30 small steps

cookie9

Four burgers and four chicken kebabs in the freezer with 12 rolls. Think we over estimated how many rolls people would eat. It was a lovely afternoon and everyone had fun. Wee man fell asleep on my lap at 7 as he had such an exciting day playing with our friend's little boy. Will use some leftover rolls for lunch tomorrow and toasted for breakfast.
ISA interest down to 0.25%! Will move some funds to boost OP. Hope to make my target this year.

cookie9

Still to move money out of isa to make an additional OP but have reduced electricity again by £3 so new regular op is £203. Not a huge change but at least a step in the right direction. This is my new policy where each time I make a reduction to our regular bills and I will increase our OP by the same amount.


Hoping to get some free time next week so sort things out so can make a reasonable additional OP.


On the home front after the large BBQ spend am on strict spend this week. Had a ripe banana so wee man and I mashed it up to make some banana pancakes for tea after nursery. Tonight it is Bolognese night as we have a large amount in the freezer. OK no more time to spend on the pc off to tidy the kitchen.


Small update: Haggled over my breakdown insurance and managed to get 50% reduction which is quite good.

cookie9

Good news my application for a new current account has been accepted so will be able to Switch accounts and open a regular savings account with a decent rate of interest. I should even benefit from a bonus for Switching. Hopefully I will be able to switch again in a year to take advantage of another bonus and regular savings account.


Meal planning not too bad although not sure how good DH will be when I am away.

cookie9

Nice break with my parents and granny. The wee man loved building a giant sandcastle and even put a foot into the water. The North Sea is cold! A fairly MSE holiday as did a lot of cooking myself. My parents treated wee man to new shoes and sandals so he is kitted out for the summer now.


Back home and back to a pile of washing. Dh looks like he survived without me and I am doing a fridge check now to see what we need to get for the week ahead. Anyone any good lunch box ideas? I saw a recipe for raw pad thai so might try that. In addition to eating healthier we all need to do more exercise so thinking I might set up the Wii fit which hasn't been used for a while so we can do that if it is a rainy day.


Wee man is becoming a little MSE as he found a 10 cents coin at the airport and shouted out "Treasure!"

cookie9

Anyone else feel like one step forward and two steps back?


Poor wee man is sick so I have had to take time off work and my mum has come down to help as it may be chickenpox. Menu plan revamped as have extra to deal with now. Bolognese defrosted and turkey originally for tonight made into turkey and mushroom pie and in the freezer.


Big expenses was quick trip to garden centre to take advantage of mum's green fingers and to buy a parasol. Parasol is an essential buy as old one has fallen apart and we really need some shade for wee man and big man who both burn easily. At least got £7 voucher off and mum spotted some gardening gloves one of which was dirty so got them for free.

cookie9

Have to confess I have been to the garden centre again. This time it is tomato, dill, coriander and basil with raspberries and blackcurrents so at least we can eat them. Wish me luck. The herbs cost me around the same as a supermarket prepared pack so if I can get a few meals out of them they will pay for themselves. The berries were £10 so hopefully they will last a few years.


Plan for the afternoon is fixing the garden and menu planning. Already thinking potato salad with dill could be a nice change. Hopefully Dh will eat cous cous salad if packed full of my tasty new herbs! It is the last big push at work and after that my job will be a bit easer until September.


Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

cookie9

Alas I am not the UK winner of Friday's Euromillions jacket of £93 million. It has been such a stressful week at work I actually bought a ticket. Next time I will stick to premium bonds as better odds still 93,000,000. What a life changing sum.


Oh well back to work on Monday it is. This week I am using lots of fresh herbs from the garden in our lunches and dinners. We are both quite stressed so trying to make sure we eat healthily. Once I switch my NW account I should get a gift card bonus so going to stock freezer with half, get DH some socks and hopefully pick up some toys for Christmas.


H*lif*x have their cheap share dealing on Tuesday so need to think about shares to invest in.Off to do some research.

cookie9

Looks like it is going to be a sunny day. I am up early enjoying a cup of tea and quick catch up read on my fellow MFW diaries. It is great to see how committed everyone is.


On the whole we are fairly on track but a fly in the ointment is that I have gained a bit of weight so some of my old summer clothes don't fit. I need to have a quick fashion show and see what I have that fits me. Oh well still time to diet!

cookie9

Have made my regular OP but still setting money aside for emergencies so no other OPs being made. Pleased to see menu planning is working out pretty well for us. I am trying hard not to waste food so we have had a few banana pancakes for desert in an effort to use up bananas. Going to try broccoli and brie soup later. Our food bill is about the only thing I can reduce to help build up funds at present.


Unfortunately I had to take my meter readings and the gas meter is outside. I put the door on latch and went to open the gas meter cupboard but couldn't open it. Went back into house to get pliers to try to open it. Door then slams shut leaving me locked out and wee man inside. Thankfully managed to get him to get the step we have for him to reach the sink and he opened the door for me. My hero. From now on I will always take the front door keys with me!


I still don't have my gas meter reading and the last few bills have all been estimates which are much higher than average so hopefully I have quite a lot of credit in the account.


We were at a lovely BBQ yesterday and the girls there told me to try Home Bargains which I have never been to. It sounds very handy for Christmas presents. I try to plan ahead with Christmas as it is an expensive month as we have several family birthday then the big day itself. I hadn't realised that I drive past it when I go to the garden centre. On the subject of which herbs are still doing well. We had Pimms with mint from the garden yesterday. Today it has been raining so haven't been outside as we all have bad colds. Hope everyone is happy, healthy and making their OPs.

jodles16

Hi Cookie9! Sounds like you are doing a really good job balancing life with OPing! It can be hard to get it right!

What a clever wee man you have! At least you know hes a clever boy who listens to his mum!

Jodles