To new beginnings. To the pursuit of...somethingness.

Ellidee

All sounding good and positive Cheri - how exciting !

youareallhelpingme

Not sure what the rules are over pulling out of a purchase but I suspect the estate agents friends may try it .

Thanks for the info on aspirin, I did wonder whether dogs could have it. I will look much further into the alternative stuff. The old man seems to be doing OK. He's been barking and playing which is always a good sign

moo2moo

It all sounds v. exciting!

Ellidee

Morning honey ! I thought you might be interested in this blog to help inspire you http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.com/ xx

MrsMoo2U

Morning all.

Up early today and I have been doing next months budget. As I have said Mr C has no income at all at the moment so I will be responsible for both mortgages, and all bills for both properties over the next month so I just worked it all out and YIKES. I will be left with the grand sum of £121 after all of the bills are paid out. I do have a months free on the council tax so in truth that gives me an extra £217 but I am not sure whether I should count that or put it into the household savings and act as if it is not there and only use in an emergency. Despite moving CCs around last month the outgoings on the repayments have not reduced. I have just finished on 0% with MBNA and so the payments on that will shoot up and also the balance will take forever to come down so I need to see if I can shuffle that around anywhere. My barclaycard is clear so I might ring and see if they will give me a life of balance rate as the current rate on MBNA is ...........22.9%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I need to be very frugal on feeding etc. Mr C has this habit of thinking that he has to use up all the food bought in one cooking session. For example, last night he made spaghetti, pesto, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions. Bear in mind there are only 2 of us.......... he used, 4 red onions, jar of pesto, full packet of spaghetti, 6 tomatoes, a whole box of olives and a whole box of mushrooms. When I bought all of that I had plans to use it for at least 3 different meals. Needless to say we didnt eat it all so I have insisted that is what we are having for tea tonight and tomorrow as well. Any suggestions on how I can turn that particular tanker around would be most gratefully appreciated.
So, meal planning here we come.

I was very naughty yesterday (before checking the monthly budget) as I had a bit of money left at the end of the month, I bought a fabulous handmade bowl from Bali, it is beautiful, colourful glass and marbles set into a very heavy black base. It looks rather nice sitting on the coffee table in the flat. It cost £10.99, I then also bought a handmade pottery bird with glass mosaic wings also from Bali. They are lovely but now I am thinking that £15 would have bought several days dinners. Oh dear. I think I have lost the knack for being frugal. Then I have been frugal all of my life (even when I had no debt) so I guess I am just rebelling a little but this month will certainly bring me back into line.

I do love a good challenge. Now that £121 has to include petrol etc so I guess we wont be going very far this month

Off to work things out............

Ellidee

Good luck with it all ! See my last post above yours

MrsMoo2U

Thanks Elli we must have cross posted, I already followed that link via your FB page and have lots of ideas from it now thanks. I have followed too so should be very inspired.

Tonights tea, last nights spaghetti and home made garlic bread. Very frugal. My basics stores cupboards are full so that is a good thing. Lots of beans, pulses, rice, pasta etc. The meal plan is coming along nicely. Mr C is feeling inspired, he is surprising me about how excited he is to be frugal............ he says that he spent years living on beans on toast and since meeting me realises how nice food on a budget can be. We will see how long the enthusiasm lasts for.

youareallhelpingme

If anyone can do it, you can! I'll be here cheering you on.

I'm in the middle of a busy few weeks but if you need me shout me on here x

I'm am currently sat on the sofa with the young dog and my lappie. I've been out at work, had a carppy drive home in the rain and my DS hasnt got off the xbox and DH is farming on FB :mad:. No offer of a cup of tea, they havent done any washing up and they had a mcd's for dinner, I had a boring cheese sandwich in the car . Wonder how long I can last before making a cuppa as I'm gasping

MrsMoo2U

Oh dear, why not just ask straight out. Say what you have just said to me, flutter the eyelashes and play the drama queen. In my experience men dont think and then when you pass a comment they say well why didnt you just say so!!!!! Go on - give it a go.

vasseur

Wow - not been on for ages and so much has happened!

You'll get by on £121 btw - I manage it most months!