Getting a mortgage and then becoming mortgage-free!

Watty1

That lunch at gf's mum sounded delicious ....

gallygirl

kk I went on a veggie Indian cookery course (which I didn't think was very good tbh ). We did cook one weird thing which was a batter mix, fried in balls, then dipped in water, squeezed out and served covered in yogurt with (in my opinion!) a lot of salt and sugar, and with tamarind and other sauces on the top. Does it ring any bells?

Kittenkirst

It doesn’t as something I’ve made when round but I asked my good lady who’s said it is Dhai Vada- it sounds nice enough. The gf is a very savoury person so we tend to make the spicier, earthier tasting dishes.

Watty- the Sunday lunch was impressive; we always go round early and all
Cook together as we all have a chat and get stuck in in the kitchen which is just lovely :

The lovely gf and her mum are both superb cooks and I’m slowly learning some of the Gujarati dishes, funnily though her dad likes it when I make homemade pies, toad in the hole etc. I guess it’s just different to what you’re used to so is nice as a treat for him

My cooking exploits have been a mixed bag tonight- I tried making boulangerie potatoes but popping some chopped cooking bacon in. It didn’t turn out that well but I’ve scoffed it down with my brocolli anyways.

On the other hand my lentil and bacon soup has turned out impressively good, tastes just like what my mum used to make

Kittenkirst

Hi all, a bit of a slow week, steadily waiting for payday!

Good news is the onepoll money cleared yesterday so started the month of October overpayments off well with that lovely £40

Onepoll is now at £1.20 and Prolific at £4 so slowly building it up.
Lentil soup for lunch with a slice of Mediterranean bread we got at Tesco’s a few nights ago for 33p

Frugal activities are slipping still with lots of little shops at Tesco for missing items and coffees being bought at work- really need to focus and reign this in as the money’s not there to be frittered away- it all has important stuffs to be doing.

Braces have settled now so eating a bit more normally but no apples/popcorn etc which has made me a bit brighter....and have made Halloween plans to visit twin lakes Xtreme Scream festival on the 28th.

I’m trying Hotpod yoga tomorrow as it’s a free taster session- going with a good friend as gf away for the weekend with her uni mates.

Jewellery business has picked up without me trying- £200 of orders this week so I need to make sure that I’m still signed up with HMRC as not sure if I have to re-register yearly, will check it out to ensure I don’t get caught out!

Kittenkirst

Here’s the nutty gritty for September

Survey income- £24.85
Savings- minus £200.15

Mortgage numbers
Standard payment: £810.80
Overpayment: £206.32
Interest charged 1st October- £404.16
Daily interest: £13.47

Total capital paid :£612.96

The savings dip was expected due to taking £200 out for the initial payment for the braces and dental work. I also withdrew to cover MOT & repairs as put money into savings throughout the year to cover it

The OP ended up not a round £200 as I accidentally paid twice on the last day of the month as the transaction didn’t show.

newgirly

Great update KK well done

Kittenkirst

Received the first years mortgage statement in the post! I was so excited to reconcile it- there were a few discrepancies which I’ve updated on my sheet (after checking my bank account!) I just need o re-check my monthly totals.

The good news is the Mortgage was £8 less than I calculated which I’m pleased with

Gf is away tonight with her uni friends for a mini reunion, so I have been for a free taster of Hotpod Yoga which was really good for flexibility, and I sweated buckets!

Now back home with Hugo on my lap and a chamomile tea (freebie from gfs hotel stay!) trying to relax before getting something out of stores for supper. for once I have no idea what I fancy so will have a rummage in the freezer and hopefully find something scrummy to make

Kittenkirst

Woke up this morning to find the last of the Fortnum tea canisters sold overnight hurrah! So once they’ve paid that’s another £8 to the mortgage.

Gfs in brum today but I’m picking her up at 10.30am but she’s messaged me that we’re going to have breakfast together in Brum-

Woke up early-ish. The boys actually let me sleep in until 6.30am, which was so much better than the normal 4am! So
I’ve hoovered, washed up, cleaned all the work surfaces, put lots of stuff away and cleaned the bathrooms. Having a quick cuppa (one of my 3 a day because of braces!) and then time for shower and get dolled up for a breakfast with the lovely gf.

Had a mini scare with Hugo last night- hehadn’t come in for his dinner which was most unusual and he was out for more than 2 hours without coming in, again unusual. So I went outside called him lots and lots but he didn’t come in, I repeated this several times shaking his food container and the dreamies pouches and walking up and down the street to no avail.
I eventually found him in the second woods (split from the first woods by a clearing!) but he was just laid there meowing. Luckily he has no injuries so I think he jollied off a bit far from home, got a bit scared by the rain and just hid for a while. I’ve let them out again this morning as he needs to get used to the area but will deffo not be letting him out when it’s dark now!

We’ve got piles and piles of things to list on the Bay tonight so I’m hoping we actually do it, rather than just talk about it! The buy it bows have worked really well so far so I will continue with that for things that I think have value and auction off the little bits.

Shoulders ache a bit from the hot yoga yesterday- I’m definitely a convert- the house inside the dark, scented pod was tough but left me feeling very light and good now to see if I can work it into the budget. I’m going to refer the gf for a session so she gets £5 off (so only £7) and I get a free one hurrah!

I’ll also check out some YouTube yoga Vids to see if can do some sessions myself on the cheap- they do ten classes for £100. If I did one class a week and one YouTube a week I think I’d see the benefit without it breaking the bank...will have a ponder on it as I enjoy my gym routine but really think this will help me to stretch out my problem areas (I get a lot of issues with my hip Flexors after running!)

Kittenkirst

Mid week update- pay day tomorrow hurrah!

Kitchen tiles are now up on the wall and looking fantastic. The tiler had a cancellation so came out on Tuesday and completed it in the morning- amazing how much more homely it looks now

Managed to take lunch in 3 out of 4 days this week which is an improvement and only one work coffee purchased. Reducing the caffeine intake is going well- yesterday I had one today I’ve had three, I’m cutting down to three cups a day as a maximum and seem to be going ok.

Had another yoga class last night, referred the gf so she got a free trial session and I received a £5 credit whoop! I’ve signed up to a 14 day unlimited pass for £15 so I’m booked in for Saturday and Sunday this weekend already. Went to the gym today and so far I’ve lost another 0.9kg so the weight is slowly reducing and I’m getting a bit better work/well-being balance.

Not much in the way of surveys this week as been inundated at work and had a very early drive up north to one of our offices this week followed by jewellery class in the evening so been a bit tired and not stopped much.

We ended up going with gfs family to see the Diwali light switch on in Leicester on sunday which was lovely: her uncle decided to come last minute so was nice to see them all

Her parents were pleased as we bought some dyed powders and stencils to do rangolis outside the house for Diwali and bought a few garlands for the outside to celebrate

Kittenkirst

Had a great weekend so far- I organized a good friends surprise 40th birthday meal on Friday for 22 people and it all went perfectly. Birthday girl was so happy

Yesterday we started the day with a 9.30am hot yoga session and then cleaned the entire house. We had taken chicken breasts out of the freezer and made a healthier version of this Korean chicken recipe: https://mykoreankitchen.com/korean-style-popcorn-chicken/

We baked the chicken in the oven rather than frying it, and dry fried the rice sticks in a pan. We also added lots of veggies from the fridge- chunky chopped onions, carrot, pepper and sweetcorn. Delicious! There’s a portion left in the fridge which we’re going to bulk out again tonight and have with rice/noodles and stir fried cabbage.

Today we went early into city center to see our friend over the start line for a half marathon, then into town for a 10.30am yoga session which was fantastic. Walked back to the car (free parking that way!) and then went to gfs parents for Sunday lunch- a veg curry with little dumplings in alongside rotlis, sambar & poppadom. Gorgeous!

Now home on the sofa with blankets, snoozing kittens and a snoozing gf!

Had a discount code for yoga for 20% off and had a £5 credit for referring the gf so bought ten more sessions for £76 instead of £95 once my 14 day unlimited pass is up I’ll go to one class a week so it’ll last 2.5 months.

Payday was on Friday- will do the money shuffle tonight. This mont is another tight mint as we have the boiler annual service, Home contents insurance and my car insurance to pay for.
I’ve declined a few meals out this month over the next few weeks as with my braces it’s harder to eat plus I could do with saving that money. A bit lame but now it’s winter I want to just curl up with something yummy at home

£9.71 was OPd on Friday after my eBay buyer finally paid and I posted it off. For the first time in ages we have nothing listed so we need to get on top of the listings and get the christmassy stuff up