Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

MovingForwards

I've got hooks and coat hooks on my doors, not my lounge. It's space saving, allows things to have a place to live and are easy to grab and use. Makes me wonder how I copied in other places without them.

Well done on getting the sale through to completion. All the bits of money help with other projects and ideas.

mark55man

wow well done, I'm sorry I didn't realise it had been so long since I caught up on here.  But sometimes though seeing 2 weeks at once just shows a big difference in what you have done on decluttering and money saving/gaining.  Very clear progress and steely determination

I am using reddit a little more nowadays for general reading/debate as it has more general chit chat and international perspective.  If you don't know they have subreddits much like MSE boards.  I found this one interesting  https://www.reddit.com/r/beermoneyuk/ - I don't think you need to register to read

savingholmes

Thanks MF. Thanks Mark - it's encouraging that you can see a lot of progress in 2 weeks.

I've just knocked a coffee flying - including partly over my brand new electric blanket. Luckily it wasn't on at the time - very frustrating though. Although it theoretically can be washed - I wasn't planning on testing that so soon!!

Been to the hairdressers so that's me sorted for a few weeks. I'm mostly 5 weeks apart with the odd 6 to give me a month without a bill. One of the people there was thinking of doing BTLs. I think they have the right mind frame for it - and have the right skill base so will watch with interest. This is their alternative way of providing a pension. I did contemplate doing it a few years ago - and I think financially it would have been a good call - but I wasn't in the right place for it. Definitely something to consider. Not any time soon for me though - my life is complicated enough.

I need to find the magnetic strips for some usb chargeable lights I bought a while ago - and I will add a set to the airing cupboard. I may put one in my wardrobe too as I have another spare. 

I'm going to have lunch and then I may try and get rid of some stuff to the tip like old electricals and chemicals. That way I keep making progress while I work up the energy to tackle the two target areas. 

Orangetoes

You doing so well. So exciting that you will soon be in the 1s!

savingholmes

Thanks Orangetoes - It will be lovely to be in the next bracket down. As I was interest only before - I am still very happy to know I have paid about £1280 off my mortgage already. I've started reading the frugal 2022 thread... I am light years away from that level of frugality - and probably the desire for it - but it is definitely a challenge and is helping me see which of my budget items are still wants rather than needs. 

I am loving my new electric blanket (£25) don't know what took me so long to get one. Must remember to return the thermometer to offset the cost. I took a box full of defunct electricals and batteries to the tip so my lounge now has one less box in it. I spent a few hours making art which was fun. 

I may make some more soup today/tomorrow. I'm trying to do lower cost meals where I can. I got half price potatoes earlier in the week so will use some of those. May cook those first - and then split at least half to use in bombay potatoes and the other half for the soup. I have parsnips, cooked beef and cooked broccoli and cauli in the freezer I am planning to use tomorrow - with some fresh roast potatoes and carrots to go with it. I need to buy more fruit and veg as I am running low.

Today's meals were:
Porridge (smart £)
4 chipolata sausages, 3 hash browns, half a tin of beans
Macaroni milk

Snacks
Some QS choccies, a packet of crisps, some pistacchios. I will check if I have any apples left. 

I must finish a piece of work off tomorrow. It's one of those where I keep procrastinating and rightly or wrongly doing it on a Sunday (and claiming the hours back) means I get it done and in less time as I'm eager to get back to my weekend.

MovingForwards

I'm pleased you're seeing the benefits of a repayment mortgage, it's one less thing to deal with in the future.

Soups, stews, spag bol, chilli etc can all be made in bulk, with stacks of veg, then frozen and heated when required.

Have you dehydrated veg and fruit to make crisps and snacks? I think it's done on a very low heat in the oven, another way of using up items.

savingholmes

I missed poached eggs of my earlier list.

Thanks MF. I agree and have just done some batch cooking.

I've just made a huge pot of soup - still simmering:
Tinned tomatoes and baked beans, fresh parsnips, baby potatoes, carrots, leek, onions, sprouts. Veg stock cubes. Salt. Turmeric, allspice, nutmeg, onion granules, garlic, squeeze of ketchup

I've made bombay potatoes SW style (although I'm missing mushy peas and cumin):
Tinned tomatoes and baked beans, frozen mushrooms and peppers, fresh pepper, baby potatoes, onions. Salt, Turmeric, garlic, squeeze of ketchup, medium curry powder, cardamon pods, a sprinkle of coriander 

Put 2 lots in the freezer already.

I'm cooking some bacon to add to the bombay potatoes. It's lovely with poached egg too - and salad when I have it in. Need to put both the latter on my list along with milk and fresh fruit and veg. It also tastes great with chipolatas.

I'm defrosting some mince beef - and then I can hopefully make a spag bol tomorrow. Again I'll freeze some for variety.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi savings - you sound like you're doing so well on so many things. Thank you for prompting the talk about decluttering on here - a few of the ideas have helped me and i am quite a bit closer to getting organised with my clothes and fitting them all in their home 

I froze leftovers today and hope i continue to do well on keeping the food shopping. I intended to make soup but got free breakfast and lunch last couple of days and the soup would have gone to waste as no space to freeze along with more substantial meals in freezer.

Hope the work is completed quickly and easily tomorrow. 

SandyShores

I'm just looking at the electric heat pads too - I'd like one for my feet, but not sure whether to get one of the feet shaped ones or just get a pad which would be more versatile as I could warm my feet up while I'm working or use for my shoulders/back when I'm sat on the sofa.  They seem incredibly cheap to run vs a fan heater.

edinburgher

At least you got the sunshine for your walk, I feel like I haven't seen it in about a month. Hope counselling is helpful tomorrow