MSE blog 2008

MushyPeas

Money saving things I have done today:

• Charged my laptop and phones at work
• Persuaded BT to give me a £5 refund on my bill
• Taken breakfast into work (normally buy a croissant)

Hopefully I can update this as the day progresses!

MushyPeas

In my head I've been writing this diary, just actually need to jot it down!

Day hasn't got off to a good start, popped to McD for breakfast

Today I'm planning to:

• Prepare for teaching sessions next week

And that's it at the moment as that's quite a lot to do! Will come back later and hopefully say I've done something else .

MushyPeas

Well, it took two days to prepare for teaching sessions this week - but all paperwork for that job is up to date :-)

Today I posted 5 items I've sold on ebay / Amazon and have just listed another 5 on Amazon. So getting there, slowly!

MushyPeas

Trying again with MSE, big life changes

First thing, cook some dried chickpeas in minislow cooker to then makes some chickpea and potato curry.

Not sure how it will turn out so just doing equivalent to one tin, here they suggest using half the weight of dried so measured out 125g.

Cooking chickpeas on high for 3 hours, will report back later if they work.

Update: after 3 hours they seemed still crunchy so left them for four hours in total.

Update 2: just had them in a curry, still a bit crunchy for my liking, but I wonder if that's because they are about 2 years old?! Maybe I'll try soaking first next time.

MushyPeas

In the mini slow cooker:

• 3 small potatoes £0.20
• Chickpeas (cooked in slow cooker previously) £0.30
• Tin tomatoes £0.31
• Pinch (1 ml) of chilli, coriander, cumin & bay leaf £0.05

Will leave on high for four hours and see what happens. Have roughly (very roughly) estimated costs as total of £0.86 which is £0.43 per portion. Hope it tastes good!

Update: well after 4 hours on high (could have got away with less time I think) it's nice and spicy, with lovely soft potatoes, but chickpeas are a bit too hard for my liking :-( But it's a good afternoon snack and will do for lunch tomorrow.

MushyPeas

MSE achieved today:

• Breakfast was out of date porridge (used up) and lunch was yummy leftovers from yesterday's meal with friends
• Drying towels in front of boiler - realise it just warms up the door in front of it, what a waste of energy!
• Worked 2.5 hrs for work (will be able to claim as Keeping In Touch day whilst on maternity leave)
• Chased TopCashback claim for Asda first home delivery £5.50
• Careful with amount of water used!
• Submitted claim to car parking at hospital as overcharged.
• Received another £12 back from company Town or Country (NEVER USE) who ripped us off with accommodation from wedding
• Updated 'baby purchase' googledoc which lists all the things we want to buy when Walnut arrives this month - including items my sisters said I can borrow

Mmmm, nowhere near the amount I wanted to achieve - but at least it's something and it makes me feel better seeing it written down. Been reading other people's MFW and DFW inspirational diaries :-) Oops, maybe that's why I didn't get too much done :rotfl:

MushyPeas

Not many MSE things achieved last few days, but have spent time online catching up with people / friends I haven't been in touch with for a while.

Few small MSE achievements:

• Joined Emma's Diary Survey Panel and asked sister to recommend some others
• Being organised with food shopping - add items to Asda app on phone as realise we're running out
• Washed up rather than used dishwasher
• Had friends over - cooked meal and shared chocolates, much cheaper than eating out
• Went via Nectar before ordering last minute presents on Amazon and used MSE ShopBot to check prices on DVDs

Want to crack on with things today, so had better get on with it as 10:37!

MushyPeas

This thread is a bit out of date with it being called 2008! I think I will start a new one in (shudder) 2013 - blimey how time has flown!

Just ordered DH Christmas card online using Photobox, went via Quidco to get cashback and also a money off voucher so saved £0.52. I won't count the Quidco money as don't have it yet, but think I should keep a running total of savings. Have added £0.52 from purse to mortgage chicken my mum bought me years ago when I bought my flat, never used! Also going to add £10 that I found in the flat.

Also updated Amazon wishlist as family asked and wrote comments such as 'happy with second hand' which will make everyone's pennies go further .

My DH parents start each day by making flask of tea. I might start the same as I'm just on hot water at the moment (weird pregnancy craving) and that would save me boiling kettle each time.

MushyPeas

Free bottle just arrived from Philips Avent, worth £4.50 so when have the money will add to chicken.

Just looked online at value of my property, dropped by about 20% in value since I purchased it so definitely a motivation to pay off mortgage

ellejaytee

Glad to see you have decided to start up a diary again. I always find other peoples diaries inspiring but never get round to doing one myself, I may have to join you in 2013 with one.

Good luck with all the money saving