Building The Burrow!

apple_muncher

Tee hee to those pesky cardboard circles that masquerade as 2ps!

Hope you can get through those boxes - i've turned over to the athletics whilst the rain stops play.

Pearla*Merle

I had to laugh, Apple, I was moping about the rain stopping play all the while being pleased I was tucked up inside against wild weather then I realised that I actually live quite close now so if it's raining here it's probably raining there... I did feel silly when I connected the two. :rotfl:

I started on the boxes but I was so tired on Saturday I didn't get much done. There are so many bitty bits in them that I need to make some space before I can tackle them and go through them properly. I managed to rehome some dishes that had been packed in there for some reason and rejiggled various storage around the house, so there's a bit more space now. :T

Have had some nice freezer teas - cottage pie yesterday, squash risotto tomorrow and veg concoction out for couscous today.

Decluttered: a vintage serving dish, large cross stitch picture, an essential oil balm stick thing, a favourite bag - can't believe I'm parting with it but I'm not going to use it again so better to let it go and have adventures somewhere else!

Haven't really been up to much else, mostly resting inbetween sorting out housey bits.

Still need to write up those budgets...

misscousinitt

Hi

Just popping in - still need to catch up with the rest of your thread.

Your freezer teas sound fab!

MCI

Pearla*Merle

I'm so glad I'm getting back into the way of saving leftover portions, it's so nice to eat a proper meal rather than going for the default pizza option which was happening a little too much.

I went for baked potato with the veg rather than couscous in the end. Crumbled feta on top and used up the last of the beetroot salad with it. So flipping yumskins! Could literally eat it all again.

Pearla*Merle

Forgot some news from yesterday - picked up my Cath order, I actually think a friend will like the brooch I bought more than me so that's a gift somewhere down the line sorted. Some things turned up damaged though, Urgh. Now I remember why I've given up buying things online. It's such a faff.

Had a blinding flash of genius today (of a moneymaking variety!). I wanted to start a blog to tie in wit/support one of my writing projects, I finally think I've cracked how I can structure it. It should also make some pennies in its own right, with any luck. Got to ruminate on it all a bit more before committing but quite exciting to have A Plan!

Not much else to report - went to work, did a little house sprucing, found out that a charity can come and pick up all my donations if I don't manage to get a lift from someone anytime soon (can't face dragging them all down there bit by bit!).

Doing quite well on my diary catch up :dance: A tinge of sadness seeing some names that we've not heard from for a while (I miss you Hbb, sending you lots of love and happy vibes). Amazing to see so many people talking about FIRE though, so inspiring and makes me want to knuckle down all the more. *big smooshy hug to everyone in MFW-land for being such a clever lot*

Simple Pleasures: watching charming Disney films (Pocahontas), with candles and incense burning. Atmospheric and lovely

Pearla*Merle

Budgets! Right, I've suddenly realised the year is getting on and that some Big Events loom. Argh as I had plans for my savings this year but looks like I won't be able to Save Like A Demon until next Jan/Feb.

Should still end up with nearish £1k by the end of the year even if I spend the full amounts below, but that's why I'm here to talk budgets. The more I can shave off the below, the happier I'll be.

So, I want to nix my 0% card rather than shift it when the rate ends, so that's £650ish. Can't change that, though decision to not shift it may change.

Xmas - probably spend £100-£150 on Mr M... can I reduce this with clever gifts? Must search eBay, charity shops, pinterest for ideas.

Xmas again - £200 for buying some nice foodstuffs, drinkables and other Treats o' The Season (ie. nice wreath - but I should really make my own!). I can probably half that or more? I'm definitely NOT going to buy sweets and things as that's what undid all my good work at the end of last year. I'm planning to eat seasonal/wintry foodstuffs, so will treat myself to a few odd things ie. lovely cheese, some new spices, baking ingredients, interesting vegetables, lol. I'm starting to collect ideas and will start adding odd things to the trolley in the months leading up. I must remember there's really no point going overboard, even just a few treats are more than enough, there's no point loosing my head. And anyway, it's more fun to eat wintry-themed food throughout the season and just enjoy a simpler, laid back Yuletide. (Presents for other people are mostly covered as I have lots of gifts in the present box :j)

Mr M has a big birthday coming up early next year... I have no idea what the plan is for this yet. I'll buy some pressies but I may end up contributing to a trip away... again I need to think up some clever ideas on the presents side of things. Thinking about £500 for the trip? this is a total shot in the dark. He spent a lot more for my birthday shenanigans, but then he does have a lot more pennies that me.

If we go on a trip that means spending money! Probably need £200 for this, but will try and reduce that as much as possible.

Rightio, that's that sorted in my head. Now to start getting clever with the budgets! If I can get going on surveys again that should help with the costs of presents, so best get my skates on...!

apple_muncher

A flash of Genius indeedy! He further thoughts enhance it even more.

I really miss Hbbb too, she was such an inspiration to me.

And yay to FIRE plans. Getting rid of the mortgage is my first milestone. No idea what'll be after that, so possibly a little too short-term??

If you manage to save 1k by the year's end, what on earth with Saving Like A Demon result in!? Impressive. Go girl!

Pearla*Merle

Saving Like A Demon should hopefully result in around £4-5k a year! That's best case scenario but I daresay there will be a few expenses that'll need to come out of that, darn it.

That's not counting self-employed stuff, which I'd like to get up to £300+ a month next year (seems realistic to start with as I'm not working full time on it)...it's taking longer to build it up again than anticipated as I completely overhauled my plans - this should stand me in good stead for the future though, so worth the short term lack of monies.

So all in all I'd like to be putting away about £800 a month by the end of next year. Best get my skates on. :rotfl:

Can't wait to hear what your plans are post-mortgage, no doubt you'll come up with an awe-inspiring plan You'll need to get your thinking cap on, you're not far away now!

Pearla*Merle

Not been up to much. Mr Merle's snoring contributed to just three hours sleep the other night. :eek: I couldn't use the sofabed as we had a friend staying so I ended up sleeping on the floor in the spare room(!). Cheaper than taking off to a hotel in the middle of the night Sofabed last night though so I feel a tad more human today. :rotfl:

TSB account finally opened. :T Onepolled today, spending diary uptodate, along with spreadsheet budgets. All looking good.

2lb lost this week. During my holibob I lost about two inches off my waist but my weight didn't change - it's finally dawned on me that creating muscle does mean there's not an obvious result in the scales. So I've started taking waist/hip measurements (lost about half an inch this week, not bad).

Bad news - my fitbit is definitely broken. it's not logging my steps properly and keeps saying the battery is dead (it's not). So need to get that fixed, argh.

Mr M's just informed me we're due to hit 35*c next week...?! Dear god. Don't know how I'll survive work, it's boiling in there already.

Simple Pleasures: watching classic films while drinking pots of tea. Letters from friends

Pearla*Merle

I actually slept in a real bed last night. :j

Popping into work a bit later today. A few things rumbling about in the background, hope they get sorted out sharpish as they're becoming a drain.

I don't get paid til Tuesday, so I have to wait until I can have some fun. I'm pretty sure I'm mostly sorted for Christmas presents (still trying to reduce the present box), but I'll have to check so I can make the most of the summer sales as I'm sure I could do with a couple of odd things. I'll reboot the handmade gifts plan next year next year!

Off to do some blog/writing planning...