£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

Treadingonplaymobil

Well I've had a productive day. Always pleasing.

Didn't realise card factory had free delivery, will definitely do an order there soon, thanks Eager_Elephant! And Warby the whistlfish cards are lovely - they look much nicer than the price! Will get some from there for people I like more :rotfl: .

Enthusiasticsaver I've been reading about the new Bristol shop today, sounds excellent. We have a zero waste shop nearby which I have started using for a few things (it's actually cheaper for jumbo oats than the supermarket, and for a couple of pulses), and have discovered the joy of the local greengrocers, although they're not the cheapest. So lovely browsing in there though, acres of beautiful fresh seasonal veg.

WannabeFree :eek: :eek: at the collapsing cake! It wouldn't have occurred to me to support it, and I've made an awful lot of cakes, including wedding ones, too! Will hunt down my dowels and other wedding cake supplies. I have the last of last year's revolting plastic bags to use up this year for DC3, and have paper bags for DC2. Was trying to think of an inventive solution, but failed. If DC2 had been having a party at the house I might have got them to decorate a (recycled card, natch) treasure chest and put sweets in that to take home, but not so easy on a train!

Still waiting for confirmation on what DH's bonus will be, to be paid with March's salary. Rumours are that it's 4% of 2017 salary, which would put it close to £1,000 after tax if true, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Would be amazing to boost the savings pots and make a debt overpayment. Must not get excited. Must not get excited.

Three things to do today (more than three again! Hopefully for the last time this week)
1. Follow up another work enquiry.
2. Redo schedule for contract work.
3. Change DC2's sheets.
4. Tidy our room a bit. FAIL
5. Sort childcare for 2nd date in April.
6. Order business cards.
7. Make sourdough.
8. Prep for a talk I'm doing on the weekend.
9. Finish baby cardigan for imminently arriving baby (not mine, I hasten to add ). DOUBLE FAIL
10. Top up food shop.

Not a total disaster. Hopefully I'll get those other couple of things done tomorrow.

Debt repayment:
- £21.45/31 March rounding down pot.
- £1,608.78/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 57: Day 5

Last day of the week, although for me it's more like the last day of a long relaxing weekend (well, I've been working, but not client-facing), whereas Saturday, Sunday and Monday are all going to be hectic days with clients. It's paid for the birthday parties and presents though, so I can't complain - it would have been a case of robbing the other savings pots otherwise.

I've had a really good week in terms of catching up with things (work and non-work), and I'm hoping for another productive day today, as next week isn't going to be anything like as successful, with clients Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

I always feel like this middle-of-the-month stage is just a case of watching my bank account deplete, while nothing else much is happening. Once I get into the last 10 days of the month or so I start to think about DH's salary coming in, building my bank account back up to three months' salary and expenses, and budgeting for the following month. This bit of the month, though, is always when I slightly lose the will to live with the debt repayment and it all just seems very tedious and sloooooowwwww.

I had a real wobble yesterday when the DCs once again turned their noses up at dinner. It's DC2, really, and then DC3 copies him (although DC3 ended up coming back for a second dinner later on as it turned out to not be so awful after all - I wouldn't usually allow this but just wasn't up for the fight). I feel like I'm serving them an endless round of things they don't really like, even though I'm trying hard to produce food that is healthy, tasty, seasonal and unprocessed. At this time of year, 'seasonal' obviously gets a little samey, as it's all about variations on the theme of root veg, leeks and winter greens, and I serve a lot of soups and stews. Not sure how to tackle this, although I suppose it will improve through the year as the variety of veg increases.

Three things to do today (I'll be honest, I have a dozen things I'm hoping to get done, but trying to prioritise in case my plans get thrown off, as they so often do, by having DC3 to look after on a Friday)
1. Pop into town - the fishmonger comes on a Friday and I'm going to get something, although not sure what yet. I might get some cheap white fish and make goujons - two chicken breasts did for five of us last time I did that! I have a couple of potatoes leftover so could do wedges to go with.
2. Redo menu plan - both my parents are coming down next week now, instead of just my mum, so I need to make sure I have proper food in! So much for my cheap week, with two extra adults to feed.
3. Bake the sourdough that's been proving overnight.

Debt repayment:
- £21.45/31 March rounding down pot.
- £1,608.78/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.

Verbatim

Thanks EE. Let's see if your recommended fux has worked.
All looking under control TOPM. Fingers crossed for the bonus.

Treadingonplaymobil

Random question: has anyone made vanilla extract? It takes a few months but I seem to spend a fortune on the stuff (bake a lot). There are cheap-ish vanilla pods on amazon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. Less plastic waste too

wishingthemortgaheaway

Treadingonplaymobil wrote: »

Random question: has anyone made vanilla extract? It takes a few months but I seem to spend a fortune on the stuff (bake a lot). There are cheap-ish vanilla pods on amazon, I'm thinking of giving it a try. Less plastic waste too

No, but having just google the incredibly easy process I'm tempted to experiment with a range of 'gin flavoured' vanilla extracts...

A link to the vanilla pods would be appreciated TOPM. thank you.

dawnybabes

I make my own, it’s gets better with age .....

I bought a big batch of vanilla pods off the bay of e a few years ago, a cheap bottle of vodka and made little bottles of it for family and friends for Xmas, added some nice ribbon looked lovely.

wishingthemortgaheaway

dawnybabes wrote: »

I make my own, it’s gets better with age .....

I bought a big batch of vanilla pods off the bay of e a few years ago, a cheap bottle of vodka and made little bottles of it for family and friends for Xmas, added some nice ribbon looked lovely.

I was thinking Christmas presents too. How long does it last?

Cherryfudge

I had been looking at vanilla extract ideas too... it may take me a while to source the optimum bottles but I think they are a lovely idea for a gift.

Treadingonplaymobil

It must last for absolutely ages - it's basically just vodka with seeds in. It takes 3-6 months to even make, I'd hope it would last a year or two beyond that. I was looking at these ones on amazon, but haven't searched elsewhere to compare prices - eBay worth a look.

Cherryfudge

This link suggests they can be made in two months, though I suspect you get more flavour with a longer prep time.