misscousinitt's MF Diary

misscousinitt

Phew! What a week. Been really busy and it will only get worse next week as I prepare for my week off - can't wait!

It's been a week of seeing people too.

Saw one of my best friends on Tuesday and told her about my plans - I wasn't sure how that would go - but it was fine - I don't know what I was worried about.

Wednesday, went to see Mum and she seems to have got herself into a bit of bother with the bank - ie...quite overdrawn. We went though her finances - which are very simple really and I've told her she's got to stop giving to charities and cut her weekly spending on 'non-essentials' - at least for the time being. I didn't go nuts at her - but she actually had no idea why the bank wouldn't let her have any money - even though it was in black and white on her statement! there is no accounting for people...it's not an impossible situation - she just needs to be alot more careful. I am going to try and see the bank on Monday and see if I can get the charges stopped while she sorts herself out.

Thursday went to see my old neighbour - we had a good chat about future plans - she may be moving, so I really won't see her often then - but this all hinges on her getting a job - which she is finding difficult at the moment.

We have been good this week food wise (DH actually put me back on the straight and narrow the other day! I wanted to go out and he said no as we are going out on Saturday - he helped me cook up a quick and easy tea and I was glad that he persuaded me to be good).

Need to do a freezer inventory this weekend (as didn't have time last weekend) and complete my March meal plan. We are out for meals 3 times in the month as we have our night away and both our birthdays - but other than that we must be good. got plenty of leftovers snoozing in the freezer, so it's time to get inventive.

Busy but enjoyable Saturday planned - apart from a few chores and two small but irritating charity tasks - it will be great to catch up with friends - you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to that.

Sunday I hope to plant a few seeds - bringing some staging into the conservatory to help with space. I have quite a few end of winter, but not quite spring flowers in the garden and my efforts towards the end of last year are now being rewarded.

Other than that I am going to relax and enjoy.

I hope that you all do too - have a good weekend all.

MCI

misscousinitt

Mega quick drop by!

- Hectic week preparing for audit at work.
- Eating to meal plan.
- Money saved on meal out at the weekend (more for holiday spending money)
- A kind stranger restored my faith in humanity - gave me a free drinks voucher for marks and sparks cafe when I was in the queue there today.

Will be updating properly soon - OP to come on the 5th March.

MCI

misscousinitt

Excited about my week off - but I have quite alot to do before then.

I can't believe it is hump day already and I haven't done a proper update.

Weekend was busy, but good! Lots of fun had with friends. DH and I also did the freezer inventory together and it was done quite quickly. I really do need to get some chicken as we have very little white meat in the freezer; but apart from that I think alot of our meals are going to come from the leftovers and stocks in the freezer.

Bit of money shuffling done today and probably a bit more tomorrow. CC balance for the roof and kitchen is alot lower than I thought it was - we are hoping to have this clear by the end of March - fingers crossed.

Last night we had HM Chicken & Ham Pie with LO chicken frozen after last weeks mid week roast and ham from the freezer that was a freebie whilst doing SE!

Tonight we have Lamb Casserole - currently sitting in the SC ready to click on. Yellow Sticker Lamb Chunks and the dregs of the veg drawer are included - it will be lovely I am sure with some mash.

Hope everyone is well. Really hope that spring is on the way.

MCI

misscousinitt

£co payment requested.

Every little helps.

MCI

misscousinitt

Cheque received in the post for discounts on gas and electric

MCI

misscousinitt

Loving my birthday week off work!

Had a lovely day yesterday seeing family and friends and as the sun was shining we went to out for a couple of hours and had lunch overlooking the river.

Away for a couple of days now - exploring more fairly local places (it's amazing what's on your doorstep). Groupon voucher at the ready for our overnight stay!

It's going to be a bad week regarding meals but we did resist a carvery dinner on Sunday and ate at home.

In money news:

- £Co of £6 is added to renovation pot
- Toy fair eventually went quite well on Sunday (at one point it looked like we might make £2!) The proceeds will be going towards the credit card - fingers crossed we could have it paid off this month.
- £500 OP yesterday

Will update signature soon.

Wishing everyone a lovely week.

MCI

Karmacat

Have a lovely birthday week! Have a cake :bdaycake:

Doling those out today

I agree about what's on your doorstep - there are some amazing things near to me. And even where my brother now lives - I mucked up on the Sun holidays thing, didn't apply in time, so I suggested a staycation for him, my sister and me - all sorts of things are around there, that we've never been to.

Have yourself a lovely week

misscousinitt

Thanks KC. Had a lovely week so far - can't believe it's Friday already tomorrow!

We have been fairly good and mainly spent allocated money. Couple of slips but nothing major.

Out again tomorrow for the day. Bit of a bus man's holiday for SE (research). But lunch is involved and I love going to markets anyway.

Couple of charity bits to do tomorrow evening then off to yoga.

Hasn't been the most MSE week but I feel better for the time off. Dreading going back to work next week - but trying not to think about it too much.

MCI x

misscousinitt

Back to work!

I really haven't missed the place. Had been feeling conflicted about my future, but I am newly resolved as to what I need to do.

Pleased with how my week off went - I could have done a load more chores, but I spent the time instead with DH and I think we are both feeling better for it. Back to it now.

- SE prep this week Wed-Fri evenings.
- Need to do a job for the charity tomorrow evening.
- DH is finishing a couple of jobs round Mum's tonight.
- Mum's birthday on Friday.

Hope everyone is well.

MCI

misscousinitt

Was interested to read on Alex's thread about Poverty Mentality! I looked it up and I think this is the reason I am fighting with myself. It's an interesting concept and one I need to grasp I think. Obviously on here we are focused on money - but it's how to make the best of what we have got and I think I have been thinking far too much about how much I won't have if I go SE (moneywise) - but I need to think about all the things I will gain like my heath, my mental health, time, job satisfaction etc...

Jobs finished round Mum's for now - she was very grateful.

Charity job to be done later after shopping, petrol and prescription fetching - at least it will be out of the way.

Will ring DH and ask him to get chopping and grating so I can get tea and tomorrow's tea sorted when I get home.

Forgot to mention that we finally have a radiator in the kitchen :j - shame it's taken till the weather is getting better, but I shouldn't be un-grateful £50 from renovation pot paid for the fitting (plus he drained the system and re-set the boiler and it seems to be working alot better now).

A bit of money from Toy Fair etc... paid in today - will transfer to the CC.

I made a bit of a booboo by paying our over-night stay off the wrong CC! Oh well, can be easily jigged around - just need to adjust spreadsheets and pay the right account!! It is looking like we might be able to clear the CC that we owe on for the kitchen and the roof by the end of this month - that will be fantastic! and a big weight off my mind.

Tonight's tea is chicken stir fry; tomorrow's is HM Cottage Pie...

MCI