The Big Adventure

Karmacat

Goldiegirl wrote: »

That's pretty much how I operate on eBay - I put the item up for auction a few times, if that doesn't work I try a long BIN, and then if that doesn't work, it's the charity shop.

Thats good to know - you don't let it hang around forever.

Today is my 2nd anniversary of joining MSE. The biggest thing I've learned is 'a lot of small savings add up to big savings. Previously, I might not have bothered with something to save a £1, but I do now.

Absolutely! Its the same as compound interest, isn't it - my only trouble with it is that while I'm great on looking after the small savings, I occasionally hit a huge stumble with the big stuff - like the locksmith on Monday But the situation would be many times worse without my "small savings".

A rather strange day today. It's very dull, dark and misty, and I've got to mid afternoon without really doing anything at all.

Weather-wise, its been a dreadful day today, I'm not surprised you haven't done much, though I see you've actually been shopping and worked on knowing the satnav :T those both take much longer than we ever think, and the satnav is really important! Journeys with people who have satnav are totally different from journeys with people who don't :j

Watty1

I find mysupermarket a bit of a faff too. Was thinking I was just idle but felt better when I read you had had a problem too. Its not just me !!

greent

shhhh - I cba with mysupermarket either! x

JHH1982

Hi GG,

I've just finished your diary :T
I'm so pleased for you, being on the countdown to your last day :j - how exciting/scary/liberating and many more - all in one go! :beer:

On the supermarket front - we have recently moved from Sains to Aldee (and popping into tesco over the road for things Aldee don't stock). I am an absolute convert and would really really recommend you try it when you look at moving.
We cook virtually everything from scratch like you and Mr G seem too.
The +Ives are :
1. It's SOO much cheaper - my stats say we are saving about 35+% on our food bills since we switched (~4months ago)
2. Due to it being so much smaller i can nip round and do a full shop in 20 ish mins
3. I used to be a brand snob but can honestly say for most things I can't tell the diff between Aldee/branded items (exceptions that I haven't changed are: Heinz sauces, lurpack butter, peanut butter, chocolate, Persil (DH has allergies ) ....
Note we use our local farm shop for all meats and continue to do so. However friends buy Aldee meat and can't tell the diff to sains/t3sco

shala_moo

greent wrote: »

shhhh - I cba with mysupermarket either! x

Watty1 wrote: »

I find mysupermarket a bit of a faff too. Was thinking I was just idle but felt better when I read you had had a problem too. Its not just me !!

Me too, it takes forever to load and I just don't have the patience :rotfl:

Goldiegirl

Hello everyone !


I don't feel so bad about thinking mysupermarket was a bit of a pain - I thought I was a bad MSE-er! I know I'm going to have more time on my hands, but I don't think I'll EVER have enough time to go through every item on my shopping list comparing the prices at different outlets!


I'll do what JHH does and get myself down to Aldi. I'm looking forward to it :j Asda and Morrisons are also on my list to try.


Just 5 more working days to go. It really can't come soon enough. After the last two days I feel drained - we have ongoing computer problems which make things even more challenging than normal.


I don't mind physical tiredness after a day out or working in the garden, but it's this mental tiredness I feel on Friday nights that drags me down.


Yesterday, I had a couple of times when I felt a bit dizzy, so I was very careful today. I have been better today, but I have learned to listen to my body. I don't think it's leading to any vertigo, as my hearing is good and my ear doesn't feel 'full'. But it was a reminder that I can't be complacent about things


Anyway, I'm now going to put my feet up, and will catch up with diaries over the next few days:)

Karmacat

Ooh yes, once the dizziness starts up, you have to pre-emptively stop. Sorry you feel so drained, I hope a good night's rest sets you up again.

BookWorm

Welcome home - put your feet up and chill. Hope you feel better after a good nights sleep

gallygirl

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I don't feel so bad about thinking mysupermarket was a bit of a pain - I thought I was a bad MSE-er! I know I'm going to have more time on my hands, but I don't think I'll EVER have enough time to go through every item on my shopping list comparing the prices at different outlets!


I'll do what JHH does and get myself down to Aldi. I'm looking forward to it :j Asda and Morrisons are also on my list to try.

Life really is too short . I usually go to Aldi but for anything they don't stock I go on mysupermarket and just look at those things plus the savvy buys to decide where to go.

Hope you had a good sleep .

Goldiegirl

Yes, had a good night's sleep, thanks.


I still felt tired this morning, but I've picked up now


With just five working days left, I'm not going to exactly sit back and do nothing, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I can't do everything - I will pace myself carefully for the remainder of my time there.


Anyway, on to more positive things - the old money shuffle! :j


I've paid everything that needs to be paid, and have been able to put £1775 into savings, so I've reached my savings target for the year:j
Grocery spending came in at £215.88, or 66% of last years monthly average, so I'm well pleased with that.


General spending came in at £485, or 91.5% of the allocated amount. This was a good result, considering we bought our new phones and did Christmas shopping.


The late payer from last weekend's eBay sales finally paid up, so I've been able to put £10 in the LXF for my share of the proceeds, plus £2.50 from a GreenMet book sale and £2.14 from a Hx Reward account cashback.


All in all, a pleasing month:)