Jules DFW Diary!

Jules

Hi again Willy_Nilly_Milly,
Thank you for making to the end lol. I do tend to waffle but if I write it down then it reinforces things and i remember what I need to do etc.

The meal planning is great and it saves so much stress they know in advance what they're getting and I'm not getting the 'what's for dinner' question any more. it used to drive me nuts.

Homemade chicken burgers and homemade wedges tonight, yum yum!

Have had a few unexpected spends but within my budget and nothing to panic about.

In work at the minute so I'll hopefully get a chance to pop back later on.

have a good day everyone

Willy_Nilly_Milly

It's great to write everything down. I think it really keeps me on the straight and narrow because I want to write that I've had a NSD, today I dodged a sponsorship form because I wanted to wait until I had a spend day and then do it all then :cool: I'm not really sure I'm doing that right but hey ho! Have a good weekend

in_need_of_direction

Hi Jules, your diary caught my eye as I'm also from NI and living without wilkos, Morries, ald1 etc. I've subscribed and can't wait to see the further inroads you make.

Jules

Welcome 'in need of direction' yes we're very much at a disadvantage here in NI unfortunately and I think we pay over the odds for most things in comparison with the rest of the UK all because of the wee strip of water between us!

Have slipped a bit this weekend and haven't been very organised but I'm back on track again and have homemade chicken kiev for dinner in the oven along with baked potatoes for lunches this week.

Weighed myself this morning and I've lost 3.5lb this week and that was without really trying. I suppose it helps that there's no junk food in the house and I can't afford to buy anything. Sausage rolls and potatoes for tea tomorrow night which were reduced in Mr s for £1.14, just need a tin of beans to go with them.

Looking forward to pay day so that I can do a grocery shop for everything on the menu plan and divide out what I need and for when etc, at the minute we're living very much hand to mouth.

Haven't returned the perfume yet but hopefully will do this tomorrow. Am hoping the local branch will take it back and save a trip into Belfast as that would involve paying for parking which is why I haven't taken it back yet.

Shoes are parceled to be returned and I've requested a refund instead of an exchange so that's £5 into the budget, eventually.

Signed up to swagbucks but haven't been online from friday so will log in there shortly.

Definitely I slip back when I'm not coming on here so will make that part of my daily routine from now on. 11 days to payday and paying off some more of this ugly debt, can't wait!!!

Keep up the good work and determination everyone :-)

Jules

So here's my menu plan for the next 10 days:
Mon 11th - sausage rolls, beans & potatoes
Tues 12th - Pasta bolognaise
Wed 13th - Omelette for me, scrambled eggs for the boys
Thur 14th - Filled baked potatoes
Fri 15th - Chicken stir fry
Sat 16th - Chicken curry & rice
Sun 17th - Roast chicken dinner
Mon 18th - Homemade chicken pie
Tue 19th - Bacon, potatoes & beans
Wed 20th - Chicken curry

Lots of chicken but that's because I've lots of chicken in the freezer and it's flexible in that if we don't fancy something one night then we have it another night. there's always the option of toasties etc as I've bacon and cheese in the fridge. I've also some leftovers in the freezer that can be used. I need a few things like beans and some mince but that won't break the bank lol.
Sometimes I get paid on 20th depends when the accountant puts it through but I'll assume the 21st and will do a full months menu plan over the next week or so.

Jules

So I made a mistake in my budget and forgot to add the Child Benefit so you can imagine my surprise and delight when it was paid into the bank this morning, you'd have thought I'd won the lottery. Might only be £82.80 but it will make all the difference.

So slight adjustment to tonight's menu plan, having corned beef, potatoes and peas and DShaving sausage rolls. Cost me70p for 2 tins of peas and I had the rest in the cupboard.

Received the first of I'm sure what will be many full and finals this year, from one of my creditors offerng me 40% discount. If I had the £507 I'd be tempted but I don't but maybe in a few months I may be in the position to at least consider it.

Feeling a bit off colour today so jammies on and I'm not moving for the rest of the evening!

Jules

So all this budgeting is starting to show the importance of having a buffer for the unexpected. My electricity ran low yesterday and I had to top up. Had the CB not been paid in then we'd be sitting in the dark. Obviously we'd used more electric being off over xmas and I hadn't taken account of that!

Feeling a bit fed up today between one thing and another, but regardless I need to try and keep focused. It's usually when I feel like this that I go off the rails and I can't afford for that to happen!

in_need_of_direction

It's hard but you were prepared to try and get through without the cb and the electric costs will still leave some of that so you're still better off than you were three days ago. Also, if you're on a meter as you had debt, every top up whittles away at that.

in_need_of_direction

If you still have your m&s card, they have their dine in on this weekend. You could nab a chicken, side, dessert and bottle for £10. It may take some pressure off your budget.

Jules

Brilliant in need of direction, thank you
I've to take OH to work in the morning so I'll nip in then :j
Have a wee birthday party to do tomorrow and the lady has just confirmed so that'll help keep us going until payday. Going to try and hold onto this as it was extra and use it as a buffer start.
Need to sit down and figure out exactly what we have and what we need to see us through until Wed.
Get paid Thurs and looking forward to updating the budget and filling my wee pots