Introducing myself - Small changes, big effect!

*KT*

Hello again,

Well, last night I stayed in and spent no money. OH was out with friends. I think it did him the world of good. He sounded that bit chirpier this morning on the phone.

I'm procrastinating so far. I have watched Martin Lewis on YouTube and listened to more of my audiobook rather than get stuck into the assignments I need to finish. I'm off to do that now (still in jammies! It's been a lazy Saturday).

Hopefully not going out, so shouldn't be spending any money today. Could be doing with more milk for tea and coffee during the day but when the milk runs out I'll just drink herbal teas instead.

I hope everyone is having a nice Saturday.

*KT*

I spent pretty much the last of my money on Sunday. Pay day tomorrow.

From today, things change. Nothing too big and too major but today I find a way to continue with "the little things".

Tonight I'll be heading to the gym. Then making chilli with the last of the mince I took out the freezer this morning (anyone got a good chilli recipe?). That chilli is for lunch for a couple of days and I think I'll have enough to freeze too. I've got leftover sausages for dinner tonight.

I'll also be looking out things to post on ebay on Thursday night (for a 10day listing).

Inbetween all of that will be homework, CV writing and job hunting. Anyone need a trainee sign language interpreter? Or any other job really?! I'll clean toilets if it means the mortgage will continue to get paid beyond April...

*KT* :-(

Londonboy_3

The one comment I would make is that you should try and compliment your gym work with some outdoor running. It gets you out of the house, is free and the benefits of tackling different terrain/ slopes etc, plus fresh air, are huge. Also takes up little time vs going to the gym (just pull some leggings and a t shirt on, trainers on and off you go).

kaz0705

Hi KT,

I make fairly hot chilli but I generally do this:


Brown up some onions then add mince and 3 chillis (including seeds!)
Once the mince has browned off I add a tin of chopped tomatoes, a tin of kidney beans (ideally the ones in chilli sauce that supermarkets have started doing) and, if I'm padding out, a tin of baked beans (weird but it works).

Then chop up a load of mushrooms and whack them in and just leave to simmer for ages (the longer I leave it, the yummier). If you're in a hurry, probably 20mins will do it...

This might go against all wisdom but I also add a bit of bisto when the mince is cooking to soak up the fat/water that comes off it. And also add some puree to thicken it up once all the ingredients are in.

Planning meals is so hard which is why I generally have my 'basics' (like mince) that I use and then just chuck in whatever.

However, Sainsburys have just launched a weekly meal planner thing- 5 family meals (so loads of left overs for a couple) for £20...

Good luck!

K

*KT*

Londonboy wrote: »

The one comment I would make is that you should try and compliment your gym work with some outdoor running. It gets you out of the house, is free and the benefits of tackling different terrain/ slopes etc, plus fresh air, are huge. Also takes up little time vs going to the gym (just pull some leggings and a t shirt on, trainers on and off you go).

That sounds like what I do when go to go to the gym! (but change leggings for joggies or shorts)

Also, I do long outdoor walks and jogging/running outdoors too. I live near enough nextdoor to a large park with a an arteficial lake for watersports and stuff. So its perfect for that. I don't like doing that so much when it's dark though as I have to go through a poorly lit underpass to get there, doesn't feel safe.

Thanks for the suggestion though. Keep 'em coming.

*KT*

kaz0705 wrote: »

Hi KT,

I make fairly hot chilli but I generally do this:


Brown up some onions then add mince and 3 chillis (including seeds!)
Once the mince has browned off I add a tin of chopped tomatoes, a tin of kidney beans (ideally the ones in chilli sauce that supermarkets have started doing) and, if I'm padding out, a tin of baked beans (weird but it works).

Then chop up a load of mushrooms and whack them in and just leave to simmer for ages (the longer I leave it, the yummier). If you're in a hurry, probably 20mins will do it...

This might go against all wisdom but I also add a bit of bisto when the mince is cooking to soak up the fat/water that comes off it. And also add some puree to thicken it up once all the ingredients are in.

Planning meals is so hard which is why I generally have my 'basics' (like mince) that I use and then just chuck in whatever.

However, Sainsburys have just launched a weekly meal planner thing- 5 family meals (so loads of left overs for a couple) for £20...

Good luck!

K

That's pretty much what I was going to do but I'd never have thought of adding baked beans. I've got a couple of tins in the cupboard (branson ones... yum!) so that could help pad it out nicely!

*KT*

Hello again, I made it! It's payday today. Lets see if I can't make it a bit easier to next payday...

Last nights chilli didn't get made because the mince hadn't fully defrosted. That is now tonights dinner. For lunch today I have a tin of soup. I did get to the gym last night, have a long conversation with my mum on the phone (inclusive minutes) and did a few notes for uni work.

I had been so motivated and feeling good about the "opportunity" redundancy might be. I'm not anymore. I don't really know what I want to do when I grow up...

I'm stressed, I'm sad and my "payday treat" is going to be a 50p bar of chocolate.

*KT* :-(

Verbatim

Aww I hope the positivity returns soon.

kaz0705

Hey KT,

I totally get that feeling. But at least you *do* get a treat.

I know you weren't ready to share your SOA with the world but it might be worth doing if only for people to have a look at your bills. Most on here can tell from 100metres if you're paying too much for something. You don't *have* to cut out all your treats if you can afford your bills so we can just focus on the other stuff.

Get into topcashback as well and shopping online- best way of finding bargains. I pretty much research EVERYTHING before I buy.

It's not fun but it's still better than not being prepared!

And as for the redundancy as an opportunity, that's the only way you can look at it! I would hazard a guess that most people's lives don't follow an exact plan but that every twist and turn makes them into the person they are today. In your case, viewing it as an opportunity will make you a stronger, more positive person. You have to be open to good things to notice them.... And when all else fails, look up Robert Frost's 'Road Less Travelled'. I know taking that path has made all the difference for me :-)

Chin up, it will get... more controlled, if not easier.

Sort out your grocery shop, find free/cheap things to do and get into topcashback and start looking forward with hope.

xxx

*KT*

I saved myself 50p (well, 60p actually, the vending machine as gone up) Free chocolate chip muffin! I love it when we have clients in and they don't eat all the provided food...