Time to make a change....

Skintfoodie

Not had time to update for a few days. I didn't manage many NSDs last week, but did have one yesterday.

Today we're supposed to be going to watch a Jubilee parade - but it's chucking it down at the moment!

I've ordered a pregnancy pillow from Argos, on half price at £9.99 which needs picking up tomorrow but those are our only plans so far.

Skintfoodie

I posted my meal plan earlier http://comedinewithrach.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/meal-planning-monday.html this week should be a nice cheap shopping week, we need mince to make the spag bol - so will get a large one and put half in the freezer and then pad the spag bol out with carrots and celery.

The fish pie I'm using all frozen fish for, just haddock and coley, if I wasn't pregnant I'd add some prawns too. I hope to have some leftovers to take for lunch on Wednesday.

We need some salad and fresh fruit to see us through the week, and toothpaste - that's about it.

Today we had a day out in York. I spent £5 on bus fare from the park and ride and £10 on a maternity pillow from Argos.

We had a look in Mothercare and fell in love with a pram - but it's £345 (on offer down from £415) and car seat to go with it is £160! OH and I agreed it's too much money, and we looked on ebay when we got home for one - I have a bid on one with the car seat, max bid £135. I have my fingers crossed that we get it, but not going any higher than that bid.

Everything we've bought for the baby so far has been 50% off - I'd like to get everything without having to pay full price for anything.

I have a freecycle subscription but things seem to go before I get to look on an evening, plus I always worry about the quality of what's on offer - is it just junk that they can't be bothered to take to the tip?

Skintfoodie

I just typed out today was a NSD and then remembered I spent £3.20 on lunch! It's the only day I haven't brought lunch to work with me. This weekend I have a voucher for a cheap manicure with a friend that's setting up her own business, then we're going for tea.

It'll be yet another time when I won't be drinking yet will feel obliged to split the bill 50/50 even though my one soft drink will be a quarter of her booze.

I've still got a birthday present to buy and card and a fathers day card to pick up for my Dad to give before they go on holiday.

Next week I have nothing planned, and will keep the weekend free, I'm overdue a de-cluttering session!

Skintfoodie

Well I haven't been very good with the spending, I overspent on my Dad's birthday present, bought 2 books in Waterstones, if I'd been more on the ball I could have looked for books in there to get an idea and then ordered them online much cheaper.

We didn't end up eating out at a restaurant on Saturday night, but my friend admitted she's completely broke having just set up as self employed, so I bought us some oven food from M&S to take to hers, and got her a bottle of wine for her birthday. She did the gel manicure which should have cost me £14, but I gave her £20. She admitted to only eating one meal a day because she can't afford much food, so I hope the extra I gave makes a tiny difference.

I didn't want to preach at her but if she brings it up again then I'll direct her to this site. Sometimes people just want someone to listen without giving a load of advice - it seemed like one of those times.

Sunday was almost a NSD but then the cravings kicked in and I had to have a McDonalds milkshake...

Monday was supposed to be a NSD but I was too lazy to make any lunch, I'm usually more organised, so I bought that for £3.

Today I spent £1.10 on two bars of chocolate to keep me going today and tomorrow at work. I try not to get into the habit of chocolate every day but I'll turn into a piece of fruit if I eat much more!

Tomorrow I'm going to a book swap, but that doesn't start till 7pm. I'll finish work at 4.45pm then walk into the city centre, that will take me an hour, then I'll while away the last hour in the library reading to avoid going to a coffee shop and spending an extortionate amount on a cup of coffee. I'll have to buy a drink at the bar the swap is in, but a lime and soda won't cost too much. Plus the amount of books I pick up will make up for spending on a soft drink

Skintfoodie

I am shattered today, work was manic. I didn't go to the book swap, after I did my long walk into town it was only 5.10pm - couldn't face waiting about till 7pm.

Today was very nearly a NSD, as I was getting on the bus the young girl in front realised bus fare was much more than she thought it would be and she was £1 short, the driver would have let her on but I stepped in and gave the £1 for her. She said thanks but didn't seem overly grateful - I would have been a lot more thankful! But because I'd done a good deed the driver let me on for free! I have a card which allows 12 journeys for £32 (one journey is normally £4.70!) so I have an one extra left to use.

ZTD

Skintfoodie wrote: »

Today was very nearly a NSD, as I was getting on the bus the young girl in front realised bus fare was much more than she thought it would be and she was £1 short, the driver would have let her on but I stepped in and gave the £1 for her. She said thanks but didn't seem overly grateful - I would have been a lot more thankful!

It doesn't matter - well done you!

I wish there were more like you.

Skintfoodie wrote: »

But because I'd done a good deed the driver let me on for free! I have a card which allows 12 journeys for £32 (one journey is normally £4.70!) so I have an one extra left to use.

So in actuality, spending a pound saved you £2.67. I think that counts as better than a NSD - don't you?

Skintfoodie

ZTD wrote: »

It doesn't matter - well done you!

I wish there were more like you.



So in actuality, spending a pound saved you £2.67. I think that counts as better than a NSD - don't you?

That is a very good point, I made money!

Skintfoodie

Yesterday was a big day for me and my OH, we went and changed his mortgage to add me to it, and to increase it slightly so we can get a new roof and a new boiler. I was honest and upfront about my student loan (which I never remember to count as debt) and my consolidation loan. I was so pleased I'd got it, it would have taken ages to list all the credit cards and store cards!

I was convinced that the computer would say no, that I'd be a financial risk. But it went through. Then it shocked me by saying we could get a mortgage for upto £240k! I thought the banks were meant to be being more responsible with lending, £240k is a huge amount!

We've gone for a 20 year term, and would like to pay off quicker than that.

We need a new bathroom and kitchen, but wanted to save for those. When those are bought and paid for I want to concentrate on reducing the mortgage.

Yesterday I spent around £14, £10 on items for a foodie penpals swap and £4 on some recipe cards and a postcard. I shouldn't have signed up for the foodie penpals, but it seemed like a fun idea - and at that point my bank account looked pretty healthy. It's 10 days to pay day and I have £35 left in my account.

(The money left in my account is just for spending - all debt/bills/food money comes out at the beginning of the month).

Skintfoodie

Well I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself this evening. I'm really annoyed with myself for being stupid today.

I'd signed up to that stupid foodie pen pals thing, and went and bought bits and pieces worth £10 for the parcel. Including a jar of local chutney - which didn't seem all that heavy...

Went to post office and my package was 500g too heavy to send 2nd class recorded so had to send 1st class recorded which cost me £8!

I really wish I'd never bothered signing up to it.

Grr.

I feel absolutely exhausted today, yesterday I managed over 10,000 steps for our work pedometer challenge but today I've only managed 6900 so far - even though I walked 2 miles after work for the bus.

(Only good thing about that is I saved £2 on the bus fare!)

Well tomorrow will be a better day, and a NSD for me.

Skintfoodie

Wednesday was a NSD for me, but I was lazy and didn't make any lunch to take to work on Thursday, £3.20 spend and then on a Friday every few weeks we all get lunch together, today was noodles and a can of pop - £4.10.

I was going to make buns tonight but my feet and ankles are so swollen and sore I don't think I should be stood up on them much longer!

This weekend we were supposed to be going to the seaside tomorrow, but the bad weather has stopped that - I would still be happy to go in the rain, but convincing the step kids is another thing....

Instead we'll end up taking them out for their lunch, just to try and get them to go out of the house. As we're in town they'll no doubt talk their Dad into buying them things. Money that would be better spent on things for the baby....

My OH overcompensates for the fact he and their mother aren't together, although it was her choice to leave. So he has two very spoilt children who expect and demand. They won't even do small jobs around the house like wash up.

I find it very frustrating, plus the amount they cost. My OH pays maintenance, but then pays all their clothes, trips, clubs/hobbies.... It's never ending. I'm not sure I would let my child have lessons for two musical instruments and play a sport - but it's not up to me.