aubergine bake with some chicken on the side for protein.

Planning yoga and the gym tomorrow morning, and then we are photographing our old fitbits (they are on charge currently) to finish the eBay listing. We are selling them as we've upgraded to the apple watches as gf had a lot of vouchers on her John Lewis card and we have debated it over the past year. I'm finding the challenges great and a good motivation to get back into our usual fitness groove.

eBay sale the other day hasn't yet been paid, I have a feeling they won't pay for some reason. The figurines I posted are at £22 and a top I put on with £3.50 starting price is at £7.50 already! Yay!
I need to photo one more item to list tomorrow and will have hit the 6 for this week. Will see if I can get a few more on tomorrow but best laid plans....

As it's Halloween I need to carve my pumpkin for the window and get a few decorations up. It's the most wonderful time of the year!! :happyhear

Had a good chat with my brother earlier in the week and disappointedly he's had his disability allowance declined as they feel him fit to work, despite his long standing diagnosis and doctors/psychiatrists statements etc. So it's going to a tribunal. He should get a date soon and I will go down for the day to take him and be moral support. He isn't great in public spaces etc with lots of people and noise so not sure what the tribunal set-up will be. I find it so frustrating the hoops he has to jump when it is clear he cannot work. I feel proud that I have paid tax since 18 to help support others who need help, so it frustrates me that someone so in need of support has so much stress

Positive pants on though, I'm hopeful they will see how silly they are being and reinstate and backdate it. Luckily because he's been through this rigmarole before he has been saving a small amount every week so has been using that to make ends meet, however he knows he can always come to me for financial support should he ever need it (he is a proud chap though!)

Kittenkirst

Afternoon all, a lovely morning today of a yoga class for me whilst gf went to the gym. We've come home and made a lovely potato rosti- I had mine with two eggs and jalapeños, gf had it with beans spiced up with chilli cheese, onions & fresh chillis.

The recipe we used worked well and is this one- https://www.lovepotatoes.co.uk/recipes/potato-rosti-with-asparagus-and-poached-egg/ but obviously without the trimmings!

Picked up a freebie pumpkin last night so will carve that this afternoon- a neighbour bought two by accident so put it on our estates Facebook group- met one of the neighbours and got a pumpkin- result!

The figurines went in the end for £23 which was unexpected but a good result. Just waiting on payment on that and the other item sold last week and can post it out.
Our two fitbits are now listed scheduled to start tonight- we've agreed the funds for that will go towards the credit card bill from holiday, whereas we usually overpay it. I've also listed two Fitbit straps and a spare charger as a bundle on there today so have hit the goal of 6 I wanted to achieve on Sunday last week. Better late than never!:rotfl:

Off to the scream park tonight so have dug out the winter woolies, will wear nice thick tights with my dress and a few layers under and over the dress. Luckily my knee high New Rock boots are warm as so they will keep some heat in. I also grabbed out some of those instant hand warmer things we had in the cupboard- we were given loads at Bicester Village last year so popped them away. Tonight's the perfect time to use them I think!

Off to finish coffee and do some Sunday chores, have lovely Sunday's everyone

Hazelnutty

OMG the rosti sounds lush. I am forwarding to OH!

Kittenkirst

It's been a long old week at work this week, pleased it's a nice quiet Friday night tonight

Lots of long hours and a stressful time at work has meant I've felt a bit anxious in the morning so I've been trying to practice some mindfulness, breathing exercises & relaxation to keep it at bay.

It's a new month though so in financial news we've had a small amount of interest on the bills account- £1.67- which has been overpaid and I requested payout from Prolific so £16.14 overpaid today too. Good start to the month really!

Off to Birmingham to see one of gfs old work mates who is living there but his family are back in India, we've pre booked the train and have sourced some places that do cheap or 241 drinks (as he can drink like the proverbial fish)- hopefully this will mean we can indulge in a night out without breaking the bank!

Tonight's dinner was that frozen (but homemade) pie from the other week which was just as good tonight followed by apple pie & custard (I bought the pie for £1 on Halloween and we've had 3 puds out of it so far!)

Heating is now on- we re trying to keep it to a minimum where possible and using hoodies, slippers, blankets etc but we don't want to be freezing at home so trying to be sensible with it.

Kittenkirst

eBay sales have been doing well with a nice £115 received for our two old fitbits which has gone towards the gfs credit card

Also tonight an old top (worn a few times on our USA holiday) sold tonight so a nice £11.70 overpaid straight away

A pair of cut off jeans also sold this evening but the buyer hasn’t yet paid- that will be around £6.50 to overpay after postage and fees which is better than it laying around in the spare room.

Need to iron a few tops and prep some listings ready to go live at the weekend to keep on going whilst things are selling.

Went to both the gym & yoga today so feeling a bit healthier than the weekends exploits- I’m too old for day drinking nowadays! The 241 cocktail & half price cocktail bar list came in very handy

Started chopping up one of the pumpkins tonight- got half done so seeds are soaking overnight, quite a few slices are in the freezer and a traybake prepped for tomorrow night when I get home from silver class. I used some turkey sausages bought ys tonight at Morrison’s (33p for the two I’ve used, the rest is portioned up in the freezer), I’ve added rosemary, peppers, onions and garlic. Gf will chop a spud and add it in tomorrow and pop in the oven for me ready for getting home.

I’ve packed my work bag for tomorrow- reusable drinks cup ready, frozen lasagne defrosting for lunch, apple and the Swedish shop apple corer packed alongside some Soreen to hopefully keep me away from the work canteen- fingers crossed I don’t succumb!!

Kittenkirst

Evening all!
Long day in the office today but pleased to say I resisted the siren call
Of the well stocked work canteen

Dinner tonight was fab- that pumpkin was delicious roasted with the garlic veggies and turkey sausages. Yum! In the office again tomorrow so will make sure I pack the lunch bag in the morning before heading in.

eBay buyer paid today so £10.43 now overpaid on the mortgage so we’ve sent £39.94 to the mortgage this month all from interest, eBay selling & surveys. Not too bad really.

Picked up some fresh flowers after work this evening and a few small candles for the gf ready for Diwali tomorrow and have cleaned the house up ready as it’s New Year in the Hindu calendar on Thursday- must always start New Year with a clean house and clear mind :heartpuls:

Kittenkirst

Urgh, I totally have the lurgy and feel rather sorry for myself!

I’ve been in the office the past few days but managed to take and eat my packed lunches and make my own coffees so an improvement on last week!

We’ve been doing some more decluttering so the pile for listing has grown- we’ve agreed we will prioritise this on Saturday and get six items up. It will only sell if we list after all!

Works been pretty manic the past two weeks so not much in the way of lunch breaks so prolific hasn’t been viewed much- had a £1.20 survey tonight and that’s it. Need to make sure I take lunch breaks and check the site regularly!

Had a friend I’ve for dinner tonight as it’s New Year in the Hindu calendar and Hugo decided it was time for his newest party trick as he brought in an alive mouse. Typical when we have a guest!! I then spent 5 mins chasing the poor thing with Tupperware and then managed to release it in the woods at the end of the drive. Hugo has then sulked all evening

newgirly

Hi KK , just caught up with your diary as its been a while, the holiday sounds amazing!

themadvix

Cats! Naughty Hugo!:eek:

Moneyfordreams

Hi KK, I have really enjoyed your diary. I think you and your GF have done amazingly well... I love reading established diaries so I can get to "know" the person and then follow with an idea of background events. I'll probably lurk about and jump in occasionally. I think your diary is one many people could learn from