our forever patch challenge

sammy70

still freezing and white over.. even horses water and bedding frozen inside his stable poor thing..
i started an emergency fund in the new year, one that i have instant access to, im putting £15 a week in it, and hope to get it to, and keep it at £1000 , i will add bits as and when if i get chance. This will hopefully be there for things like an unexpected vet bill etc, and prevent me having to dip into the p.bond savings/emergency fund..
Today i added £15 to the emergency fundand paid for a fuel delivery that is coming monday.. Need to keep that fire going!! brrrr

try_harder

I t sure is cold ,i have my Aga going full blast and my woodburner and im still cold , i am now going to put a pair of my husbands very thick socks on .I dont envy you going outside so much

sammy70

At last the temperature has risen, and we are snow freeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!
Had my first ride out on prince poppo yesterday, it was short but sweet! we are going out again this morning, rain on the way so making the best of the break in the weather!
i managed a £10 overpayment this week, every little helps .. i also did my big shop, which came in at £85 after using vouchers, and enough meals on my meal plan for at least two weeks along with bits i already had..
Still not found my catering trailer, all the ones of the size/spec i want get literally snapped up as soon as they go on sale, getting to view quickly is the problem, with hubby working all week i have to wait untill the weekend, and up to now im getting pipped to the post. oh well, ill get there, everything happens for a reason, my perfect trailer will come soon 

sammy70

rainy morning, so as prince poppo was wet through no ride .. took MIL for her new reading glasses this afternoon, called at Tesco on the way home, as id decided i was going to get housework sorted, followed by a pamper/treat  night as ive been feeling fed up. so, i used my spending money and got- some fancy face packs- reduced to clear- £0.70p each- got 3, two womens mags- £1.10 each- havent bought any for literally years, a lottery ticket for tommorow night, and some special offer cadburys eggs- £1 for a box of 5. and i also got a reduced price curry and rice for my tea, so total blowout !  i cleaned, then lovely tea, followed by chocolate/glass of something nice/bubble bath/facepack/magazine, total luxury 
i feel spoilt, my mood has had a lovely boost, and im ready to snuggle up and get back in the saddle of life tommorow.. bring it on

sammy70

mmm, another vet visit for prince poppo yesterday as his coughing and choking continues.. blood test for infection taken, and antibiotics, so ive made a claim on horse insurance. Im so glad i have the insurance, its been a big help this last few months with his vets fees with me being out of work, a little less stress..
Ive done my March budget, reduced the fuel and food budget, as we arent using as much fuel at the moment, and also ive found im spending all the budget at the supermarket, but not really being mindful on what im getting, buying too many treats, and i never reduced the budget after my doggy passed away, so the cost of her food was still in there.. so, im now on £70 food budget a week for all cleaning materials too, lets see if this helps me focus on whats needed, and reduces the wasteful treat buying..
I should if everything goes to plan- mmm please let it this month- have all bills and outgoings covered for March- just- and a small surplus of less than £50.. i suppose i could put any extra i can save from the  grocery/fuel budget aside all month, and see if i can challenge myself- lets say £100- saved to overpay last week in March? not a lot, but at least we havent dipped into our savings yet.
I must find a catering trailer in the next two weeks if im to open as planned easter weekend, if i dont start earning by end of April, we will have to start using emergency fund savings- which i really dont want to do.. Also, it was end March 2020 when i went on furlough, before being made redundant in October, so it would be nice to mark the anniversary of my last day i worked at my old job with the new start of my business 

Jessy103

I hope horsey is ok and good luck with the catering trailer hunt x

joshiesaunt

I hope Prince Poppo is okay and the quest for a trailer is fruitful.
  I'm enjoying following your journey as your mortgage amount is similar to ours but we're not quite as focussed so hoping for some inspiration from reading yours and others diaries!

sammy70

gosh ive been away a couple of weeks! where does the time go?
Turned out the prince has an allergy - to hay!! it could only happen to me!! whatever next.. so he now is on a special diet of horse haylage, and hasnt so much as coughed since coming off hay, i cant beieve it, i must have the Dot Cotton of the equine world  the main thing is he is well, pets eh! where would we be without them?... richer!! but not as happy..
Right, in more news- ive found a trailer  and if all goes to plan, i will be purchasing it saturday! my stomach is churning with nerves, i keep going from feeling excited and positive, to panicking im making a mistake and going through disaster scenarios , typical me, overthinker of the year!  im going to give it a go, ive always wanted to try a little business, and bonus is working based at home.. only unknown is how many customers i will get , as a brand new business in the middle of the countryside..
oh well, fingers crossed for another lovely summer, and lots of passing walkers and cyclists - hungry and thirsty ones preferably !

South_coast

Well done on the trailer! Good luck with the purchase, I think a bit of nerves is perfectly normal at this point, as you're reaching the transition between planning and action and actually making your dreams a reality. I think this could be a bumper year for UK trips, so a great time to get started 😀

And a horse allergic to hay....🤣🙄

sammy70

thank you southcoast, its really scary taking this leap, investing a large lump of money, and the all general  not knowing how things will pan out.. but if i dont try now i will always wonder 'what if',so  im going to give it my best shot..