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Setmefree's Diary: MFi5 journey

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  • StuartGMC
    StuartGMC Posts: 2,175 Forumite
    setmefree2 wrote: »
    However, we are still left with the original leaded glass front door - which though beautiful is incredibly drafty in the winter. We must get this sorted this winter I think. Options include new glazing over old glass, have a porch erected (seems a shame to hide door though:rolleyes:) or putting up a really heavy curtain. I do think this is important as when we get of our fuel fix we are in for a shock as it was capped way back in 2005 (I think).
    The heavy curtains were of course how our grandparents used to live before double-glazing, and you can take it down in summer. I guess you need to think about being able to draw the curtain as you go out and that the door won't catch on it when opening?

    From a security stand-point, a new multi-point locking door would I am sure be better, but, from your description I think it would be difficult to obtain one retaining the character you have now?
    Everyone is under strict instructions to turn PCs off when not in use and to also close any idle windows that are open which are running expensive ads. I have a lap top which apparently is cheaper to run than a desktop PC.

    I'm intrigued by "expensive" ads; do you mean flash and similar processor-hungry items which therefore keep the PC running at high demand? The cooling fans on desktops I think are the main consumer of energy trying to dissipate the heat from the processor etc. You can get versions which are "silent" and basically use laptop components, but they are very expensive.

    I still use a CRT and know that an LCD would be cheaper to run, but, I run a 17" CRT at 1600x1200 and presently can't find a suitable LCD to replace it (I hate large text and icons, but, with my age affecting my eyesight, maybe that won't remain the case for long :rotfl:)
  • LindsayO
    LindsayO Posts: 398 Forumite
    Been doing daily clicks everyday for a week now, and using mysearchfunds. The details of the amounts are in my sig. Little by little its all going in my offset account
    LindsayO
    Goal: mortgage free asap
    15/10/2007: Mortgage: £110k Term: 17 years
    18/08/2008: Mortgage: £107k Mortgage - Offset savings: £105k
    02/01/2009: Mortgage: £105k Mortgage - Offset savings: £99k

  • evab_2
    evab_2 Posts: 2,336 Forumite
    Page 4 smf!! I need an update please :-) How's the energy saving going? I wish we could afford to get the double glazing done but going to have to save to do a couple at a time, only have a decent window in the attic but it's boiling up there anyway as dh has his computer up there.

    I did move some curtains about though, only took 18months of living here to realize that the huge bedroom curtains would fit at the patio doors in the lounge and therefore reduce draught (is that the right spelling - and me a teacher now!)! Put dark curtains in dd's room and guess what she has slept much better over the last couple of weeks.

    Hope all is well, Ev x
  • setmefree2
    setmefree2 Posts: 9,072 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Evab,

    It's going AMAZINGLY well:D I can't quite believe how easy it's been to reduce our electricity by what looks like a third! Averagely at this time of year we use 15 kilowats per day, I have reduced this average to 10 kw per day in 18 days. I have been taking a reading everyday so I have yet another spread sheet:rotfl:.

    Anyway, this is what I've been doing
    1) Cut my washing down to twice a week - full loads
    2) Not using drier much only line drying (bought an extra washing line) Later on I'm going to buy some drying balls for the winter months.
    3) Using a flask for hot water.
    4) I have stopped using my dishwasher almost. Mr SMF2 says I have to use once a week (maybe once every 2 weeks) but that's ok as he normally cooks on a Saturday night and manages to use very pan, dish, utensil in the kitchen so I can use it then:rotfl:I have cleaned it totally (including the filters) so it doesn't start to honk;)
    5)I bought a carpet sweeper
    6)I've discovered my lap top is reasonably economical (phew)
    7) Nothing is on stand by
    8) Bought more energy saving light bulbs (new candle SES ) ones
    9)GAS - this is now just on for hot water once a day.

    So I'm quite pleased. I actually feel like I'm saving time too which is STRANGE.:confused: I'm not washing, ironing etc continuously.

    But it's winter when it's going to be really difficult.:o I think jumpers are going to feature highly in my plan:rotfl:

    All The Best

    SMF2

    I'm just going to pop over to your thread now....
  • Floxxie
    Floxxie Posts: 2,853 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    smf2,

    What are drying balls please?

    Floxxie
    Mortgage start September 2015 £90000 MFiT #06
  • setmefree2
    setmefree2 Posts: 9,072 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hi:hello:

    We managed a £1k overpayment (OP) this month :jwhich took us to £147k.

    Income/ Offence
    1. Mr SMF made £3k on his shares last month. However, we still have this on deposit as we are going on holiday in a few weeks. Hopefully when we get back we can make an OP.
    2)We opened a Halifax 10% regular saver (£500 per month). This is somewhere that we can put more money for a new car. Also next year if we don't get any bonuses from work we might tip it into our cash ISA. This might impact our future OPs.

    Defence/ Expenses.
    Everything came in on budget this month.

    1)We seem to be managing to keep our food bills at the same level, not quite sure why this is as things have definitely gone up in the shops. However, we do tend to waste very little these days. We are still using very little petrol - though filling our scenic has gone up from £30 to £55:eek:

    2)I bought no clothes again this month. We will all need some new clothes in July for our holidays probably. I do still have £60 left from my Next gift voucher at xmas. So I will probably use this.
    3)Bought some (more) books from "The Book People". :naughty:
    4) Mr SMF2 had his bike nicked so this needs replacing:mad: He is getting one through the cycle scheme at his company

    http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

    This means he will effectively get a £600 bike for £300 and be able to pay it off over 12 months

    5) We get our AA sub reduced to £108 - saved £36.
    6) We reduced our house contents insurance by £130 by switching providers
    7) Sadly, Norwich Union have stopped doing Pay-as-you-go car insurance. They gave us a really good rate for the next 12 months. However, in 12 months we will look for another provider that does PAYG.

    Pension
    I put all my pension into cash this month. My pension has no funds for Russia or Latin America, otherwise I might have put some money in there. The only emerging markets fund it has is Asia and Pacific. I will probably leave it in cash until Autumn, maybe even until Christmas. We'll see.:o


    All The Best

    SMF2

    I have updated pg 1
  • Kaz2904
    Kaz2904 Posts: 5,797 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    HI SMF, you were saying about the curtain for your front door. I have been looking around for a curtain rail for ages and saw one the other day that moves with the door so the curtain doesn't bunch up behind the door.
    We had our nasty plastic door replaced in October for a wooden door with double glazing. It's so much better, It's in keeping witht he house now.
    I think the curtain rail was ebay.
    The tumble dryer balls have been popping up in the cheap shops around me recently. Between £1-2 and they do work well I'm pleased to say. They also make the washing need less ironing.
    Debt: 16/04/2007:TOTAL DEBT [strike]£92727.75[/strike] £49395.47:eek: :eek: :eek: £43332.28 repaid 100.77% of £43000 target.
    MFiT T2: Debt [STRIKE]£52856.59[/STRIKE] £6316.14 £46540.45 repaid 101.17% of £46000 target.
    2013 Target: completely clear my [STRIKE]£6316.14[/STRIKE] £0 mortgage debt. £6316.14 100% repaid.
  • setmefree2
    setmefree2 Posts: 9,072 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Kaz2904 wrote: »
    HI SMF, you were saying about the curtain for your front door. I have been looking around for a curtain rail for ages and saw one the other day that moves with the door so the curtain doesn't bunch up behind the door.
    We had our nasty plastic door replaced in October for a wooden door with double glazing. It's so much better, It's in keeping witht he house now.
    I think the curtain rail was ebay.
    The tumble dryer balls have been popping up in the cheap shops around me recently. Between £1-2 and they do work well I'm pleased to say. They also make the washing need less ironing.

    Hi Kaz,

    I'll look for one of those rails. Glad to hear the balls work! Do they work even better if you loads of them?:confused: Hope that's not a daft question:p

    All the Best

    SMF2
  • setmefree2
    setmefree2 Posts: 9,072 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Found a funny thread on dryer balls here:-


    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=98662

    LOL:rotfl:
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