And so it begins: The Pig Vs The Mortgage

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hello pinkypig
I've started reading your diary but didn't want to get to the end before popping in and saying hi Thank you for posting your tips as these are really useful :T i recycle as far as possible (have since I was a child) and have regretted us not having a shed so i can save butter tubs for nails etc and then you've inspired me by mentioning you use these for freezing meals in, I never thought of that Added to my repertoire now though
I love reading your updates about how your days and week have gone and your plans for each day
Just noticed on CathT's post you might be a bit poorly at the mo - hope you're better soon

pinkypig

CathT wrote: »

I thought exactly this last night whilst watching tv with dh. We also had wax melts, candles and a fire on the go (not a real log burner but ours does look very realistic) and I was looking around our lovely home feeling very lucky to have it. We do live very simply though and I was thinking we could have easily spent £60 on a restaurant meal to celebrate the weekend etc. I am much happier living simply at home.

It’s the best Cath isn’t it? I love it and the thought of having to prise myself away to go out eating and drinking on these cold, wet nights fills me with horror :rotfl:

Hope your cold is getting better and the cosy evenings have helped it on its way.

StripeyTightsSpottySocks wrote: »

Hello pinkypig
I've started reading your diary but didn't want to get to the end before popping in and saying hi Thank you for posting your tips as these are really useful :T i recycle as far as possible (have since I was a child) and have regretted us not having a shed so i can save butter tubs for nails etc and then you've inspired me by mentioning you use these for freezing meals in, I never thought of that Added to my repertoire now though
I love reading your updates about how your days and week have gone and your plans for each day
Just noticed on CathT's post you might be a bit poorly at the mo - hope you're better soon

Hi :wave: Thank you for popping into say hello . I love your username !
There are so many good tips on here - you learn loads and MFW gets seriously addictive :rotfl: I’ve also found that although I set out to be achieve financial freedom I found that I’ve gained so much more. My life is so much better than I ever believed it could be:p. It’s quiet, simple, organised and well planned which has improved my mental health significantly- looking back I was stressed, anxious and felt so low. Life changes are scary and not always easy but goodness mine have been worth it . The very best of luck on your journey xx

pinkypig

Evening: wave:

I seemed to have missed a day - oops!
Yesterday was a day with DD enjoying my final birthday treats . I have been so spoiled this year - I am one lucky piggy
Consequently, a £20 spend not much else done - fantastic day though
Today has been more productive, in fact this morning was quite busy. Having a three day weekend has really taken the pressure off though.
This morning was taken up with dropping off and collecting DD’s car for its service, paying cheques into the bank and having my flu jab - was exciting stuff!
I also had a trawl around the CS which was bit naughty (and spendy :eek:) as I really didn’t need anything. That said my winter work wardrobe is not inspiring me. I wear dresses and I have some lovely ones (all CS or EBay) but I’ve had them for years and I’m just bored of them (not very MSE I known ). I refreshed my summer dresses this year (using just CS finds) and and it was great, I felt really pleased with the results and my old faithfuls were packed away for a rest.
I’ve decided to do the same with my winter work wardrobe as I hit upon some gems today. Not dirt cheap ( my usual is the £2 warehouse or the £1 hospice shop :rotfl:). I got a lovely mulberry coloured wool polo neck dress (Topshop), a stone coloured jersey dress with a navy leaf pattern (White Stuff), a grey wool dress with a black rose pattern (M&S). They all fit beautifully and are really good quality and condition. They also had a summer sale rail where I found two lovely summer dresses (Red Herring and Dorothy Perkins) and a Hobbs 3/4 sleeve cardigan for £2.50 each.
I also love a winter hat and found a fluffy faux fur one and a very expensive looking grey tweed wool military style cap (£1.50 and £1) and finished with a pair of grey skinny jeans and a navy chunky knit jumper (both next) that look like they’re never been worn. These will be great for my up coming holidays as it’s nice to have something ‘new’ . £35 spent in total.
My spends didn’t stop there :eek: I’m having my attic boarded out for storage and I picked up the boards today - £24. While I was in there I saw they had 3 for 2 on flooring and it got me thinking. My first solo DIY project was a home office in what was a storage area above the garage. The floor is mdf and as funds were tight at the time I painted it and it looked Ok (ish). Several years it doesn’t look great. The cost to laminate it using this offer was £76 with free delivery (£32 discount) so I’ve ordered it . I went through TCB so there should be a few pounds back there. I’m going to lay what I can myself and then get the handy man to come and do the cuts.
So all in all a flipping spendy day 😱. I’m over budget on personal spends and have had an unbudgeted spend on the house although I’m under budget on grocery and travel. I definitely need to rein it in for the rest of the month though, thankfully my holiday spends are budgeted:)

In more positive MSE news, today’s small steps to freedom and wellbeing included;

Took a coffee back to bed and read my book for an hour

Went for a run - after injury and illness it felt good to be back to it. Just need to build up gradually now

Baked DS’s birthday cake and put it in the freezer and a lemon cake for his lunch boxes this week

Made lemon curd to fill the cake and froze the rest in cake size portions

Changed my bed

Did a load of laundry including my ‘new’ clothes

Put korma sauce that had been in the sc overnight in the freezer for our family party

Made cauliflower cheese to go with tomorrow’s roast dinner

Made apple and sultana overnight oats

Boiled eggs for snacks and breakfast during the week

Had a lovely evening in with DD - fire on, gingerbread candle lit and a mindless romcom on Netflix:)

Cheap, healthy eats (overnight oats for breakfast, hm soup and rice cakes for lunch and baked potatoes for dinner. I put these in the oven when the cakes were baking . We had the large ones with salad and hm coleslaw and filled with either ham and cheese or beans, Worcestershire sauce and cheese. Felt like a bit of a lazy meal but it was so good. Might make jacket potato night a regular thing:)

I’m off for an early night as I have an early start tomorrow although the weather is awful so it may be called off.

Happy Saturday to you, I hope the weekend is going well

PP xx

Cheery_Daff

PP look how many things you did today! I am applauding you with much enthusiasm as I am extremely impressed :j :j

Bizarrely enough, Berlin is one of the few places I HAVE visited! :j we have friends who live there and went to see them a couple of years ago Maybe we should start to think about a return visit, you've got me thinking now... :j :j

pinkypig

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

PP look how many things you did today! I am applauding you with much enthusiasm as I am extremely impressed :j :j

Bizarrely enough, Berlin is one of the few places I HAVE visited! :j we have friends who live there and went to see them a couple of years ago Maybe we should start to think about a return visit, you've got me thinking now... :j :j

Makes up for doing b***er all yesterday Cheery :rotfl:

I’ve never been before but it looks and sounds fab - really enjoy a bit of history so looking forward to it

A return visit would be a lovely post building work treat for you and Mr Cheery xx

pinkypig

Evening :wave:

A very quick update from a very tired piggy!

Today’s small steps to freedom and wellbeing included;

Had a good sleep and drank enough water

Cheap, healthy eats ( porridge for breakfast, hm soup for lunch and roasted red pepper quiche from the freezer with baked potatoes and salad for dinner )

A nsd

Took coffee, water and snacks to work

Did a spin class

Marking up to date and classroom tidy

Tomorrow’s lunches are ready

Rice cooked and cooling to make egg fried rice dish for tomorrow’s dinner

In bed early with a hot chocolate and my electric blanket on

Fire lit and laundry drying in front of it but no heating on yet

Happy Monday to you, I hope it’s been a good start to the week:)

PP xx

Chrystal

The quiche sounds lovely... so much so that I've decided to make one, so thanks for mentioning it.

pinkypig

Evening:wave:

Tuesday already :eek: This week if flying by but at least it’s flying towards half term! I’m really enjoying work at the moment but I’m always ready for the holidays

Work was busy but not nuts and was without incident which is always good. I’m on top of the day to day but I’ve got a pile of assessments to mark :eek: I’m going to try and make a start on Thursday and Friday so I don’t have an outfacing amount to come back off holiday to.

In money news there’s not much happening other than the car needed filling with fuel and I won an eBay auction for a smart winter coat (French Connection wool blend) for £3 plus postage so I’m very pleased with that but my personal spends are £86.49/£50 :eek: so that’s not good . However, grocery is under which is good but we do need milk and fruit tomorrow.
I also had my attic boarded out and a loft ladder fitted which will be great for storage which was a bargainous £50 (plus £24 for the boards and £59.99 for the ladder). It will be so good to get everything sorted out and stored out of the way. I’d like a light up there at some point but I’ll manage with a torch for now

Today’s small steps to freedom and wellbeing included;

Had a good sleep last night and drank enough water

Took coffee, water and snacks to work

Cheap, healthy eats (porridge for breakfast, lo for lunch and Chinese fried rice using some of the lo pork from Sunday for dinner)

Remaining pork in sc to make pulled pork for tomorrow

Laundry put away and another two loads done and on airers in front of the fire

Lo boxed up for tomorrow’s lunches

Did a HIT class and spin so should sleep tonight! Feel like I’m getting a bit of fitness back after my run of injury and illness which feels good

Long, hot, free shower at the leisure centre:)

Kitchen tidied and dishwasher on

I’m now off for an early night with my book

Happy Tuesday to you, I hope it’s been a good one.

PP xx

pinkypig

Chrystal wrote: »

The quiche sounds lovely... so much so that I've decided to make one, so thanks for mentioning it.

Hi Chrystal :wave: It was rather nice . Hope you enjoy yours xx

CathT

Well that was a productive Tuesday, I felt tired reading that list!