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Seasidegal58

Thank you both @redofromstart and @Humdinger1. I'll have a look over on kindle. 

redofromstart

Busy playing in the garden while the sun is still shining but just noticed that one of my favourite childrens books ever is 99p on kindle, Diana Wynne Jones and Howls Moving Castle.

Seasidegal58

How is the gardening going redo?

redofromstart

@Seasidegal58 It has been mostly productive, thanks for asking.  Some veg seed in and the odd thing germinated.  Work is even busier and sadly the garden is low on the priorities.  Not one of the households where everything is getting done as suddenly everybody has some free time.

Payday came and I was pleased with what we had left at the end of the month.  Not spending on fuel makes a huge difference I think, and the odd lazy takeaway has stopped which all adds up.  More on food shopping though due to the lack of choice.  Probably more on wine too.  

Most of it went into the emergency savings but I did make an over payment that took us down to the next round 10k number on the mortgage.  It'd have been rude not to.

I did the gas and electric readings and we are still in credit which was a nice surprise.  I guess because I mostly work from home anyway the extra use hasn't been that high.

Foodwise we have had a few boxes from A&C.  Particularly liked the cooks ingredients box which made me look for new things and new ideas.  Still have two Plantain to use.  Never had that before.

greenbee

I baked my plantain as thick chips with coconut oil and they were lovely  
I have no idea where the money is going - probably on the garden, as although I'm still working full time I'm actually at home, so stuff is slowly getting done. Electricity use is up from this time last year, which I'm not impressed by, but then remembered that both bathrooms still had UFH on. It's now off. Fuel costs should be down - they're never huge but now i'm not going anywhere at all my monthly refill of the fuel tank is off the list. Also hair, waxing, nails. I guess at least most of the spending on the house and garden is being cashflowed... 

Well done on getting down into the next £10k bracket on the mortgage. I'm trying not to look at mine right now... 

Sun_Addict

Another one here spending more on food due to lack of choice. Plus more on wine just to take the edge of the current situation 🍷I can’t say I’ve noticed an increase in electricity costs since working from home full time. Mr SA is home all day anyway so used to higher utility bills, heating on all day etc.

Seasidegal58

I'm taking any added WFH costs as a trial run for retirement next year. 

Plantain sounds interesting - I've never tasted it. 

How are you doing redo?

redofromstart

It was some weeks ago now, but from memory I pan fried the plantain, and had it with coconut price and some spiced prawns.  Nice as a one off but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy again.
Pay day for OH tomorrow. The days are just flying by, and my work is keeping me very busy.

redofromstart

Today was payday for OH, and I moved his (post regular saver and mortgage payment) balance to my account where I paid the credit card (mostly food).  Whatever is left when I get paid on Friday will go to the long term 'emergency savings'.

I have not spent less, or cleared a debt, and I am under no illusions that we are any 'faster than scheduled' closer to a glorious day when we are free of debt (mortgage only these days).  Our assets are deliberately more liquid in case of emergencies, but our net worth is actually probably worse given the slide in pensions.  Less on fuel, more on food, swings and roundabouts. I am very grateful that I am not forced to borrow more in the form of a payment holiday, and that we both have a steady income.  Its not that long since in the depths of low income monster mortgage crisis we were forced to take up the option of a years interest only payments on the mortgage.  It took a few years to undo the damage that did to our long term plans.  I suspect we would be mortgage free now if it wasn't for that last recession crisis.  i am grateful that we have the money to pay our mortgage, service our home and feed our family.

Today we had a veg box delivered which included Padron peppers.  Pan fried in oil and salt Spanish style, he liked them, I wasn't that keen.  
Lots done at the weekend, some wardrobe clearance, gardening and repainting of the bathroom. 

redofromstart

I have signed up for another 'five day shop your wardrobe challenge' over on Faceache. Free and always interesting if anyone else feels like joining in: here or here