And so it begins: The Pig Vs The Mortgage

pinkypig

Morning 😊

Nice to ‘see you’ ladies and it’s lovely to be back !

My internal alarm is still on so I was awake at 6 😱.  Didn’t stop me having a lazy start though - a coffee in bed and an hour with my book - you really can’t beat it 😊

The rain has stopped but it’s sounding very blustery out there but our plan is a run and breakfast and then we are taking a picnic and having a wander around a stately home and gardens which we both love so I’m looking forward to that.

Last week was a good one although there was a lot of disruption at work due to the weather.  In terms of my current goals it generally went well although there were some spends 🙄

Physical Health

I did a spin class, a strength class and and two runs which I was pleased with, not least because I actually really enjoyed my running which is a sign that I’m getting back to a good level of fitness.  I’ve also done a lot of walking just exploring the city.  Weirdly I walk more here day to day than I do at home in the countryside as I tend to use the car more as everything is so far away!

Mental Health

Lots of self care which I am beginning to appreciate more and more as the impact is significant.  Nothing too fancy just a nice bubble bath and a cheap face mask ( it’s in a tub from Poundland and is lasting ages) , a scented candle and a good podcast or a  bit too quiet time with my book.  We’ve also had a couple of film nights which have been so relaxing.

I had one challenge this week and it did lead to an unsettled night but I haven’t let it drag on as it’s firmly in the realms of things I cannot control or change.  I’m getting better at this but have a way to go as I’m a terrible over thinker.  I need to close that chapter of my life and soon (I hope) I will have done that.

Financial Health 

In terms of my budget I’m well under on transport due to half term and advanced train tickets.  I have found an alert on the trainline where I can put in the dates I want to travel and it notifies me when the advance tickets are released with is a huge saving.  

My grocery budget, despite a few £5 top up shops when we needed milk 🙄, is still in tact and may be a little under.

Personal spends are under but only just.  There has been a bit of socialising (one lunch, one dinner) a couple of CS buys ( for me and for the house) .  I love a CS but must be careful as it can add up!  

I’ve tidied the cupboards and freezer and have an updated inventory so I’ve meal planned from that .  I have worked out that there are 20 healthy dinners in there which will create enough leftovers for 20 healthy lunches so no excuses - grocery this week should be milk,fruit , veg and salad, nothing else!

Have a lovely, thrifty week what ever you’re up to 😊

PP xx

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, a nice lazy morning sounds grand!

Completely get what you say about less exercise in the countryside - since we moved to the middle of nowhere I've barely walked anywhere...

Love your self care stuff!

rtandon27

Great to 'see' you back posting PP! 

pinkypig

Evening 😊

What a week for weather and now we are forecast snow😱. After incessant rain we had a bit of a change today - hail and sleet😂.  I’ve got all my jobs done first thing and then put the wood burner on and hunkered down - it’s been lovely.

I’ve had a super week off but I haven’t done enough school work so I’ll pay the price for that this week - too late to worry about that now ! That said, a chilled week was much needed and I feel better for it.

I’ve had half the week as holiday with OH and the other half getting some jobs done at home.  Our staycation was just lovely, running, walking, sightseeing, bubble baths, reading, box sets and every day started with a coffee in bed - bliss.  It was also very low spend with only one lunch out with friends, other than that we cooked at home, used up leftovers and took coffee and snacks for the train.

The only other spend was experimental- has anyone used ‘Too Good to Go’?  It’s an app where you can reserve and buy restaurant surplus which can be collected at certain times.  We thought it might be nice for a treat when we are out and about so we gave it a go.  I ordered from an upmarket Deli and ended up with enough food for breakfast and lunch for my return journey (and a cake😀) for £3.59 and it was amazing and felt like such a treat.  The retail price was £10.   We like a wander around London and always take a picnic lunch but we will definitely give this a go when the weather is better and we can sit in the park rather than going out for dinner.

Other spends included a couple of CS jumpers (one was very top end and a real bargain😀) and house bits, stock up at £land and HB and two lots of advanced train tickets (really good savings) , passport renewal, coffee and cake out with family and  £100 to get some storm damage sorted out.  However, the budgets are generally intact.  Grocery is £4 ish over and personal spends are 4 ish under.  Travel is also under as I’d paid for advance train tickets last month and I’ve had no work travel for over a week so there have been some savings there.

Other savings have included colouring my own hair (£1 😀😀), making lunch here for my sister rather than going out, using up freezer stocks, meal planning for the next two weeks, using all leftovers and the sc running overnight for four nights so lots of easy, healthy batch cooked meals in the freezer for the coming half term.

I also managed to get all my February birthdays sorted from my present and card stash and made a friend a birthday cake from stores 😊

Wellbeing remains a priority, both physical and mental.  In addition to lots of walking, this week I have done 4 runs and a spin class and with the exception of one night I’ve slept really well.  I’ve taken every opportunity to relax and have had lots of candle lit bubble baths, have got through two CS paperbacks and have watched two excellent box sets and three films.  

I used some of my personal spends on a £land nail polish and some Aldi hand cream and have been taking care of my hands and nails which feels very indulgent 😂. 

I’ve eaten well and healthy although there is way to much snacking in between meals.  We also did Dry January and have carried on - I’m actually not missing my weekend wine at the moment although I’m sure that won’t last!

I’ve also spent time with oh, the kids, friends, my sister, nieces and my mum. It seems to be working as I feel good - relaxed, content and happy- long may it last!

As a result of my four day week (which still feels like such a treat!) I’m more on top of things at home and have more time just for myself.  The house is clean and tidy ( could still do with a deep clean in parts but it looks ok), the garden is showing signs of spring and all the debris of autumn and winter are mainly cleared away although there is a pile of cuttings ready to go in the green bin once it’s emptied this week, the laundry is up to date and the beds are changed.  Food prep for the week is done and we’ve got healthy batch cooked dinners that just need heating up.

I’m off for a bath and a pamper before getting an early night in my freshly laundered bed - life really doesn’t get much better for a MFW does it?😂😂

Happy Sunday to you 😀

PP xx

Busy_Mee

Sounds like a fab week off Pinky. i could really do with taking a leaf out of your book in terms of self care.

PurpleFairy26

What a lovely week you’ve had, you seem to have fitted loads in but done it at a great pace and price 👍🏻 Hope the week is kind to you back at work. 

Karmacat

Wonderful!  And thank you for also including details on the mse things you did (especially the app) - just goes to show that you can combine mse with fantastic times

rtandon27

Absolutely love the thought of that app!  Must keep it in mind when friends come up to London to meet me after work! Very budget friendly especially as you mentioned when it involves a picnic.

pinkypig

Hi ladies, thanks, as always for taking the time to pop in, it’s very much appreciated 😘

pinkypig

Evening 😀

I hope you’ve all had a good week despite this weather 😱.  The rain here has been really heavy and the wind has been howling.  The sun came out for a couple of hours this afternoon but it was so cold.  We now have a weather warning for ice!  Roll on Spring😂

I’ve had a really busy week at work with lots of late nights so I was more grateful than ever for my four day week.  I finished work very late on Thursday so I had an easy dinner, a bubble bath, a podcast  and a face mask before an early night which was just lovely.

I’ve had a really unusual weekend as I was completely on my own.  I wasn’t really looking forward to it but it’s actually been quite nice and very productive.

I had a huge ‘To do’ list but I’ve pretty much got through it 😀. I’ve managed to ;

Declutter my attic and did a run to the CS

Tidy up the garden and filled the tree bin

Food prep the breakfasts, lunches and dinners for this week.

Meet with the builder and talked through a home improvement project.

Do the Landry and changed the beds 

Fill the coal bucket, log basket and kindling basket for the week ahead

Deep clean of the kitchen and did a normal clean everywhere else.

Paint the wardrobe ( and not a rocking chair to go and that’s my bedroom furniture done 😀).

Do the food shop 

I think I need to be left home alone more often 😂

In terms of my goals, I’ve had mixed results ! Mental wellbeing is going well despite a crazy work week.  I’ve had time with family and my best friend, some TV time, had regular relaxing baths where I really indulge myself (bubbles, candles, face mask and a book or a podcast) and it’s so relaxing.  My sleep hasn’t been the best as I’ve woken very early a couple of mornings but I’m feeling well and not too tired so I’m going to call that a success. I’ve also noticed that I’m looking so much better which I’m sure is down to just taking some time for self-care.  I now have a skin care routine (all £land or Aldi products do not blowing the budget), do my nails and use hand cream, colour my roots on time (not weeks after they should’ve been done).  I also googled make up for the over 50s (😱😱) and read about common mistakes and found I was making all of them 😂😂. Changes have been made and the results are quite startling.  Finding time for self care isn’t easy but the benefits are so worth it so I’m determined to keep it up.

Physical health has been less successful 🙄. I’ve eaten healthily but I’ve only managed I lot of exercise - a spin class - so that needs to be rectified next week. 

Financial health is going well.  Payday was last week so the budget spreadsheet is done .  Grocery was slightly over at £144.71 but transport was under at £135, as was personal spends at £46.30.  I did get some CS bits for the house and some clearance bargains from Aldi for my present stash but they are budgeted separately.  I had some storm damage which I managed to cash flow so all in all a good month .  However, my car is making a funny noise so that may change!!

Mortgage figures will be available tomorrow so, as always, I’m ridiculously excited about that 😂

In other news, I’ve decided to have a bit of an upgrading work done on the one bit of the house that I don’t like.  It’s going to cost a bit but I’ve got enough saved and it will be so worth it.  It’ll also add value to the house and improve its saleability so I think it’s the right decision ( I’ve been overthinking since October!!).  Consequently, I’m on a thrift drive between now and the summer so it doesn’t leave too much of a dent in my savings.

Have a great week everyone 😱

PP xx