MFi3 & before I am 40 + my MB journey

Lynn11

I tend to do a small shop of some things at lidel every 2 weeks, and went yeaterday. Managed to get their pasta for 55p and is nice, miller light yoghurts for £1.49 a lot cheaper than the supermarkets, nice block of cheese which will last for at least 2 weeks for £2.60. There are some things you have to buy and try to see if you like but we have bought a few tins there which are great value for money and then I go to my supermarket for the remainder of the shop. They have lovely meat in their freezer department, and nice hake in breadcumbs for the freezer. I do not think that I could do a full shop at lidel but then I go to my local fruit shop for fruit and veg and then to the supermarket. Very surpised today as got my shopping at sainsburys for £16 but we had lots of tins freezer stuff in the house. It is a case of keeping an eye on prices at lidel as once week I got fairy liquidtabs for £4 - bargain. it is certainly worth it if you have one near you. My parents go every saturday morning and they buy fruit, tins, bread, etc from lidel and love it. Try and see what you think

Lynn11

Forgot to say that we h ave signed up the Sunday times wine club for 15 or 17 bottles of wine for £40 I think, We have tried this wine previously and it is lovely and they will advise you every 3mths if you wish the next case to be sent to you but you can cancel this if you wish. It maybe worth a look if you drink a bit of wine in your household.

TallGirl

Thanks Lynn that is really good advice I think I shall try them out and see what we like. As you said it is good to keep an eye out for good offers as well as daily staple stuff where it does not matter so much. We have previously signed up to The Times Wine Club and you are right it is lovely stuff.

Just been out buying a few presents. Got 2 advent calendars with names on in Thornton for £6 thanks to the voucher in the Daily Telegraph yesterday. Then I went to Tesco to take back some clothes I had bought last week as it is too small. They were happy to exchange it so I got an extra top and it came to £3 more as they still have their 20% off. Could not get the top I wanted to might shop online.

Went to find raingear for my sister and the golf ones were so expensive over £70 for a set. TK Max has a regatta one for £20 so got that just need some trousers now.

Still need to put a bet on Sportingbet but can't find a decent match. Real pain but I want to get it done. Might go and sweep the leaves of the lawn in a mo as the sun is out.

TallGirl

In case anyone is making homemade hampers as a Christmas present this year I want to share this with you.

I thought some different types of almonds or nuts would look good in pretty jars. I think they would go well with a drinks theme or something like that. Anyway just made some

Spicy Almonds
Ingredients:

• 100 grams almonds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons oil
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• dash fresh ground pepper

1. Roast almonds in oil, stirring frequently in a skillet over medium low heat until slightly browned and crispy.

2. Toss nuts with spices until evenly covered. Spread out on aluminum foil to cool completely and then store in an airtight container.

Toffee Almonds
I did not have a receipe for these but took some sugar (about 1 cup) onto a warm pan. Wait until it starts to melt then stir in 1 knob of butter when it is just about disolved. I then added the almonds and let it toast a bit in the sugar.

If it is sticking together too much just add more butter.

Spread out on some bakingpaper or something non stick. Once cool carefully break up. Taste like Werthers Originals.

They taste lovely might not be able to give them away now.

TallGirl

Well the almonds worked out so well I have just ordered some little collephane bags on Ebay. £4.05 for 50 so can now get started on making more. I think I shall give some to MIL and some to friends here instead of a present but take some to Denmark and wrap up over there so they don't get squashed. Plan is to make some chocolate things from Nigella's cookbook and maybe something else so people can have a selection of sweets for Christmas. I already have lots of ribbon so just need some tags for the bags to say what it is.

Topped up our holiday savings account yesterday had £60 in £ coins and DH donated his £40 birthday cheque from his mum.

Sold two more candles on Ebay only have 5 left now and ofcourse the Oboe.

Have a busy week ahead lots of training days, conferences etc so need to do some work.

TallGirl

Morning
Just a quick update on my Advent Candles on Ebay. So far I have sold 5 that this is how it works out profitwise.

Costs:
Purchase £5
Postgage £9.85
Ebay Fees £3.45
Paypal Free £3.45
Total cost £21.75

Income
Sold for £41.47

So that is£19.72 profit for 5 candles or £3.95 each. Well that is actually not a lot is it.

Anyway MB is still more profitting sadly I missed out on SportingBets free £50 yesterday as I got home too late. I have done it today and should bet a nice £45 out of that one.

Off to deliver a training course today and then one tomorrow so staying overnight. Sadly DH can't come with me (it is really local) but 4 people from the office will be so it should be a nice night.

TallGirl

Been so busy at work, 2 training courses in 2 days one of them had 65 delegates so a lot to do. Felt a bit drained yesterday especially after Pompey let those two late goals in. Was a good game though. Got tickets to see them on Sunday, £16 as my mate has season tickets. Happy days as they are usually £30 each.

MB doing well another PartyBets/Gamebookers offer that made me £21 plus I get a full refund on 3 accounts. Got my referral fee for referring my husband so that was nice too. Not had my free £50 from SportingBet but won't chase it as they may not pay it then.

I must post my candles today really should have done it 2 days ago. 1 more still to sell but that is fine as I got rid of the bulk of them. Nice little earner in the end.

At least it is Friday, so looking forward to chilling out.

TallGirl

Sold the last candle very nice as the last two sold for £6.99 and not £5.50. Need to get it posted today. Ebay is having a reduced fee day today and tomorrow so might bite the bullet and put the oboe on. Found this on which looks identical to mine.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180309433407
I know there is no bids on it and it on a quite high price so I think I shall start mine at £19.99 and have a reserve price of £100.

What do you think?

TallGirl

Right Oboe is on and it already has 1 bid and two watchers so here is to hoping it sell at over £99. Otherwise I shall relist it ending around the 14th December.

Matchbetting is a bit crap as Sportingbet won't pay out the £50 refund as per their email. Lots of stuff about this on the MB board and I have put in a complaint. It is not too bad as it only cost me £4 to place the qualifying bet but they should still pay up. First time this had happened.

Off to see Pompey vs Blackburn today, got the tickets off my friend yesterday - bargin £16 for the two of us as he has season tickets. Will be freezing so got all my silk thermal stuff out to wear.

DH got a letter from the bank he is £310 overdrawn, Ups not good. I think it is because he did not claim his expenses from work. He owns the company so does not always do it and of course he had to pay Mike this month. It will force him to take some money out of the company to top it up. It has freaked him out though. Hi wages have gone in now so all is fine just hoping there wont be too many charges.

Quidco paid out £45 this month which was very nice.

Sent off my uncle Christmas present to Spain yesterday so I am not doing too bad on that front.

TallGirl

Football was great and at £8 a tickets not to pricy however the train was £8 for the two of us and then there was drinks and a program (promised to buy it for my friends son who's tickets we got). Nice but very cold day out and Pompey won which was a bonus.

The oboe is doing really well, 3 bids and 13 watchers so hopefully it will sell. Had a question as well but the person told me it was not what they were looking for but good to have the interest.

Going to be busy this week, London tomorrow then straight to HQ on the train staying overnight for a course and then London again on Friday this time by car. Need to get a heavy stand to London for Friday but will have to take it by train which really sucks but have no other option really.

I am going to call Barclays but find out what interest we are paying as I don't think they have dropped the rate since the 1.5% cut. Not going to switch as we only have £15k left to pay. Hopefully DH will get some money out of the company so his bankbalance will look a bit better.