Jazee's Diary

Jazee

Morning diary.

The 'sorting out new phone' is on my list of jobs for later today as it still isn't working, which is not surprising at the moment as it's not even plugged in now, and the booklet of instructions is baffling.

Budgets sorted for the month, savings being recovered and I have treated myself to a bargain magazine subscription for my hobby and also to some bulbs to plant so there is some colour in the garden in the spring.

I'm helping at a village craft event today and will take some money with me in case I see any suitable presents although I don't usually have anything to do with the C-word until November.

There are things around the house which need replacing which is a bit unfortunate but can't be helped and things that need stocking up on:

New cushions for sofa
Small watering can
New door handle
Light bulbs

Right, better finish breakfast and crack on. I don't want to be late or I will be frowned upon.

Jazee

I spent £8 yesterday at the village event but got a nice little pressie for DH and some stocking fillers. DS's birthday is now also sorted (not at the village event) so I don't have to worry about that. And my free gift for the magazine subscription arrived - 10 packets of seeds - yay.

DH and I used some of our monthly 'entertainment' budget to go out for a meal last night and we had such fun, laughed a lot so money well spent and the food was delicious too.

Have been on a new dog walk route this morning and it is lovely so going to do it again later in reverse.

Jazee

Jazee reporting in to confess to being back in debt - aaagh.

Unfortunately the car needs replacing sooner rather than later -does minimum 60 miles a day) so we've had to apply for a loan, but one at only 4% so that makes me feel a bit better about it. I've also taken it out over 2 years to be sensible as I don't have a crystal ball, but hope to be able to be debt free again in less than a year. Just waiting for the papers to sign and that's it. They make it so easy don't they?

Anyway, by structuring this way, our emergency savings pot stays intact (unfortunately not enough for a car yet after only four months debt free!) and we should retain a decent standard of living.

So this week due to work commitments etc I ended up eating out 50% of the time which is not very MSE but couldn't be avoided, so today I'm going to menu plan ahead as far as I can, as I'm going to be travelling away for work again. Tonight we are going out (tickets bought at bargain price earlier in the year) so I'm going to make some roasted tomato soup with all the tomatoes from the garden to have before we go.

I also had to buy a new jacket this week as I don't have anything suitable for the autumn weather, my coats being either not waterproof or too heavy. However I got a brilliant one (suitable for mountain climbing apparently) for half price.

I had a rough night with LittleyDog last night, very unusual for her, so slept in till half 8 this morning. Plans for today:

Clean fridge, meal plan, make soup
Walk dogs
Gardening
Night out

Tomorrow: Big shop
Walk dogs
Gardening
Village event

I hope anyone reading has a lovely weekend.

Jazee

Well we are officially in debt again, the money hit our account overnight so I need to redo budgets and rearrange which bills etc come from which account and so on and so on and clear the debt as soon as I can. Debt free date is officially 1 Oct 16, I want to bring that forward to 1 Oct 15.

In other money news unexpected bill this week - £80 vet bill for LittleyDog.

Right, onwards and upwards.

Jazee

I haven't updated this diary for over a week and that's because MSE-wise I haven't done any of the things I should have been sorting out re doing new budgets, but I have been spending in excess of budgets already set up so not good.

Anyway, a new week beckons, two pay days will arrive, the first loan repayment will go out and hopefully I will get back on track.

Jazee

Reporting in to say that I wish I was getting back on track but all I seem to be doing is spending even when I try hard not too, some things are unavoidable (new door handle this week).

New budgets following getting the loan are now sorted. In the past I have been unrealistic with some of the budget, after all things do get more expensive, so I've corrected that. While we are paying off the loan, in theory there should still be about £600 a month left over for savings (and paying off the loan early).

Spends today will be a newspaper, potatoes, cooked meat and parsnips. Oh and another part for the door handle.

Jazee

I squirrelled away £130 to savings today, am holding some back as now we need two new tyres for one of the cars and I'm not entirely sure how much they will be, and I had unexpected spends for the doglets today, well over £70.

Things I will not be cutting back on going forward:

Hairspray (cheap just means needs reapplying)
Washing up liquid (same\)
Flea Drops (sticking with ones from vet, supermarket stuff doesn't protect)

Jazee

Today is an odd kind of day. Firstly it is a year since my SickDog died and I am in tears sitting here although I think of her every day as she was my foot warmer for 10 years. And I don't feel great, I've had a headache since yesterday. But I am off the paid stuff until Monday and I will get to spend tomorrow doing fun things with my DS.

In MSE news, yesterday was actually a NSD and I squirrelled away another £35 to savings.

Right, I'd best finish my cuppa, stop crying and take OldDog and LittleyDog for a nice walk.

Jazee

Morning diary. My headache has finally gone although I'm moving slowly this morning so far! I had a great day out yesterday with DS and spent a lot of money. Got some bargains though and don't regret a penny of it.

I am off out with DH tonight, tickets bought months ago, and will am hoping to get LittleyDog in to the vet today so that will be an unplanned expense but her skin is so sore again. I think she is allergic to something in the bites she got.

Anyway, better have a quick tidy round before getting dressed and starting the day properly.

Jazee

LittleyDog has dermatitis so is on tabs for a while and I'm another £40+ down. Had a great night out although DH fell asleep as he'd been up since 4.30, but I still enjoyed the show.

Also, Christmas Day is now sorted. Both DD and DS are doing their own thing for dinner so DH and I are going out. Paid the deposit last night.

And sorted out the insurance for the new car - an extra £70.

Today will just be a stocking up on veg day, so hopefully low spends as tomorrow we will be getting the new tyres for one of the cars.

If our savings stay intact this month, it will be a miracle. I won't be squirrelling any more away I don't think anyway.