Progress is...

badmemory

I am definitely not a TV watcher. I worked out that last week I actually watched a whole 4 hours - all week. I do a lot of puzzles online though. Got to keep the mind active even on days when the body is reluctant. I also do jigsaws which to save my back I do standing up on a board on top of a very high ironing board. Puzzles - the New York Times freebies, cascadle (that's a new one to me & definitely needs thinking about), Wordle & various versions & even tightrope.

rtandon27

…and in…

…Mortgage News…

Have made the planned mid-month overpayent to the mortgage which is a bit more than interest charged. I like to have lots of zeros at the end of the number so 'tilly tidy' the number!

With the large lump sum overpayment made earlier this month, I'll keep and eye on the numbers at the end of this month, as interest will count for less of the regular monthly payment until mortgage renewal on Sep 1st!

Almost at 128K which is a far cry from where it started in 2021 at 185K

…Savings News…

The transfer of a portion of funds from poorly performing ISA to S&S ISA has provided a bit of fun for the brain. The mind boggles that in two days - there is an extra 12.80 in the fund. At the very least there is enough to cover the monthly 3pound product fee.

Still waiting for a very large transfer from poorly performing ISA to better interest fixed ISA. How in this day and age does it take 7 to 30 days in this age of internet banking. We no longer have banking goblins doing the math and counting out the gold!

I have a plan for next year's ISA allowance so my mind is at rest that I've done all I can on this topic!

…Pension News…

I've asked for the AVC form which of course is not available on the Pension portal! So while I wait, this weekend will be spent learning about SIPP's - the more I can tuck away in a tax-free envelope the better!

themadvix

It never ceases to amaze me how we (society) can be so efficient in some respects and so archaically behind the times in others… paper forms and slow banking being two big culprits. Watched a video yesterday about the illegal landfills - and basically this happens because there is no use of technology in the waste disposal process. Licences and transfer notes are needed but there is no joined-up electronic system for this and no actual tracking of waste or vehicles… apparently technology is coming by the end of the year, but honestly….

Cherryfudge

I am always overawed by your ability to sort out things like pensions! I have tried so many times but my brain just doesn't work… at least not in the required ways. I was obviously meant to be a protocol droid. 😊

I do understand £12.80 gain in two days, though - it's more than paying for itself!

Watty1

I am smiling - a fellow soul thinking about doing an masters degree in retirement. I've found myself wondering about that or even a PHD If costs become an issue then I recently discovered MIT (apparently university ranked number 1 in the world) has most of its courses online free of charge - no qualification but in a random moment i browsed through their catalogue and on my ….the choice!!

rtandon27

@Cherryfudge - I think the only way to tackle all the financial things is to read and re-read! Eventually it will stick in the noggin. I've digested a lot of material but only tackle one thing at a time tbh. You know I'm a lover of the mega list, and that applies to finances as well, but I only do one small step at a time on most days, and only ever have a top 3 to focus on! …and btw supposedly protocol droids "often dealt with event planning, etiquette, translation, and problem solving." - so these things are well within your remit! 😉

…and the 12.80 magically turned into 35.84 - I'm not checking religiously, but happened to be in my account paying off the credit card and saw the number - I'm well aware that things go down as well as up, but it does rather make it fun to see 10 a day show up magically.

@Watty1 - thanks for the info about MIT - OH is excited to have a browse while I"m at work this week, there is only so much hospice daycare he can handle, word games and quizzes have lost their attraction - 😀

rtandon27

We were both very under the weather yesterday and survived on take-away breakfast and dinner. Usual dim sum dumplings for lunch. We were both overly disappointed with dinner which was pizza & pasta - tbh it was undercooked and overpriced. So today, in catch up mode, 2 loads of laundry and major cooking done. A large asparagus & lardon skyr quiche and a hearty veggie brown rice stew with roast chicken. Cooking won't be needed until Wednesday!

Another week, another Meal Plan!
✅ Friday May 15 - Fakeaway Day - Burgers & Wedges
✅ Saturday May 16 - Easy Peasy Day - Lunch = Dim Sum & Gyoza & Bao & Noodles
✅ Sunday May 17 - Roast Day - Roast Chicken & Veg & Brown Rice
Monday May 18 - Veggie Day - Leftover Quiche
Tuesday May 19 - Fish Day - Leftover Chicken & Veg & Brown Rice
Wednesday May 20 - Chicken Day - Duck with pancakes and cucumber & scallions
Thursday May 21 - Meat Day - Beef Pie & Cauliflower
Friday May 22 - Fakeaway Day - Pizza & Wedges
Saturday May 23 - Easy Peasy Day - Lunch = Dim Sum & Gyoza & Bao & Noodles - Dinner = King Prawn Bibimbap with Quinoa, Cucumber Salad & Fried Egg
Sunday May 24 - Roast Day - Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken with Brown Basmati Rice & Pak Choi

Baileys_Babe

I hope you are feeling better today.

Thanks for sharing the recipe link. Quick question, the chicken recipe has pearl barley and you mention brown rice. Did you do a direct swap (same quantity) and keep the method and cooking time the same? I like the look of the recipe but the pearl barley means it isn't suitable for coeliacs, I avoid recipes containing it so no clue on suitable substitutions.

Cherryfudge

How are you both feeling now? I hope things have improved.

Re going over and over pensions till I finally make sense of them - yes, it's probably the only way! It will take some time.

Sticky honey sesame chicken sounds yummy.

Watty1

Would love other half's feedback if he does any courses. For me, I've just put that on a very back burner for now naturally but would be so interested if he does any