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And now we go again...
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Almost certainly not, but they tend to be nicer as I use chipolatas and stetched streaky bacon - means we get the coverage we prefer and as I used a full pack of chipolatas we also end up with plenty for leftovers as well! Actually, having thought on it, I paid £5 for the pack of chipolatas and one of streaky, and still have half the streaky left AND 12 PIB, so there probably IS a saving, albeit not huge! That was an interesting evaluation exercise Ed - thank you!edinburgher said:Is there any saving to be had making PIB??!
PiP - agreed, I hadn't intended to get the books I confess, but it's given me a few additional bits to wrap which is always useful!Sunshine_girl2 said:EH just popping in to say photos are great , where was the top left taken ?. Hoping to bring eldest DGS to do another underground tour . Have to say it’s one of the best things we have ever done in London.Hoping you sort the 23rd out to your way .
Top left is the Royal Courts of Justice - it's a stunning building, you can go in and just wander around, and it's 100% worth a visit! The Hidden London tours are SO good though - I was trying to book Dover Street but the dates we could do had sold out, annoyingly.
Vix - Cambridge winter was good, although for whatever reason I wasn't quite feeling the vibe of it. MrEH managed to get an earlier train, and in fact we were there soon after they opened for the evening at 5pm, and I'm not sure whether that timing just threw me off a bit - anyway, some nice beers, I even ended up drinking several of the 0.5% ABV offerings which was something a bit different. We opted to walk to and from the station/venue and home from the station at the return end too so it was a good step-count day!
Freezer 2 is back on, and the sausagemeat balls, made up PIB, sausages for sausage rolls and the breadcrumbs for the bread sauce are all in there, along with most of the sourdough loaf I bought at the Farmer's Market yesterday - that will get pulled out on Christmas eve, I think.
I have most of a meal plan up to the 24th now - and have a full plan from 24th - 2nd Jan including planned breakfasts and lunches for that period too.
One small fail is getting the stock out and then not getting around to making soup with it. That said, I could throw stuff in the slow cooker overnight tonight...in which case I can also use yellow split peas in it as they would cook through. Hmmm...now considering a veg heavy soup with lots of pulses and pearl barley...a variation on leek and potato, maybe. I could yet rescue that fail! If I do that, it will sub into the meal plan for one night in the week, with the balance being frozen.
Yesterday's batch cook was the sort of potato bake thing I was debating about before. Cubed potato, cauliflower and lots of other veg, along with the final rasher and a half of VERY salty bacon (Bought at a food festival and has been lurking in the freezer to be used effectively as seasoning) and plenty of cheese sauce - that made two dishes full, so another two nights food accounted for. Makes FAR more sense to use the potatoes rather than throwing pasta in!
New FD Reg Saver is open and funded, and the proceeds of the last one have been yanked out into a better interest account while we decide how to divide them up. That needs a conversation this evening.
🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her5 -
OMG EH - I'm in awe of your meal planning - three weeks worth? - wow just wow!4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)Original Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Dec 2039 (reduced by 21 months)2
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Well we are away for a few days after christmas, so it's not altogether as impressive as it sounds! I aspire towards having several weeks ahead always done, but sadly it doesn't often work out!rtandon27 said:OMG EH - I'm in awe of your meal planning - three weeks worth? - wow just wow!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her3 -
Ooh - forgot, I did my wreath yesterday and I'm very chuffed with how it came out...
The bow, cones and berries were all salvaged from the one I bought last year when I dismantled it, as was the centre. Only cost was a roll of florists wire, and there was 100m of that so it will last a good few years!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her7 -
It's beautiful - well done!I get knocked down but I get up again (Chumbawamba, Tubthumping)2
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Ooh, that's very lovely! And I too am very impressed at your meal planning!2
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Wreath is beautiful. x
Making the debt go down and savings go up
LBM 2015 - debt £57K / Now £27,864....its going down
Mortgage Free December 9th 2024! 18mths ahead of schedule.Challenges
EF #68 £900/£3000
.
Studies/surveys December £45.08
Decluttering items 1386/2025
Books read 22
Jigsaws done 18
My debt free diary...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6396218/we-will-get-this-debt-d£own-the-savings-up2 -
Sorry a bit late but wanted to say how lovely the photos are. However, being late with the photos means I can be on time with admiration for the wreath!2
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Wreath is beautiful, so much more better than those I have seen in the shops.:j Debtfree and and staying that way.:j3-6 month emergency fund, No.61 £140.002
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Lovely looking wreathFashion on a ration 2025 0/66 coupons spent
79.5 coupons rolled over 4/75.5 coupons spent - using for secondhand purchases
One income, home educating family2
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