Changing habits, wanting freedom

Honey_Bear

He seems to want rather a lot.

jvr

Yes telling the difference between wants and needs is not his strong point!!
Went to Birmingham yesterday for family get together which was lovely but about £30 in petrol! The night before I went to tesco to get ingredients for goulash soup which was delicious I also spent £5 on water bottle for work as need to drink more water and £2 each on travel coffee mugs which were half price silly spends but was lovely having a coffee on the drive down....
We got home last night hungry and tired but the maths didn't lie and knew we couldn't afford a takeaway so that's a win of sorts ha
Today I got an awesome email saying have £710 compensation with KLM for flight delays coming home from SA... Awesome but why didn't i ask for money refund even though you get a bit less...have to use it within a year. OH has a trip planned later in the year but as my passport is still in maiden name he can't use it unless travelling with me... Will have to think carefully about how we use this without actually making more spends than planned

SpekySquarehead

Wowza!! A fab email to receive. How to spend it (or save it) is a good dilema to have!

LiveLifeFull

Well done on not getting the takeaway jvr! I know that's my weakest point. FOOD! Probably the main reason why I am in so much debt


Congrats on the email! Is there no way you could contact them and change it to money instead?

jvr

I put down to get vouchers instead as you get more and wasn't expecting much in the first place. Emailed to ask if can switch so will see what they say, if they offer £500 cash instead will def take that and put it into the emergency fund.
I forgot to add my other spends in Tesco a book... £7 which is latest in series I love and chocolate £1 so bit bad but ah well


Redone march budget as car urgently needs service so will put less to EF this month. I also have the dogs injections which is £84 but that was already budgeted for so it will be an expensive month. Ordered OH's phone with spare money in bill account and it means slightly lower monthly payments since he hasn't gone for latest iPhone and its a refurbished one. I did point out that for next few months he has to understand it was a big expense. Waiting for switch date for energy as not sure what will owe the old company, I have set what I hope will be more than enough aside and fingers crossed will be some spare for EF.
Starting my diet today which I did years ago, it will be more expensive food wise but no alcohol or takeaways will more than even it out! Feeling quite excited at getting myself fitter and healthier and the good thing on this diet is I was never hungry and massively upped my veg intake although I miss the milk in my coffee!

jvr

OH's income protection came in early so shuffled money and just waiting for his sick pay to top up all my pots but the food and petrol pot got topped up early which is good as we were just over it. Not perfect but the biggest difference in my attitude is trying to minimise how much we go over rather than thinking who cares I'm over now I will buy this and that early too... so a win of sorts.
I was meant to be on the induction for the apprenticeship today but with the snow I am working from home instead and very grateful I have that option! Other than food bits not really any spends, need to get to aldi when the roads are clear but have enough in to manage. Stuck to my new diet and enjoying the food

LiveLifeFull

It's good that you don't think "Oh just stuff it, lets by everything, we might as well as we are already over". I've slowly been coming out of the mind set of "Oh, I've had to put £25 on the CC, what's another £25?". Well done!


I've started a new diet too. I'm also trying to up my water intake, and sometimes I'd go all day with just a can of pop and that's it. Then I would wonder why I was bloated all the time!

jvr

Yea LLF I think that's the first time ever, been on this site over a year but think only just had my LBM! and surprise to surprise when you actually stick to a budget you can pay off debt.. who knew?


WFH again due to snow, very grateful I have this option as I live close enough that I would feel had to make an effort to get in but its a blizzard outside my window right now.


Also increasing my water intake, I'm basically following a plan I did a few years ago, no dairy, grains, legumes, processed food etc. so lots of veg and protein. Very empty fridge and freezer and I really don't want to go out today but may have to!


Hope everyone is keeping safe in this weather!

jvr

Being away a few days i'm not sure or my spends will try round up ...
Thursday - butchers £25 and got loads of meat so freezer is stocked
Tesco - I think was £16 for other bits we needed.
I went to see still Alice at the theatre on Thursday night we had got tickets for £13 but because of the weather got moved to awesome seats that would have cost £35 total win, my mum drove and I spent £1.60 on sparkling water as im not drinking... Should have just brought water with me but wasn't sure if would be allowed.
Friday was wfh again and no spends... Although I think OH got choccie for him.
Yesterday I did my friends nails with shellac so she gave me a tenner and I did our weekly shop at aldi was about £32 but they were out of stock with alot of stuff so I spent another £20 in Tesco still no eggs anywhere around here which is frustrating as it's staple of my new diet ah well...
So alot of food but have very healthy food plan for this week and plenty in freezer so aside from milk think will manage just one more big shop till the 21st, petrol spends have been low as I have been working from home. Not much else going on really need to do some exercise but this weather does not help!

jvr

Hmmm I have just remembered I never put my other personal spends on here.... maybe that's guilt haha


so I spent £19 on some boots... they won't last for ages but are smart flat boots which I don't have for work as my old ones are too scruffy now and I really need to get smarter... all valid points but less be honest I just wanted them. Comes out of my allowance this month and I really need new foundation but may have to survive on the cheap stuff, in my cupboard till 21st, I also got a bracelet for £4 as was the same cost as shipping and got me free shipping. I also got a tape measure and inscense on amazon super cheap.


So confession over, I have brought all my food to work but need to fill up on petrol as I am playing a risky game of getting home tonight....