misscousinitt's MF Diary

misscousinitt

Couldn't wait till tomorrow, so I have done my financial analysis tonight (well as I get paid tomorrow I thought it was a good time).


The spending diary has been interesting to keep and shows that I keep a fairly tight ship usually as long as I keep to the menu planning.


Interesting things from the spending diary:


£8.97 overspend on food (even with using some nectar points)
£21 spent on lunch items - which equates to approx. £1 a day which I don't think is too bad - most of this is buying things for multiple lunches in the week and a couple of bought sandwiches as a treat.
£37.37 left in the bank at the end of the month which will get split between the House Fund and my Emergency Fund.


Spent quite a lot on mums decorating, but that has come out of my bonus and of course my brother's mattress (£185 total) - but I still have some bonus left to spend on me!!! Yay!


I am going to carry on with the spending diary as I think it keeps me in check and it's useful to see what you've spent on what. I've enjoyed it actually - keeping track of everything - let's hope it leads to more deposits to the House & Emergency Funds in the future.


MCI

Goldiegirl

I'm also finding the spending diary and menu planning to be very helpful

On the subject of mattresses, my mum and dad had an old mattress on their spare bed. It didn't have holes in it, but it sagged in the middle so much, it was as if was going to eat you up!:eek:

When we visited them, I couldn't sleep- it was very off putting to feel the bed was going to eat you!

After a couple of times I told them, so they bought a new mattress, so at least I could have a good nights sleep on our visits after that.

misscousinitt

Do the money shuffle yeah yeah (dances) :rotfl:

I really have lost the plot this week, but still smiling (even if sometimes it is through gritted teeth)!

£341.68 added to the House Fund
£68.68 added to my Emergency Fund

Shopping list is complete. Bags are in the car and I'm ready for BIG SHOP part one tonight at Herr A.

Freezer Raiders Pasta & Sauce tonight - found a container with 3 HM Turkey Meatballs and an odd 2/3 pack of prosciutto so going to make something with that - may retrieve a half filled container of cacciatore sauce to add to the mix. Should be interesting...

My thanks to everyone who's reading my diary and commenting occasionally, its reassuring to know I'm not talking to myself!:D

MCI

edinburgher

So, what are you treating yourself with from your bonus?

The rice (and the duck (and everything)) sound amazing. How do you cook the eggs? Scrambled, or just fried quickly like you were making a thin omelette?

Looking forward to the weekend, will need to do our stock up as well. As chance would have it, I believe L1dl are doing Asian week now?

Excuse all the question marks, I have only questions for my questions! :rotfl:

misscousinitt

Hi Ed - you can cook the eggs anyway you like scrambled or omelette - I usually do mine scrambled - it's easier. Yes, I think there are 'Asian' promotions in many stores at the moment - what with Chinese New Year coming up on the 17 Feb! Some good offers around if you like to cook Chinese at home.


I feel that what I've got on my list for the bonus is rather dull (so far) - laser printer cartridges (oh joy), 2-3 flash drives and I've seen a couple of things in the Next catalogue. Will still have a bit left over after this - so maybe a more exciting purchase will come along. Probably will need to spend a bit more on Mums too - though I think it should be over to her now to carpet and furnish (though I will be putting something towards her new bookcase).


No probs about the ????


Was really busy at work yesterday - hence no update - but yay! it's the weekend!!!


Went out for an absolutely delish meal last night - we were treating ourselves as it's pay day - the fish platter starter was out of this world and quite reasonably priced for what you get.


Used about £91 of the food budget so far - but I have really stocked up plus used vouchers in Mr T yesterday. Couple of things to get from Mr W which will probably take me up to £100 - but as February is a kind month being only 4 weeks long I am sure that I will come in under budget this month. More coupons arrived in the post today - all of which I will use and at least they are dated till the end of March, so they won't get wasted.


Decorating nearly finished at Mum's - apparently just the gloss work and another coat of paint over where we've had to patch plaster - will be taking some photos to go on FB later to keep family and interested parties up to date with the progress. All paintwork should be finished on Tuesday.


Don't know whether I said that my cousin will have a hearth, fire and surround for my Mum to have - much better than what we could get for our budget and very kindly it's free of charge!


Anyway, got a full day today with housework, making a huge jam tart to take to my cousins' later for his party, charity paperwork and visiting Mum. Also got to get petrol and pop to cake shop for a box to put said jam tart in! Then off to my cousins' 50th Birthday Party at 5pm.


Hope everyone has a great weekend.


MCI


PS I am still smiling lol

edinburgher

Printer cartridges are not a treat, rack your brains woman!

I am absolutely fascinated by the concept of fried rice now, you have inspired me to cook it today. My Eds fried rice will feature skirt steak, fresh ginger, onions, celery, peas and dried spring onions and chilli (and eggs). Going to a massive Chinese supermarket with Mrs E once she gets a bit more sleep.

Well done on the decorating at your Mum's, the family really seems to be pulling together on that one. Our bathroom will need re-done in a couple of months and I'm ashamed to say that I'll be paying a decorator/builder to do it as it will require a wee bit of plastering, awkward painting and a new radiator.

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

My Eds fried rice will feature skirt steak, fresh ginger, onions, celery, peas and dried spring onions and chilli (and eggs).

Just one word - why? :rotfl:.

edinburgher

gallygirl wrote: »

Just one word - why? :rotfl:.

Celery can quite often be found in Chinese food. That, and I have a full pack of celery that I can't use for anything else as it's not a stock making week :rotfl:

misscousinitt

I'm with GG on the celery but hey, it's your fried rice. Try adding some soy to that mux and I'm sure it will be great.

Enjoy!

Trouble with me is I tend to look at the practical side of everything - I won't just go and spend forthe sake of it - so must think carefully on what I can spend it on. Definately no more cook books though - got enough to start up my own shop lol

MCI

edinburgher

Will be buying sauces and seasonings today, don't know what yet but Chinese supermarket is the size of an aircraft hangar :eek: