SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

LadyWithAPlan

8 years ahead is brilliant well done ! 

You must be so pleased  
plus having a 1.5 year and then a by 2030 goal can be super motivating 

tx for your review on the diy stuff - the whirlpool combo looks great 
I did a free lunch at Smeg - they cook for you whilst showing you their appliances and a voucher £150 if you buy something 
and I fell in love with their combi steam air fry micro thing 
it cooked a roast chicken from scratch in 30 mins! 

(Smeg regents street is where the demo is at - you can pre book) 

on the sink you have a single one that fits 2 bowls ? Or is it divided ? My parents have a divided one with a board over so you can use the extra space and it’s so useful - all part of my planning for 2024

Sistergold

@LadyWithAPlan, a roast chicken in 30minutes? If I had known about the smeg combi micro I would have looked into it. It was such a struggle deciding on what microwave before I decided on the whirlpool. 

Do you have the model of this great smeg? 

LadyWithAPlan

https://www.smeguk.com/news/galileo-omnichef.html#:~:text=Yes, you read that correctly,chicken with crisp, juicy results.

this is the actual lady who cooked the chicken in front of me from cold out the fridge in 30 mins.. they have a weird steam function that draws in the water - it tasted amazing as well... 

you can book on the next smeg demo ... in piccadily https://www.smeguk.com/cookery-classes-and-events

Sistergold

Oh @LadyWithAPlan, that smeg looks so sleek and BEAUTIFUL! Oh I have just watched a video of the oven in action and looks amazing! Will definitely not need an airfryer with that one! Sunday roasts have just moved to a new level with that smeg technology! 

Just realised I did not answer the sink question. The sink I got was this one 

at the time I wondered whether to get this single bowl which takes almost same counter space? 

LadyWithAPlan

Watching the tech in action was a lot of fun.. especially the whole adding water to the steam function.. I hadnt realised quite how expensive they were ... not that mse but think of the healthier food and time/energy saved .. (no prices obvious in the smeg showroom...) but to be able to cook a chicken perfectly from cold .in 30 mins ... and also they had this way of cooking pizza that was super fast and looked v crisp (i couldnt try as I am gf)
You should book in for one of their demos.. you get a £160 voucher against a purchase as well for attending 

That sink looks great 

Sistergold

@LadyWithAPlan, yes I saw how they add the water for the steam, it was quite sci-fi, very interesting. I then went on to check the price I could not believe my eyes! It’s probably one of those gadgets where once you use it you can not use any other combo microwave. Smeg tend to be a good brand and it looks good AND with that function! Will see if I can go for a demo maybe in the new year. I have such a tight schedule for work then I have quite a few trips planned for next year if all goes well. 

LadyWithAPlan

Yes you can tell I have  accidental expensive tastes ... even without trying ...  its probably a good thing I have been in rentals as it limits my spending on household stuff  .. though I do have some fabulous one off pieces of furniture, art and shoes so I guess I just spent the money there!  
Me doing a fixer upper might be a v expensive endeavour  given I know I will be wanting the most fabulous tiles, flooring, colour coordinated  Kitchen goods  etc - though I may then have to follow you in the welding skills
My bathroom I did tile  and decorate myself last year still looks great.

Sadly my DIY free classes stopped - planning to do a clothes making class in Jan I do now have 2 city and guilds  Level 1 diplomas in carpentry and plumbing  

Sistergold

@LadyWithAPlan, you do “have accidental expensive taste” for sure! I can be like that too! If you had shown me that smeg oven before buying the one I have now who knows what I would have done? I was saved by timing on this spend I think l, phew! I can be like that if I see what I like I might just decide to go for it! Now because of wanting to save money it has also evolved to trying out DIY like on my kitchen but previously I would have just paid for it if I can. 

Good for you on spending on what you love! One off pieces of furniture, art, really good to be honest we only live once. 

City and guilds diplomas 🙌🥳💃🏾, impressive! Cloths making that will be interesting and very up my street. If I was not good in sciences I would have ended up in the clothing industry for sure. My natural talents is in textiles and sewing but because science and maths were also something I was good at the textiles bit was sidetracked when I had to choose A level subjects. Still I made a lot of money as a seamstress/tailor throughout University and for a few years after. I made my own gowns for school ball dances. Sewing was an easy side hustle for me. This was a long time ago now but I still have 3 sewing machines which I now use here and there when I can be bothered. 😕  My second daughter is very interested in textiles and she wants to go into fashion. She is also quite the artist so maybe the sewing machines will once again be put to more use? For her sciences and maths are a real bother so her path is quite clear. Will see where that goes. 

LadyWithAPlan

Your sewing skills are miles ahead of mine - what a great side hustle! Love the fact you made your own evening gowns and how great your DD may be following you in that arena ! 

I am also v science  and v arty but schools do push one towards science Maths if they can - 
still maths skills pretty important in design and fashion as well though  I am sure you have been teaching your kids about budgeting and interest rates ! 

I made a few things as a teenager as my mum was v good but never got my head around patterns so hopefully this class will help. 

Sistergold

The class should help with patterns, tell us how you get on with the course @LadyWithAPlan