My Survive the Recession Diary

Sun_Addict

Aw thank you shaggydoo that is so nice - really cheered me up. Still off sick but hoping to be back at work on Monday as starting to feel a lot better now.

OH took me to Tesco this morning as we were running out of bits and bobs and he isn't trusted to do food shopping by himself as he would just come back with beer and chocolate. :rotfl:He did manage to sneak in a half price bar of chocolate though which I have just helped him to eat whilst reading the latest copy of Womens' Fitness (so the calories don't count as I was reading about exercise!) I always manage to spend a lot more when OH's with me as he keeps putting things in the trolley I wouldn't normally buy and he took advantage of the fact I'm not firing on all cylinders at the moment.

As DS works with OH and they have both had no work all week OH thought it would be a good idea if I cooked DS a meal every night so at least he would be having one good meal a day (as he doesn't live at home anymore) and it would save him money. Not doing a lot for my food budget though as he eats LOADS but still manages to remain extremely skinny. I don't mind helping him out though.

Not being very good on the alcohol front either as I am finding I need to have a medicinal(?)glass of wine every night. I don't usually drink in the week when I've got work the next day so it will be best all round when I'm back at work next week and back on the waggon!

Have a good day everyone!:) Soon be Friday!

Swinstie73

Hi Sun Addict,

That was a lovely 'get well soon' message from shaggdo!

I have the same habit of putting too much stuff in my trolley, but only got myself to blame - got an email about free delivery on first order at Tesco, might give it a go but don't fancy ordering fresh veg/fruit cos I like to check before I buy.

As for alcohol, I've given that up whilst detoxing, but have a lovely bottle of Rose to crack open when I finish - will probably ended up p*ssed on one glass, ha!

Enjoy the rest of your day x

Sun_Addict

Hi Swinstie

If you go on the Tesco voucher codes thread you can usually find lots of money off codes there. I always order my monthly big shop online from Tesco if I can find a voucher code otherwise I go myself and save delivery costs. Really I should do more shopping at Morrisons as DD works there and we have a 10% staff discount card but I still find them more expensive than Tesco with the 10% off.

Re the weekly newsletter - you can sign up for it on the home page of MSE. It's worth having as all new deals are on there.

Just had a bit of a temporary shopaholic lapse and have signed up for 12 month subscription to Women's Fitness (13 issues for £12.99) and She magazine (12 issues for £12). However, as both magazines are around £3.60 per month I have saved loads in the long run! Excuses excuses!

When is your detox over?

Be good!!!!!!!!

Swinstie73

Hi Sun Addict,

Will look into the Tesco vouchers thread - at one point I had £10 in vouchers and lost them all cos they expired! Won't be doing that again in a hurry!

Detox over on 11 May - have totally mucked it up today though, forgot to take tablets this morning, made pasta for lunch and it's all dried up, argh! All in all a terrible day so far, gonna take a half day and see if can salvage something from it!

A what's a wee £24 for a year's subscribtion - you are saving loads!

Sun_Addict

Yippee it's Friday :j

Payday today and traditionally that's the day I do my finances for the month but my wonderful spreadsheets that calculate everything for me are stored on the computer at work and as I'm off sick until Monday I'm a bit stuck. Still I have something to look forward to when I get back to work on Monday :rolleyes:. This will be D Day when I find out which of my April challenges I've achieved (or not as the case may be).

What a terrible day Swinstie. Things can only improve from now on.

Got a letter from one of our endowment policy providers kindly letting us now that it won't pay the mortgage off in 8 years time and so far has around £8000 shortfall :eek:. Luckily the other endowment policy we have which expires next year will pay off part of the mortgage and this one is on track. Guess what I'll be saving for when credit card is paid off :mad:

Have been sitting in the sun again today. When I go back to work on Monday everyone will think I've been on a sneaky holiday as I have a tan David Dickinson would be proud of. :rotfl:Just as orange too - I always go orange (someone kindly described it as bronze bless them!). Luckily I don't burn.

I'm making myself fish and sweet potato wedges with loads of veg for dinner tonight and yes that wine will be opened on the dot of 7pm as soon as Radio 1 Dance Anthems show announces "the weekend starts here". I love my dance/trance anthems. DD and DS are quite embarrassed by it as they think I'm too old to be into this sort of music but it's only the same music I've always liked but more up to date!

Haven't been to any sort of shop today but still managed to spend money as it's OH's birthday on Tuesday and DD went into town to get him a present from me (under strict instructions!). I got him the new Gucci by Gucci pour homme. He said not to spend anything on him but they all say that don't they :rolleyes: and then on his birthday he'll say where's my present.

Weigh in day tomorrow but am not getting my hopes up as I've done no exercise since Sunday due to virus. However, as I feel so much better today I will be in the gym in a few minutes but not planning on doing anything too strenuous!!

Have a brilliant weekend everyone :beer:

Sun_Addict

Great news - weighed myself yesterday and I've lost 2lbs!!! Finally my body has realised that I'm eating less and exercising more for a reason and has decided to join in the game!!!:j Not bad considering I've done no exercise all week due to virus. This means I only have 5lbs to lose to achieve my bikini target weight.

Went into town yesterday and actually spent some money on something other than food. House of Fraser had 50% off all sale items and I got a lovely summer dress and skirt for £23.50 for the both of them!!:money:They were originally £59 each! These will be great for my holiday.

OH got all my summer clothes down from the top of the wardrobe for me and I am going to have a good sort through today. I have got so much stuff I need to get rid of some things. I could do with Gok Wan taking a look - he would probably bin most of it.

I love this time of year when all the magazines and shops are full of bright colourful clothes and make up. But this is also my danger time when I go made buying loads of summer stuff so I have to be strong this year and only get what I really need.

Back to work tomorrow. I'll be making a big batch of soup today for work lunches - butternut squash and red pepper. This should keep me going for the best part of the week. I always get together all my work clothes for the week on Sunday so there's no fumbling about in the morning. I'm quite organised really

Unfortunately going to have to spend more money today as OH has come up with a big list of stuff we need for the garden, eg pond fish food, plant food, bug spray, etc so a trip to the local Wilko is called for.

Tomorrow I'll be adding up my finances for April :eek: This involves computer spreadsheets, calculators, notepads, lots of going in and out of online bank account, lots of coffee and possibly chocolate if things get tough! At least I'll look busy at work and as my job involves lots of spreadsheets anyway no one will know I'm doing my own stuff

OH still has no work for next week but is hoping to start a job midweek and then he should be ok for most of May.

Will update my signature and diary tomorrow.

Swinstie73

Well done on the weight loss Sun Addict, watch you don't put any on once you start eating properly. I had a S & D (ahem) bug for nearly two weeks once and lost loads of weight but once I started eating properly it all went back on. I'm sure you won't though, I was just greedy and making up for what I hadn't eaten whilst ill

Ah summer dresses, I've been looking for one for a few weeks no and can't find anything I really like - I only have 20kg allowance and trying to take mostly dresses to save space. £23.50 for a dress and skirt is fab.

Enjoy having your clear-out, really what I should be doing today but think will go visiting (anything to get me out of the house).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, back to dreaded work tomorrow for me too x

Sun_Addict

Well I'm back at work today and have gone through my spreadsheets and online bank account and have found out which challenges I have and haven't been successful with.

At the beginning of April I wanted to:

1. Lose 4lbs in weight

Have only lost 2lbs as I put on 2lbs and then lost it again so this is recycled weight and can't count as 4lbs :rolleyes:

2. Pay £200 off debt

Have only managed £169 but as OH has hardly had any work this month so anything paid off at all is a major achievement.

3. Pay remainder of holiday balance £150

Done!!!

4. Stick to £10 per week spending challenge

Done!!!

5. £300 April Grocery Challenge

Only spent £250 so done!!!

All in all not too bad. Have edited my signature and will compile list of challenges for May shortly.:D

The_Golden_Goose

Cracking start. Well done.

Liking the way you check how you are performing.

May copy you.... !

Need to get things sorted with my own spreadsheets. I am so pleased I didnt have it on my work computer as I got made redundant and I would have left leaving all my personal stuff on the PC. I would have died.

Recommend keeping the info on a memory stick. Its only cos I hate people knowing about my finances etc.

Have subscribed to your thread too....... Will fly back in again soon!

Swinstie73

Well done Sun Addict - I keep a spreadsheet too which I saved on a memory stick and brought home today! Luckily cos we got someone new in work today so I'll not have much time to faff about with my spreadsheet, and like you Mrs GG, hate anyone being able to see my huge debt total!