I’m really excited today. Just when I was starting to accept that I’d have to watch every penny, my mum phoned to say I had a cheque from the tax office. (She didn’t open my post — I asked her to check when she said there was a letter.) I received a tax rebate I didn’t even know I was due.
Working it out, the financial year begins on 1 April, so last year’s rebate covered the first half of the year I worked in 2010, and the one I just received covers April–September last year. It all makes sense now.
It felt a bit like winning the lottery because I genuinely had no idea. I’m not going to be frivolous though — I’m careful with money. I’ll get my car serviced, I’ve bought some new cookbooks and a guide on starting a cake business, and I’ll save the rest to put towards launching that cake business.
I mentioned on Facebook this morning how glad I am that I’m sensible with money. When I say I have no money, it doesn’t mean I only have £10 in the bank; it means I don’t have spare spending cash because I keep a “buffer zone” and don’t want to dip below it. I like knowing I have funds for emergencies. My parents taught me to live within my means. Even though I have expensive tastes, I prefer to save for something until I can afford it rather than go into debt and rely on credit.
I only took out a credit card to build credit and I pay it off in full every month. I plan my spending carefully. People sometimes think I’m spoilt because I get what I want eventually, but there’s a difference between being given everything and working towards something. I saved up for my stand mixer and had some money put towards it for my birthday; when I bought my car my parents matched what I saved. That motivated me to save more — I wasn’t handed the car. I worked hard for it. I prioritise essentials over wants: if it’s between new clothes and filling the car with petrol, I’ll fill the car.
I’m especially excited about my new cookbooks — I can’t wait to go wild with post-it notes again (you’ll understand if you read my last post).
These orange buttermilk scones were delicious. The buttermilk made them light and soft, and the orange flavour was just right. They use both zest and juice, so you get a double hit of citrus without it being overpowering. It’s so satisfying when someone takes a bite and makes that appreciative “ahhh” sound.
You will need:
> Zester (optional — a grater works)
> 6–7 cm round cookie cutter
> Rolling pin
Makes about 12 (I got 13)
Ingredients:
> 2 1/4 cups plain flour, plus extra for dusting
> 2 tsp baking powder
> 1 tbsp caster sugar
> Zest of 1 orange
> 6 tbsp butter
> Juice of 1 1/2 oranges (the extra half improves the flavour)
> 1/2 cup buttermilk
Method:
> Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a baking tray.
> Place the flour, sugar and orange zest in a large bowl.
> Add the butter.
> Mix the orange juice and buttermilk in a jug with a fork.
> Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. You can also use the beaters from a hand mixer to save time and avoid messy fingers.
> Add the buttermilk and juice mixture.
> Using dough hooks or by hand, mix until a soft dough forms.
> Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and roll it to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut out scones with your cookie cutter and place them on the lined tray.
> Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. They keep at room temperature for 4–5 days.
> I like scones with chocolate spread — on these it tastes like Terry’s Chocolate Orange — but you can also serve them with butter or enjoy them plain.
Enjoy.
Recipe submitted to Thursday’s Treasures at Recipes For My Boys.