Hi Everyone!
And a big welcome to new follower of my blog:
fishcake-random.
Thank you for reading and I hope you can leave a comment from time to time.
fishcake-random.
Thank you for reading and I hope you can leave a comment from time to time.
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. It is a Bank Holiday for us in Britain, so we have Monday off work too.
Thank you so much for all your positive comments about paying off the mortgage. Keeping this blog of our progress and your support has made all the difference-
Last weekend I slept alot, feeling under the weather.
And then on Friday at school I developed a temperature and left early. Friday night was full of nightmares and sweats. Yesterday I was up for about 5 hours in total. I slept, then got up, started falling asleep then went back to bed again. Last night I slept well. Woke up feeling a bit better but now my temperature has gone up again. So I expect tomorrow I'll be recuperating (instead of going to Harry Potter World, a treat from my MIL)...Oh well....
And then on Friday at school I developed a temperature and left early. Friday night was full of nightmares and sweats. Yesterday I was up for about 5 hours in total. I slept, then got up, started falling asleep then went back to bed again. Last night I slept well. Woke up feeling a bit better but now my temperature has gone up again. So I expect tomorrow I'll be recuperating (instead of going to Harry Potter World, a treat from my MIL)...Oh well....
Today I've tried to do something constructive and watch some quality TV programmes from the comfort of my sofa:
Indian Ocean-2nd Episode-Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
A trip to Madagascar is still calling me! But I'm slowly learning that it is far from full of rainforests and very poor. I enjoy this type of programme, giving me armchair travelling and learning at the same time-the good, the bad and the ugly.
A trip to Madagascar is still calling me! But I'm slowly learning that it is far from full of rainforests and very poor. I enjoy this type of programme, giving me armchair travelling and learning at the same time-the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Mighty Mississipi-2nd Episode-Learning about the fate of Memphis-after the shooting of Martin Luther King.
Zambezi-Rewatching an extraordinary programme which follows this river from it's source to its delta into the Indian Ocean. It's always good to know a bit of background about a country you are travelling to-So when I see the Vic Falls I can remember where it has travelled from.
Today I've been pondering about some of your wonderful comments-made saving for Japan 2013.
Your thoughts fall into 3 camps:
1. Those who think it better to focus on PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE-especially that £59 of the remaining £9059-Silversewer/Lonestarsky/Laura
2. Those who think it's ok to SAVE FOR JAPAN-A Blessed Life/Kirsty/Judes07
3. Those who think it might be more sensible to SPEND EXTRA MONEY on DOING SOMETHING NOW (or when I'm feeling better)-Dannie
I do actually agree with all of you.
PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE-If all goes well this month we should have £22.50 left this month-which leaves £36.50 left of the £59. Now we have reached £100 for Japan anything else we make in our CASH ON THE SIDE CHALLENGE will go towards reducing that £36.50. Our Ebay funds from today brings it down to £29.60.
Another mini challenge it seems.
Another mini challenge it seems.
I am totally honest that I COULDN'T strive for Mortgage Freedom in isolation-without TRAVEL DREAMS. Life would seem too one sided for me.
SAVE FOR JAPAN-We've managed to save our first £100 towards our spending money. So we are happy to leave saving for Japan now until June begins and concentrate any extra funds on the mortgage.
DOING SOMETHING NOW**-Dannie has raised an important point here.
Maybe it's because I've been stuck on the sofa for 2 weekends but I am bursting to do something! I won't be spending money on it though-I AM DESPERATE TO SEE A BLUEBELL WOOD!
On a serious note we do have long periods between our travel. This has to continue until Mortgage Freedom as every other spare penny really does go towards the mortgage.
It's true if we travelled in Europe/Australasia our costs could be much cheaper.
Japan is ONE of the most expensive travel destinations we have-if we don't go next year, we might not have the money or circumstances to go another year. Such trips do require saving plans and money management.
Maybe it's because I've been stuck on the sofa for 2 weekends but I am bursting to do something! I won't be spending money on it though-I AM DESPERATE TO SEE A BLUEBELL WOOD!
On a serious note we do have long periods between our travel. This has to continue until Mortgage Freedom as every other spare penny really does go towards the mortgage.
It's true if we travelled in Europe/Australasia our costs could be much cheaper.
Japan is ONE of the most expensive travel destinations we have-if we don't go next year, we might not have the money or circumstances to go another year. Such trips do require saving plans and money management.
However I am planing to approach 2013 in a different way now. Something I haven't shared is we've had a bit of financial bad news recently. We were 'given' some money for a car and we're so grateful but now we have been told it wasn't a gift but a loan and we have to pay it back. A tough break, we certainly won't beable to save £13k next year. That will have to wait until 2014 now.
So in 2013 we will
Pay back the £5k we now owe (I am determined to be completely debt free. If I'd known it was a debt I wouldn't have accepted it. It was from a family member so questioning it would only cause rifts I don't want)
Buy and fit our new bathroom
Save a little money
Have a fun budget!-The fun budget will be for a little local travel-maybe to the South West or into Europe-A BIT OF LIVING FOR NOW MONEY**.
Cash on the Side Challenge:
Well Mr Sft has done all the work so far. Earning £30 for our challenge with his 'work on the side'. We certainly weren't expecting that-his work is so sporadic.
We listed 5 items on ebay. 5 sold for a total of £6.90
So our CASH ON THE SIDE total now stands at £36.90
We will be listing more items tomorrow in hope of raising the remaining £13.10!
Eating from the Freezer Challenge:
This continues, although only from Mr Sft as I have no appetite at the moment.
Sft x
Thanks for your comments regarding my last post:
Mrs Thrifty: Looking forward to your challenge updates.
Lonestarsky: Yes a vegetarian diet is great for boosting up your 5 a day and more economical in many ways.
The Smiths: Not much evening snacking going on this week.
A Blessed Life: Even though our food budget is low I have been focusing on getting my 5 a day. Need to work on Mr Sft next.
Hope your Ebay listings go well.
Mary: Yes, biscuits could be an improvement area for me. They tend to be Rich Tea or Digestive.
Sandra: Good luck with your listings.
Jane: Hadn't thought of it like that-7 months of mortgage payments doesn't sound too bad does it?
Good luck with the Cash on the Side challenge.
Piecebypiece: I'm sure it won't be long before you attack that car loan!
Kirsty: You make a great point, that it's always nice to have a trip to look forward to.
Yes, we do have a budget on holiday. Not for excursions but on drinking at the bar!
Tinyholder: Thanks for the advice and good luck with your blog.
Badpenny: Hope you feel better soon.
Judes07: You totally get us. Sounds like you are doing really well in a tough time.
Sammyleia: Thank you so much for the Sunshine Award
Oh how frustrating about that car money! People are so uncomfortable talking about money that they probably just didn't want to bring up paying it back, but it definitely should have been mentioned!!
ReplyDeleteThis month is perfect bluebell season! I don't know about where you are, but while I was in Kent earlier in the week I saw lots, and down here in Cornwall they are all coming out. The woods will only just be flowering though as ones in the shade flower slightly later. I LOVE THEM!! :D
Hope you have a lovely weekend/Bank holiday!
Oh that is annoying about the "loan" and that it wasn't mentioned until after you'd accepted! It sounds like you're doing well with all your goals, though, which is great. I'm learning that I need a fun budget as well, otherwise I get myself into all sorts of trouble - we need to have fun along the way to debt freedom, just not a big ol' crazy spendy fun! ;)
ReplyDeleteSure hope you're feeling better soon - I bet a visit to a bluebell wood would make you feel better in no time! Take care x
I hope you are feeling better soon, you likely picked up the bug from your students.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating, car money not a gift.
I do miss those lovely bluebells, the last time I saw a wood full of them was in 2001, while vacating in the UK.
Hugs
Patricia
Stink about the car money. But you are doing the right thing, not causing a fuss. I am concerned about your health! Do you pick up these bugs from your students? Do you need some more vitamins either in supplement form or via your diet? Do I sound like a mother lol?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely have a 'fun' budget. I understand where you are at the moment, but 'all work & no play' is not always best for the soul.
I hope you are feeling better soon, think happy thoughts & tell your body to get it's sh** together, sickness is not allowed, there's too much living to do :) Sx
Have you considered house swops. You're cottage looks really cute and would appeal to many. We have done it and had great weekends in England and longer stays in USA - some of the offers were from places like Japan
ReplyDeleteYou have both done such a wonderful job, with you challenges etc. You're an inspiration to a lot of us. Thank you. Sue
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon, but take care of yourself and relax. Something to look forward to now sounds like a good idea, but whilst you're laid up, try to find something fun and exciting to do that's also cheap! Shame about the car money, but at least you can get around and not with an old banger that is costing you a fortune in repairs etc. xxxx
ReplyDeleteHow annoying that it wasn't made clear to you that the car money was in fact a loan. It must have come as quite a shock, especially as you live as you do, intending to be debt free. Sorry to hear you've been feeling under the weather and hope you're feeling a little better today. I know you've seen the post about my walk in our local Bluebell Wood, so I hope it's cheered you up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible that what you were led to believe was a gift was in fact a loan. Poor you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you are still unwell, I think you should have a tiny little splurge as soon as you feel better, even if it's just a ride into town, with a set amount in your pocket to visit the charity shops and buy a coffee each for the pair of you. Just something to lift your spirits and inspire you to carry on.
Thank you for all the supportive comments on my Blog, I have a terrible headache at the moment, I'm craving coffee I think!!
Sue xx
What annoying news about the so-called loan! Hope you're feeling better soon, sf x
ReplyDeleteOuch about the gift that dissapointingly wasn't a gift, how dissapointing:-(
ReplyDeleteGreat post and am glad that you have been considering everything everyone has said to you. I read your post on my blog and just wanted to comment. I'm glad that you have created a fun budget as i think that having those small but fun things to look forward to now, helps keep you motivated towards paying things off and living a frugal life.
Your an absolute inspiration to so many of us with your frugal life and are doing so well in so many ways. I can't believe that you will be mortgage free soon, that's truly amazing.
I tend to think that it's great to create budgets whereby you have your fun short term goals, such as going for a favourite massage or to a stately home, medium term such as holidays within the next year and then long term goals which could be travel plans in two years time. That's what works for me as i like to have fun things planned through out the year.
Japan is going to be amazing and saving money for that is always motivating, i know i have been paying off my Thailand trip since last year but it has been worth it as it's kept me motivated that i have something within a year but then i have something to keep me happy now, such as my skid pan training.
Want to say a big thanks to you too for helping remind me to be frugal:-)
the "loan" was certainly a bit of bad news...from experience I know that money and family harmony do not always go hand in hand. I know you'll have this paid in full as soon as humanly possible. lovely that you're saving for a trip to Japan!
ReplyDeleteSorry you've been feeling ill & a shame about your car money... But you seem determined not to let it get to you!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better & you've managed to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Kay :)
Here's the recipe for tofu leek and lemon pie filling. I use a wholewheat shortcrust pastry and only have a pastry top. You can change quantities around according to your taste buds....it is a forgiving recipe!
ReplyDeleteCube up one pound of firm/extra firm tofu and marinate for a few minutes in 25ml olive oil and 25ml lemon juice.
Fry cubes until golden,drain and set aside.
Slice three leeks , slice about 6 cloves garlic (more if you want). Heat 50ml marg in a pan, add leeks and garlic.. cook until leeks soften. Add 50 ml flour, cook until flour begins to go golden. Add 500 ml stock,5ml dry tarragon,25 ml lemon juice and 5ml grated lemon rind. Bring to a boil, add 50 ml milk. Simmer, add salt and pepper to taste then add 175 ml defrosted frozen peas and the cooked tofu.
Bake at 375F (190C) for about 30 -35 mins until pastry is golden.
Enjoy!
Jane xx
That's a bummer about the car money being a loan - shame it wasn't made clear at the beginning!
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing better now..............and that you can really get out to breathe in the perfume of a bluebell wood soon. How I miss them...and those pics are gorgeous!
Mary X
Just to let you know I did it !! the £50.00 challenge that is - thanks to the sale of my old cooker that was too big for the new place.
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