Emerging from the dark - a dfw diary

Chrysalis1976

Good morning, slept in today as I was awake in the early hours for absolutely no reason so watched a bit of Sherlock on the iplayer. I also used the time to make a little payment of £1.68 to b/card to round up the figure, although now there's that odd £7 to deal with!

I have no specific timescale to pay off the card parsniphead, I need to decide how to also put aside money for holiday and dd bedroom so will take a bit longer but at least the other things will also be achieved.

So today is Mission Tidy up and also a bit of food shopping otherwise we'll be having Cheerios for lunch.

C x

Chrysalis1976

Good morning, I've got the food shop to look forward to today I'm planning on going after breakfast as it is always quiet early on. I have my list ready so hopefully can just get on and do it. House is looking a lot better, just some laundry to put away.

Yesterday I went out to get the kids prezzies, I stayed right in budget with 54p left over so pleased with that. Everyone was so relaxed and kind a lady put a couple of things on her trolley to take them to the till as my basket was full and even though getting out of the car park was crazy everyone was courteous and let each other car out.

I did almost buy some oven gloves and tea towels in Nxxt but stopped myself just in time so I'm going to pay off that extra £7 with what I didn't use to splurge.

I haven't drawn up the savings goals with the kids yet, I think once xmas is done we can focus.

Hope everyone has a good day!

C x

mummytogirls

Hope the food shop went well today Chrysalis. Everything sounds very pleasant yesterday x

Chrysalis1976

I decided to do an early end of year review in the hope that I can give myself a kick up the butt to make 2015 a fabulously frugle new year. But when I looked I realised that I really haven't got much to report and just simply need to do better!

So my goals for the first half of 2015 are:

* To pay off barclaycard
* Save for holiday to Scotland
* Save for decorating costs to finish dd bedroom
* Finish my degree

Those achievements would be great for me so I really need to be strong.

My dh was going to buy me a present for xmas but I said not to and will pay some extra off the credit card, I know I have some vouchers for xmas so this will do me to get some clothes.

Hope everyone has a good Xmas, C x

mummytogirls

Hope you and your family had a lovely day yesterday Chrysalis xx

Chrysalis1976

Thanks mtg we had a lovely relaxing time at my folks, we did an exchange of food to give us some extras for meals.

Well yesterday was lovely even the 5am wake up call that the kids decided was a great idea! They were really pleased with their gifts especially the games console that we got second hand from my dh work colleague with lots of games. Today I went out for a lovely slow run to kick start my fitness again, then I have been tidying up from all the presents they have had.

I have sorting out my clothes as some are getting horrible and some I'm just sick of wearing, I have got £50 in vouchers and I will also take some of the old clothes to the cash 4 clothes place to get a little bit more money for some more bits and pieces. I need lots really including work wear, nice stuff for home and shoes. I will try and sell things to pay for new ones.

I'm also going to try to sell things to pay for birthday gifts during the year, I have two in January to get so need to start now.

I've paid another £10 off the credit card so now down to £1900 , need to keep going with these little payments as thay all make a difference.

Not much else going on, we have plenty of food in the house to last a while.

C x

parsniphead

I'm glad to read you had a good Christmas chrysalis.

Off for a run, now that's motivation, I'm very impressed.

Chrysalis1976

Hi all I was planning on starting an assignment today but I didn't sleep well last night and I'm so tired already so will start tomorrow.

I did well in the sales yesterday with my vouchers, I managed to get 4 tops, 2 cardigans and a pair of trousers :T Really pleased with this and also got a bit of student discount on a couple of items.

Last night I got out the shopping money for the week, I have done the menu which is now mostly vegetarian and we will choose a nice bit of meat for the weekend. The kids seem happy as I've added fruit puddings to the meals.

Hubby is out walking in the hills today so I have no car, I had a few bits for meals today so just needed to pop out and get a few extras which was great as picked up a few bargains including chickpeas which are 55p in Tesco but only 29p in HB and eggs are 99p in HB compared to £1.30 in Tesco!

We did need to go into Tesco for a couple of things and spotted some basil plants reduced from £2 to 20p, this has now been repotted.

Back home and we have made icecream for tonight and for Wednesday tea, chicken is marinating for lunch and then later making foccacia and the easiest tomato soup in the world.

House is looking a tip again so need to do a quick tidy up.

C x

mummytogirls

Sounds like you've been busy today Chrysalis!!! Well done on the bargains you have bagged yourself too! Whats on the meal plan for the next week? xx

Chrysalis1976

We have had a lovely day cooking, playing games and watched a film together. We played the family edition of Trivial Pursuit which has questions for adults and kids so good fun but somehow hubby got lots of questions about his favourite subjects!

The kids loved the first day of the menu and they have survived a whole day without sweets, chocolates, crisps or biscuits - who'd have thought! The soup and foccacia was a big hit as was the homemade icecream, so simple to make and another lot in the freezer for Wednesday's tea.

Also on the menu this week:
Homemade pizza and potato wedges
Falafels
Beetroot soup and homemade rolls
Red onion and goats cheese tarts
Posh beans on toast
Salmon and veg

and puddings:
Homemade waffles, icecream and raspberries
Apple crumble
Oranges with warm raspberry sauce
Homemade cheesecake

I will do the main shop tomorrow with the rest of the budgeted money, hopefully I'll be able to get everything we need.

Ooh nearly forgot, had a cashback amount finally confirmed after 6 months so hopefully that will be paid this week and will be another £50 towards the credit card.

C x