Third Time Determined!

elantan

Would it work if maybe the two of you cooked together? You could show him ? A wee bottle of wine and candles, and an hour or so together cooking can be fun ( we do it often) even start the day shopping for the ingredients, so that he is learning more of the process ?

karmachilovething

elantan wrote: »

Would it work if maybe the two of you cooked together? You could show him ? A wee bottle of wine and candles, and an hour or so together cooking can be fun ( we do it often) even start the day shopping for the ingredients, so that he is learning more of the process ?

Thanks Elantan, that's exactly what I was thinking to do. I think it'll be fun. Also it's a good investment for me: when he gets to the stage where he's happy to take over and I get to relax

Bit of a spendy day today. Had a meeting and so had petrol and lunch expenses which will get refunded. Also it's kind of nice, because it's the only time I buy lunch. When it comes from my own pocket I'm strictly a packed lunch girl!

Then since there was no NSD anyway I've lumped in some of my own expenses: stamps for Christmas cards, and Christmas present for Dad sorted. Just another 4 or so presents to get, so pretty much there for Christmas.

Also did a snowball calculation to see how repayments will impact on my debts. Based on a total repayment of £350 a month I havd a DFD of September 2015. £350 maybe a little ambitious but good to have something to aim for, and having a DFD is actually kind of exciting.

karmachilovething

Went down to see the BF in London on Wednesday night. I don't usually go down mid-week, but I'd bought him tickets to see Ben Folds Five for his birthday, and he was nice enough to take me with his second ticket.

Some spends on Wednesday: KFC for dinner and cloakroom charges (for overnight bag, if I'd have been organised I shoudl have left things with him on the weekend, but didn't think of it. I shall know for next time).

Also when I was getting on the bus I remebered I'd left my main Oystercard at home. I have a spare in my wallet (from a previous time I forgot the main one) but thought it was empty and would have to put more money one it. Annoying as I'd only topped up on the weekend before. But when I checked it there was £9.50 available, so no extra spend :T

Thursday, the BF treated me to lunch and I paid the tip, so a reasonably low spend day.

Today, I add my annual dentist apointment (clean bill of health, but must remember to floss apparently!), and since therefore no NSD a bit more Christmas bits bought on-line.

It feels like it's been a spendy week, but actually considering what I used to be like it's not so bad. Two small victories for the week (and showing changing habits): resisted the Sweaty Betty sale catalogue that came through the door; and my weekly text message with my current account balance is looking much better than it would usually do at this stage in the month. Here's to small victories! :T

KarmaChi

StressedSteph

Hi KarmaChi

Sounds like you have had a good week. niceto find you had that money on the spare Oystercard.

Keep going, you will get there. It would be nice to do some cooking togther with your BF and then hopefully after a while he will get a little repertoire of meals he can cook when he is on his own. Food bill is the easier thing to save money on. I spend £50 per week for a family of four.

Have a great weekend
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karmachilovething

Hi StressedSteph :wave: thanks for subscribing.

Yes, it is early days yet. Little steps.

Had a spendy day today, doing the last bits of Christmas shopping. Or so I thought, have got home and remembered another person I don't have covered yet Not a big deal, but annoying since I thought I was done.

It was strange, because [STRIKE]usually[/STRIKE] before I would enjoy having an excuse to shop. But today, I mostly felt annoyed at giving my money away! It was quite an interesting experience. It felt good too. Good to want to save more than spend. And it's helping me make better choices about who I give my money to. More local shops, less big corporations. That's got to be a good side affect.

Then afterwards I had a lovely afternoon doing house jobs. Bit of cleaning, bit of cooking (all from things I had in the house so pretty MSE). Then I finished making Christmas cards, just need to write and post them now!

All in all a good day.

Tiglath

Well done on your progress so far You mentioned a room mate - do you split household bills or is the place in either of your names with the other paying all-inclusive rent? I know how expensive Oxford is - used to live there many moons ago.

karmachilovething

Tiglath wrote: »

Well done on your progress so far You mentioned a room mate - do you split household bills or is the place in either of your names with the other paying all-inclusive rent? I know how expensive Oxford is - used to live there many moons ago.

Thanks for checking in Tiglath.

I split bills with housemate (so the figures on SOA are my share). We each pay half the bills direct and then pay each other back; I do gas, rent, contents insurance and TV?Broadband/phone and he does electricity, council tax, TV license and water rates. It means a lot of payments flying back and forth but also means we both have responsibilities.

Oxford is terrible for expensive living. It's pretty much London prices, without the benefit of London salaries!

Tiglath

Ah thanks for clarifying I was confused by your TV licence costing £14.55/month and wondered if you were paying the whole of that bill. Our TV licence is £12.12/month - is yours Sky/Virgin rather than the actual TV licence? It's been a long long time since I lived in Oxford (down the Abingdon Road quite near Christchurch) - it cost me £22/week in a shared house inclusive of everything except groceries, but that was back in the Eighties!

karmachilovething

Tiglath, the £14.55 is just the TV licence. Cable TV is from Virgin as a bundle with phone and Broadband, £16.50/month.

It has always struck me as high for TV licence, and so as I remember I checked it at the time (last year). It is worth another look though, so I will check it.

Yesterday I was having a very MSE day: made a wreath frot he front door out of two wire coathangers and greenery from the garden; wrapped a couple of presents; and started the Christmas cards. But then I went and spoilt it all by having take away for dinner. My own fault, and it wasn't so expensive (£5.50) but still a little annoyed at being so weak.

Anyway, today is going to be a NSD, so that should make me feel a bit better about it.

Hope everybody is having a good Monday!

karmachilovething

Hello all (! actually it's probably just me, but it helps to think there might be somebody out there! I've not had imaginary friends for years, so maybe it's time again!)

Not much to report really. NSD on Monday, a few errands yesterday made some spends, and hoping for another NSD today. I was going to go to T3sco for some mark downs after the gym, but I have plenty of food in the house so there's not a real need.:money:

Was booked for an MOT today, but my mechanic hasn't collected the car (door to door service from work, very handy). His wife went into hospital unexpectedly this week, and since she's the organised one I think he's just forgotten. Puts me in a tight spot though: I want to keep supporting them because of the illness things, but I need to MOT my car next week at lastest Christmas so that I can re-insure it before the 21st. I will see what happens this week, and otherwise take somewhere else on Monday.