Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

mark55man

I agree - I put off a lot of things to have a good rest both with OH and with friends, and feel a lot better for it

savingholmes

Thanks Mark. 

Well I went shopping - result just to leave the house. I bought a  Rav3ncl*w blanket hoodie - I saw it before Xmas for around £35 and wanted it but not at that price - got the last one half price today. Also bought a spare sheet for my bed. Leaving the CC at home worked though - as I also fancied a couple of rugs but didn't have enough to buy them from this pay day without using a CC or raiding savings. Since I didn't want to do either - I took a photo and came home. Neither of the latter are in the sale - so I can consider if I really, really, really want/need them or not and potentially buy after pay day if I do or avoid. Just trying to offset the cold floors in my house. I bought a £14 rug before Xmas that's little more than doormat size but it makes a huge difference standing on that while doing the dishwasher. As I say - will consider best solution.

EssexHebridean

Happy New Year SH - great list of goals and targets there, and I love the quotes too - especially the Alice one (Always be suspicious of someone who doesn't know their Alice, IMO!) fantastic! 

Your thing of leaving the credit card at home and then stepping back to think fits with my MSE resolution for the year - "Stop And Think"! I'm not bad at it, but would like to do it more mindfully I think. 

savingholmes

Thanks EH - it's all about impulse control and delayed gratification - or in our case seeking gratification in how much we save / invest / OP rather than in what we spend. I'm improving... 

The elec smart meter is scary. At least I now understand how all our use adds up. Cooking and the TD are the worst offenders. The dishwasher barely uses any in comparison and the washing machine wasn't too bad either. Gas smart meter to be connected Friday - and then I'll truly know how much the heat is costing me and be able to debate what's worth having on or not - or whether a rug etc would make enough difference to be worth it. I need to shower tonight if poss or first thing tomorrow as I'm at work all day. DD is home though so will still be some usage.

I took DD to stock up on her food today so hopefully I can conserve more of  my groceries as have very little money left that's ear marked for food before pay day mid month. I'm trying to keep a certain level of float  - so no need to worry - just over spent before Xmas and trying to recoup it a little now.

I have chilli ready to go tomorrow and then a lovely beef dinner to come home to so doing okay. I also have a portion of cottage pie left. I froze some of the beef. I have raw frozen turkey legs, some cooked beef and pork in the freezer as well as raw minced beef so should be okay. I also have lots of eggs and some cheese. I may make some loaded potato skins as they are really yummy. I'd want to buy some bacon for extra flavour first though. I already have the sour cream. I'm tempted to buy taco seasoning too - as I love that and some more peppers. I may go on the way home tomorrow. I could also make veggie pasta again. Definitely need to get back in the habit of meal planning.

Humdinger1

Yes planning is key @savingholmes though I sometimes trip myself up.  A mountain of chickpeas is looming...I will make some hummus as planned but am currently researching other uses.  Spices are essential in this weather xx

mark55man

We do a nice slightly spicy tomatoey chicken tagine dish - not very high calorie especially if you use cauli rice.  One tray in the oven so not too messy either 

EssexHebridean

@Humdinger1 have a look at Hugh Furry-Wotsit's Merguez Chickpeas recipe if you like those middle eastern sorts of flavours. (I was going to add a link but I'm pretty sure that MSE's filters won't agree with me posting the first one I found that looks good as it's an "interesting" website address!) Hummus is also totally awesome though.

WelshmansDaughter

I was wondering why taco seasoning came ro mind just now...
Chickpea burgers are nice

SandyShores

Agree with the scary smart meter display unit savingholmes - when the kettle, microwave and oven are going at the same time its a lot.  I haven't done a proper timed test, but DH says that when I use the electric ensuite shower it uses loads more than the main bathroom one fed from the gas boiler.  I prefer using a proper shower cubicle, but I might have to reconsider at some point or be really really quick.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Fab targets for New Year... how nice to be able to contribute to a car for DD too