Starting my journey

choogirl

mummytogirls wrote: »

Hi Choogirl, just popping in for a catch up!

We have a shopping budget of £220 for the month, I think its defo doable but will see as this is the first month ive set a 'proper' budget!

Ooohhh the pasta dish you made for tea sounds absolutely delish . Might have to create that one myself!


Happy Weekend to you xx

Hi Mummy

The pasta dish is really easy, just fry off an onion, mushrooms, bacon and garlic, season with pepper and then put the cream in at the end and serve with spaghetti. Its so quick, easy and yummy!

I think I'll try £240 grocery budget next month and then £220 the next month. I want to get my spreadsheets set up and I think that will make it easier to achieve.

Have a good weekend yourself xx

choogirl

Good Afternoon

I have done my shopping at Lidx today and spent £56.85 and £3 in Mr A so pretty good, although I have bought my beef joint from Mr S so I have overspent this week. I'm not over concerned though as I now know that I can do better if I focus more. I will get my spreadsheets sorted next week and the grocery budget will be under control :j

I was impressed with Lidx so will definitely be paying another visit. I even managed to get extra meat within my £56.85 spend so all meat is bought for the week after next as well. I just need to meal plan now.

I have also spent my Boots xmas voucher on a lovely indulgent mascara from the Chanel counter Well it was a christmas present and I know that I could have bought at least 3 items from the No 7 counter for the same price but I am doing so much better with money now, its a treat.
I was super good though and didn't buy the beautiful nail varnish that was calling out to me, the old Choogirl would have just bought it.

I bumped into a friend whilst wandering round so had a coffee and catch up which was lovely, and best of all I was treated to a lovely Starbucks - skinny latte, no muffin though

Thats about it from me, hope everyones having a lovely day xx

abba1772

Lidl is great i get my cold meat fruit and veg from there saves me quite a bit x x x well done on restraining yourself with the nail polish.....maybe you can use it as a incentive, with every 7 lbs i lose i get myself a little treat ie top, nail varnish etc

I've still got my newlook voucher from xmas really need to get in there and see whats what but they're nothing I like at the moment x

choogirl

abba1772 wrote: »

Lidl is great i get my cold meat fruit and veg from there saves me quite a bit x x x well done on restraining yourself with the nail polish.....maybe you can use it as a incentive, with every 7 lbs i lose i get myself a little treat ie top, nail varnish etc

Ohhhh I like that idea Abba cheers :beer:

Just think what you can treat yourself with when New Look get all their nice new spring things in.
Lidx was fab, the fresh meat section was much nicer than Aldx, its abit of a trek for me but I might try and buy all my meat there once a month and just freeze it.

choogirl

Good Morning

This week for me is going to be spent totally sorting out my finances, I've just had a quick look at my budget spreadsheet and the last time that I worked on it was 25th January :eek: Far too long, it doesn't need micro managing but abit more control is required.

So tomorrow afternoon and every night this week is going to be spent sorting out everything from my Finances to do list. I need a really focused discipline this week. Unfortunately it menas no studying this week but theres no more exams until the Summer so it won't hurt for 1 week.

I need to get this lot done in order to clear my head and to be able to concentrate on my studying as at the moment I can't focus on either so nothing is been achieved.

Back to it xxx

choogirl

Ha ha I've just realised I've made a spelling mistake in my title - makes me sound like Jonathan Ross

choogirl

Good Evening

Had a good day today, this morning was spent updating my budget spreadsheet with all the payments that have come out from the bank. It didn't look too bad considering its been a neglected task for 3 weeks.

The main areas of overspending were grocery shopping and DDs birthday. There are no big family birthdays now until DS birthday in September so no more big expenditure is required in that area for now.

I am also going to join the March grocery challenge and sign up for £240, only using cash and not my debit card. DH is onboard as well, our biggest downfall is deciding that we don't want the dinner that's been planned and then going to buy something else.

I have also spent the last 2 hours looking at car insurance renewals, the cheapest that I can get is £234, I tried Quidco but it wasn't working out any cheaper so will go direct to the insurance company. My current insurer sent my renewal out and it is for £356 so a saving of £122 is being made :T I am also going to pay for it in 1 lump sum and then save up the monthly amounts ready for next year.

We also got out for a walk although the weather was grey but it was nice to get some fresh air and a change of scenery!

The plan for tomorrow is to spend some time with the kids and then do some more work on sorting out the finances.

I think thats it from me, back to watching Benidorm I love Jacqueline and Donald xxx

mummytogirls

Morning Choogirl,

that delish sounds so yummy, will defo be re-creating at mummytogirls house!!

Well done on the Lidl shop, sounds like you are very impressed.

Oohhh the mascara sounds like a lovely treat, im glad the new choogirl didnt spend on the nail polish too!! Oohhh I like the incentive idea very much though :T!!

Well done on sorting the budget, I think £240 is defo enough for you and its good that DH is onboard too.

Yay to the car insurance saving, thats fab!!

Oohhh I love Benidorm too, although watching it always makes me want to go abroad !!

Have a lovely week, catch up soon x x

choogirl

Hi Mummytogirls

I'm glad I didn't buy the nail varnish as well, it was about £18 which is alot of money but its the self control that I impressed myself with. Its all the little amounts that add up.
I was impressed with Lidx, I will definitely be going again

Benidorm is funny, can you imagine all the people watching that could go on. I would be in heaven :rotfl:

Have a great day Mummytogirls xx

abba1772

thats a great saving on the insurance, i'd doing the £365 challenge in £365 days so that'll go towards my insurance at the end of the year x