Jazee's Diary

Jazee

Back from the weekly shop which just about came in at budget although monthly since Xmas I'm spending about £100 more a month than prior to that, so might need to get a bit stricter again. Anyway, had a months paper bill to pay, got Lottery (need to think about how I'm going to do that when the price doubles in October as I will not be paying twice as much a week), compost and plants for the garden from the farmer, and lots of extra meat that was on offer in my local butcher. So not bad really.

Having a cuppa and banana and will then take the dogs for a nice long walk in this beautiful sunshine.

Jazee

Third post of the day! Had to pop back to farm for a cabbage to make hm coleslaw as the one from last week was past its best, but as that's my only waste for the week, pretty good I think. Took OldDog with me and it was nice just walking the one dog instead of two or three, much calmer. So another 60p added to grocery spend.

Car is back from garage and £18 under what we'd budgeted so I shall squirrel the rest away for spends on our weekend away shortly.

Jazee

Had a lovely evening watching Jane Eyre with DD. Only spent £2.80 on drinks and came home to find DH had popped out and bought me some daffs with a note to say he loves me, so I'm one very happy wifey this morning. Will be on my own today though as everyone else is working, so my plan is to do gardening. I was going to do this yesterday but procrastinated and had a nap instead, well I did have to stay up late!

Fingers crossed today will be a NSD.

Jazee

Morning diary. Well yesterday wasn't a NSD as DH picked up some bargains on way home from work.

I have been having a think as certain things are linked and I need to focus on doing something about them.

1. I am spending too much money on food.
2. I am unable to get on as many dog walks as usual due to SickDogs bad leg and not being able to leave her on her own while I walk the other two.
3. I am putting on weight, possibly close to heaviest ever.
4. DH wasn't able to keep to his budget last month.
5. DH still drinking, close to two bottles of red a day.

Diary, I will leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Jazee

Ok, so the end of another week and the savings have gone up a little more but I still weigh too much. There's no excuse really as I have a gym here that hardly gets used.

Anyway, got a letter today that my cheap gas & electric tarriff is ending so I need to get comparing again online.

I'm looking forward to this weekend as I'll get to see both DD and DS tomorrow. Must make up a spare bed for DS to use. He's leaving early on Sunday to go to a football match but at least he's making some effort for Mother's Day!

Jazee

It's pouring with rain here today which has scuppered my plans to take all 3 dogs for a walk and to sort out a border in the garden. I quickly nipped out to local shops to pick up my food order, but have to say it's quite a struggle trying to carry two bags and an umbrella with only one good arm. Anyway, home now in the warm. Littley dog is being kept busy with a treat ball, and I've just realised that yesterday was a NSD.

DH is doing our main weekly shopping on his way home from work and should be bringing back the ingredients so I can make a cheesecake for our early Mother's Day meal with DD and DS tonight. The leg of lamb was too big for either of my slow cookers so its now on a very low heat in the main oven.

I received the reminder for DH car tax renewal as it is only £30 was able to go online and pay it straight away without waiting for pay day. How things have moved on here!

Jazee

Well I think I overdid it with LittleyDog and the treat ball yesterday as she now keeps being sick, so will try to encourage her to rest today.

MSE wise, DH kept the weekly shop to under £50 so this month may not end up being soooo bad after all.

I'm having a lovely morning, have done the basic tidying round, and have had cards and pressies from DS and DD so feeling really spoilt. Dinner last night was a success.

DD is just about to drop DS off to get his lift to the footie later and then she'll come back and we'll watch a film and practise hairstyles for her interview on Tuesday. I've also threatened to give her a piano accompaniment while she uses the gym!

Jazee

This is possibly the longest I've left between updates. And what a week it's been. The paid stuff is silly busy which is good, DD did not get her dream job (and this apparently is my fault for not being supportive - she has now been put straight), and I've just had a lovely weekend with DH.

MSE wise, I've decided not to log anything other than the debt in post one. This is because I know I can keep the grocery budget down and it depresses me when I don't so a daily reminder doesn't help or even motivate me and because sometimes I do dip into the pot. Today I've taken out a new life insurance policy for DH saving another £10 per month. I'm not entirely sure if there are savings to be made anywhere else now.

Spending this week should be minimal until we get to the weekend as we are going away, first time in 16 months, so looking forward to it.

Jazee

Another long break between posts mostly due to the fact that the main home computer has given up the ghost after ten years,but I am now set up on DHs laptop so I can post again. I won't be replacing the home pc, we can manage on just this one as I don't actually use it for very much. And I can save the money instead.

DH and I had a lovely weekend away, managed to avoid the snow but got battered by the wind so cosied down in the hotel and just relaxed. I really feel that the batteries have been recharged this week which is just as well as the paid stuff has been manic for year end. Just tomorrow to get through now and then ten days to myself although I've plenty of jobs to be getting on with including sorting new curtains for the kitchen and sorting out my work area. I still feel there is more I can do to improve the position I sit in for 8 hours a day to try to reduce aches and pains.

This week, we've been eating out of the freezer as we weren't around to do a weekly shop at the weekend and its going pretty well. Spends have been minimal, just needed to get some bread rolls today.

Other news: SickDog is doing ok, DS borrowing again, DD planning holidays, DH still drinking, now back on lager grrr.

That's it. Off to make tea.

Jazee

Well, payday arrived and I sorted out the finances and everything looking much better than I thought it would, even after the weekend away. I always seem to think things will be worse than they are, I really should stop worrying so much.

I am now off work for ten days, yay!!! I have a list of odd jobs that I want to get through that I never seem to find time for with the paid stuff, and have at least two days to spend with DH and tomorrow I am spending the day with DD. We are going to the new Trinity centre in Leeds but I promise to be good. I am going to be looking for a new pair (or two) of jeans. I want something that is high waisted and holds everything in. I'm not fat but in my forties, low slung jeans are just not attractive. Having had a close up in the magnifying mirror this morning, I also need to buy some hair dye, not to drastically change the colour but to cover the odd strand of grey. I always intend to grow old gracefully (or should that be disgracefully?) but change my mind now and again.

DH is doing the weekly shop today and other than that I have spent £3 on a new halogen lightbulb. I had to change the bulb earlier and even though it lasted 7 years, I want to have another spare in handy!

Waste this week was a couple of slices of ham only, forlorn and forgotten and two weeks out of date in the fridge.

Right, time to walk the dogs and give them a nice grooming session when we get back.

Hope everyone is having a good Good Friday.