Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

Busy_Mee1

I am so sorry for your loss Mad Vix. Sending you a big virtual hug and lots of love xxx

Crumpets

So sorry to hear your sad news, sending love and hugs your way. Look after yourself xx

Hazelnutty

Thinking of you, Vix, take care of yourself x

themadvix

Hi All,

I'm really touched by all your thoughts - thank you everyone. While it was not a surprise and with Nan's dementia much of her had gone long ago, it's still upsetting when it happens. I'm sure there'll be more tears to come, but for now, life goes quietly on. After an early night for me on NY's eve, DH and I went out to the coast for the day yesterday and the fresh air and exercise were a great restorative.

I'm going to follow along with UFM, but I haven't got the mental space to devote much to it at the moment, so it'll potter in the background. I still want to have an uber-frugal month, just more focused on the here and now and not the big picture (which is very, very blurry at the moment).

With this in mind, I've set a food budget of £70 for January (this excludes spending for a) my birthday, which DH can pay for and b) unexpected meals out due to circumstances beyond my control (i.e. funeral/family related)). I've topped up today with some dairy bits and at the zero-waste shop - £21 spent. No veg box required this week and we're well stocked for other stuff, so the £49 should be fine. I hope to clear out the fridge/freezer/cupboards a bit (with the exception of my Brexit stash).

DH is going to a wedding at the end of the month - he still needs a card and a present for this. (I'm at Disney with the Brownies!). It's also my Mum's and Uncle's birthdays - just cards needed as Mum had a joint Christmas and Birthday present and I don't do Uncle/Aunt birthday pressies. My cousin is due to produce a baby boy at some point this month, but I think I'm sorted there - gift, card and wrap all bought (at bargainous prices - main present was brand new outfit from CS for £2 )

MS things:
* 2x RM survey items posted
* Mouldy bread toasted and eaten for lunch (not the bit that was mouldy itself!)
* Clicks etc. done
* Money shuffles done, spreadsheets updated, cc bill paid and clients invoiced (small amount of interest and money saved on presents transferred to savings)

Just one gratitude today - for my Nan and the wonderful part she played in my life. I'd never describe her as a matriarch as she was so kind and gentle but she was the glue that held us closely together as a family and she cared for us all deeply. I'm going to miss her so much.

xx

Karmacat

Your Nan sounds lovely, madvix. But you're right, even in mourning, we need to look after ourselves at least a little bit, and a blow at the coast sounds just right.


Amazing food budget you've set! It sounds like you're both out of the house quite a bit for all sorts of reasons, so I bet you achieve it.

themadvix

Thanks Karma, she was.

Food budget is largely based on running stocks down - I've done it before and it worked well. I'm not going to beat myself up if it doesn't work though, not at the moment.

Other things have come to mind....
* Won £3 between us on scratchcards from Christmas eve at DH's godparents - to savings
* TCB payout of ~£8 claimed
* The Rumtopf I made over the summer went down a treat (although there's still some left) - very boozy and popular!
* Mary Berry's mincemeat recipe is delicious - will definitely be making again, although still have 1.5 jars left.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

I realised that I forgot to buy rice yesterday at the zero-waste shop. We have some.... will see how long it lasts!

I ordered some cotton yarn and some wool yesterday - for dishcloths and a baby hat respectively. Our dishcloths have large holes in them and I'm out of yarn to make more, so it was getting desperate. The hat will be for my cousin's baby - I hope to get it done while he's still in newborn(ish) sizes - I finally finished the hat for my niece for her birthday last week - she was in the largest version available on the pattern! Smaller means less wool needed too - see, it's money-saving!

I have been focusing on getting a work project finished this morning, both because it's been going on too long and because I actually need to get some money coming in! With jury service next month too, it could be a poor couple of months work-wise. This afternoon I intend to catch up with Mum - we've spoken this morning, but I'd like to see her.

MS things:
* Clicks etc. done. Keeping up the streak on MS rewards; VB is awaiting payout; SBs plodding along
* YG survey - 70 points to go to payout now
* 10p 1P survey
* Dinner last night was shepherdess's pie and tonight will be sweet potato and chickpea curry (this recipe) - all using/using up stuff we have in

Gratitudes:
* Condolences from various people and a chance to chat to Mum about Nan before the dementia.
* Lists - and getting them done. It wasn't a big list, but having one helped DH and I to get a few bits done last night
* The last of the chocolate pud for dessert last night (Jimmy Young's choc pud from the radio, legendary in our family and a Nan special)

Have a good afternoon all

Busy_Mee1

You and your Mum clearly have such lovely memories of your Nan. I hope when my time comes that someone will speak so fondly of me.

Look after yourself xx

themadvix

Afternoon all,

The wool I ordered yesterday has been refunded as it was out of stock, so I've sourced similar from Amazon for less (and as DH has a Prime trial at the moment I was forced to watch Paddington to get £5 credit - which covered the cost of the wool).

We didn't have the curry last night in the end as I didn't feel like it when I got in. Afraid to say we had pizza from Aldi instead (at the grand cost of £1.60ish for both of us). So food budget is now at £46.

MS things:
* Meter readings done - still in credit by £77
* Clicks etc. all done
* PA survey done
* RM survey data entered (item to post this pm)
* DH's hair cut last night
* £17.22 transferred to savings from cleared Brownie expenses cheques

Gratitudes:
* Pizza was remarkably good for the price (and palm oil free and almost plastic free)
* Sis has whatsapped pics of niece's nursery photos - she's gorgeous
* Paddington

Better finish off the work I've started and crack on with some housework. Have a good afternoon!

earthgirl

Just catching up sorry to hear about yor nan, souns like you have some lovely memories. Its great that you are being gentke with yourself just now.