Not Tiny, Not Courageous, but definitely in debt

tiny_courageous

The storage stuff arrived and I managed to build it all by myself! It's small but ideal for a decluttered house. Now I just need the decluttered house.

Have got rid of the 8 tins of coconut milk. I admit, they were 2 years out of date, but I didn't expect one to taste that disgusting. Fortunately they were from approved food so didn't cost much when originally purchased. Ah well, at least that's a bit more space in the cupboard.

tiny_courageous

Been away this weekend so not much doing, but used up 1/2 bag pasta, tin of tuna and tin of sweetcorn, and 1/4 bag bulgur wheat.

Getting ready to go back to work now - it's not long to go! Not looking forward to it but am looking forward to getting some decent wages again.

tiny_courageous

This month has financially crippled me, and we're only 5 days in. I get paid 2 weeks tomorrow, and am back at work 2 weeks Monday.
Have paid tiddler's childminder fees for June (he's going 1 day a week until I'm back at work, then full time), got a temporary oven (also been given a halogen oven which I'm going to test out tomorrow) and now researching how cheaply I can get the kitchen done.
I have £50 to last me until payday. That is, if I don't want to touch what is left of my savings, which I don't.

Have done 3 surveys today, have a few things listed on ebay and facebook (need to wind this down now as I won't be able to get to the post office on a daily basis once back at work). I do have a £20 cheque to pay in next time I get into town (thanks Lloyds for turning my local branch to a TSB).

Have used up some more things from the store cupboard - pasta, bulghur and marinade. Have some nice pork steaks cheap from Aldi so will probably do some fajitas tomorrow with a bulghur wheat salad on the side.

tiny_courageous

Decluttering today. Decided to throw out some of the more out of date food on the list. Feel better for it. Just made a couple of treacle suet puddings which are currently in the oven.
Also thrown out a broken CD player, some boxes and bubblewrap, and a load of crap from under the sink.

Spent about £4 yesterday on some stuff for tiddler and transport. Walked about 4 miles so feeling it today! Forgot to take the cheque to pay in to the bank so OH will do that on Monday on his break from work.

Need to go aldi tomorrow for fresh fruit/veg, apart from that don't really need much shopping wise. I may try to hold it off til Tuesday.

Also, Morrisons now deliver in my area. Pleased about this, as I like morrisons and it gives me more options when chasing bargains.

tiny_courageous

Counting down to payday, it's awkward as I don't know how much I'll get as I'm back at work next week.

Have ordered some toys for tiddler - some outdoor stuff as a way to force myself to sort the back yard, and a few educational bits and bobs.

A few more ebay sales, just waiting for them to pay. Winding it up now as won't be able to go post office once I'm back in work.

Buffythedebtslayer

Hi tiny


Although you are squeaking through the month it looks pretty good from here!
Really envious of the decluttering and hope going back to work goes ok


XX

tiny_courageous

Thanks Buffy.

I've found decluttering really refreshing and it's given me a new appreciation of the house (and a full appreciation of all the work that needs doing to it). With less stuff, everything just seems a bit easier. And because I'm not shopping to occupy my time, the money situation is better too.

tiny_courageous

So, payday is here. Enough to live on but will need to use some savings for this months childcare (paying in advance at beginning of month, childcare vouchers don't kick in until July).

Big tesco order later to stock up for the month. Have done a bit of batch cooking this week so the freezer is full, and we're still on operation use up stuff. The list is getting shorter!

We desperately need a new kitchen. I'm working out the best way to pay for that without getting in any more debt. If I did go down the debt route, I can get a cash transfer from the barclaycard interest free until March 2015 but then I'd be banking on getting a balance transfer to the lloyds credit card - they do regularly send me 0% offers but still, no guarantee they will continue to do so. Anyway, I'm thinking aloud. I need to work out how much a kitchen would cost first, then I can work the finances.

tiny_courageous

I'm spending much less now I'm back at work! The office is now nowhere near any shops so I'm having to take my lunch and be organised which helps save the pennies.

tiny_courageous

Payday is next week but just got wage slip. Better than I thought by approx £200 so that's good.
To do list once paid is
1) order monthly tram ticket
2) buy paint for house
3) do tesco order
and that's it. Operation declutter continues, particularly in the kitchen. I have pretty much halved the list I posted upthread, so that's good. Freezer is full of batch cooked food. Did treat myself to cookies in Aldi today though.