LBM in 2003.. What have I been doing since??!

aaw.. thanks you lovely folks. I feel like I need a really good catch up but 2014 has started back hard and fast paced at work so I am running to catch up what feels like ALL the time..ho hum. At least my thoughts of setting off have subsided somewhat..usually a good thing where I am concerned

So news wise..

We have had the house valued, worth a horrendous amount. (Well there are plenty of houses nicer and bigger but as a total it seems crazy) Makes me sick really. but as an asset its handy. We have thought about it and decided to stick for the moment and really try to budget this year, and remain within our means. At least we know we have options.

I hope our tenant will stick around for a while longer as she's ace but also the income is ace. We like having tenants and so, as long as they are nice, we decided thats going to be a permanent feature of our household.

I am going to stay at 4 days and try and settle again in my current job, and have already floated the idea of a change of scope to keep me interested and focussed. I have loved it and know I can do so again. In the current market it seems mad to try and change.

Credit card totals took a beating from Xmas and skiing, but assuming I haven't miscalculated the bills they are all on track to be paid off next month. My OD has been creeping up and that is a priority. Although I love making the TTs (and the last card is sinking to the £4,500s )..I really need to stop that until I am firmly in the black. 31 March still seems possible but I need to keep focussed. Takeaways and ready meals are creeping in :eek:and thats not healthy or wise (but a symptom of 'rewards' for hard work and when I cant bear to start cooking!!)

So, have just done a meal planner and done an online shop. Does have some treats in there but now off to make some bread to balance it out just a little. Have also decided to try oxtail..I know its a frugal choice and I am keen to try. I know Mrs Tilly likes it. I also love belly pork so that will go in the SC. We are also trying to do some fish and veggie meals.. for health and wallet reasons.

We are finding tracking all our spends on a wee app very useful so my NY resolution is to keep that up and always spend my money THOUGHTFULLY:money:

No big holidays planned this year;) but am thinking about a simple road trip to France. I reckon that if we are sensible we can go for about the same as we could spend here. The van makes accommodation dirt cheap (some nights will be free) and with some good weather we would be happy mucking about outside all day. One to ponder. Again we will only go if we set aside the money beforehand. Thats our new rule:T.

Trip was fab, daisy. Magic.

Still very pre-occupied by RL...so still not really catching up here but all good. I do feel very positive and that's a good feeling as I was very tired and weary for the last few months of last year.

Had a good day today. We did go out to an early dinner as a family (very special) but we also had a free day out today walking around our fair city. A grey day but by using a free app to do a form of treasure hunt around the harbour and old city we had a great time. 3 hours entertainment for free!

Tomorrow will also be a quiet day. Liking it after all the buzz of work and of course Christmas. Plan to do the oxtail in the SC too.