Jazee's Diary

Jazee

Morning diary. Well what a week. Good news re DS (diagnosis at last) and DD (passed exams for going to uni next year), meerkat toy sold (£14 in paypal acc) and my first ever amazon voucher for doing a survey.

Not bad, but I think DH may be falling off the MSE wagon as keeps forgetting to take his packed lunch, then buying stuff. About £3 a day but it really adds up.

He's in charge of the weekly shop again this week, has his list, so I'm hoping he can keep it to under £40 but think I may be a bit optimistic there.

I'm off out for the day with DD but will be using vouchers for free entry so should just have to pay for bus fare and a cheap lunch.

I have ordered some Xmas pressies from avon and think the delivery may well be before next pay day, so may need to adjust budget to find £20 from elsewhere.

Jazee

Another week has flown by and not one NSD. As well as falling off the MSE wagon DH has also fallen off the no alcohol wagon, so as well as buying YS stuff on his way home (good) is also buying wine (bad).

However, I'm still within target for grocery spending this month, and although I haven't done a meal plan for this week, I am intending that we 'eat out of the freezer'.

Will need to get my head around finances for December as we are paid middle of next week.

Jazee

And yesterday was a NSD, at last. Only for me, not for DH who forgot to take his packed lunch again. Am hoping for another one today.

My stars say I am due a windfall but I mustn't spend it all at once. Why do I read this rubbish?

Jazee

Another NSD for me yesterday but not for DH. Really angry that he's drinking again. And he may have to take a pay cut in the new year.

Will be a spend day today as I have to pick up a prescription.

Jazee

I have been reading sidneysmum's diary and have decided to adopt some of her positive attitude.

I've had a bit of a trying time recently and I suppose it's ongoing but I have to change my approach to it.

Today I have had two lovely walks with the dogs and treated myself to some cake (YS). Tomorrow, I shall be spending the day with DH and we are taking the car to be serviced. Thanks to counting every penny, I haven't had to worry about where the money for the service is coming from.

Tea tonight when DH gets in is quiche (YS 85p and they'll be plenty left for packed lunches) with potato wedges and hm coleslaw, so probably feeding us both for less than £1. The best thing I've done MSE wise is definitely buying another freezer. I am saving so much money being able to bulk cook and buy things when they're reduced.

Ok, time to read some more of these inspiring diaries.

Jazee

Morning diary and another month starts. I've had a lovely week if I discount the paid stuff which is silly busy and means I end up living in a bit of a mess as there's no time to do anything other than the basics. DH and I had a day in York on Wednesday and had breakfast and dinner (using tastecard) out, and he bought my Xmas present. It was so nice, the day before payday, not really thinking where is the money coming from, or there's no money left.

So I will retain the focus on MSE ways because it works. We seem to be averaging about £435 for shopping each month (also includes lottery, paper bill etc) which is way less than the £600 plus when I started this diary. I have worked out my budget for this month and couldn't believe just how much 'excess' there is, even allowing extras for Xmas.

So I am saving and feeling really relaxed about it all. DHs dentist bill is all paid, and I'm off to have my hair done - and this time it's a complete restyle as a treat to myself. I don't feel I have to have a dry £10 cut. However, I also need some more jumpers and in true MSE style, will peruse the charity shops first.

Jazee

Well diary, yesterday I perused the charity shops and came away with 3 jumpers, 3 cardigans, a long sleeved top and a pair of jeans for £21, so that's my winter wardrobe completed. Well maybe except for some new walking boots and some new black ankle boots, but at the moment in true MSE style, I am managing, but may need a rethink if we get a lot of snow.

Grocery budget still on target, have included some bits for DH which he may claim back on expenses. If he does, I'll take the amount off my spends.

DH may have to take a pay cut in the new year, so it's a good job I've only been saving the extra since he got the pay rise! Silly how business just goes up and down, up and down. I wonder how long it has to be before you can consider a recession a depression?

Anyway, looking forward to today. Will be a couple of long dog walks and.......the Xmas tree is going up. I'm also planning to do some wrapping. I have now completed my Xmas present shopping and ordered my food. I may get some stocking fillers if I see anything, but I wasn't inspired by anything yesterday, hence why I only spent on myself!

please-let-me-be-lucky

Hi Jazee, I've just read your diary from beginning to end. Well done for keeping so positive and making all those changes!

Your efforts in the grocery challenge have inspired me to do the same. I'm sure we could save quite a bit more on what we spend food wise so I'm going to look into that this month. I don't actually know what we spent on actual food last month because we got several presents in with our shopping for christmas. Think I will make an effort to see what we spend in December then focus on reducing it further in January.

You have my every sympathy with your DH starting drinking again. My Dad was an alcoholic and died from a related illness aged just 50. My DH was also a heavy drinker though is now teetotal, and I know how much it hurts to not only see them spend money on it, but to become a different person and harm themselves healthwise because of it. I hope you are coping with his resumed drinking ok.

Keep up the good work, you are doing great.

PLMBL Xx

Jazee

PLMBL - thanks for taking the time to read my diary.

I have found with the grocery cut back that having a second freezer has been the most positive thing I have done. It means I can bulk cook and buy things when they're on offer. Obviously, also cutting back on takeaways has helped! Which reminds me, I must treat myself to 'The Takeaway Secret' book from Amazon with my voucher.

Re DH, he has been drinking again now for two weeks, but has kept off the lager and is drinking red wine (although about a bottle a day). I am trying my hardest not to nag, its his choice, BUT you're right, its the damage healthwise that's the most concerning. He reasons he's having a tough time at work at the moment and deserves a drink. However, he's also said its his intention to stop again, so we'll see. He is a really good person who I have been with for 3 decades and love sooo much, but I'm not sure I can just sit around and watch him drink himself to death.

Right, off to order that book. Hard copy not Kindle as just has to be for a cookery book.

Jazee

Morning diary and lurkers. Not a bad MSE week. Still on target for GC although that may end when we do our big Xmas shop later in the week. I got the takeaway secret book for £0 as I used my Amazon voucher. Picked up a stash of my usual deodorant as they were less than half price (even cheaper than the cheap shops) and on my paid stuff Xmas do mid week, I only spent £1.15 on a drink. Everything else was covered by the boss, even travel.

Am off to a craft fair today so may pick up some stocking fillers if I'm inspired, and have a down south Xmas this week with family, both of which are budgeted for.