PennyGrabber's Path to Pecuniary Positiveness!!

PennyGrabber

Thank you Lovethenight and Suffolk lass.

LTN - you're right - until this year, I didn't have different budgets, so I suppose I am doing well compared to what it used to be, and I spent a lot less on food than I used to, and there was still enough (not loads of leftovers too, which I was pleased about!!)

SL - dd's birthday party was a huge success. The craft tables were well used, and I ran the musical statues with dd 'help'. Then, when I was about to do the musical bumps, after setting out the food, it turned out she'd already done it!! I made millionaire's shortbread, and my ex sister in law said it was lush, and it's always her fave, and didn't even realise that I'd made it, she thought it was shop-bought!! That was one of the highlights of the party! Ex dh was there, and I put him in charge of the craft table, but he couldn't help but make a comment to me on the way out that his parents were put out that they weren't invited, and as dd wouldn't talk to them on her bday when they rang (they rang at half 6, and she was knackered after an exciting day), could I ring them. I didn't lower myself to any response other than 'ok then' in a cheery voice before walking off. He had to wait til we were outside alone though, as he doesn't want people to think he's horrible to me - he tells everyone how amicable we are... The annoying thing is, I only don't invite them because he doesn't invite my mum when he does the children's parties!! The cake went down well, and looked awesome, I was thrilled with how it turned out. I only finished decorating it about two hours before the party! One of the mums (whose dd I teach once a week) asked me who I'd had make the cake for me, and her eyes popped out of their sockets when I said i'd done it myself!! Managed to get dd to her tap practice too, so that was fab - had forgotten to factor that into the timings. DD used her new ipod and docking station for all the music, and was in her element; I was really pleased for her.

My friend and her husband helped to set up, did teas etc and helped with food during the party, then stayed til the bitter end clearing up too; I'm really lucky to have such good friends. Mum helped me to prep some stuff beforehand, and helped with the gruesome job of sorting out my kitchen after the event! She only left a little while ago, having helped with the washing, cleaning out the guinea pigs, and going out for a walk with the children. All in all, a great weekend, but I now need two days off before going back to work!!!

Moneywise, I was ok this weekend. Mum likes to go to te$co, because they don't have a big one where they are, and I bought a few things I needed and nothing else (detangling spray for dd - been promising her it for ages but keep forgetting to get it, ch yoghurts, and osme handwash), plus mum treated me to some banoffee hot choc powder and some toffipops from b&m bargains.

While we were in te$co, I bought my mother's day present - mum helped dd 'choose' it, after I'd told her what to get!! I wanted some cake tins as I only have xmas ones, and they got a small cake to go into it that says best mum, and a card. I always have to buy my own presents, but I think it's important that the children buy me something, so they learn how to give.

Other than polystyrene cups yest am before the party, those have been my only spends this weekend. I'm really happy about that, unfortunately I have completely lost track of the budgets for this month now, so I'm going to look at what I have left, give my xmas tin, car account and holiday fund their amounts, then split what's left into what I think. I reckon I'll need about £20 more petrol this month, so that'll be a £20 saving there, but I'll have to look at olb to sort the rest. That's my job for tonight, then I'll be back in control for the month. Is the plan...!!!

Quite a long post, but feel better for having it in black and white (and pink!). Haven't bothered with a positives list today, as it's inside the text.

I'm not feeling lonely now, I think I just get funny before events like that, as there should be a mum and a dad, and I think about what I'm missing out on (if i had the right partner, which ex dh was NOT!). Thanks for all good thoughts, catch you later - I'm off to sort budgets... Oh, and maybe start some chilli jam... and make the lunchboxes for tomorrow... and get the children to bed... ... ... ... !!!

Suffolk_lass

A huge well done. What a massive effort. I thought your lonely sensation may have something to do with managing alone but it isn't everything you know. Better to be strong alone than in the wrong relationship. Your post is really positive and you must be really proud.

It's sad isn't it when the surrounding relationships also breakdown when a marriage fails. I know from one of my friends that when her Son's relationship broke down it was awful for her too. She had to support him, even though she felt he was in the wrong. My sister's DH has not spoken to his brother since just after their father died. My nephew has never met his uncle and he is almost 17. Only the people involved can know why or whether there should be healing, as only they are involved but it's a little piece of sadness that's left when people move on. I really admire the fact that you had your exDH there as your DD will only know it was happy for her. You must be incredibly strong.

I'm so glad it went well. Have a great week.

SL
PS your DD is still 6 in your sig - don't let her see!!

PennyGrabber

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

A huge well done. What a massive effort. I thought your lonely sensation may have something to do with managing alone but it isn't everything you know. Better to be strong alone than in the wrong relationship. Your post is really positive and you must be really proud.

It's sad isn't it when the surrounding relationships also breakdown when a marriage fails. I know from one of my friends that when her Son's relationship broke down it was awful for her too. She had to support him, even though she felt he was in the wrong. My sister's DH has not spoken to his brother since just after their father died. My nephew has never met his uncle and he is almost 17. Only the people involved can know why or whether there should be healing, as only they are involved but it's a little piece of sadness that's left when people move on. I really admire the fact that you had your exDH there as your DD will only know it was happy for her. You must be incredibly strong.

I'm so glad it went well. Have a great week.

SL
PS your DD is still 6 in your sig - don't let her see!!

Oh yes!! I'll change that pdq!!

Thanks for that lovely post - it's good to know that people understand and empathise with what I'm going through. I was incredibly proud of myself that he was there, and several friends commented on how well I did.

Positives for the day:
- no sms, although did pay £2 that I owed at work (charity sweets, naughty me!)
- enough dinner today for leftovers for me tomorrow. I was quite surprised at the taste of my cottage pie, then I realised that I could taste the meat!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:I normally pad it out with all sorts, but I'm desperate for the freezer space, so I used 125g of mince for the three of us, and I could taste it!! Better no get used to that though... Interestingly enough, dd didn't like it!! DS as usual polished off the whole plate!
- nice chat with friends. They came over to give dd her present, and they stayed for a cuppa and some games. It was lovely, as although they live close, we rarely see each other as we're all so busy.
- checked olb and still doing ok. Think I have about £70 left for food, which is fine in theory, leaving enough for a haircut (woohoo - not had one since August!)
- I ran out of potatoes and bread. This may not seem like a positive, but for me this is amazing. Firstly, I never run out of spuds, just buy more and rotate the stock. Secondly, I ran out of bread, but DIDN'T go to a shop to buy more. I have wraps in the freezer, they'll be fine, and the children won't be able to choose toast tomorrow. Oh no, the world may end!!

I'm shopping for a top up tomorrow, as I didn't do a whole week's shopping at the weekend, so I will buy bread and whipping cream (needed for a salmon recipe) and I think that's it. I don't need spuds until at least the weekend, could do without for longer, so may check ald! at the weekend. Won't need milk til the weekend, that'll be at farmf00ds, along with bread from there too, if needed by then.

I'd better go now and bake some biscuits. I'm organising a 'big brew' at school tomorrow, to raise money for traidcraft. Luckily, I already had the dough in the freezer, so I got it out last night and will just have to roll, cut and bake tonight. Will make the wraps while the biscuits are cooking, and will either ice then tonight, or in the morning if I'm too cream crackered tonight.

Love and hugs,

PG x

eta - will also get toilet rolls tomorrow, as went to the loo only to find I'm almost needing to put on the last roll!! Thought I might need st's, but looked in the bag, and there were enough for this month, so that's good. Must remember to take them to work tomorrow, as I'm feeling VERY pre-menstrual!! Nuff sed...

PennyGrabber

O.M.G......

I'm so proud of myself!! I was going to do a top up shop tonight after college, but though I'd put it off til tomorrow. Well, I have to drive past te$co on my way home, and my left hand was steering me in, and my right hand steering my away. I managed to resist (just!), and thought I'd just go tomorrow to farmf00ds, as stuff is cheaper there. Well, it's not very far at all out of the way on the way home, so I went there tonight to see when their opening hours are. Turns out they were still open and....

I bought bread, loo roll and potatoes.

Nothing else! It came to the grand total of £3.03, so added onto the bits at the weekend which I'm guessing were around £4, my weekly shop has cost about £7!!

Positives for the day:
- the whole te$co/farmf00ds thing, spending not very mcuh and having willpower against mooching
- found 20p on the floor to add to my roadkill fund (21p total!!!)
- did some exercise
- raised just over £40 for charity at school by selling teas, coffees, cakes and biscuits
- used up some biscuit mix from the freezer for aforementioned biscuits
- didn't buy a drink during the break at college tonight
- put £15 into my holiday pot
- friend at work asked if I had lost weight (I have, but not that much yet). Course, I stuffed a cake from the sale into my mouth then!! Man, it tasted goooooood!


Wow, that feels like quite a lot of positives. I'm going to bed smiling tonight!! Oh, and I realised yesterday that I have now been single for three months. Who needs a man?!

PG x

PennyGrabber

Oh rubbish. Knew it was too good to be true...

I realised when I went to feed the cat last night, that I had neglected to buy her some food. Now, she could maybe do without new before Friday, but i wasn't planning on doing the shopping until Sunday, to get the longest dates on bread and yoghurts. So, I went to mr m after ww, and spent £12.91.:mad:

I did treat myself (£3.34!) to a ready meal that sounded delish - it wasn't, a ys sloppy guiseppe pizza and a gingerbread hot chocolate sachet. Did get cat food, before you ask! The treat was for staying the same at ww. This is a MAJOR achievement for me, as it's pmt week, and I can put on up to 10lbs this week every month. I have gone up a cup size which also seems to be a monthly thing. Don't worry, I do go down again after! TMI!!

Positives for today:
- paid off £45 of the credit card
- stayed the same at ww
- lots of people (about four I think) said to me at work - You'll know the answer to this.... And I did!
- me ex dh didn't have a go at me at all when he dropped the children off
- counted the charity collection from yesterday, and with an added £1.04 from me, we raised £50!
- did actually buy what I went shopping for.
- boss had a chat with me about possible extra work from September. She's a bit worried about the whole depression thing from when she didn't know me, and I'm trying to convince her that I'm fine now. tbf, I was really bad, but I'm hoping she'll give me more work, as I'm desperate for the money.

Can't think of any more positives for today, so I'm going to bed early with a cup of gingerbread hot chocolate. Hope it's nice, it cost me 39p!!

PennyGrabber

No report yesterday, as I was knackered!! No spends either, so good news there. I'm not planning on spending any money today on food, but we are going to the post office on our way to swimming lessons this afternoon to post a card to Australia. Unfortunately, my children are off to their dad's this weekend (dd sighed when she heard that - made me feel good about myself), so I may be tempted sm-ward. I do have a ridiculous amount of food in though, and all the fresh stuff I could want, so I'm hoping to be able to spoil myself tonight without spending any money...

I'll update later this evening or tomorrow!

PennyGrabber

So, I've just come home, and shoved some salmon in the oven, and I'm having a glass of wine while it cooks. I NEVER drink, really, except for very special occasions, but I figure this will make sure I can't go out in the car tonight!! Posted the card on the way to swimming, cost £1.10, but that's all I've spent today, so happy with that, especially as the card was home-made, so basically cost nothing! (I have a ma-hoo-sive stash of crafty bits, and I could make a thousand cards and still have loads left

Once dinner is done, I shall relax in front of the telly, and have an evening's chill-out, before doing a ton of housework tomorrow. Plan for tomorrow is, in no particular order:
1) tidy and clean car
2) tidy and clean downstairs
3) tidy and clean bathroom
4) clear the alleyway, which means at least one tip journey, so I can use the washing lines again (tip is less than a mile away!)
5) get all clean clothes away
6) tidy my room

All of these things should keep me really busy, so I shouldn't be able to shop tomorrow either. Then, on Sunday I shall buy the few bits I need for next week. List is currently: milk, bread, grapes, poss yoghurts, poss cheese, parsley sauce mix. The poss bits are things I have to check. Wow, feels quite good writing all these things down. May actually achieve some of it!

Take care peeps, catch up either later, or tom if I have another vino!

PG x

Suffolk_lass

Cheers m'dear and well done!

rising_from_the_ashes

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I have just got the house insurance bill today, I knew it was coming but it is still £1100+ (old house, traditional materials, pay a premium, even with fireboards).

Ohhhh mmyyyy just reading your HI quote nearly made my eyes water :eek:

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I Re your fuel, I set the trip meter to zero each time I fill up and set the uage to show my fuel efficiency. You could copy the amount in litres, the amount paid (from the receipt) and the mileage for that much (approx, based on the trip meter) to see what you get from your fuel.

I do that too ... I get around 11 miles / Litre on everyday running around (usually short journeys - only 7 miles to work - but hilly, twisty horrible roads with constant speed & gear changes needed) but it does usually go up a bit on longer, more even trips.


PG just popped by to say I appreciated your comments on the GC thread re my stock-piling ... it's something I really need to rein in and try to gain control over & it's hugely appreciated that others understand as most people I know just think I'm totally nuts;) and just don't get where it comes from at all!

Really glad to hear DDs birthday was such a great success:T

PennyGrabber

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

PG just popped by to say I appreciated your comments on the GC thread re my stock-piling ... it's something I really need to rein in and try to gain control over & it's hugely appreciated that others understand as most people I know just think I'm totally nuts;) and just don't get where it comes from at all!

Really glad to hear DDs birthday was such a great success:T

Thanks - she loved her party, and is already planning her 9th!! (Her dad will do her 8th, but she won't have a say in it, which is partly why I let her plan exactly what she wanted this year...)

I SOOOOOO understand the stockpiling. My pantry is full, my sides have pasta, rice, cous cous on, tea and coffe are out, and the fruit bowl, then I have 2 large baking cupboard, both crammed full, then the breadmaking cupboard, the spices are on a rack by the fridge freezer, which is also crammed full, on top of the fride is piled to the ceiling, and then the cupboard under the stairs is so full, I can only see what's at the front, and that's because it falls out when I open the cupboard!!!! Wow, writing that all down again makes me feel bad! Still, it is actually better than it was, as you can see some of the shelves in the pantry - they're white, you know! Haven't seen them for a while...

My aim is to have all food in there, including baking stuff, so I've got a long way to go, but every time I buy less than I use, I'm a step closer.

I did the weekly shop today, and I didn't buy bread, because what I have will do tom and Tues, then the children can have wraps from the freezer (:T) Thurs and Fri. I will be using up one of many boxes of crackers this week, with a tub of cream cheese (bought today as actually used all of that stockpile!) I spent £11.33, and for that I got: milk, 2xapple juice, plums, 15 eggs, a kitkat chunky, strawberries, grapes, cream cheese and chocolate philly to try. Didn't need anything else, so didn't get anything else, but I did get mum's cards and pressies for Sunday. Well, got a cupcake box, which I will fill with beautifully decorated cakes on Friday night, hence the egg purchase. She's having cakes from me, and two of those egg poacher things from the children - she's wanted them for ages, but wouldn't pay a fiver for them - they were £1.98 in a$da today.

Positives for the day:
- made some plum jam - two plums made a small jar. Waiting til the morning to check the taste, them that will be on the Christmas hamper list!
- Not a huge weekly shop
- reckon I've got about £42 left for this month - totally doable.
- children enjoyed their roast today - another space in the freezer Except that, when I put everything back into the drawer, it was still full. How does this happen?!?!?!
- meal plan for this week doesn't involve any more food buying
- was really tempted to go to hobb1craft and buy some things to dtart a new craft, but resisted. My house is full up enough of stuff like that! Instead, I have pulled out the page of the mag that had the idea, and I will keep it for a later date. Go me!!
- Cleared a tiny bit of space in the cupboard under the stairs today (crackers for this week's lunches at work)
- already made the lunches for the children for tomorrow - using a leftover whole pack of nice ham from the party last week, dated 16th March. That's three free lunch fillers!!
- time to relax this evening