Lulabelle's MFW Diary

gallygirl

lulabelle1 wrote: »

Had a chat with DH about my MF obsessive ways, he seems to be on board but wants me to stop talking about it so much..... !!

Don't worry, that's what we're here for :rotfl:

lulabelle1

Thanks GG, just as well as I think I drive him nuts!!

lulabelle1

Morning!

Lovely trip in to London yesterday, productive meeting and of course, my Eggnog latte! The sun was shining and it was very mild, if it wasn't for the fact that there were Christmas decorations, then I would never have known that it was December.

The same can't be said about the weather today, very grey and extremely windy outside, thank goodness I am working from home in my cosy little office today.

Just spent the morning writing the Company Christmas cards, need to pop down to the post office later to get them sent off. I always leave it too late, they are being sent all of the World and I'm not convinced that any of them will actually make it in time.....

I discussed the revised MF date of Dec 2016 with DH the other day. He was genuinely shocked that I believe that we can achieve it by then and asked me about holidays..... I must confess, apart from £100 per month I haven't really factored in holidays. We are going to have a week in a cottage next to the sea in Cornwall next year - this is booked and I have the money stashed to one side. But, I haven't really thought any further in advance than that. Our last few family holidays have been to Florida and with the best will in the world, my £100 per month will not cover that!!

So, I've decided that any addition bonus payments that I take will need to put aside for holidays, or at least half of it anyway with the rest being thrown at the mortgage. So, no bonus equals no holidays. Simples!!!!

lulabelle1

Wow, just back from the post office and I'm windswept, the wind out there is crazy... It's just started to rain too, so it seems that Winter has finally arrived.....

lulabelle1

Well, different weather again here today... The wind has gone and the rain has stopped... Instead we have clear blue skies and the sun is shining, beautiful.

DH's day off today and he has taken DS2 to get some new shoes as he has outgrown his old pair. Talking of shoes and children..... It never ceases to amaze me when I see other children that I know and they have different footwear on every time I see them. I have 2 boys and I guess they are not so high maintenance as girls, but DS1 who is 7 has one pair of school shoes and 1 pair of trainers which he wears when not at school. DS2 is just 2 and he just has one pair of shoes or trainers at any one time.

Am I tight? I just can't see the point of small children having various pairs of shoes, trainers, boots etc etc when their feet grow so much.

Some parents that i know dress their small children as though they are taking part in a modelling campaign for a high fashion magazine, it amazes me. Firstly, they are children, they should just be playing and having fun and not worrying about being super trendy and cool at such a young age. Secondly, why spend so much money dressing the children? Don't get me wrong, my kids always look nice and their clothes are good quality but surely you don't have to spend a small fortune to do this.

Anyway, rant over... I really don't know where that came from!!

Interesting to hear from other parents though in regards to your own personal views on this.....

lulabelle1

Got some of my salary today - just the part that pays for supermarket spends and fuel (The rest follows on the 21st of each month)..... The good news is that for the first time ever, not only did I stick to the budget for the supermarket and fuel, but I had a little bit left over. So I've transferred the little bit that was left over to my new mortgage OP jar and will put it towards the next OP that I make next month.

If it wasn't for the fact that it is Christmas, I think I could have done even better this month with the supermarket budget. I'll still be sensible though and see whether it is possible to have some money left in 4 and a bit weeks time.....

lulabelle1

Going away to see family later today for the weekend. Wont come cheap but it doesn't happen often so I will try and enjoy without whinging about how much money we are spending all of the time, lol!!

lulabelle1

Had a wonderful weekend away with the family....
Went in to the city centre on Saturday morning which was lovely. Had a little wander around the shops and picked up one of the last Xmas presents. Even indulged in a non expenses paid for Starbucks, so that was a treat!
Kids had a great time with their Dad and Uncle and I got to spend some quality time with my sister, so that was really nice....
Sadly the weather was terrible and yesterday it was pouring down, so the trip to the German Xmas market was cancelled and we stayed in and watched Elf on DVD instead.
It's that time where the food shop needs to be done and since DH has been doing this for the last few month, I'm just trying to motivate myself to go and do it now to save him the job of doing it later. I caught up on work last night and have done a few bits and pieces this morning, so I guess I have an hour or so to spare to do it.
With all of my whinging about DH spending too much I'm actually not convinced that I'm going to do any better. I attempted to do the food ship online with Mr T the other day but in the end the website drove me nuts and kept stopping working so I ended up just closing the browser down and decided to go to the shop myself. Plus, this way I get to go to Mr A first and save a few pence here and there on some of the essentials.
Anyway, whilst attempting to do the shopping online I was actually shocked at how much the prices on various things have increased in the last few weeks.
How people manage to spend so much less than me I've really got no idea..... I menu plan and only buy what we need, I make meals that be used for a few meals - i.e. the bol from spag bol is split and also made in to a lasagne. I can't bring myself to eat cheaply though so maybe this is where I don't make the savings. I like to eat meat, fresh veg etc etc. I don't mind beans on toast for a lunch once in a while but thats about it........
Well, guess I'd better get a wiggle on and get to the shops now otherwise I'll get too comfy in my office and never go.....
Have a great MSE week everyone!

Best, L

lulabelle1

Well, back from the food shop and what can I say other than that I think I may have to start doing the food shopping myself. I spent a total of £85 and that's enough for 10 days and includes a few bits for Christmas and a bottle of wine, not bad if I may say so myself!

lulabelle1

Decided to cook a stew for dinner tonight. I'm not really big on stews but DH has been asking to have one for a few years (!!!), so I finally gave in......
Have chucked all of the ingredients in a huge pan which is now hopefully bubbling a way in the oven. didn't really know what too add, to just chucked in "stew type" things and will hope for the best. I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with a stew so it should be fine. Will also dig out a Jamie receipt for some yummy dumplings that I've not cooked for yonks and will chuck those in nearer to tea time.