Getting a mortgage and then becoming mortgage-free!

ch4rly2002

Glad the bracelet turned out well in the end. I'd love to see a pic of it

Sorry to hear about the security system. I would assume no wires as well, and o certainly wouldn't want wires all over the house so you do right returning it and looking for a new system.

Hope the flat rents. Even if it's a bit less than usual, like you said, at least she's not paying the mortgage and all the bills while she tries to sell it. Good luck!

I'm glad you can get the kitties that you e wanted for such a long time. It will come in handy having friends with cats as you should be able to ask them to help too. When we lived in Nottingham we used to cat sit our friends' cats and they would return the favour. And like you, we would all stay for cuddles too so the cats were happier

Good to hear the eBay listings are back on track, I know it can feel like a mammoth task at times. With Bzz I had to wait until the current campaigns had finished before I got my first one (about a month) but I'm hoping to get more in future... hopefully it won't be too long before you get your first. I haven't tried prolific, I'll have to give it a look. How are you doing with OnePoll? It seems to be ticking away fairly quickly for me but YouGov has completely stalled. I guess patience is the key with those

Kittenkirst

Hi Charley, I find Prolific fairly slow but the value is higher (some are £1 each say and take minimal time) I'm up to £3.70 on that (payout at £5)

Yougov is just tumbleweed- 1 survey a week if I'm lucky but like you OnePoll is small amounts but racks up quick- I'm up to £23.60 but haven't been on it as much this week- I try to get 50p a day minimum on there on quick breaks (like waiting for porridge to cook in microwave at work!)

I'll try and work out how to post pics on here via photobucket shortly to show you- it's a very simple Sterling silver bangle and as I've not played since before Christmas I'm pleased with how it's turnout out

Kittenkirst

Let's see if this works.....

http://s745.photobucket.com/user/kittenkirst/media/IMG_4819.jpg.html

Kittenkirst

In other MSE news I have applied to open a new current account and switch to HSBC- I plan to Keep my first direct account and shuffle between the two (I have a regular saver with First Direct) - hopefully should net £150 towards an OP.

I've also been reading up on LISAs for retirement- I already have a pension but can't say I understand how it works too well. I put £100 a month in there (£68 deducted from my wage packet after tax savings and smart pay) and the company put £200 in a month so £300 going in every month feels a comfortable amount for the moment (I'm 33 and not having children).
I will open one up and shove a nominal amount in (£50 or £100) and then start looking into retirement and how my current pension works. I think I've been paying in since I started with the company (10 years) but will need to dig out paperwork and check it.

Talked gf into opening a LISA too as she turns 40 in June so we need to open her one when they launch in April and then she has the option to use it should she choose to

themadvix

Wow, love the bracelet KK, the detail on the scissors is amazing! You are very talented!

I've found YouGov very quiet of late, but I guess it might pick up again soon with elections looming? Things have slowed on Prolific for me at the moment, but in part that's because I've not had the time to take on the longer studies.

Kittenkirst

Ah I bought the scissor charm I have to admit!! I'm not quite on the league of casting Jewellery yet

Had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday- sent my mum a message to wish her a good day (we have never got on- my upbringing was quite volatile and she threw me out when I was very young)- I then cleaned up the house whilst the gf had a lie-in as she's struggling with a cold that's knocked her- and we then made masala paneer for her mum and dad to come over!

Amusingly, her mum bought some leftover masala paneer she had made on Saturday night!!!

Mum then helped us to sew the master beds curtains to make them shorter, so that's off the to-do list. The garden is looking nicer now the lawn is trimmed and I then cleaned the kitchen in the evening so the floor is sparkling and all the cupboards gleam!!

We went out on Saturday night with my bestie for dinner and we really shouldn't have- nice to see my friend but next time I'll suggest eating at home as even if we got takeout it would have been less than half what we paid! Went to a dessert place which was not good at all too really disappointing.

The only silver lining is we had the Turkish meal leftovers for supper last night and I have masala paneer and rice for lunch today

Managed to leave my joint account card at Tescos yesterday too so I've cancelled that- that may help curb my spendy streak that I seem to be having.

This week is all pack lunches and homemade grub fortunately so tying to get back on the straight and narrow.

eBay listings went live last night so 13 items up for sale- hoping this will repent my sins of last week!!

OP's have now hit £900.10 since we got the mortgage on 30th September which im dead pleased with- best keep chugging away at it.

try_harder

It always amazes me how much nicer the garden looks once the grass has been cut ,its as if everything then stands out ,ours needs cutting too we havent done it yet this year .
Well done on the overpayments

themadvix

Ah, you'll get there with the casting - still a beautiful bracelet

Great OPs too, especially as you've had so much to do to make the house a home.

Totally agree with TH about the lawn - it makes such a difference!

Kittenkirst

I've bagged up all the grass that was left after mowing and it looks so different- it's a basic garden at the moment as we can't decide quite what to do with it. We have a garden center voucher from family as a Christmas present so may get a few pots and plants for now and just add a little splash of colour

A few Onepoll surveys done today, and a bid received on a pair of shoes already. All food from stores eaten (masala paneer at lunch and pork/mozzarella/Parma ham from the freezer with smashed new spuds, asparagus & sweetcorn.

That makes it no spends at all today. Hurrah!.

Popped to see gf's parents after work and they are both well- got to nip into the house and get some kitty cuddles from their ginger tom (he's a gorgeous little boy!)

Now just polishing up the bangle ready for it being collected on Thursday night

Fortune_Smiles

Hi Kitten

have you thought about herbs for your garden? I know you like to experiment with your menu plan so it might save you some cash in the long run.

I have lots of herbs in my garden and find most really easy to grow and take care of - some of mine seem to thrive on the neglect. I'd recommend:

• Rosemary - evergreen and thrive with lots of cutting, can grow into quite a large shrub though
• Chives - a good front of border plant that will self seed readily and come up year after year. The flowers look beautiful and are also edible
• Sage - another evergreen for middle of the border
• Thyme - evergreen, low growing with tiny, pretty flowers. Lots of different types available
• Mint - likes damp soil. Should be planted in a pot before being put into the ground though otherwise it will spread and take over everything. Comes up every year.

I plant my herbs amongst with other flowers and vegetables but it's useful to have them close to the kitchen door.

I have Rosemary by my front door as it's supposed to ward off intruders and burglars. There's also an old saying “Where rosemary flourishes the lady rules” and I like to have the upper hand over Mr F :rotfl:

Fortune x