WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Well done Jo, that's a great total so far!!!


Well, its July 1st so I am on a mission to save save save! Today (so far) is a SFD (spend free day) and I hope it'll stay that way.


I think i'll need to get some food shopping between now and Friday, but to be honest I hope I can wait until Friday instead.


The younger son is away this evening, at the cinema with a friend, so the teenager and I are off swimming. That's included in our membership, so I wont have to part with any cash for that.


Not sure what's for dinner, i'll ask the teen what he fancies, he will probably just want noodles (rolls eyes!).
I went to get some ham out of the fridge for lunch today, to find it all gone..grrrr.

WantToBeSE

Just found a Free -Delivery and £10- off -a -£50 -shop code for Sainsburys So i'll be ordering from them this week. I'll do the online shop today and have it delivered for Friday.


Happy days!

WantToBeSE

I know that its early, but I have written my meal plan for next week, based on what I have in the kitchen already. I have done a kitchen audit and need to use up some stuff.


Tarka Dal, pitta and salad
Cauliflower, Broccoli and Mac cheese
Chicken curry
Roast chicken, Saag Aloo and pitta bread
Leek and Chorizo risotto
Lamb Hotpot
Tuna Sweetcorn pasta


I should spend the max of £50 on food for next week, since I have the voucher codes from Sainsburys.

JoJoC

Thank you, I'm really pleased and feeling so positive. Long may it continue!

Well, did you achieve your sfd? I hope so! Sounds like you're going to give a nice quiet evening with your son. Hopefully you'll manage to make your cupboard contents last you till Friday!

Your meal plan for next week sounds fab- what's tarka dal?

£50 is a good spend for a weekly shop. We spent £76 in morrisons then £13 in Aldi but that's our big shop for the month. The next three weeks will probably be £35-45 per week. Just put £70 fuel in the car too so that'll do me 2-3 weeks I hope.

We've been trying to get on top of housework this week and make more of an effort to do things instead of doing the bare minimum then sitting in front of the telly.

Tonight, husband sorted out the dinner, prepared the Lunches for tomorrow and put on a washing and I sorted out the little fella, stripped the bed and made it up again, put some clothes away and hung some up. It all sounds like basic stuff but before we'd just do the bare minimum. We also cleaned the kitchen together after dinner.

Trying very hard to maintain this positive frame of mind.

In fact, while the football is on I'm off to do some polls on onepoll. I've not been on for ages!

WantToBeSE

Yes, a had a SFD today..i hope there are many more to come!


Tarka Dal is an Indian dish I believe, the basis of which is yellow split peas and garam masala. It really is delicious!

Edit- this is the one I am going to try: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/slow_cooker_split_pea_93320

You are sounding very organised!


I am only working until 12.15 tomorrow, so am heading straight to the gym after, and then straight home to watch the tennis!

JoJoC

Well done on the sfd I wish you many more!

That recipe looks delicious- I've saved that to try sometime.

I'm very jealous of your early finish. I'm back to working five days and it really isn't suiting me! Even though I finish at 3 on a Friday, it still feels like the longest week ever!

Ten more weeks to go of my secondment and I'll be back to four days (less money though...boo!).

No more savings today, although I might raid husband's change when we get in tonoght for any pound coins that he has lurking about!

WantToBeSE

Thought I would be brave and tackle the mountain of paperwork. Have activated my SA services online, so am waiting to be allowed to complete that.
Now (and for the last 15mins) on hold with the TC helpline.


Really pleased it's almost done though!!


OK, Tax Credits renewed, lunch on the go, SA almost done, been to the gym...a productive day!

cathybird

hi WantToBeSE! I'm back from my holiday, still haven't caught up with everything yet, but just wanted to say hello. Hope all is well. Sorry to hear you've got a mountain of paperwork though - boo!

WantToBeSE

Hiya Cathy How are you doing? Did you have a nice holiday? I have been stalking your diary, so knew you were away


I have done all of the paper work now, thank goodness! Just have to pay my NI (boooo) and that's about it!


I had my first lie in for ages this morning, which means that I missed the gym. Its ok though, we are going swimming later anyway.


As from the 1st September I take over the agency that I work for, so I don't know how things are going to be financially for a while really. Its making me nervous!


I have all sorts of questions- will I be able to get tax credits still if I own the business? I hope to make a really good go of it, and not need tax credits at all TBH, but for the first 6 months to a year I will need them. I am not sure who to ask- any ideas?


A nice relaxing day today. I have to get some food shopping and that's it

JoJoC

Glad you got your paperwork done! Ours is in a small pile that desperately needs attention.

My London trip hasn't exactly been MSE but I'm doing well to not have spent too much. I've still got over half my spending money and I'm half way through the trip so I count that as a success.

Any money leftover will go in our piggy bank as it was budgeted spend.

Your relaxing Sunday sounds lovely! Enjoy swimming later!