Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

TallGirl

I have made Nigella's Boston Baked Beans they were super nice and I have baked beans. I could not find that recipe online but saw this one.

Green beans air fried with parmesan are lovely if not a bit fatty they taste a bit like chips. 

WelshmansDaughter

Cauliflower rice perhaps? 

I loved PR, I would definitely go back. Although it was 2016 I went. 

I am currently eating mixed beans in tomato sauce on toast with cheese. Not in your diet but bean chilli might be a good autumn recipe 

South_coast

Here you go, they're "baked" as in Heinz, rather than in the oven:

https://www.effortlessfoodie.com/homemade-british-baked-beans/#recipe

I don't add the sugar or the optional extra tomato puree, and for the herbs I just add in any old thing I've got in the cupboard (mixed herbs, usually 🤣)

LadyWithAPlan

TallGirl said:

I have made Nigella's Boston Baked Beans they were super nice and I have baked beans. I could not find that recipe online but saw this one.

Green beans air fried with parmesan are lovely if not a bit fatty they taste a bit like chips. 

i have now bought some peanut butter to stir into beans .. just got to try to not eat all at one sitting

South_coast said:

Here you go, they're "baked" as in Heinz, rather than in the oven:

https://www.effortlessfoodie.com/homemade-british-baked-beans/#recipe

I don't add the sugar or the optional extra tomato puree, and for the herbs I just add in any old thing I've got in the cupboard (mixed herbs, usually 🤣)

Tx SC - in my head 'baked beans' should be baked in ovens .. I will try.


I am feeling amazing at my slow carb and ems - however I have a 4 day work trip abroad in Europe tomorrow and whilst I manage to eat GF ok - trying to eat beans 2 x a day could be difficult .. I know the area well so booked an apartment (aiming to get to my boo*ing.com genius level 3) and I know where the Lid* is there so hopefully after day 1 I will be fine... just not being able to grab a sandwich is a pain in a place where the bread is amazing, this however is a struggle I am used to - but early morning flights are hard enough without crisps/sweets etc to keep me focused, awake and vaguely sugared up.
I may bake my oat protein bake thing today so at least I have something GF and high protein even if it does have oats etc in

Adding the expenses into a 'reimbursement category" in YNAB but as I prepaying for lots I can hear YNAB yelling at my overspend - I may move some of my MB float over to cover it temporarily. We dont want red in my ynab

Weather in London is seriously rainy etc.  So need now to pack for 4 days in much nicer weather having to cancel loads of things last minute though.. Plus I dont think this airport is one where you can ignore the 100ml limit from now - Gatwick was great when I travelled thru in May but in any case the European city I am flying through may still have those restrictions - luckily I do travel a lot so have my things ready and all decanted. Just a small wheelie on the plane I have paid for - but I will have a look at ZARA there - they have a better  quality  and different selection than in the UK, its cheaper as well.
I do note I bough last year a fabulous wool smart coat and v smart trousers, but  I have only worn  them once here - be useless for interview and office but I dont go into an office at present.
I really do need some new knee length flat boots for running around with my smart day dresses  as my black  boots  died last winter after 15+ years (Hobb*) v good quality, and the brown ones are not looking so great, new winter boots is a need or a useful wish - as opposed to something I will hardly wear..
 I do have money in my ynab clothing pot towards them. Of course the charity shops where I am going are fabulous and very cheap so normally pick up a bargain there.

This time last year I tracked my spending in Sept, Oct, Nov whilst I was also travelling every month and nearly had a small hysterics as what I was stating I was spending in my beginning of the month budget was just getting shuffled around and my savings were lessened by the lack of tight restraint. It is what got me on YNAB - so I

Last year to this so far - thanks YNAB

This time last year (2023)  I tracked my spending in Oct, Nov, Dec   on here whilst I was also travelling every month for work  and nearly had a small hysterics as  I could see what I was stating I was spending in my beginning of each month budget  but actually my spending was high ...my  money from my bank  virtual pots was just getting shuffled around and  so my savings were  being lessened by the lack of tight restraint/reporting. It is what got me on YNAB - so I could get serious about the budget/savings.
Many of you rightly pointed out that my idea of frugal living had a lot of wiggle room in Beverly Hills living and all that ...

ALL 2023 stats Dec 1st 23. (so useful to be able to go back)
 Voluntary spending  was in Oct 23  £1625.38 (!),  £1921.29  in Nov 23 (!!!)- did include a £400 flight to extend my bus trip into seeing a friend and staying with her..
SIPPS          AS OF 1/12/23   -  £47,218.84    (Oct 20th 2024  now £61,001  ) ( only added in £5,393.54 since 1/12/23 (only £1085 though 24/25 tax year I am behind)   so my SIPPS have gone up £8388.68 in the 10.5 month period)
Hse deposit   1/12/23 £112,155.72  (now approx £121k Oct 20th  so £9k more there in the 10.5 months) All at a time when I have not been paid fully .. YNAB works..

We only half way thru Oct 24 and I only spent £298.47 in voluntary spending (so exc essentials, food etc)  inc  spending the £43 last night on drinks as was out with a friend. Plus a further £165 on software but thats for my MB so it is voluntary but it comes against my p+l on my mb,. so £443.47 first 20 days Oct vs the £1625.38 last year My rent went up last Oct as well but £500 so at least I stopped the extra spending.

New flat hunting areas
So now I now have seen last weeks houses I dont think the inconvenience of no tube outweighs the extra space I can get  - not always a lot in it, maybe a private garden vs shared so I now have
An area on N london that near my college - looks supwer dodgy but met a friend of a friend in a bar there last week who raved about it 
An area far West on Elizabeth/picc line and an area far East on the Elizabeth line
I wont look at anything this week as am away abroad then seeing parents  but next week I can think again.

PennysIntoPounds

I have a guess about the area of North London you're mentioning, and it's no dodgier than anywhere else, just make sure the properties are a street or two away from any specific places that may cause concern. That area is definitely going up in price and getting gentrified so don't rule it out

LadyWithAPlan

WelshmansDaughter said:

Cauliflower rice perhaps? 

I loved PR, I would definitely go back. Although it was 2016 I went. 

I am currently eating mixed beans in tomato sauce on toast with cheese. Not in your diet but bean chilli might be a good autumn recipe 

I LOVE cauli rice but a pain to make.... I grate my fingers though I could use the mandolin I have - Iceland used to do brilliant cheap packs of it frozen but not seen any in my local one for ages annoyingly.
yes the cheese and bread are out 6 days a week but the slow carb results are worth saying no. Aiming to keep on it til mid Dec and when I have got rid of this slight hormonal belly thats still hanging aroudn - though smaller than it was. My  arms and legs are leaner too.


I may well be off to the States again end of the month for work but think as it is hurricane season I will wait to see PR. 

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds it will all go up eventually, seen so many LLL episodes I keep dreaming the word compromise..

BABY CRYPTO WATCH £139.38 now -
 so £6 + profit Purchase price £132.66
  I am now accumulating 3p a week 'rewards' (paid back in Crypto  coins but have now properly bonded them (so I cant sell without loss of interest) for a week at a time to get increased rewards... Lets see what rewards I get next week. Its v cumulative obv 

just booked my cab for 3am ... the joy ... to take me to the train station

KajiKita

Good luck with your trip.

Don’t Toscos sell frozen cauli rice?

KK

Sistergold

Oh happy travels. I have been following you on the low/slow-carb high protein diet. Good to see that you are getting results! Welldone and keep it up. I have also been trying to be more selective in my eating. I also generally follow a low carb diet for several years now. Low carb is always challenged when you travel and without preparation it’s likely to derail. So welldone on trying to make some bakes to take with you. 

@LadyWithAPlan. You have been disciplined with your savings and I am just crossing my fingers that you will find a place and area you will love to stay in and for years to come! It is good you are taking your time. It’s also good that you are keeping an eye on the money thus maximising savings. At least saving at this rate will mean you are not priced out. 

Will be keeping an eye out hoping your viewings will take off after you come back. Sometimes they say winter is the time to grab a house bargain as most don’t want move during winter. I think I started long seriously November/December time? Seems long ago now. 🧑🏼‍🦳👵🏻

WelshmansDaughter

I just did a quick search on trolley and tesco, m and s, asda all have cauliflower rice. There is an online store that does it as well. Supposedly iceland still does it but I suspect it depends on your location 🤦 
Could in theory make potato rice. Mash is also very nice with beans

Watty1

this is one of my current favourite baked beans dishes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/homemade_baked_beans_02438
and this is a really quick stew that I made recently and will make again
https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/15-minute-chickpea-stew/#wprm-recipe-container-5251

Obviously could serve both dishes with whatever.  They made the grade for me because they were super quick - and - really nice.