Mortgage free in Forever Home :-)

savingholmes

Hi KK - definitely check the ISA rate - I went with Z0p* this time - recommended on here as it allows you to put £ back that you took out within the tax year. Some don't allow withdrawals or returns of the £ and some have interest penalties. Some ISAs drop massively in interest rates in subsequent years - so also consider whether you need to transfer it (transfer don't withdraw so you keep your tax free allowance for this year). 

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

KajiKita

Thanks @redofromstart, @f0xh0les, @skint_spice, @beanielou, @savingholmes 😊
I hate the process of applying for accounts etc. but it sounds like I need to. Perhaps it gets easier with practice ….? 🤔😉

Been a busy and productive day here:
- out early to buy a cat litter that we know is reasonable and not too expensive and kitten food
- followed that with buying flowers for Mr KK’s mum and a copy of May’s GWs magazine for the 2for1 entry book/card thing for 2024 (Mr KK was odd here - normally he would just grab what flowers he likes but it was like he didn’t know where to start today, so in the end I did it)
- came home for 10 minutes to write card and drop some bits off and collect the rhubarb I picked from the garden this morning to give to Mr KK’s mum for her birthday
- went over to Mr KK’s parents where as we arrived (unannounced and unplanned) MiL was having a melt down as she had been badly scratched by their cat and is exhausted. I put the kettle on (first time I have ever stepped in like that in her house) and we were able to calm things down. FiL is obviously in periodic, gripey pain but not agony and got very worried about a car tax rebate after the V5 had been transferred to MiL’s name and pointed out that the insurance needs changing as well. 
- raced home to be ready for toscos delivery - that was later than usual but that meant I had time to water all the seedlings that needed potting on
- toscos delivery wrangled 
- scooby snacks lunch (think of a riff on the sandwiches that they had in Scooby Doo! 😉😂)
- made a veggie batch of bolognese
- LOTS of pricking out and rearranging the conservatory - everything potted on is out there now and I have moved the dahlias in there for more warmth, light and attention (gardener’s shadow and all that 😊)
- two loads of washing line dried - second one just airing in the conservatory 
- Mr KK is currently in the middle of making his bolognese batch 😊 He will have spaghetti and I will have a base of shredded cabbage 😉
- Mr KK likes my car! This is huge as he hated my last one and was fretful about me buying the first one I saw! But I think he ‘gets’ now why I was so sure. 😊

Gonna do my money updates for the first time in 11 days - this will be a slog, a bit of filing and then have a quiet evening with a clear conscience 😊

KK 

KajiKita

Oh sorry, forgot, I ‘owe’ you all kitty pics …. 😉



I think they’ve grown in just the two weeks we’ve had them! 😊

KK

redofromstart

Oh sweetie pies! Our sofa backs have permanent dents too

KajiKita

Am starting to cogitate on getting an air fryer …. Our electric bill is ridiculous and I suspect a lot of it is due to ovens use so am hoping an air fryer would help. I have a 20% off voucher for Lakeplace but not if it is used on particular brands. I also have some M&S vouchers from using their CC so to might be an option for reducing the cost a bit too. 

A few questions for regular users of air fryers:
- do you age to adapt your cooking style or timing?
- do they run ‘hot’ or just as you think they should
- where do you locate them - close to a plug socket obv, but do they need to near an extractor fan. 

- any other hints tips for use / optimising them …?

KK

savingholmes

Kitties are cute. Well done on helping MIL and FIL and your DH. Sounds like a calming presence was needed and you were there just at the right time. Glad you were able to recover and have the therapy of working in your own garden after. 

KajiKita

savingholmes said:

Kitties are cute. Well done on helping MIL and FIL and your DH. Sounds like a calming presence was needed and you were there just at the right time. Glad you were able to recover and have the therapy of working in your own garden after. 

Thank you - accurate summary. I’m shattered now but it does feel like it’s been a good day 😊

KK

redofromstart

I've got a ninja AF150 and it is mostly used for processed stuff here. My anti UPF veggie sister used hers a couple of times and regrets buying it. I would replace it if it died because He Who Doesn't Eat will eat air fryer nuggets but will not eat oven baked. 

I can see value for Mr KK and fast convenient cooking one portion of protein. It's fast and easy to clean in the DW. Cheaper than running the whole oven for one bit of protein, etc if that is something that happens in your kitchen. 

it makes very nice HM wedges, and I'm sure SA does swede chips in hers. 

KajiKita

Running the whole oven for one bit of protein happens a lot here …

KK

redofromstart

Then yes it would probably save you in fuel costs. It's spot on for crispy bacon, sausage, chicken etc and most importantly it looks after itself while cooking.  Answer a teams call, come out to hash brown, sausage and mushrooms, etc.  I like ours and find it useful 3 or 4 times a week.