Adventures in Living Frugally

DedicatedDFW

Well it has been a few days since I posted and quite a bit to update. As proof of my tiredness over the last week after helping out a friend yesterday - who seemed to think I could just happily give up my whole day for something which would have taken 2hours maximum if she'd been organised :mad: I came home 5hours later than I thought I would be and like a tazmanian devil whirled around the house in a tidying and cleaning freny. It was nice to sit down with OH with a glass of wine and ready to watch a movie. Was awakened several hours later by OH telling me it was bedtime and he'd had my wine for me - at least it wasn't wasted .

Still it was a loss of a bit of quality time with OH so will make it up to him today with a nice tea.

In money news the last few days have produced an extra income of: £47.00. A definite slow start to this month and lots of e-baying to be done to catch up a bit methinks.

DedicatedDFW

I've totted up the grocery shopping and its a massize £111.66 :eek::eek::eek: for 1 week - almost 3 times my budget - I'm thinking the rest of this month will be very lean... Still the freezer is packed full of reduced goodies I dread to think of the cost if these things hadn't been reduced. Now I'm keeping track of things though it does mean I can cut back next few weeks. Previously I wouldn't have even been aware of what I'd spent.:o



Another thing with keeping track is that I didn't want to do an MS yesterday after my friend took up so much of my time - I know thats what friends are there for but my time off is so precious at the mo. Anywho's after getting a rough financial statement together and seeing how dire things really are I knew there was no way I could turn down the money - as I couldn't alter the date I went ahead and did it. Every little is definitely helping me just now

mooomin

DedicatedDFW wrote: »

I've totted up the grocery shopping and its a massize £111.66 :eek::eek::eek: for 1 week - almost 3 times my budget - I'm thinking the rest of this month will be very lean... Still the freezer is packed full of reduced goodies I dread to think of the cost if these things hadn't been reduced. Now I'm keeping track of things though it does mean I can cut back next few weeks. Previously I wouldn't have even been aware of what I'd spent.:o

I love the spreadsheet I'm using for spends as it allows me to enter the cost I paid and the full price cost then tots up the value of the whoopsies I have bought. It's scary to think what I could have spent!

DedicatedDFW

Hi DFSD and F_F,

No big news from me for today. I've done the last load of washing, washed pots, cleaned kitchen except for the floor and done general popping things away and done some necessary repair work.

In money news have done all usual scratchies and listed several books on Greenmet. I've also tried to check some prices of things on e-bay but struggled with that one so will have to ask OH to help. Maybe another day though as he's helped with repairs today.

I've made tea which is now in the oven and have started my college work which I'm going to press on with for another few hours today.

Oh, I have also decluttered the last bit of 1 room so thats one room thoroughly decluttered and I'll start on the next one later. The last bit of the decluttering didn't offer up any new items for ebay as was just paperwork. The next room is spare room so there aren't alot of things in there.

DedicatedDFW

I didn't start the spare room decluttering as I got lost in reading instead Oh well - I know there's actually not much in there to sell but still that means it should be a quick room to sort out.

Am so short of money now that I'm glad me and OH don't bother with Valentines day. We treat each other through the year when we can and we are both very happy with this. I am dragging him off to the theatre this week as there is a show on I need to see as part of my course... more pennies spent...

I've finally managed to pick up a couple of MS's and provided I can stay focused at the weekend I'm hoping to list more items on e-bay.

No other money news. I did manage to resist a special offer though which I am pleased about.

Hope everyones had a good start to the week

DedicatedDFW

Well I've not posted for a few days as I've no real good news to report. My p/t shifts have been reduced - is fair enough really as none too busy at the mo. But is harsh on the income front. I am very tired of late - don't think its just all the stuff I'm doing I think I really need to start eating a balanced diet as I always feel full of energy when I've eaten all fruit and veg type things and lately its just been what I can eat when I can eat it - usually choccy

I think I need to become more drastic in my decluttering - I really need to up the old income and the best way just now is sell, sell, sell and I really cannot justify 3 wardrobes full - though the stuff in there is all things I do wear... hmm...

I've applied for more MS's and just awaiting respones. I will post grand spending totals and income again at the end of the week.

Off to catch up on some reading night all

DedicatedDFW

Well I'm working today but am still glad its the weekend! Just a quick post to say I'll be back with a full update tomorrow. Out of the MS's I picked up there was only 1 I could do in the end so back to square 1 really:(

Must dash now as am off out after and have no clue as to how to get to where I'm going!

DedicatedDFW

Hi Everyone - Gosh! it has been an age since I've posted must do better...:doh:The last couple of weeks have been fairly hard. I am not 100% well at the mo. which isn't helping anything - I now have hours to make up in my p/t work and have lots of college work to crack on with...

I should be thoroughly motivated as I am working towards what I want to achieve with my course but whilst working 2 jobs and MSing etc etc in an attempt to drag in a halfway decent income its tough. I found an old statement yesterday - filed away with random items and checked out my pay on that just to see and I was earning just short of double my current salary - the statement was from January 2005 :eek:

Yes, I am looking for a new job - even if there isn't a pay rise for the income I'd rather be working at a job I enjoy as I'm sure this will help make me feel more energised and positive with everything else in my life.

So money post will arrive in due course - priorities - catch up with college ready for class. Hope everyones ok

Kayleighpea

Just popped in to say hi and nice to see you are still around these parts somewhere! :rotfl:It is difficult to keep up with the diaries though, I am definitely finding that I can't get on here every day. Both of us must try harder! I hope you are feeling better

DedicatedDFW

Hi Kayleighpea - Thanks for the reply you have motivated me to pop some figures in! As the diary helps me stay focussed I really should post everyday. Well college work has taken over everything else just now Although I am punctuating my study with little breaks like this and some decluttering as OH has become pretty down about the seemingly random piles of stuff in the living room and around the house (my organisation of items for e-bay and greenmet and filing etc. ). I have managed to withdraw £20 from free scratchies + £154.50 to add from p/t work and book sales. I have booked a few MSs which is good as have lots to make up for in March now all I need is 48hour days to help me get there!