We will get this debt down & the savings up

Sun_Addict

My recent Opinium cash out took 13 days to come through although it did say it could take up to 21 days. 

Makingabobor2

Afternoon lovely readers.  What a lovely sunny day, after a horrible wet & windy weekend. Actually needed my sun glasses on today when I went out in the car. So what are today's MSE wins

*Got washing done on a 30c wash and dried on the line.  
*Only put the heating on for 1 hr this morning to take the chill off and it has now been off all day. Although my feet are starting to get chilly, but I have a blanket over my lap as I sit here typing. 
*Managed to get everything I needed in L!d! this morning, so no need to go to Mr S as well.  Thought I would need to go to both, as I only like to use F**ry washing powder, due to allergies, but luckily L!d! had it. I have tried so many different non bio powders, but keep coming back to F**ry.   I love it when they do the odd branded item. It always seems to be something I actually use.   
*Also managed to get some orange stickered mine pork, which was something I actually had on my list and needed. So another save there.  
*Saved some more bubble wrap that DH was about to throw away. 

However I must admit to having spent £1.99, just on myself.  I used to love marzipan fruits at Christmas when I was younger, my mum always bought me some.  Kept saying to DH I wanted some for this year, but in the garden centre they were about £8 for a small box.  Found a little box in L!D! for just £1.99.  So have hidden them away with the Christmas goodies, so I don't eat them before
Think that's about it for money saving today. But apart from the spends in L!d!, it has been a NSD, so that is good, and I have had a few surveys
Oh, and the money arrived from Op*n**m at last, so added that to my monthly total on my signature and sent it to the mortgage OP pot, so that we can really try and get this done by the end of the year. 


Had a dentist check up this morning, and whilst that isn't a money saver, I don't actually need anything done and next check up booked for 6 months time, so at least no extra money was spent.  He said my teeth and gums had improved no end since I first went to him, so that made me feel good.

Yesterday I made some granola, from the recipe shared by @nannygladys, on her diary.  I did it at the same time as cooking dinner, so as not to put the oven on any extra, and also cooked an extra piece of salmon, so I could have that today.  DH is not keen on salmon, but as I could eat it every day, it seemed like a good idea....also I had frozen bothe pieces together, so it seemed logical to cook them at the same time.  DH prefers tuna, so he had a frozen tuna steak, which he said was delicious.   Anyway, I digress.....getting back to the granola, I have to say it is delicious and far better than any bought granola.  And at least you know what is in it.  The recipe calls for 200g of porridge oats, but I had a bag of horrible muesli in the cupboard that I had bought an didn't like...cheap stuff from Mr M and tasted like sawdust....lol.   So I used that instead, and it was absolutely fine. 

Been out in the garden this afternoon, cutting a few more bits back and covering strawberry plants with leaves.  Read somewhere that that is a good idea, and it seemed to work last year, so thought I'd try it again.  I have a blueberry bush I bought a couple of months ago, and not sure what I need to do for that. Will have to research. But if anyone has any tips, then please let me know. 

Think that's about it for today.  Off to close the curtains upstairs now and  prepare dinner now. Tomorrow is blood test and a quick whizz round Mr M on the way past, in case they have any yellow stickered bread or veggies, they seem to be very good at that. 
Stay warm and cosy everyone.  

Makingabobor2

Afternoon all.  Was lovely sunny morning, but turning a bit colder now.  Had to go out early for a blood test, so didn't get round to doing any washing and making the most of the sunshine. So will keep it till the next good day, not looking good tomorrow.  
So after my blood test I dropped off a bag of donations at the Mencap shop opposite the hospital, as our local Age UK is currently not taking donations.  Must admit the ladies in Mencap seemed a lot more grateful & friendly than Age UK normally are and it was a lovely little shop for a browse. Not one I normally go in, due its location. But found a lovely top for £2.50, which is put away ready for next year's holiday.   Then I popped to Mr M's to drop off plastic recycling on my way past, as our local C00p is closed this week for renovations.  Noticed petrol is up another 2p a litre this week, hopefully it will come back down again.  Tried to drop off my library books, but it was closed.  It is only staffed very limited hours now, and is supposed to have "Smart hours", the rest of the time, where you can scan your card, enter a pin number and the door will open for you.  I love going in when its quiet....although even when its staffed it is normally quiet these days.  The last few weeks they have had trouble with the door and can't open the smart hours, which is a shame.  I might go to the library in the next town one day, I can use the same card there and it is a bigger library. 

Done some money shuffling this afternoon and another £300 sent to mortgage OP's, so only £1700 left now. Normal monthly payment will come out on Friday. So we'll see where we are after that, with the little bit of interest they will add.  Would like to make another OP before then, but think it may have to wait till Mon 9th, which is pension day.  Will see what I can shuffle around on Thursday when DH gets paid. I am determined this will be gone by the end of the year. 

Think that's about it for today. Dinner tonight is spag bol, made with pork mince that I got orange stickered in L!d! yesterday.  There is enough to freeze half, which will be good.  Also want to stew some pears and apples ready for using on breakfasts.  Talking of breakfast, I am pleased to report that I managed to fins Oatibix back in stock, after a quick look in Mr M.  Not on any offer or anything, so bought 2 boxes in case it goes OOS again, but will keep my eye out for where it comes up on offer.  Mr S often has it cheaper with Nectar card. I really missed my Oatibix. 

Anyway, time to close the upstairs curtains, already pulled them in the lounge.  Have a good evening everybody. 

badmemory

I now donate goods to Mencap when I always used to give to Age UK & it is a totally selfish reason.  My local one is large & sends out to other branches but it is possible to park in a free car park & go & get a trolley, load it up & lock the car.  Age UK I used to be able to park by the back door & knock & unload whereas now I have to park on the other side of the road & get stuff out lock the car & go back & unlock etc.  Also mencap have my details and get the tax benefit whereas age uk never bothered.  As long as it is a charity I recognise I am not really that bothered who it goes to, but I like that they make the best of my donation & even let me know via emal by how much they have benefited.

Makingabobor2

@badmemory, that's really nice that they do that. Must admit they didn't ask me about tax relief. But I will probably go to them again. They are only a small shop, so I suspect don't get too many donations

badmemory

If they don't have your details then they should not be able to get the tax refund. They have to be told that you are paying tax or they can't get it.

Makingabobor2

badmemory said:

If they don't have your details then they should not be able to get the tax refund. They have to be told that you are paying tax or they can't get it.

Yes, its strange how a lot of the charity shops don't seem to bother asking. Probably too much hassle for the volunteers to do it. 

Makingabobor2

Just a quick update today as I am late with everything and its time to get tea on. 

Just paid another £100 OP to the mortgage.....just £1600 left now and tomorrow is the normal payment day for this month, so hoping not too much interest will be added this month, now we are down to this amount.  I might do a bit more shuffling tomorrow and see if I can send anything else. 

Cashed out a lonely £6 odd from P/fc but still plenty waiting to approve.  

Nipped in Mr M when I was out meeting my friend this morning and did a quick yellow sticker run....1 bag of sliced peppers,25p; 1 pack salmon fillets £3.17;  some lovely tiger baps, 46p a packet and some salmon fishcakes down to just over £1 for 2.  All sorted and some frozen. Will do next week's meal plan tomorrow.  

Found 2 books in Age UK by DH's favourite author of the moment, Lee Child. They are wrapped for Christmas already.  Also my friend gave me 2 books that were brand new before he had them, and its unlikely DH or me will read them, One Peter James novel and one by Don Bentley.  Think I will wrap them and send to my dad....what else do you give a 92 year old?  He won't know they are 2nd hand and its all about saving money and recycling isn't it? 

Washing dried on the line almost, even though it was cold. Was sunny all day here.  

That's it for now, or we'll never get any dinner. 
Take care and stay warm

Sarahwithlove

Glad you managed to find your oatibix. 

The mortgage end is in sight, so close! Hope you manage to get your goal! 

Makingabobor2

Morning all. Just had to share this glorious sunrise this morning. Looks like being a lovely day. Time to get the washing on .