Dollys' Discombobulated Debt

dollybeads

Hi BIB and Ginger

Lovely to hear from you, Re the stalwart convert, i think these change at certain intervals based on the number of posts. It changed when I got to 200 i think. Perhaps its a sign that I am desperately sad and have nothing else to do with my time than be online doing something!!

BIB, wonderful that things are looking good and continue to do so, sounds wonderful to treat yourself and your kids, there must be lots of things that you missed out on in the last couple of years, so time to make up for that. I also find now that some of the best things we do, don't have to cost alot either (another MSE revelation).

Ginge, i love nothing better than sitting on my settee with my blankee, I have two also, that live on the back of the sofa during the day, but every evening and every Sunday that is my treat, watch a bit of trash or listen to some music with my blankee on. My mum used to do this for me when I was little and i still find it so comforting......awww

I have today, made cottage pie for tea (and included some red lentils to make the meat go further). We will be having this with home grown carrots and cabbage from allotment.

Made Dorset apple cake, and HM sausage rolls, all to keep my brother filled up, but on that note, he did have a heart attack last year so maybe need to rethink the cakes and pastry items :eek:

MSE earth motherhood bring it on, wine will be calling me again soon.......have a great weekend all Dolly x

dollybeads

Just been watching the People's Supermarket, how inspiring!

New Mr Ts opens tomorrow just around the corner from where I live, which I am quite excited about. However i am in two minds, I keep reading and hearing about the damage all of this agri business has on producers and the enormous amount of waste they produce. All those tempting BOGOF deals which mostly end up with people buying excess food, not using it and throwing it out.

I have noticed a huge difference now that we meal plan and shop based on the plan. I have not thrown out any food for about 6 weeks, which, although I hate to admit it, we used to do regularly. It also saves me a large amount of money. It all seems so simple now that I could kick myself in the a*** for not doing it sooner!

Had a lovely day, took my brother down to our allotment to show him what we have been up to. Then a lovely walk along the cliffs, back home for lovely roast dinner, with veg from our allotment, (lamb was lovely, Tesco's finest leg of lamb bought when it was reduced), also made Jam sponge with homemade jam and HM custard (twas lovely, but will be the size of a house by the time my brother leaves next weekend!). Lots more walks will be the order of the day.

Looking forward to a lovely week off, we are off on Friday to Guernsey for the day on the ferry so might be a bit spendy. Rest of the week will have to be Freebies or cheapies I think. Oh nearly forgot, NSD yesterday and today, 6 more items listed on ebay, woop woop.

Have a good evening everyone Dolly x

dollybeads

Good Morning all

Had a lovely day yesterday, a few small successes. Went into to town to book our tickets for trip to Guernsey on Friday, lovely walk around the harbour, then lunch in lovely newly refurbished pub on the quay, paid for by lovely OH. Went to the pound shop, and bought 6 kitchen towels for a £1, bargain (this makes me sound like a real saddo).

Then in the afternoon went to shiny new tesco's which has just opened. Very busy but ok, wrote out my shopping list based on meal plan and stuck to it!! Only spent £20.00, I can't quite believe this even myself. Lots of value brands, potatoes and lovely fresh veg, but some free range chicken etc so not scrimping on the good stuff, this will feed the 3 of us for the rest of the week. I am a bit of a ground coffee addict and have found that Tesco do a value brand which is great, at a mere £1.39 a packet. I used to spend about £3.00 per pack pre MSE.

This might sound a bit lame, but have left some money in my account to cover my final bill of the month for my mobile, usually i just go overdrawn and not worry about it, but determined to make sure that I stay within my limit and do not incur any charges. I think it is these small changes that are making a difference for me, and things like the shopping from a list, it stops those spending elves persuading me I need stuff I don't.

Also going to start this week rounding down to nearest £5.00 in my bank account and transferring this to my savings account (pinched this idea from Herewego, thanks for that ). but will help to build things up in there!

Off to the cinema today as its cheap day! Yay. We were going to have supper out tonight but have decided better to come home and use what we have bought.

Have a good day all, Dolly x

Gingerjar

Lovely to hear you are having such a fab time. Lots of great outings and nosh and all within the budget:j

Not going overdrawn at the end of the month after years of doing it is weird to begin with, I remember feeling very grown up (am in my 40s) and also thinking "Oh yes, this is what other people do." It's great not to have the stress and the charges

Also watched People's Supermarket, what a great idea especially the kitchen making the waste stuff into food which they then sold. Makes you think.......I also loved Lisa, the lady with the family of 6 - she has a sort of mad glamour about her. £200 a week on food though - ay carumba!

Very envious you are going to Guernsey for the day, I have wanted to go there since I read "The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society." It's all about the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, one of those books that makes you cry, feel angry and laugh. Brill

Well, still damp, rainy and freezing here. Even the birds look fed up! Am off in a minute to Morrisons and then local greengrocer and butcher. Lose em or lose em as the eyecandy Arfur from the People's S may say.

Enjoy x

dollybeads

oooooh Guernsey books sounds great, love anything to do with history. Will look it up.

Going to Guernsey as have been to Jersey many times, lovely as it is, just fancy something a bit different, plus other half knows of lovely restaurant there called Crabby Jacks. Guess were we are headed when we get there!

Forgot to say, when out for lunch yesterday, they had a basket full of apples and suggesting everyone take some, so did just that, and will now make my brother a Dorset apple cake to take home with him.
:heartpuls peoples supermarket, I now make soup everytime I have any left over veg, or make it into pasta sauce and then freeze. I love Lisa too, as you say somehow a mix between cockney and west end glam, not sure how she manages to spend £200 per week on groceries!! I would be bankrupt in a moment. Look forward to seeing how she gets on with the cooking in the kitchen, Arfur needs people like here on board.

ooooohhh just had a wee bit of excitement, email from tesco clubcard and i have £23.50 in unused vouchers, woop woop. I don't ever recall not using any, so will either use this online or ask for replacements to use in our new store. Things are on the up.......

Have a good day Ginger, and will look out for that book.

Dolly x

Herewego

Nice one on the Tescos vouchers thats next weeks shopping covered, or a meal out

dollybeads

Yes V exciting or am i getting v sad?

haven't felt this excited for a long time .............. is v sad.......

had a lovely day and we had meal out twas lovely.....

Have a good night all Dollyx

Herewego

Its amazing what you can do so cheaply if you put your mind to it, your not sad you have just joined the MSE gang.
Enjoy your day in Guernsey, Im very jealous love it there.

dollybeads

Hi HwG not been to Guernsey before, so looking forward to that, a bit of travelling around and walking and also some lovely nosh and drinking (my favourite pastime). Hope its not too rough on the crossing!!

Dolly x

Herewego

Many many years ago I used to do the booze cruise from Poole Quay to Jersey travel out Saturday spend sunday there and travel back early Monday morning. I would then go to work how I did I will never know struggle to have a glass of wine now and get up the next day.......
I always felt like I was a million miles away when on the Islands fingers crossed for a smooth crossing the weather is improving so hopefully it will be fine.