Two Pennies Left

Fortune_Smiles

Did the budgeting for May today. I know, I know, we're not even half way through April yet but I just can't help myself. It was all looking a little sad due to funding an extra oil order this month. So I moped for a couple of hours. Then I remembered I'm due to be paid my last admin claim on the 25th :j So the savings situation is looking much better - I hesitate to say back to pre-Christmas levels as that would be tempting fate :rotfl:


Not much on the MS front today:

• 12p liberated from Mr F's change dish to feed Mr Marmite
• did the Waitr0$£ shop - should be about £13 under budget
• a cupboard lunch
• Moroccan Mushrooms with Cous Couse from the meal plan for supper tonight
• an NSD.

Sadly, the sun hasn't continued here although it is feeling much warmer. Duckie hasn't hatched her eggs yet but it looks as though our resident wrens might have chicks. They are usually very shy and stay in or under the hedge but I noticed one of them was being quite bold and venturing further into the garden. They might be searching further afield for food to feed young ones. I ground up some bacon rind this morning to leave out for them just in case.

Hope you've all had a good start to the week.

Fortune x

Orange_Ena

Evening Fortune.

When I saw the title "memory of a goldfish" I thought we were going to hear a lovely little story about a childhood goldfish I was going to confess my goldfish memory - I brought my floating goldfish back to life with a straw and breath. Poor Richard survived another day before finally departing this world

I love your meal plans, always makes me hungry even though I've eaten my dinner! Moroccan Mushrooms sounds delish.

BTW, I counted up Miss Nutella the other day - £43.35! Thanks to you and Mr Marmite for the inspiration.

Fortune_Smiles

Hi Ena

sorry to disappoint - if I have a gold fish story I certainly can't remember it :rotfl:

I am sooooo jealous about Miss Nutella - £43.35! Mr Marmite usually manages about £17. Although I do empty him before he is full and Mr F's change dish has been a bit light recently :rotfl:

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

The Fortunate Cat has dined on a gourmet breakfast of tuna and cat treats this morning :rotfl:I couldn't quite get her food to stretch to the Waitr0$£ delivery this morning. Mr Marmite is on a diet as well - only 2p liberated from Mr F's change dish yesterday.


MS:

• went to Zumba yesterday
• a cupboard lunch
• called the mortgage company for a balance update - won't be long before we are in the 60's :T
• Teriyaki Salmon with Sweet Potato Mash, Baby Carrots and Broccoli for supper from the meal plan
• an impromptu social with friends last night to celebrate a birthday. Took a bottle of wine and some beers for Mr F
• didn't get on to the Sunday Tim£$ rich list this morning :rotfl:

We only had 2 beers in the house to take to the party. I do try to keep some beers around for emergencies but, if they are in the house, Mr F drinks them. He said "There are so many emergencies you see." :rotfl:

Have a good Thursday

Fortune x

[Deleted User]

Hey Fortune!
Can definitely relate to spending too much on treats and struggling to find that elusive balance some months - other times I am probably too much the other way and as you say life is for living too , we never know what is round the corner..

I think for all of us its a balance and not a static one at that - sometimes we need to reign in the spending a little to create more financial security long term, other times let loose and live a little! We are all in the same boat I think!

Orange Ena - your goldfish story made me laugh!! :rotfl: poor old Richard
Reminds me of having a goldfish when I was around 8 or so - poor little thing went to the goldfish heaven in the sky so my poor old mum went out to try and buy another one before I got in from school - ended up with a totally different colour/breed which she tried to convince me was the same one!

ocemeer

Fortune love your meal plans - in fact they are starting to influence the ones I write for OH, though hes at baby steps right now on the cooking front (all my recipe books are in english and I get some hilarious texts asking what various spices and herbs are. (the baked risotto was a huge hit and passed on the recipe to a couple of friends too)

How do you find Zumba I find it slightly worse than aerobics, I must have no coordination and really cant get the hang of shaking the bits you are suppose to be able to shake :rotfl:

See with Mr O its not beer its chocolate he even steals it from my baking cupboard :mad::eek:

Fortune_Smiles

Deleted_User wrote: »

I think for all of us its a balance and not a static one at that - sometimes we need to reign in the spending a little to create more financial security long term, other times let loose and live a little! We are all in the same boat I think!

Thanks TYO - I've stopped feeling guilty about spending now. I just make sure I appreciate everything we have and never forget that it's hard for many people right now. We help out our friends and family whenever we can and donate regularly to charity. You're absolutely right about the balance not being static. It does help to write it all down here so I can see when I'm going too far one way or the other.

ocemeer wrote: »

Fortune love your meal plans - in fact they are starting to influence the ones I write for OH, though hes at baby steps right now on the cooking front (all my recipe books are in english and I get some hilarious texts asking what various spices and herbs are. (the baked risotto was a huge hit and passed on the recipe to a couple of friends too)

How do you find Zumba I find it slightly worse than aerobics, I must have no coordination and really cant get the hang of shaking the bits you are suppose to be able to shake :rotfl:

See with Mr O its not beer its chocolate he even steals it from my baking cupboard :mad::eek:

Hi there ocemeer. I love cooking so I'm always trying out new recipes. But I'm a lazy cook too so most of the things I do are 'stick it all in one pot and bung it in the oven'.

I love dancing so really enjoy Zumba. I don't think it matters what bit you shake as long as you shake something :rotfl:

I'm with Mr O on the chocolate

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

After last weekend's sunshine I was living in hope of the weather improving. Fat chance! And the heating is still kicking in!!

The miserable day has made me disinclined to do much so just a few MS things to report:

• 45p liberated from Mr F's change this morning so Mr Marmite is not going hungry today :rotfl:
• Waitr0$£ delivered. £17.74 under budget including free mini pork pies (short shelf life) and 2 x 500g bags of pealed prawns (for some unknown reason) :T I'm very happy at the prospect of all the lovely meals I'll be able to eek out of those. Mr F - not so much, prawns are his least favourite thing :rotfl:
• £10 Amaz0n voucher from VO. I'd usually OP this but am putting it towards a birthday gift (see below)
• a cupboard lunch
• got an invite to a surprise party for my DB's birthday - it's a big one! DB and his wife don't have much money so I've offered to contribute £100 towards the celebration as a birthday present. It'll reduce the savings amount this month but I'd rather they had a proper do. It will mean an overnight stay for Mr F and I too as they are a couple of countys away. That'll go into next month's budget
• Gnocchi with Bacon & Spinach from the meal plan for supper tonight

Still no sign of any ducklings - they must be due soon. Maybe the rain will encourage them out. It's good weather for ducks :rotfl:

Hope you have a dry weekend

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Have spent today organising our social life. Mr F and I had said that we wanted to do more entertaining this year but it's April and we haven't done any yet! So dinner dates are circulating. Our entertainment budget should take care of any extra costs.

MS:

• made Chunky Root Vegetable Soup with Pesto & Parmesan for lunch today. Lovely and plenty left for supper tomorrow too
• Mr F says the Catering Department has let him down this week - no beer :eek: So off he went to the C0-0p with a short shopping list of things I'd forgotten to get this week. He bought the beer that was on offer saving £1.96 on four cans. He also bought kitchen roll on offer making some savings. But... he also bought two packets of chewing gum and a large bag of chocolates not on the list - £3.18. Hmmmmm
• Pancetta Macaroni Cheese for supper tonight from the meal plan

Still no sign of the ducklings. Apparently they only stay in the nest for 12 hours to dry out before going off to find water so we may miss them.

Have a great Saturday all

Fortune x

postingalwaysposting

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

Mr F says the Catering Department has let him down this week - no beer :eek: So off he went to the C0-0p with a short shopping list of things I'd forgotten to get this week. He bought the beer that was on offer saving £1.96 on four cans. He also bought kitchen roll on offer making some savings. But... he also bought two packets of chewing gum and a large bag of chocolates not on the list - £3.18. Hmmmm

But, but, but... In Mr F's defense the savings wipe out the cost of the choc and chewing gum, effectively making them free. That's good, right?!? :rotfl: