Banishing the black cloud

maggiecon

So the fitter came last night about the stove, told him I wanted a cream one and he said it probably is a bad idea as it will discolour, so don't know what to do.

Just checked my Quidco and Topcashback account. I have managed to accumulate £211 in cashback over the last 3 months. Really happy with that, some of it isn't ready for clearing yet so going to wait until March and then put it towards my credit card debt.

Still trying to get on with YNAB, it is really hard when you only get paid weekly but it is also very interesting because I have already £100 spent in my groceries category... after one week!! Need to get this sorted ASAP.

maggiecon

Still don't know what to do about the stove, I really love the cream one but it is £580 and I seen a really good black one yesterday on sale for £299, it is a nice stove and gets lots of good reviews but its still not cream... looking at it rationally the £280 saved could go towards the uPVC guttering which needs done ASAP as the water is rolling down the walls right now.

First pay day of the new year today, I was so excited about going onto YNAB and updating my budget. How big a nerd am I!? I am really starting to love this software and I think it will definitely help me. I am not a flash person nor do I live above my means as I am certainly not a big spender, my main problem over the years has been my inability to budget for future events rather just dealing with them when the arise. YNAB is definitely helping me to overcome this problem.

maggiecon

Not much to report. Since I started using YNAB I don't have to come on here to do any financial planning as the software takes care of all that for me now. Have I mentioned how much I love it yet

Boiler has packed in again!! I have been looking at getting a second hand one or trying to get a new one through the boiler replacement scheme. I still haven't picked a stove either.

On the house front hubby is able to buy stuff through work to fix up the house. He just got a quote from his boss for all the stuff we need. It include all the uPVC fascia and guttering, all new skirting and architrave throughout and wooden flooring to all the bedrooms for £675!! I am delighted with that. Only problem is hubby needs to do the work himself and he is a complete nightmare as he never has the time. But at least if it is bought and sitting in the house he can do bits and pieces when he can.

I have £1800 in my emergency fund, so there will still be money left to sort out the stove and the boiler... I hope

maggiecon

Still no heat in the house!!! we are all freezing, kids are now staying with their granny and refusing to come home until its fixed. Don't blame them. I borrowed a couple of electric and gas heaters from family and friends to keep us going until we get it sorted.

I have developed a small addiction to hot chocolates at the minute. I am 36 years old and never tried one before, my daughter convinced me to taste one when we were in a cafe a couple of weeks ago and now I cant stop !! At the same time I also bought a book in Tesco called I Quit Sugar. the more I read about having a sugar free diet the more I realise I need to sort my diet out. I have been tracking my eating habits for the last couple of weeks and it is shocking, I am consuming over 100grams of sugar some days !!! and the hot chocolates aren't helping.

Apparently the hardest bit about quitting is breakfast and I am really struggling to find a good sugar free solution. I found a granola in M&S which is very low in sugar but it still has 4g per serving and I cant look at another poached egg. Has anyone else tried the sugar free diet?

monz

Hey

I never deny myself anything. Everything in moderation and exercise. Since May lost 26 pounds and small 8 x

maggiecon

Well, I ate healthy for 3 days last week and I have to say my mood and energy levels did improve, so I determined to keep it going this week again. Back at work with my lunch box, packed full of fresh fruit, full fat natural yogurt (I never eat low fat stuff, its overly processed and full of sugar) Low sugar granola, and my homemade butternut squash and sweet potato soup. How good am I

Budgeting is coming along nicely really happy with the YNAB software, but hubby off sick at the minute so things are a bit tight. He has a severe case of man flu.

My wooden flooring and skirting has just arrived so will post some pictures when I get the bedroom done.

maggiecon

Still eating healthy today, I have had nothing but stomach cramps since I started this, I suppose my stomach isn't used to all this fibre and vegetables. Hopefully it will ease off in a few days time.

Still no further forward with the stove, I am trying to get a plumber in to cap off the old pipe from the back boiler before I can get the plasterer in. At the rate I am going it will be the summer before I get it finished.

OH is still off work sick, the doctor reckons he has just run himself down with all the running he does. about 30-40 miles per week. so that's 3 and half days no pay so far and I am not sure if he is going to make in tomorrow.

I have decided to try and grow my own fruit and veg this year and I am currently on the look out for old scaffolding boards to make raised beds with. I cant seem to get them anywhere. Anyone else grow their own? I tried two years ago and only managed to get about two dinners worth of spuds for the whole effort. Will definitely try a lot harder this year.

monz

I grow my own. Have two allotments, i grow potatoes, leeks, carrots, brocilli, onions, garlic, strawberies, tomatoes, courgettes.turnip to name a few x

maggiecon

I haven't been very good with my diary lately, but thankfully thanks to YNAB I am still staying on top of my money. The eating healthy kick didn't last long, I am eating more junk food than ever, why oh why are buns so damn tasty

I have decide I will eat healthy today, if I can do that I will try tomorrow, One day at a time as they say.

I have just completed my first month with YNAB and the results are quite scary. I spent £405 on groceries, which isn't too bad but this is where it gets scary £113 on eating out, and I didn't go to a restaurant once!!! This was all spent on lunches and coffees etc. So I have set myself a target of £300 for my groceries and £40 eating out.

I have also paid of my Amex card this month so I am going to ring up and cancel it now, the interest is too high and there is annual subscription fee with it.

This months debt to tackle is Next, I owe them £80.

maggiecon

monz wrote: »

I grow my own. Have two allotments, i grow potatoes, leeks, carrots, brocilli, onions, garlic, strawberies, tomatoes, courgettes.turnip to name a few x

That's brilliant Monz, I haven't done anything since I talked about two weeks ago. Its too cold to start digging. Hopefully this weekend if the ground thaws out a bit.

I would like to start with herbs, I just love Basil. Also potatoes, onions and carrots are a must. I will keep you updated on how it goes.