Nagme's Diary - getting it under control in 2013

Nagme

Thanks for the tip re cat litter, I will keep an eye out for a sawdust source. I currently buy the litter online.

The Punto got part ex'd for £500 - I just couldn't sell it to someone else who only had a couple of hundred quid for a car for them to discover all the faults. Gearbox problem, exhaust problem, massive puddle on carpet after it rained, and it just didn't run "right" even when it was idling.... I may have been able to get over £500 through Ebay after listing the problems, but maybe not.

patman99

Nice to see you have updated your sig to add-in your debt.

Nagme

Hoping to have a NSD day today, getting ready for the in-laws to arrive. Spare room has been finished, just need to get rid of the slight whiff of fresh paint and make the bed up. I was so close to ordering a new duvet cover set to complete the room, but I refrained and have used old stuff with a blanket on top.
Made cookies last night with DS whilst DH took 4 and a half hours to get home up the M1 (40 miles!).

On target with monthly spending, £250/week (each Friday), currently at £216 with one day to go which included 2 tanks of diesel, 1 tank of petrol for the bike, supermarket shop, and an Easter treat of tea out last weekend. Barely touched the offset account and nothing on the other cards.

Just need to come up with inspiration for dinner later.

Why is it so dark out there today?!

Nagme

Term started today, normality has resumed.
We have a much lower balance than normal currently on our everyday spending Amex card, which will allow me to put extra onto Capital 1 at the end of this month

Nagme

Updated signature.
DF by Christmas 2013? Not at this rate

There were a few unexpected things last month, including contributing towards a relative's funeral costs, but what can you do?
We are doing well this week, keeping to a budget of £210. DH's tank will last till Friday, I've stuck £20 in mine which will last weeks, and managed to spend just £48 in Mr T including stocking up on reduced liquid handwash 22p per bottle
Other bit and bobs were takeaway pizza to celebrate wedding anniversary £25 (who says romance is dead?), Alarm clock £15, child's birthday present £7.50.
Managed to get the a/c on the citroen regassed for free yesterday - well we've only had the car a month!
£15 to last till friday, can't think of anything we need.
I have a mountain of things to ebay, just need to get in the mood. I know, I'll do all the photographs to start me off. Back soon.

Nagme

Managed to get 5 things listed on ebay tonight.
This week's budget was going great, what with the bulk cooking I did last week, I knew £26 would be enough for the food shop for this week - and then I realised I needed more special flea stuff for the cat £36 (she has a flea allergy) , and had to stick another £30 fuel in my car in case DH had to borrow it for work, and then DH needed new razors £10 and I didn't have enough points on my Boots card to get them "free" so had to Actually Buy Them.
And then I thought stuff it and bought myself a new pair of shoes to help with the chronic back pain I'm suffering with, which is making me feel a bit miserable.
But that's all confessed, so - on with the lean living.

I have put the overspend into next week's budget and I will carry it over until I've balanced it. DH has a big dentist's bill next week, so the Ebaying needs to definately continue to help offset.
We now have growing in the garden/greenhouse: onions, potatoes, brocolli, tomatoes, Mini sunflowers, Giant sunflowers, and Stocks. I sent off for the 24 free Lavender plants which I will use to plant a bee friendly hedge in the front garden.

SIL's 40th in a few weeks, and my Dad's birthay soon too, plus 2 parties for DS to go to!
Managed to get the two kids' some Lego presents in the sales.
Got the inlaws to email a lovely old 70's photo of DH and his brother and sis, which I will get printed onto canvas at Tesco's for SIL as they are doing them half price, BIL is pleased he doesn't have to get her a present and is going halves with us.
Ordered some dairy free chocs for Dad, and then we're building his arbour for him for his birthday.
Just need to make the birthday cards, which DS always likes to "help" with.
Oh and got a great swap this weekend, friend's teenager son gave us his captain's bunk in exchange for DS's single bed - DS is so pleased as he has a den

Nagme

SIL's 40th pressie sorted for a grand total of £14.97:j It's a photo of her and her big brothers with her 2nd birthday cake in front of them, I'm so pleased, and the canvas was half price too, result.

Checked the Argos card, we're 10 days past the interest free period from buying the dishwasher and tumble dryer last autumn, I'd brought the balance down to £300, and they've charged £25 interest :mad: So I've paid that off, using the offset account, and I will read through the T&C to see if they backdate the interest.

Did an hour's work on the laptop in bed this morning whilst being fed tea and pancakes by DH, I think I'll have a bath after this diary entry. We're so over budget this week - target is £210.
And I haven't done a food shop yet. And I know that if I look at my pocket diary there'll be a few more things to add to the total.

When we go over budget it's so easy to give up, so I need to really rein myself in when this happens. Dad's PSA count (ie prostate cancer) is on the up (it's now 60), so I think that's why I've been careless this week, spending and eating to excess. He has just been taken under the caring wing of the Royal Marsden, I can't believe the difference between them and the local hospital, who just sent him home to die with no care last year.

Today:
Get out of bed
Have soak in bath
Get baby monitor back from mum and dad to install in garage (lots of break-ins recently in our area)
meal plan for the week
List some more bits on ebay
10 minutes tidying the study
Ironing. Minimum of 5 shirts for DH.
Make a payment to Haven (balance due by 20th)

Sun's out, how strange!

Nagme

Nagme wrote: »

Today:
[strike]Get out of bed[/strike]
[strike]Have soak in bath[/strike]
Get baby monitor back from mum and dad to install in garage (lots of break-ins recently in our area) they were out when we popped over
[strike]meal plan for the week[/strike]
List some more bits on ebay need to take some more photos first
[strike]10 minutes tidying the study[/strike] and found the sofa
[strike]Ironing. Minimum of 5 shirts for DH.[/strike] and repaired a favourite top
[strike]Make a payment to Haven (balance due by 20th)[/strike] £268 will have to go on Capital one

Sun's out, how strange!

Well - got some stuff done then.

Spent £51 at Sainsburys, made use of the £9 off £60 spend.
Didn't get coloured laundry powder, I will use laundry gloop for the coloured, and soak any dirties.
Meal plan -
Today - HM spag bol from freezer
Mon - HM spag bol from freezer
Tue - Jacket spuds, salad and chicken
Wed - Tuna pasta bake
Thur - HM chicken curry from freezer
Friday - Pizza, salad and garlic bread.

DH has bought single room alarms for the shed and the garage, and a combi lock for DS's bike, and padlocked his motorbike to the ground in the garage, oh and stuck window film to the glass to obscure the view into the garage to make it more secure (or possibly hide what he's up to).

Work tomorrow - free lunch, but that's usually just a folded over tuna sarnie on the go. DH's taking my car to work which is actually a good thing as it's 20% more economical than his (which I remind him about regularly). The suspension on his C4 collapsed on Saturday, so it looks like a seriously low rider at the moment.

I've kept so busy today that I didn't get any Sunday blues.

Nagme

Cancelled two subscriptions - Graze and Which, and downgraded the Lovefilm account from £11.22 to £5.99.

Saving: £32.04 per month.

I guess we wrongly felt we could afford it this winter when I started my part-time job

Spent £3 today - collection for 2 colleagues leaving at the end of the month.

Nagme

Made a loaf last night, but still need to pop out later to buy milk, cheese and apples.
Dropped DH's car off to garage for some warranty work, £12 a day for a loan car! So DH is using my car instead, I don't mind being carless to save us £50.

Free lavender plugs arrived today, very pleased with them and potted up almost all of them this afternoon.

It's so chilly, I'm wearing a hoodie, jumper and a vest top, thick socks and winter slippers, brrrr.

Got myself another shift to do at work next week, so that'll be another £35 to add to the pot.

Did a good 250 point ipsos survey.

I need to pay the balance of the Haven holiday today, which will have to go on Capital One I really need to attack that next month.