Mortgage freedom/FIRE diary

Porridgecat

I'm awestruck by how low your expenses are. I'm signed up for olio but there's never anything in our area, everything would require a car journey which I think negates the idea. 

Poppycat1

Dancingintherain - the vaccination went well, sore arm today and a bit tired.  I think that's just me generally getting used to the early mornings.  Lets hope the vouchers come soon.

Porridgecat - They are not always that low.  I am making a special effort since Christmas as I have decided that the mortgage can go by December 2024 if I live like this.  That is no time and it's much easier to do in lockdown.  I am so lucky I have the choice though, so many people don't.  I do use the car on many of the trips but try and organise 1-3 collections roughly in the same place at the same time, or on the way home from work etc.  I have a lady near me that does lots of collections and that's in walking distance.

Olio collections have been great this last few days, collected cherry plum tomatoes, 6 little gem lettuces, Pret cheese baguette x 2, Pret humous wrap x 2, Pret breakfast bowl x 3, 2 boxes of cereal, salad, pickling spices, Pret macaroni cheese, garlic x 2, fresh ginger, Pret pain aux raisin x 2 and Pret meatless meatball wrap.  I think that is it since I last listed.  I have put a few non food items on and they have been picked up.  

The £100 arrived in my new bank account today for switching from an account that I was always having problems with the app.  So £100 and an account that I can use.  PA has been quiet until today.  I have around £4.50 to pay and £6 waiting for review.  The £50 that went missing going from my main account has now appeared in my mortgage account, 6 days since sending it.  

Car tax reminder came today but I don't have to pay for that just need to go online and sort it.

Poppycat1

I've spent some money!  £9.19 on some groceries from Lidl.  I got some of the oil that was on offer and 6 ltrs of soya milk, some half price chocolate eggs and a few other bits.  I went on Amazon yesterday and there was a link to get £5 off and £20 spend if you listen to one music track.  I did and now have to wait for the voucher.  But I went back today and there was an offer where I got £3.20 off the cat food I normally get with free delivery.  So ordered a 10kg bag.  I still have the voucher to come and will order more cat food when it arrives.  I don't need any at the moment but can store it.

PA paid out just over £5 Saturday so added £5 and paid it off the mortgage.

Collected via Olio: 10 red onions, Pret baguettes x 2, breakfast bowls x 2 and an oatmeal cookie.

DS1 is back from uni for a few days.  Seems like I haven't seen him for ages.  Kids are 18 and 14 but we are still going to have an egg hunt with the half price eggs.

One of the cats has an abscess on it's ear.  I have washed it and it has gone down a lot.  A nurse friend has advised to clean it 2-3 times a day with sterilised water.  I will keep an eye on it and take him to the vets if necessary.  He seems fine but it is obviously tender. 

DancingInTheRain

Hi just thought I'd let you know the Echo referral voucher came through this afternoon, hope yours has too.

Thanks again for sharing the referral code x

greent

Mine came through today, too xx

Poppycat1

I am really pleased @dancingintherain and @greent I was getting worried I may of let you down.  Any one else that is interested I will add the link again but unfortunately they have reduced the amount from £10 to £5 each.  I think someone else on here has used it because I received £5 tonight.  Thank you xxx  So all together £55 which I am so happy with.  I have opted with Asda vouchers which with Olio will probably feed me and DS2 for a couple of months!!!  There are lots to choose from including Morrison, Argos, B & Q, Costa, Pubs etc.

                https://friends.echo.co.uk/camille-3dv2

Today also received the £5 off when I spend £20 at Amazon, more cat food. The cat food ordered yesterday arrived today.  All these £5 and £10 adds up.  Still waiting on a £75 Amazon voucher for changing the broadband.

My first long day back at work today, 7 am - 20.00 and it went really well.  I now have two days off and only working Thursday this week.  I took all my food with me, curry and rice homemade ready meal from the freezer, 3 Olio biscuits, an Olio Pret breakfast and baguette, I wasn't tempted to buy anything with all that.

I emailed the Civil Service Pension team a few days ago and they are sending me an up to date pension forecast.  It was £3,623 per year when I got my last one around four years ago.  It's paid at 60 which is great. 

Chiglepig

Brilliant stuff @Poppycat1 Have you added up how much you think your vouchers and free stuff have saved you so far?

greent

It's a shame they've reduced it going forward - but a free £5 is still not to be sniffed at!

Think I'll take mine in an amazoon voucher  

Porridgecat

We generally find that if we stock up on a type of cat food the bits refuse to eat it. Last month all they wanted was the black and white cat on the blue box type, I have three boxes of 48 pouches in the garage and they only want grey cat on purple box now.

Chiglepig

As I said on my thread - Cats are gits!