Starbucks, Trainers and Cottages - Ohhh My!

VeronicaMars

Well I'm back at work!!! I am tiiiiirrrrreeeeddd. 2 hour commute with 8 hour days is a shock to the system. And I do not stop. It is constant.

Have started revamping an old money jar thing. It was horrific. I mean it looks good, but the process with the glitter...horrific. I've taken some pictures so I'll get it into the blog.

Trying to just make things we have fit in better with the flat, but at low/zero cost. So this cost basically £5 to revamp and I have glitter leftover.

Next up - is an old wooden jewellery/storage box thing. I painted it silver (as our bedroom was black/white/grey/silver) but in the interest of money saving and condensing furniture, our bedroom has a new theme/style going on. I can only describe it as some sort of country? It's not bad, but in an ideal world its not how I would want it. But I am on a mission to get a house deposit/savings so we are under no circumstances buying anything for a house until the day we have a mortgage. Anyway I was going to buy spray paint, was going to cost £7, however on talking to a girl in the shop she showed me these tester posts of gold glittery stuff and one pot the paint was thick and going hard, so she said if I bought the other one she would give me that one for free!!! Added some water and it was good as new (it was water based) £2.90!!! Got the bronze paint that Mr Mars used for his raybans, so going to paint hearts on the drawers with that and then buy tiny drawer knobs. I saw something that I am going to try and reenact.

Being back at work the washer/dryer and the dishwasher are coming into their own. Sooooo glad we bought them. Come home, empty dishwasher, put on wash. Done. Got an online delivery for tomorrow (found a £10 off code online!!). Hopefully if I keep it up these things they will make working a 40+ hour week and just living (well COPING) that little bit easier. The first shop has been done so hopefully from now on it will get easier once you get into the habit of things!

xoxo

supersaver1000

Ooh V. I'm going to be working fulltime soon, so reading with interest.

I'm going to revamp my chest of drawers soon - with wallpaper! I'm not buying anything until we have our next home, although I really want a new armchair. I've seen the one I want in BHS - it's nearly £1000 - how can a chAir cost that much - I need to shop around a bit, but it's very comfy. Still ones in Next half the price. Sale shopping I think.

VeronicaMars

Hello everyone!!!

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Well WHAT year 2014 was for me. I'm exhausted evening thinking about it. Got Married, became an Auntie, went abroad about 5 times then quit my job, moved out our Lodge House (sob, sniff, sob) travelled across America and moved to New Zealand, where I found a new home, and a new job. CLEARED MY DEBT! BOOM!!! :T

2015 is shaping up to be similar. After another spell travelling down the west coast of the South Island in New Zealand I'm back and just as tired/exhausted!

So 2015 is now going to be about establishing myself, all the things I TRIED to do in 2014 on top of everything are going to be done! :j

1) My main goal is Weight Loss and getting Healthy - In the last year I have gained over a stone and a half. Probably a little more. I'm [STRIKE]am not[/STRIKE] was not a healthy person, I exercised a lot which has always helped my weight considering my diet, but since I went veggie I'm the healthiest I've ever been, but I'm still struggling and as a result I've introduced fish back into my diet. Total cop-out. I feel fish are just as much a animal as all the others. But seafood (unless farmed) is usually free range and does not have the same detrimental impact on the environment, and animal welfare and the landfills the same way the meat industry does. However I'm struggling (especially in New Zealand), I'm lazy with my diet and cooking and much like the dish washer, online food shopping and washer dryer I'm just trying to make my life easier and cope and be the healthiest I can be, but still try and stay with the ethical reasons why I went veggie in the first place. Don't judge. I've decided that If I don't feel better from this choice then I will take the fish out and I am not having it every day just every other day 3-4 times a week at either lunch or dinner. I'm just trying to find the balance of being a ethically conscious person but still coping with life! As I've realised recently that I was struggling and I am not superwomen, I can't do it all.

Also My new years resolution was not junk so far I've not had chocolate. I still have deserts etc just the junk food snacking I am trying to cut. Also with the introduction of fish I am going to cut out most of the cheese I eat (a LOT) and will move to some soya/almond milk (which I actually really like and used a lot in UK) and hopefully these changes will also help. Sorry for that ramble. Will let you know!

3) Next is to continue to organise my life. That involves continues to weed through clothes and junk and remove them from my life. I am sooooo much better however there is still much work to be done and I feel my wardrobe is STILL my biggest hurdle. I have so much clothes that have been purchased during the crazy debt days that I just don't like or is not my style or I simply do not wear or cannot fit in to. Now I am almost terrified to buy clothes. That is my focus to clear out the wardrobe and get a new sleek, adaptable good quality wardrobe that I can wear to both work and out and about. Started today with some shopping. I got some simple gorgeous black patent court shoes for work which also looked awesome with my jeans should I choose to wear them on a night out. Also go some hand cream, and some face moisturiser. I saw a gorgeous pair of black flat court shoes as well that I am going to purchase. However feel like I dropped a lot of cash today so going to save them for another week. In exchange I am going to ditch two pair of shoes for these!

3) Next is to keep my blog updated. I almost want it to be chronicles of my life. Need to focus on this!!!

4) Finally is savings. Mr Mars and I recon that we can save around £1,000 a month. So that is our goal. As well as continuing to live and travel whilst we still can and have no dependent dogs, cats or children. So Lets say that is £12,000 in a year. Surely that is do-able? I'm pretty sure we we saved more for our wedding in a year and we should be financially better off, however we are both now on lower incomes and paying to commute to work and a second (4 wheel drive) car. So let's see. Especially If I am planning on a new wardrobe :rotfl:

That is my self indulgent list for today!

xoxox

supersaver1000

Wow Veronica, sounds great. I feel like I've had a whirlwind of a year too, just started a new job, but want to save, move, make more changes, lose weight, get fit etc etc. I haven't been able to write it all down yet, but looking forward to 2015!

VeronicaMars

Helloooo!

It was all a little overwhelming me thinks! Looking for 2015 to be more chilled!

Productive night. Dinner of spag bol, made a big pot of soup (after I bought some unbelievably bland soup for £3), made the pieces for tomorrow, got the dishwasher on, the washing machine on and just about to head to bed! :beer:

For the last 4-5months I've not had a iphone - It broke But long story short I managed to get a refurbished HTC phone from Mr Mars old contract for £60 from UK! :T Got it set up last week. I have never had a smart phone that is not a Iphone. Never. Have to say, it's only been a week, but I LOVE it!!! The screen is so big and it's so sleek and I feel so glam with it! I've ordered a cheap phone for £3 so hopefully it is not TOO bad! I seriously suggest that you consider another poison piece of fruit other than the Iphone! I thought it would be sooooo different but my apps are the same (if not better) and although i'm still not clued up with the settings I am getting there!

Went slightly mad with the spending recently :eek: I've sorted myself!!! This seems to happen to me. THANK THE LORD ABOVE I managed to rein it back in before I ended up 4k debt like the last time I went on a bender like this! Damage was not that bad...

Two pairs of Mia Piaci shoes, a Laura Ashley blazer, a top, some Clinique moisturiser and some L'Occitane hand creams being the big spends along with a rather expensive Jade bracelet (a stone in NZ that only the Mauri can take from the land - I think) :eek::eek::eek:

I reigned it in though. Back to being sensible - I hope! Must think bigger picture...a cottage in the country...or just a house..or a shed...I'll take a shed!!! :rotfl:

I've came so far, cannot lose focus when I have been debt free for a month! :wall:

VeronicaMars

Hola DFWs!

I am sneaking on in work but wanted to check in to keep myself correct!

Goals:

Weight loss: Despite exercising like an Olympic athlete (exaggeration for story telling purposes) I have lost 1lb. 1lb –can you f*KCING believe it? And it could have been because I had not drank my cup of tea yet, so the results could be inaccurate! I FEEL more toned…but my clothes are just as tight, so that means NOTHING really.

I shall continue on in the hope that I am one of these people where it takes 3 months for the weight to come off.

Savings: Mr Mars and I have saved 1k – hooray!!! Feel we are back on track – Martin would be proud! :money: Don’t want life passing me by whilst I p*ss away money so have decided I am going to tackle theses savings HARD this year and next year. HARD!

Those are the main goals at the minute, lose weight and the wardrobe and looking better will come. Having savings whilst help remove the worry that sits on my brain with a hammer and I can start to relax that ONE day we might own a house!!! I also want to get a dog and rental properties don’t allow me a dog – what is that all about? Dogs are cleaner than most humans.

Spanish: I am learning Spanish, because I always wanted to and with a wedding and moving abroad I am continuing to make things happen instead of dreaming about them. If I [STRIKE]build it[/STRIKE] learn it, [STRIKE]they will come[/STRIKE] I can go to Spain or Mexico. :rotfl:

xoxo

t2rry

Mrs Mars!! I've been away for a couple of months and return to find you are debt free!!!!


Not only that but you are debt free and with savings!!!


Amazing stuff, well done you!!


£60k in two years is HUGE! Fingers crossed for you! It's amazing seeing a savings pot grow, I've been there once, just need to get back to it!!!


Glad you're sticking around here despite being debt free already!!

VeronicaMars

Hi T2rry!!!

You are doing SO well!!! Not long till you will be debt free!

Well Mr Mars and I have sat down and did at budget. Still got some other things to get organised (i.e presents) but we are getting back on track! And the focus is returning! :money:

Turns out 60k in 2 years is not do-able. But I am going to keep it as a target and hope that we get unexpected windfalls that might allow us to reach it! Aim high and all that!

We have also got our summer holiday decided now which will hit the savings. We are going to fly to LA then to New York then to London then to Scotland! Visiting friends and family and attending two weddings along the way! We were thinking about doing this but we got the second wedding invite yesterday and it is exactly two weeks before the first wedding so it was just too good timing to not take it up! And Mar Mars and I love our holidays and travelling!

The wedding invite was handmade - it was awesome. I am going to give the card making a crack again, but try it with some pre purchased card and envelopes as think that was my downfall the last time! :money:

So focus is now completely on getting into shape for the holiday! I am NOT having another holiday or attending another wedding where I do not feel completely comfortable! So going to enjoy the rest of the week and then start at the weekend! Around about way to go about it but we don't have much in the house for healthier lunches etc!

xoxo

VeronicaMars

Hola!

Another big update. Sorry!!! I need to keep myself In check and writing it down is helping! I was nearly off to a dark place before without MSE and a budget in my life… :money:

Belated happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Pancake Day!!! :beer:

Mr Mars and I went and had an Indian for Valentines and he bought me a bag of fancy chia tea and I bought him some beers. We are flash I actually DO like Valentine’s day. Think it is a nice excuse to appreciate each other and make the effort! Marriage takes effort! But we have been away sooo many weekends and been spending so much money recently that we made a call to tone it down this year.

Was away at the weekend with the girls – too much fun (and chocolate and wine) was had!!! And a few pennies spent, more than budgeted but I was enjoying myself too much! :j

Had my Spanish class last night – a good £45 investment! Something that teaches and fills the time – classes are worth considering if you are looking for something! I long to speak a second language fluently!

Today Mr Mars was paid and £1,150 was transferred to savings! I was also paid £13 off a family member for a Christmas present so all the monies I was owed has been paid back! Happy days! Also transferred straight to savings.

We have purchased a new (and very good) tent as Mr Mars and I have been camping quite a few times recently. Tent cost £350. :eek::eek::eek: Which considering how much we are using it will be well worth ith. Next camping trip is booked for Easter weekend! If it is no more than 3 nights I enjoy it. 3 nights is my limit. Then I need a B&B. The campsites we have been to have been absolutely amazing – it is a new world guys! They are full kitchens and showers and tv rooms and everything! It is allowing us to travel and see NZ but save some cash. You literally see couples having candle lit dinners with a bottle of wine and a full 3 course meal. :rotfl:That is what Mr Mars and I are striving for! To be REALLY organised we are going to try and part make some of the meals before we go so it is a case of half cooking/half defrosting so we can relax a bit more.

Brought my lunch into work the last 3 days :T but I have purchased the odd chocolate bar – need to stop this as it will also be hurting my waist as well as my wallet. Dinner out tonight for my mates birthday! Nom nom nom. Theses are new friends and we have not established the birthday ground rules? I want to buy for them as they are super kind, generous, fun girls. However I literally have just broke the present cycle with my old mates (not so generous :mad:) so don’t want to start all over again. It wasn’t just that I was being taken for a mug by some of my mates, it was more the fact that nearly every month there was a birthday and the hassle and stress of buying presents!

And lastly I have homemade cards for hubby’s anniversary and for my mate’s birthday (see above). My valentines card was also homemade – I will put pictures etc on blog…eventually! Found that very good quality card and a very very good guillotine makes a HUGE difference in card making. :cool:Using the one from my work. Hopefully my next attempts will be better than the Christmas card my poor mammy got lumped with. Keeping them simple and classic. Black card with coloured paper lined inside and coloured glitter or card writing on them. Then some cool coloured envelopes I purchased. Simples!:T

That is all folks. All in all I’d say I’m doing better and we have over £2k of savings saved for February so far so we are doing well! Tent and holiday are coming out the savings, but still. Least it is savings and not a credit card!!!

xoxo

VeronicaMars

Evening All!

Todays update:

Well last night was great and Mr Mars and I never spent a penny!

My super generous friend – it was her birthday – paid for ALL the food. Then her new boyfriend went up and paid for all the drinks (that were on the tab)! I actually felt bad as we should have been buying HER dinner and HIM the drinks as the night out was for them really! It would not have been cheap, a few of us were not drinking but the main courses were all £13-£15 and there was 9 of us! Then the drinks must have been around £80. Incredibly generous of them!

Anyway a great night. Still do not want to get into the cycle of buying presents again but I really want to get her a little something! Have no idea what to get her as she is very minimal in her clothes and jewellery and her handbags & purses are all very expensive good quality ones (that I could not afford to buy). Thinking about defo making the wine glasses and getting her a good bottle of wine!

I got a FREE reusable coffee cup. http://www.idealcup.co.nz/silverstripe/ It is a great size a tall /medium size. HOWEVER, the places I have used it so far do not give a reduction for using your own cup. Bit annoyed by that. I obviously enjoy helping the environment but I thought more places would have been giving a 20-30p reductions to encourage more people to recycle (and to save some cash)! Miffed with NZ!!! Also found that I was the muggins who did not take a reusable water bottle everywhere with me and was the only one who had to buy water whilst at lunch and everyone else wipped out their water bottles from their handbags! Must try harder!

Did not buy lunch and went a 30min run at lunchtime as I am determined to try and lose some weight. I also feel it really helps buy cheap clothes AND get better bargins!

Lastly my super cheap phone cover arrived and I LOVE IT! After seeing ones in the shop that cost like £30-40 I opted on a cheapie from online and it cost £3. I just need some screen protectors and my new HTC and I are happy families!

xox