Wobbly Jellie looks for balance!

yukkibear

I'm good thankyou, just life getting in the way. Lots of expenses and we've really taken our eye off the ball this year

*Jellie*

Sounds a bit like our year. I'm determined to get back on track though.
Today has been a NSD. I've also been working on anniversary gift for hubby.
There will be some planned spending tomorrow- a replacement air canister and I need to try and source some cheap wood for making several compost bins. The test is can I only keep to planned spends.
Next thing to focus on regarding the money saving is getting back on track with groceries.

TwinnyD

Sorry you've had a rough year, hope you manage to get back on track. The spending wallet and folder look great!

QB_Wolf

*Jellie* wrote: »

Thanks everyone- I have faced up to it!!
First stage will be analysing my recent spending and then working out some challenges to help. I'm also making a spending diary and might ask OH to watch me fill in a spending spreadsheet each week- I'm less likely to spend on wants if I have to confess!!

:T It'll make it all the more satisfying as you get back on track.

Beckyy

Your spending wallet looks great!

I'm also very guilty of overspending at the moment. I'm great when I sit down and plan it all out and fe all motivated, but towards the end of the month I seem to drift off the plan somehow... I'm sure there's hope for us yet! Good luck on your journey

*Jellie*

Twinny D- thanks very much

QB- indeed. I have used the wallet today to record my spends. I kept to the things on my list and spent most of my time in the shops thinking do I really need .....!

Beckyy- I tend to be really motivated and on track for months at a time and then I'll suddenly go off track for no apparent reason, turn into an ostrich and take a while to reign myself in!

Today I have made a menu planning board for the kitchen. I'm having real problems uploading pictures on here so you'll need to visit my other place if you want to see- here.
The idea is that at the weekend we choose our main meals for the next week. The meals are colour coded and in different holders on the board for poultery, meat, fish, other and side dishes. This means we can easily make sure we have a range of meals across the week. Tomorrow I will start writing the names of meals we like onto the cards.

newgirly

Hi Jellie, I have been having a nosey through your blog You are very creative and I loved the meal planner!

*Jellie*

Thanks newgirly.
I've been feeling a bit under the weather today so I've taken things easy.
Had a NSD.
This year is the first proper go I've had at growing my own veg. We used vouchers from our wedding to get a very small greenhouse (basically and enclosed bookcase) and a metre squared raised bed. Had quite a lot of problems with the weather. I was expecting a drought so at least I haven't had to spend time every day watering stuff! Spinach and lettuce has gone well but beetroot, radishes, toms, peppers and chillis not looking too hot ;-)
I did manage to harvest some spinach and lettuce today. Hubby is not a big veg fan so I'm trying to find cunning ways to get things into our meals! I made a tomato, spinach and mascarpone soup today and popped it in the freezer. I also made some peanut butter flapjacky things.

yukkibear

All of my veg has been ruined this year. Carrots didn't grow after 2 attempts. My peas were eaten time after time, my tomatoes looked awful. only thing that has hopefully worked are potatoes and i'll dig some of those up later. Potentially my pumpkin was looking good but we'll see. I lost interest with all the rain and ruin this year

*Jellie*

Seems the weird weather has ruined lots of our attempts this year but I'm happy I've got some food out of my first attempts! I spotted a few small toms growing yesterday- they probably won't be edible but I did a happy dance in the garden anyway! The neighbours must think we're crazy- what with that and our antics with the squirrels!!

Still keeping the spending diary and at the moment it is helping me stay focused. I'm spending some time crafting and I'm really enjoying finding ways to recycle and use stash. Yesterday I designed and cut a stencil and also cut a stencil designed by a virtual friend.

I'm desperately wanting to keep on with my crafting project but I must start getting some work done. So I'm going to do a quick catch up with a couple of things online and then I'll spend the morning working. If I do enough by lunch I can move onto chores and crafting!!