Trotting along nicely - my MFW diary

Ayeshalush

Thanks for your post Dragonrider. Having a diary certainly does focus the mind, although I'm still buying luxuries, etc I am conscious of just how much I'm spending on them and questioning how much I actually want them! I definitely haven't spent a s much on these sort of items as I would have pre diary!...but I am starting to realise that I want the mortgage paid off more than I want some of these 'things'.

Now you've started your diary, I bet you'll be surprised by how quickly that mortgage starts to reduce. I'll be following your journey with interest. It's amazing how often you pick up money saving tips from other people's diaries. I thought I was quite savvy at all this MSE stuff until I read on someone elses diary about turning the thermostat on the boiler down during the summer - my water id always too hot at this time of year but it had never crossed my mind before to turn the thermostat down!!! Needless to say it has now been done! ETA - I've just been to read your diary and realised that it was you, Dragonrider that mentioned this:o! Thank you so much for the kick up the bahookey!:D

Have had a bit of a spendy day today as I was out for lunch with friend that I hadn't seen for ages, and then took mum and dad out for a fish tea for Father's day (they're going on holiday early tomorrow morning) and my dad loves a fish supper! Had a lovely day though and let's just say it's a good job the diet isn't starting until tomorrow!!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.

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Ayeshalush

I'm having quite a constructive day for me so far (I'm usually quite lazy on a Sunday if I'm not at the stables).

So far I have -

• done a washing and hung it on the airer
• made some yoghurt
• made bread in breadmaker
• listed couple of items on ebay
• entered a competition to win £100 gemstones for jewellery making
• dowloaded a couple of free books to my kindle including one called 'How to Declutter Your Home' or similar
• planted some lettuce and rocket seeds (thanks for the inspiration Michelle:D)
• picked few more strawberries from the garden (in the rain!)
• bleached kitchen sinks
• texted dad to wish him Happy Fathers Day as he's on holiday

Plans for the rest of the day include -

• ironing
• sticking to diet
• 10 mins on x-trainer (more if I can but I'm very unfit so will need to build it up)
• clean bathroom
• meal plan for week
• lookout some more items to ebay

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gratefulforhelp_2

What kind of diet are you doing? Think I need to join you!

Ayeshalush

Weight watchers propoints, but I am also trying to cut back on my carb intake too. (Just ignore the loaf of bread I mentioned in my last post:o).

I've hired a cross trainer as I loved it when I had a gym membership and found it easy to work for fairly long periods while still burning loads of cals - think it helps that my legs are fairly strong from the horse riding. It also really toned up my backside!! So I'm planning to use it everyday Mon to Fri.

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gratefulforhelp_2

Have you stopped riding then? I would like to start again but need to lose weight in the interests of the poor horse!

Ayeshalush

No, I'm still riding but life's been a bit manic lately and I'm only managing once a week. I've given up the loan of the horse as it was just too expensive for once a week and I can't manage up any more often at the moment (it's a 50 mile round trip to the stables). I still get to groom him and spend time with him before my lesson each week though, so although it was a hard decision and I do miss him, I still get to see and ride him. I have the option to re-loan him if I want (and if no-one else has taken him on loan in the meantime).

As long as the yard you got to to ride are aware of your weight they should be able to accomodate you or advise you where could. I am quite overweight so the horse I ride is a sturdy gypsy cob who has no problems carrying me. I have put on a bit over the last year though and it does niggle at me that it's not fair on him to be carrying this extra weight, although as I said, it doesn't seem to be causing him any problems (recently had his annual back check and no issues). I've also been getting a bit of joint stiffness and soreness which I believe could be arthritis as it runs in the family (knees, knuckles, wrists, feet, hips) which is beginning to affect my riding. So taking all this into acount I have no choice but to lose weight 1) if I want to continue riding (I really don't want to have to give up) and 2) to help with some of the joint pain.

I'm just really feeling my age at the moment (or maybe that should be about 20 years older than I am). My dad's health issues are ongoing at the moment and although none of them are relevant to my situation it is just making me more aware of my own health issues and that I have to really start to tackle the areas I can.

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gratefulforhelp_2

I am having the same synptoms, and reached the same conclusion.

Ayeshalush

Maybe we can keep each other motivated then - in my case that will probaby entail a swift kick in the behind from time to time and a reminder of the reasons why I must stick to my diet and exercise regime!!

Did my 10 mins on the x-trainer and think I was kidding myself about my legs being strong, they were quivering by the time I was finished! Heart and lungs coped well, although I was very hot and out of breath. I can't believe how much fitness I have lost in the 18 months since I gave up my gym membership - I used to be able to do 40 mins at level 12 - it was hard work but I could do it. Oh well, onwards and upwards - it can only get better if I put the effort in!

Had a tasty tea -two WW sausages(not great - wouldn't buy again, they were on special offer so though I would try them), with boiled potatoes and ratatouille (made to use up the aging veg in the fridge - I hate having to throw anything out). Will have some raspberries as a snack later.

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Ayeshalush

Haven't updated for ages. Life is still pretty hectic for one reason and another so I've been dipping into other people's diaries but not getting chance to post on them or on my own!

Still keeping up with all the survey sites but seem to be screening out a lot of them just now. Maybe my age!!

I've sold a couple more things on ebay recently and I'm trying to list 2 things a week. I find listing things on ebay soul destroying but 2 things at a time doesn't take long and will soon add up over the weeks. All extra pennies in the OP pot and decluttering at the same time.:D

Next week is going to be a little expensive as I am off work and am meeting a friend for lunch on Sat, going to a barbecue on Sat night and will need to take some stuff with me, meeting another friend, who is home from Australia for a few weeks, for lunch on Monday, having a facial on Thursday, riding lesson on Friday and car is going into the car one day. There is this knocking noise coming from underneath the car when you go over small bumps, etc on road. It was in the garage a couple of weeks ago for service and MOT and the track rod ends were replaced which we thought would fix it. It is a little better but obviously something else is not right, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't too expensive.

Last weekend was quite expensive too as my 5 year old nephew came to stay overnight for the first time. I had to buy in all the things that he likes to eat, which came to about £20 and on the saturday i took him to McDs and for a riding lesson. He was really good the whole time, so despite the expense I enjoyed having him (except for the early rise on sat morning - 6am:eek::eek::eek:. I've told him that he can't come back until he can sleep until 10.30!:o ... but he knows that I'm only joking). Went to the Royal Highland Show on Sunday so that entailed a fair bit of petrol, £25 entry and spends during the day but it's a great day out amd only once a year!

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Ayeshalush

Time for an update of my figures (May and April figures have been corrected as I had only shown my regular overpayment, although the Mortgage balance for each month was correct):

Month: Payment (Std / OP) / Interest (per day) / Net reduction / Balance

April: £405.97 (£173.00 / £232.97) / £15.98 (£0.53) / £389.99 / £26,912.19
May: £570.06 (£173.00 / £397.06) / £16.34 (£0.53) / £553.72 / £26,358.47
June: £710.08 (£173.00 / £537.08 / £15.66 (£0.52) / £694.42 / £25,664.05


ETA - I've just realised that i've knocked another 2 months off my MF date - Oct 2018 now!! Yay!!

Off to update my sig!:D

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