Time to get serious

EatingTheElephant

Happy New Year to you too Jodles.

At the moment it feels more relaxed than normal without the big contract on the go, but still have a big long list - I wonder if it will ever get done!

Trip to Sains went as well as can be expected. Of course spent more than I wanted and got a few things that weren’t planned. £45 actual money spent but £20 of that was not food. Some clip pots (a set for DD1 as well) and an apple corer as I’ve found another way to use up apples. Just 3 mins in microwave (peeled and cored) then add Greek yoghurt and granola. I probably could have just cut it up and achieved the same but it can be my frivolity for the month.

I’ve reviewed and changed the horse feed. Should work out cheaper and easier in the long run. Plus I need to get a bit more weight on the oldies. The current regime which has worked for 15 odd years is no longer working for them so an overhaul was in order.

EatingTheElephant

I cannot believe how fast this month has gone!

We’ve managed the whole month without a big shop and there is still quite a bit in the freezer.

Last night I did a rough mealplan for next month and have evening meals planned for 3/4 of the month with what food is in the freezer. I’m hoping for low spends again on the food front.

More chasing of invoices throughout the month has meant there is enough in the business account for the end of month expenses (like our wages!) without going into the OD.
There’s not much outstanding now, which is great, however more work coming in would be even better!

We are using the ground floor of the extension so much at the moment, even though it can’t be plastered etc until the top floor is done. It is such a great space.

Plans for completing the extension this year may get pushed to next year as the only deadline for the planning was when the work was started. Maybe this year we should get the hardstanding done at the stables instead as that will make our lives a lot easier. Although can’t do either if we don’t get some more money coming in!!

CathT

Food spends savings are our key area at the moment, seems like the easiest area to control.
Be nice if all that moment fame in to compete all the work you want to. Will it all be finished by next year?

EatingTheElephant

Yes that would be fantastic if enough came in to do it all this year!

Should both be finished by next year worst case and then we can start to OP again. We are both keen to save over and above the amount we need to finish the extension as we are quite risk averse and don’t like juggling money as much as we are at the moment!

Also when the extension is finished we should be able to get a better mortgage rate as the LTV will be better in theory.

EatingTheElephant

A lovely weekend, with a dog event on Saturday, It was lovely to catch up with friends who I’ve not seen since December, followed by a film in front of the fire in the evening.

Did a bit more sewing on the dog coat Sunday. I’m not sure if it will be ready this winter at the rate I’m going! We had a very peaceful by blowy walk on the moors, lots of people driving around but none out walking where we were, which was lovely.

Tried out the lemon tart recipe on the old style GC listing for last night and it was very yummy, that one’s a keeper.

jodles16

Sounds like a perfect weekend! Well done on the food shopping, this is definately an area I need to improve on! And lemon tart sounds delish!


Jodles

EatingTheElephant

The plan for a February is basically don’t spend anything and find more work. Simples :rotfl:

Still eating through the freezer, but I do need to get some butter and dw tablets today at some point.

I’m also ploughing through my list that got so huge when we had the last big contract. It was over 100 and is now down to about 30 :T

There are quite a few long tasks to do, so I’m planning to put aside a set amount of time each day or every other day to chip away at them.

Busy_Mee1

Similar to my plan (but I don't need to find anymore work). It is an Ultra Uber Frugal February for us :rotfl:

Moneyfordreams

Me too... I hope

EatingTheElephant

I have survived February!

Not much was spent at all, although there were unexpected spends on prescriptions and opticians when I had an ulcer on my eye.

A bit of a panic about the eye as I’d just been offered a new contract and I was having trouble seeing - not a good look for starting somewhere new!

Just waiting now for some money to start coming in, three invoices are in already so hopefully soon we can start to get back on an even keel.

The work I did earlier in the year updating the website has also started to pay off as more work coming in that way too