Saturday 5th/Sunday 6th - what small DFW things will you do this weekend?

allydowd

Hi March Misers,

Nothing much to report:


Debt Free-Nillionaire Continuity Plan Month Nine:

* Free 8km 'lollop' around the local hills as the snow came gently down. Great circular route. Started at home so no petrol used.

* Watching tv for the rest of the day.

* Home cooked roast.

What about you folks?

foxgloves

Hello Frugal Friends,
Really nice day today. I did not see why, as a non-parent I shouldn't have a couple of treats too, so have had a lovely piece of iced crystallized ginger cake & a bar of chocolate to share later. Not a huge amount of money saving but here's the list:
*Loaded washer for cheap overnight wash.
*8350 steps walked around big NT estate. Was amazed to learn from my new pedometer that 3900 of these steps were 'aerobic'. This is the addition of mr f. He walks much quicker than me as I'm always stopping to look at plants, birds, etc, so my short plumptious little legs have to work harder to keep up with him. Oh well, free fitness.
*Took picnic to avoid buying lunch out. Ate it outside listening to birdsong. Food for the soul.
*Free coffees from Waitrose on way home.
*Sorted the rest of this year's seeds into sowing order. Heaps still to go in for March. Intend to watch 'Countryfile' weather for the week & identify the best gardening days.
*Entered a competition.
*Peruse Avon book for bargains, but won't buy for the sake of it.
*Packed the chutney & garlic pickle I made yesterday away in pantry.
*Make tomorrow's packed lunch.
*Finish knitting black & white cat & cast on another.
*Check ebay listings.
*Synchronise diaries with mr f. Being very organised always saves me money - I need to remember this.
*Cat was not given any new food until last night"s spurned dinner was eaten.
*Two baths from 1 lot of hot water.
*Read library book & some magazines which were given to me.
*Read energy meters & update my stats.
I am planning an industrious week ahead where every day counts, so am hoping to turn in some decent lists.
Enjoy your evening, everyone.
F x

DawnW

Bobarella wrote: »

Determined - I'm interested to read that on the fuel front. My accountant back when I had a car said claiming petrol unless I had a company van/seperate vehicle from family was dubious and I shouldn't do it. I wonder if the advice has changed now or if it's just a peculiar thing he thinks?

My accountant prefers that I claim for mileage (ie for business journeys) as opposed to fuel costs per se. I practice I only bother to claim for long ones - I walk when it is only a short distance anyway, unless I have lots of heavy stuff to transport.

Not a great deal done today:
Nice Mothers Day cards and FB messages from kids
Shopping delivery arrived and I have emailed for a refund for a dented tin and a pack of cheese where the cheese inside was all broken up into pieces Still usable, but annoying, and they will refund.
HM meals from stores
Checked the FPL, but no surveys today
Sold a couple of small things on ebay, must get them ready to post tomorrow. Price disappointing on the better item, but at least they won't be cluttering up the place any more.
Gave the lower set of stairs a really thorough clean, including wiping the paintwork
Went for a long walk with OH and pup this afternoon, as we are both fed up with being in 'hibernation mode' with it being so cold. Reckon we walked at least 4 miles, so free exercise and pup worn out and fast asleep on the sofa
Found a nice pair of work gloves on the road, in two different places and been there a while by the looks of it, so it is unlikely the original owner would be back to reclaim them, (therefore don't feel guilty bringing them home). I think they were probably left behind by workmen relaying the pavement. They need a good wash, but will be good for gardening!
Speaking of which, OH's repair of the washing machine door catch mechanism didn't work, so we are waiting for the new part to arrive. Hope that works, or it looks like a new machine. It is more than 15 years old and not worth a call out

Must get off my behind and cook dinner shortly.

allydowd

foxgloves wrote: »

*Synchronise diaries with mr f. Being very organised always saves me money - I need to remember this.

This is very true. OH was going to go to town today and get the groceries, but she has to go tomorrow for an appointment so I persuaded her to shop then. Why go twice? While there she can drop a letter off at the Housing Association (without an envelope ) and bank a cheque.

Bobarella

Interesting Dawn thanks for that.

allydowd

DawnW wrote: »

My accountant prefers that I claim for mileage (ie for business journeys) as opposed to fuel costs per se. I practice I only bother to claim for long ones - I walk when it is only a short distance anyway, unless I have lots of heavy stuff to transport.

My understanding is that you can't claim for travel to and from work but that you could claim for a journey from, say, your workplace to a wholesaler and back to the workplace. This is HMRC advice: (Link)

Bobarella

Thanks Ally. That is also interesting.

determined_new_ms

allydowd wrote: »

My understanding is that you can't claim for travel to and from work but that you could claim for a journey from, say, your workplace to a wholesaler and back to the workplace. This is HMRC advice: (Link)

Apparently not! I am temping and my new job is 38 miles away and I can claim tax relief on the journey at 45p pm. I'm employing an umbrella company to deal with all of my tax stuff. I've also highlighted about £6 of food from the weekly shop for lunches.

I am wondering if I can purchase some work clothes and submit those as well?

allydowd

determined_new_ms wrote: »

I am wondering if I can purchase some work clothes and submit those as well?

When I trained as a Book-keeper we were told you could claim for uniforms, protective clothing or costumes for acting but not for any other work wear. (Link)

crazy_cat_lady

:hello:
Well - today hasn't gone exactly as planned, but not in a bad way really...
I went off out to do my tutoring as usual, in the snow today, to discover that the sole of my boot was coming off and water was leaking in. Looked to see if it was a repair job, but it's not unfortunately - it was fair wear and tear. I hate buying shoes and clothes, really hate it... but went off after tutoring to find that my local Br*ntano is closing down £77 later I came out with 2 pairs of shoes for me (both Clarks), 2 pairs of shoes for DS (Clarks school shoes and Nike football boots) a pair of slippers each for dh and dd (to put away for Christmas) and some black school plimsolls for ds as well. Used a teeny bit of my compensation money and well worth it for so many decent pairs of shoes.
Got home to find that dd is ill - tonsillitis and a high temperature. So plans for the day have been postponed and we're just staying in and chilling out (which I'm secretly pleased about because I'm shattered).

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

[STRIKE]:grinheart Update banking and PAD[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]:grinheart Tutoring[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]:grinheart Sort out money for dd's leaver's ball (she is 11 for goodness sakes)[/STRIKE]
:grinheart NSD apart from petrol
:grinheart maybe go out for dinner later this afternoon if the kids and dh want to (I don't mind but if they want to take me out...)
[STRIKE]:grinheart No housework at all[/STRIKE]
:grinheart maybe finish crocheting the cat bed I'm on with
[STRIKE]:grinheart send in my cover work for the week ahead[/STRIKE] That took way longer than I thought but at least it's done for the week