Lucifa's (Ac)counting the pennies DFW diary

lonelyrat

I think something will definitely come along for you job-wise. It's just a case of (seemingly neverending) patience.

Well done on having a good few weeks Awesome about the cash flow system. I would be lost without my spreadsheet. I've just come back to it after a not opening it for a few weeks and I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend :rotfl:

Lucifa73

Thanks everyone

Lonelyrat, I have a monthly budget which worked pretty well. However, I get paid 4-weekly and Hubbles is paid monthly. Sometimes timings would go a bit adrift so I have broken it down to a daily cashflow. It is making a MASSIVE difference already.

I have also really got a grip on food planning since getting my new little diary and doing the freezer audit. I have even planned ahead for the October holiday when mum is visiting to look after the kids so I can spread the extra food costs and get meals in the freezer across the next 4 weeks. I may have to buy mince and chicken next week but I have enough pork to last a looooong time :rotfl: Food shop again without any need to buy fresh meat

I was briefly MIA last week thanks to a stonking 2-day migraine - the silver lining was 2 NSDs but I could do without the 'hangover' from the meds. Felt a bit better over the weekend and managed to make some veg soup, a new to us pasta bake and a massive shepherds pie. Today's dinners will be leftovers from all 3 (not all on one plate... everyone chooses which leftover they want) so a 'free' food day.

In other news, it seems working out in the morning really fits with our current lifestyle and it is taking hold nicely. I have decided to up the challenge a wee bit and will be going sugar-free until Christmas Eve. This means:

• NO added sugar (e.g. in porridge)
• NO sugar substitutes (i.e. no replacing sugar in porridge with honey/syrup/stevia (bleugh anyway))
• NO more than 5% sugar content unless all natural (i.e. passata good (if no added sugar), ketchup BAD (also bleugh anyway )
• NO alcohol - I'm not a big drinker so this is, in theory, the easy bit...

This is day 3 which means, based on prior experience, the sugar hangover should hit tomorrow :eek:

Finally - my kitchen scales died so I need new ones in order to keep NJ supplied with flapjack and to make cheese scones...

Well done if you got this far... Luc x

UncannyScot

Thanks be to the gods, nae sugar added to porridge :j:j:j
As my auld granda would say, it's a cereal no a puddin!

You're doing grand missus

Lucifa73

UncannyScot wrote: »

Thanks be to the gods, nae sugar added to porridge :j:j:j
As my auld granda would say, it's a cereal no a puddin!

You're doing grand missus

Thanks Uncanny. I can't quite do porridge straight up so add apple chunks and cinnamon - is that allowed??? :eek:

So it is pay week for both of us this week. Joint account crossed the line £96.63 in the black and Hubbles' contribution has topped it up. My pay is on Friday so I make my contribution then. If we stick to budget with no extras we'll have £289.69 before we get paid 18th/19th October. It is likely there will be a bit of extra spend with Mum visiting though - but I am trying to limit it by having a food plan already in place and making freezer dinners in advance.

My personal account is less pretty. As it stands I will have just £57.73 left of my £500 OD If I stick to budget (including paying for driving lessons) I should stay in the black by £56.81. So the plan is to spend no money on anything not in budget for the next 28 days - perhaps a tad unrealistic? Still, its good to have a target. I'd be really happy to claw back half this month and half next given I need to start thinking about Christmas presents.

UncannyScot

Lucifa73 wrote: »

Thanks Uncanny. I can't quite do porridge straight up so add apple chunks and cinnamon - is that allowed??? :eek:

Och, Ah'll let ye aff wi that, seein as it's you

Lucifa73

Porridge with sultanas and cinnamon this morning

Left the house with blue/gold skies and a gentle breeze. Fast forward 2.5 hours and Ali is starting to make her presence felt... Will be keeping an eye on the train service and heading home at the first sign of trouble!

Yesterday was actually an NSD :j which feels great. What doesn't feel great are my aching shoulders and chest! Have upgraded the workout and it is kicking my butt!!!

UncannyScot

Nae Pain, Nae Gain

As my training instructor mate would say, "Does it hurt? Good, that means it's working!".

Keeping an eye on weather as well, it's getting a wee bit blawy...

Have a great day and stay safe

Lucifa73

UncannyScot wrote: »

Nae Pain, Nae Gain

As my training instructor mate would say, "Does it hurt? Good, that means it's working!".

In a weird way I like the pain - its proof I'm making an effort!

Stay safe yourself!

Lucifa73

Awesome. Seems I am stranded at work until 8pm if the trains come back on then! If not I'll need to find a bus or taxi to get me home!

beanielou

Lucifa73 wrote: »

Awesome. Seems I am stranded at work until 8pm if the trains come back on then! If not I'll need to find a bus or taxi to get me home!

Poor you