Ditching the last of the pizza debt

ani*fan

hiddenshadow wrote: »

Kitchen makeover sounds brilliant. I love when a space feels completely different just with a few changes.

Me too, but I went into this one with no faith whatsoever that it would make a difference. Just goes to show. I'm now really proud of what we did.

angela110660 wrote: »

You are doing brill - well done. Are you doing the Uber Frugal Month challenge featured on the Frugalwoods site? I have signed up for their daily emails of motivation and trying VERY hard to be as frugal as I can. It is just getting rest of family onboard that is difficult.....

Hi there angela and nice to meet you. I do enjoy the frugalwoods but haven't signed up to their January challenge. I'll be taking some advice and information from their site though, and anywhere else I can find help. Getting OH on board has been the single biggest helpful thing in getting this challenge going. Good luck with your family! Do you have a diary? I'll go have a look.

So, we have a guest coming to stay next month and no bed for her to sleep in. I've been on gumtree and replied to an ad for a free double divan with mattress, used as a guest bed so hardly used at all. My fingers are crossed in anticipation of a huge score. Van hire for an hour comes in at £8.75 and my new in-laws have a headboard we could use for it.

I've also been on freecycle and noticed a woman who is moving out of the country and giving away lots of stuff. I have messaged about a massive mirror I'm hoping to use for the bathroom and also the contents of her kitchen cupboards (!) Tins and pasta and rice and stuff. Let's see if she gets back to me.

I started to strip the wallpaper in the bathroom yesterday when OH was out. I discovered not one but 3 layers of paper so despite being the smallest room, with lots of wall space covered with tiles, it is taking the longest time. But I will get there. We need some white bathroom paint to mix with the last of the blue kitchen paint to get a similar tone but lighter. And that mirror would help make it look lovely. And some lino, but first things first.

This is such good fun. And OH is currently making us pancakes with chocolate spread from scratch for Sunday brunch. Could life be any better?

misstara

ani*fan wrote: »

OH is currently making us pancakes with chocolate spread from scratch for Sunday brunch. Could life be any better?

Sounds amazing . Hope you get the bed and mirror.

ani*fan

Thanks misstara, good news, we got the bed! :j And from such a lovely couple too. I asked why they weren't selling it instead and they said they had tried but no-one would buy it so they were just giving it away as the new one arrives this week. It was only ever used as a guest bed and it's absolutely lovely and in great condition. Definite score.

I don't know about the mirror yet, or the contents of that lady's cupboard but it's a bit hilarious that I'm dying to get my hands on some old tins of kidney beans and a few egg noodles. Think I'm taking this frugal-ing business a bit too far?

crazy_cat_lady

I need to join you on the Frugal challenge because I've fallen into a land of complacency and not thinking before I spend. Brought back to earth with a huge bump of a vet bill so I'll be following along here with interest.

ani*fan

I have set myself a challenge of walking to work and back every day this month. I'm ashamed to say that with the cold weather and snow, I had been taking the bus now and then, and a single ticket had then become a day ticket so I could do more than one journey. There is no need for this. I have hats and gloves and boots to keep me cosy. And let's face it, after the excess of Christmas I really need the exercise.

I am on track to save every penny I can this month.

ani*fan

I've been getting the shopping delivered from Mr A this month and our final delivery, at the cost of £1 :money:arrived last night. We have so far spent £181 on food this month, the budget is £200 but £20 is being tucked away for the wedding in the Spring. This is a longer month than usual as I got paid before Christmas and used this month's budget to buy the Christmas dinner. Hmm. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We may not have enough food to see us through but I would be so pleased if we could somehow make it last. I am going to have to get very creative with rice and pasta. No word still from the mirror lady. I really need the contents of her cupboards this month!

Happy debt busting everyone.

ani*fan

I have an mse score to report. My poor aching legs are not happy with being back at work and all the walking. I had an appointment in town yesterday and decided to take the bus. I paid with my debit card and 2 tickets were put through instead of one. The driver apologised wildly then refunded both tickets, so I got my journey for free.

Feeling a little pleased with myself.

I have budgeted every penny this month, all the bills have been paid and everything is in order. We just have no cash in any accounts now. As a result, I will be having multiple no spend days. We have enough food (maybe), me and OH are walking to work and back (might need some ibuprofen for the legs but I think we have some) and payday is 1 week and 6 days away.

My mum is visiting today, next weekend I'm going into town to spend my Christmas vouchers, the decorating/DIY continues and all is well in the world.

Some days are just good, aren't they? Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

in_need_of_direction

Such a lovely post, thanks for sharing.

crazy_cat_lady

I'm with you on the nsd's ani as I'm completely broke for the next 17 days as well. No matter how well planned I am, January is always tough. I'm pleased that you're not letting it spoil your mood though.

ani*fan

And thank you INOD and crazy_cat_lady. It's such a help to have others in the same boat who understand things.

I had a lovely time with my mum. She arrived with a bottle of wine and some chocolate cake, so our reduced price pizza lunch was turned into a fabulous treat. I'm really appreciating things more which is great. We had a good catch up and I helped with some more wedding photos she wanted so all good.

This week looks a bit dreary. January is tough, and there are no more treats on the horizon. I was given a spa voucher for Christmas and am pondering booking me and OH in for a couples massage next weekend. I'll see if the voucher will cover the cost.

Now I'm going to try and get some sleep.