Time to get sorted!

smitk12

Didn't go dancing last night so saved £8, but had to pop to Asda for milk and cream so spent a few pennies. Other than that a quiet day. Am lucky working in the New Forest as can go for a walk (which is free and away from the shops) at lunchtime. The weather has been glorious here the last few days - perfect walking temperature!

Meeting a friend for a drink this evening after doing my cleaning job. She lives in Scotland and only comes down this way once a year so like to go and see her. Should only be one drink, tho, so not too much of a spend - just the extra petrol....

Have found a HM dinner in the freezer for tonight. I haven't had a chance to do much batch cooking recently so need to stock up at the end of the month (after pay day!)

Here's to a good day.... xx

smitk12

A total NSD yesterday as friend bought me a drink - great! Mum coming out for lunch today, but it's her turn to pay. Am going dancing tonight so, with a drink, that'll be £8, but that should be it for today.

Have checked my spreadsheet and have overspent by £70 at the moment this month - this is due to car MOT being higher than I thought. But, still a week to go until pay day and will have to put another £40 in the car plus a girls night out on Saturday - hmm, guess I'm looking at an overspend of about £150 in all. See, if I hadn't spent £40 on clothes the overspend would only have been £110!!

I do need to start ebaying again. I have a house full of things to sell and really must get my act together as it's silly keeping all this stuff and being in debt.

I do love reading these diaries as it gives you such inspiration. It also put's your own situation into prospective as I know there are people in a lot worse a situation than I am.

Big hugs to everyone in diaryland... xx

LAM2011

hi there, what dancing do you do ? you must be quite fit and at least its exercise too

have a good day x

startagain_2

Hi smitk12 and you too LAM....

Just seen your diary and I am also a horse freak. I owned two in my former, rich life. One I had to sell at 12 after getting him as a foal and the other one I lost at 5 because he had a neurological problem in his spine and at 16.3hh I wasn't prepared to keep him as a "wobbler". I now ride when I can, especially when I am abroad but I do miss the day to day routine. Expense is a huge factor though - when I win the lottery, perhaps.
My love of Jack Russells comes from when I used to go off for competitions alone in the horsebox and wanted some company and Russells are so good around horses and in yards as ratters that I got my first girl and have gone on from there. I am not sure how my present terrier would cope around horses - a bit of a wimp is a massive understatement:)
Sorry about the bf too - there are a few of us on here who are going through post relationship gloom - but it is getting better, I hope for you too.
You sound very kind, helping your family out, but it must be hard. I am too old to cope with unexpected financial disasters these days so I have downsized on my life and try and keep risk to a minimum. Nearly sent me over the edge before and I am not going there again.
Anyways, I am going to subscribe to your diary.
Best wishes
SA

LAM2011

startagain wrote: »

Hi smitk12 and you too LAM....

Just seen your diary and I am also a horse freak.

SA

Small world hey I am South Yorkshire / North Notts SA so in the summer if you fancied a ride ???

I never really talk horse as most people switch off when I start lol. Nice to know there are a few of us around on here.

startagain_2

LAM2011 wrote: »

Small world hey I am South Yorkshire / North Notts SA so in the summer if you fancied a ride ???

I never really talk horse as most people switch off when I start lol. Nice to know there are a few of us around on here.

That is so kind, thanks.

I am North Yorks but not too far away....


I think once you have owned your own horses it is really difficult to go back to riding and enjoying "hired" horses and I would rather not ride than spend a fortune on a one or two hour hack on some poor, bored animal. I actually love the routine bit as much as riding - a bit of mucking out and grooming - those were the days!

hugs
SA

smitk12

Thank you for your kind words Startagain. I wonder whether, once these two horses have gone, I would get another. Probably not as they are such a huge responsibility and financial committment. But saying that, they are wonderful animals and taking care of them is a big part of owning them. The riding is sometimes secondary to just being with them, as you say, grooming and poo-picking the fields - all good exercise! The "younger" one is just 16 so I could be nearing 60 by the time she pop's her clogs - might be too old to start again with a new one!

I love animals - they are such levellers - through the break up with bf, the cat has been there every night to welcome me home! He comes and lays on me while I'm watching the tv and looks at me with adoring eyes (only because I feed him!) - but he's there for me - so lovely...

Hi Lam2011 - I do modern jive which has many names depending on where you do it - we have Mo'Jive, Ceroc, Dance Yourself Dizzy, Jiveasy down here - all the same thing really. It is wonderful and, if you have a bit of rhythm, very easy to learn, especially for the female as it's a male led dance so we just do what we're told (for once!). I've just arranged to go to a freestyle event tomorrow night with a pal. But you can also turn up on your own - there's not the pressure to "pull" as everyone is really there to dance and if you meet someone nice then that's a bonus! It is really good for your fitness levels as well. Typically evenings start at 8.00 and finish at 11.00 and you could, possibly be dancing all that time - great for the waist-line!

It's nice to have some friends on board with my diary - I am trying to debt bust but sometimes feel that I'm not doing very well....note to self - must try harder! xx

smitk12

Hi Startagain - I found your diary - looks like you've been through a lot but are coming out the other side - well done! Life is so tough sometimes, but I guess nobody said it would be easy (if this was the movies, I'd burst into song right now!!) Guess it makes us strong.

Had a good day yesterday financially. Spent £7 at dancing last night (my friend bought me a drink) and that was all. However, I have gone way over my socialising budget with a dance night again tonight and a girls night out on Saturday still to add to the spreadsheet. Think I'm going to have to increase the budget and take money from somewhere else to cover it - perhaps the tree at the bottom of the garden might be growing some fivers!

Out for a walk again this lunchtime as keeps me away from the shops and ebay.

Probably wont get to ride this weekend unfortuantely unless I can get out first thing in the morning. Need to spend Saturday cleaning the house ready for my guest and have already written Sunday off due to uncertainty of the severity of my hangover. Have tentatively pencilled in going to the allotment Sunday afternoon as hopefully some quiet time digging and fresh air would do me good!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and we'll catch up again on Monday. xxx

LAM2011

Sounds like its going to be a good weekend I envy your dancing would love to do something like that. Might look into it when we move back to town.

I am definitely riding tomorrow come rain or snow! The old boy is getting too cheeky now and I think he is bored and needs some exercise.

Have a good one x

smitk12

Morning all! Couldn't post yesterday as broadband down all day at work - couldn't find the reason why and suddenly, late afternoon, it was back - computers - gotta luv 'em!

Hi Lam2011 - hope you enjoyed your ride at the weekend. Perfect riding weather and I didn't make it out at all due to two very late nights.

Not too expensive a weekend - Friday night was £8 plus £2 for drinks - Saturday night was a bit more expensive as I paid for dinner (yes I know, not very MSE) and bought a round of drinks in pub - probably spent about £40. Sunday was a complete NSD as was a bit hungover - not too bad, tho!

Am not finishing the month quite as well as I had hoped financially - pay day on Friday so will reckon up then.

Had a NSD yesterday but am off to the cinema this evening (have booked tickets with the 40% off voucher - thanks MSE!) and then dinner afterwards. My work college has been dumped by her husband at New Year and I've been trying to get her out and about it bit.

Off for a walk at lunchtime (nice and free)!

Happy non-spending everyone!

xx