Jazee's Diary

redofromstart

Hi Jazee, I took VR 18 months ago and do an odd mix of interim SE now, found it really hard to settle at first but it does get easier.

Jazee

Thanks to anyone who's reading.

I've just been looking back at the first page from 2012 when I was trying to get debt free. This diary kept me focussed then and we beat our debt free date, although later got a car loan. That too is now long gone. I was spending £580 per month on food. What was I thinking? And DH was not drinking at that time too. Wish we could say the same now.

Anyway, I need to keep my thoughts here more regularly again as currently there is just the one income coming in. I've done our first budget this morning for the month ahead with just the one wage. I have allowed £50 for a meal out for our anniversary, essential spends already planned only for me and food shopping is set at £320 max. Some bills I'd already covered from my last wage so its not a true reflection of what each month will bring if I don't get another job.

However, I'm not planning for that to happen. If I don't have something permanent by April, the plan is to do temping - anything will do.

I need to get out of the house anyway. Much as I love the flylady thread, there is only so much housework I want to do. The weather has not been kind either in my month off (I'm waiting for the rain to stop again to go for a dog walk) so I've not been able to follow through on my plans to garden which I love.

Today, I have done one dog walk, applied for two jobs, done some voluntary paperwork and research and taken tabs to try to get rid of the dregs of a migraine which completely wiped me out yesterday.

redofromstart

I know, the weathers stopping play for me too. I used to love flylady but I just cant seem to get back into it recently. If someone did a smiley positive flylady for the garden I'd be all over it like a rash.

Jazee

It never rains but it pours. F-SIL has same problem as DH and is waiting for scan. DH's appt with the consultant is now week after next.

Anyhow, I'm giving myself today off from the job searching to spend a long weekend enjoying myself with DH.

Our shopping budget is £10 per day. Yesterday we spent £13 but won't spend anything today.

I need to pick up my prescription today, give the dogs a couple of walks and clean the car.

Jazee

Dh has just been to the shop because we must have dessert tonight apparently. He's spent £5.75. He just doesn't get that I'm trying to be a slinkie and so is DD before her wedding, and we need to watch every penny now. Never mind.

Honey_Bear

I think the undermining of the Slinky thing is unintentional. I think that fact that you're not buying or eating those comforting foods feels like deprivation to our OHs, and they can't get past that. OH does it regularly to me, and sometimes I give in, sometimes I don't. So does minding every penny, too.

Our lovely freezer started clanking really loudly for hours at a time a couple of months ago, so I called an engineer. The fan was iced up so he told us to defrost it completely, which I've been working on ever since by mealplanning our way through it. OH has now taken to going food shopping pretty much every week which has entirely scuppered the plan, but he's paying for the food so I can't complain about that aspect. Just the fact that we've eaten well over half the food is brilliant which we managed in the first few weeks, and it turns out now that it's only half full it's very, very slowly defrosting the icy buildup. It'll take months and we'll get there but it's still a bit frustrating as I'd explained why we wouldn't be buying food for a while.

They hear the words, they understand why we're doing what we're doing and they do the exact opposite to what we want - and if we lose it with them then say we're impossible to understand!

Jazee

Very true HB.

Turned out that what we needed from the shop wasn't bought, so I had to go back myself. I stuck to the list.

Paid a huge bill yesterday for all recent house renovations. Fortunately it had already been saved for. After 10 years in this house, I finally feel it's exactly as I want it. So save for a little painting job to be done (by me) and new flooring in the kitchen (as DH hates what is there) we are done.

I had 3 months to prepare for redundancy and know how lucky I am to have had that. It's meant that we could save what we could, prep some emergengy funds also to last a few months if I don't get another job in a month or so, and also we stocked up on essentials - toiletries and such like - and also made sure that all big bills like car insurance are covered for the next year.

Still trying day to day though just to live off the one wage. It would be nice if we could keep the pay off and savings for our old age.

Jazee

I had my second interview in less than a week today. If offered the job I went for today at the right rate, I will take it. Seemed a lovely place to work with nice people.

DH has put us on a challenge this week to try to only eat from the freezer. We share planning the meals for each night, so if we need something for 'our night' which is not in the freezer, we only have up to £10 this week to spend. So far, I have spent £5 and DH has spent £7. The week runs from Sat to Fri.

Car recovery sent through renewal notice today and it's cheaper by more than £10 than it was last year, will stay at that price next year too. I've not been able to find anything else comparable so am going with it. May also get DH to move over to same provider as we may be able to get him a year's cover for around £30 after offers etc.

I need to start sorting car insurance quotes too. Will be pleased if I can get it under £200. Maybe I'll do that next.

redofromstart

That sounds like a good challenge.

Hope you get the right result form the interview.

Jazee

Insurance quotes came in as low as £160 but think I'll go with the £180 which includes legal cover.