And so it begins: The Pig Vs The Mortgage

CathT

Hope you manage to stay negative PP. I'm on a toiletry use up mission and it's quite satisfying to be able to use and then throw away the various bits. It's both money saving and decluttering. 

pinkypig

Hi Cath, hope you and yours are doing ok 😀
Using up things is so satisfying, I love it!  I’m also terrible for hanging on to nice gifts because I don’t want to waste them and then end up not using them at all which is so daft!     

I’m really enjoying my nice bath things and I love a scented candle and because of said hoarding problem I’ve got loads 😂

pinkypig

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh, that sounds like a lovely day 😊 I too like pottering at home - I've barely left this year so far and it's been great! Sorry to hear about OH's positive test 🙄 We were in the same situation over Christmas- fortunately he had no symptoms and I stayed negative. Wishing the same for you two!

Thank Cheery , you’re too kind! 😂☹️

pinkypig

Hello 😀
 I’m just sat here pondering how much I love my four day week.  It was my treat to myself when I became mortgage neutral and I’ve never regretted it, not even on pay day😂
I’ve had a day of pottering about today and although I haven’t done anything in particular I’ve managed to get quite a few things done now I think about it but it’s been at a very sedate pace.
I had coffee in bed read for a while this morning which always feels like such a treat as I have to get up at 6 am on work days 😱.    

Other small steps to freedom and happiness included;
Sorted out the fridge and gave it a clean out.  

Did a stock check, meal plan and shopping list ( I’m still having a use up).
Did a top up shop of oat milk, coffee, fruit, veg and fridge bits for £18.53
Sorted out house insurance and managed to negotiate a whopping £3.53 off the quoted price 😂😂 
Cleaned out the wood burner
Made hummus and leek and potato soup.  

Washed all the bedding and towels from the covid ward 🤢🤢
Had a nice chat with mum whilst walking the dog 
Went through my clothes.  This was a spur of the moment thing.  I watched a YouTube vlog and the lovely lady who is living this lovely slow life said that if she didn’t rate an item at least 8/10 on the feel good scale then it had no place in her wardrobe!  I’ve got I large CS bag full so I’ll drop that off tomorrow.  There’s still work to be done but it’s a start 😀

Put the wood burner on early and watched a film.
Cheap, healthy eats (banana, yogurt and granola for breakfast, hm soup for lunch and roast pumpkin risotto from the freezer for dinner)
OH is now testing negative and so am I so we are hoping that’s our brush with the virus done (for now 🤞).  I’m now off to bed for a good read and hopefully an early night and a good sleep 😴 
Happy Friday 😀

PPxx

pinkypig

Hello 😀

It’s been the loveliest day, really cold and crisp but with sunshine. 

As I’ve now got everything in place to achieve this year’s financial goals ( accounts set up and January’s amounts transferred and I’ve increased my AVC contributions) I’ve moved on to thinking about the health and well-being.  I think my focus is going to be as follows;

Healthy living 

I’m starting from quite a good place despite the weight gain!  I’m now 100% vegetarian and about 90% plant based so my diet is good.  My challenges are portion size and snacking.

I like to run and I have now have my own spin bike but I’ve got a bit lazy and have no real routine 🙄 I do walk the dog every day though. It’s not the best time of year for outdoor exercise so it needs more effort.  I need more routine but it needs to be realistic. I’m aiming for a daily walk and three decent cardio sessions a week (either running or spinning).

Lights out by 10.30

Water before coffee (that should up my intake!)

Have healthy, low calorie things in the fridge for if I’m hungry between meals.  HM vegetable soup and pre chopped veggies are working well.

Think portion size and have no more than two healthy snacks a day

Self care 

Again, I’m starting from a good place and I’m doing ok with this.  I’ve learned how great the benefits are which helps !

An evening bubble bath and a face mask over a shower where possible 

Read 1 book a month ( I used to read so much more but have lost my way so I’ll start small)

Actually use nice candles, toiletries etc rather than keeping them for a special occasion which generally means not using them at all!

Research and download podcasts for my drive to work

Regular family time 😀

Hill walking.   This is weather dependent as it’s dangerous if you’re not sensible.  I’ll aim for two a month, weather permitting.  I’ll take OH and the dog which will increase the happiness!

I find that when I get the health and well-being stuff right I’m not only happier but I also do well with the thrifty stuff (and actually enjoy it) so this needs to be a key focus in 2022.

Anyhoo, back to the here and now, today’s small steps to happiness and freedom included;

Woke early (but after a good sleep ) so I let the dog out, made a coffee, popped my electric blanket on for 10 mins and then hopped back in for an hour and read.  Bliss 😀

A cold but much less muddy run with the dog 

Did my daily plan in my new fancy pants planner which I love.  I feel so organised 😂

Had coffee with my sister

Walked the dog 

Checked my SIM only upgrade options and managed to get an extra 2GB of data for the same as I’m paying now.  It’s £6 a month and I get unlimited calls and texts and 6GB of data .  It’s a 12 month contract rather than the monthly one that I was on but I’m happy with that.  I’ve put a reminder on my phone to check new deals when my 12 months is up.

Water before coffee - mostly 🙄

Cleaned out pantry cupboard and found the bag of sesame seeds I knew I had but couldn’t locate.

Did a load of laundry which is on the airer and will go in front of the wood burner before I go to bed. Folded the dry laundry.

Made some tomato and basil soup, scones for the freezer (OH’s favourite) and a birthday cake for DD’s boyfriend.

Read my book and had an afternoon snooze.  I’m trying to read one book a month so I need to get my skates on.  Once upon a time I’d get through a book a week 🥲

A day bath and moisturising sheet mask 

Painted my toenails 

A NSD

All in all a very pleasant MSE Saturday 😀

Tonight is going to be snuggled up in front of the wood burner watching a film Hope you’ve had a good one too, whatever you were up to

PP xx

smetf

Hi PP,

Just been catching up on your diary and loving your approach. 
We've got lasagna and garlic bread in the oven, carbing up for DH as he has a half marathon tomorrow. Film and log burner to follow here too 😊 

S

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi PP thank you for sharing on the steamer - i am aware that whilst it will make life better and easier it is a definite want rather than a need. But i am trying to think up ways to raise the funds for one 

I'm glad your OH is feeling better and you are both now testing negative.

Karmacat

What a day you had, PP!  Amazing!

pinkypig

smetf said:

Hi PP,

Just been catching up on your diary and loving your approach. 
We've got lasagna and garlic bread in the oven, carbing up for DH as he has a half marathon tomorrow. Film and log burner to follow here too 😊 

S

Excellent!  Hope the Half Marathon went well 😀😀

pinkypig

StripeyTightsSpottySocks said:

Hi PP thank you for sharing on the steamer - i am aware that whilst it will make life better and easier it is a definite want rather than a need. But i am trying to think up ways to raise the funds for one 

I'm glad your OH is feeling better and you are both now testing negative.

Well done you on your restraint.  I used to eBay unwanted stuff to raise a bit of money for wants (and then usually OP the mortgage instead because I was obsessed 😂😂).  🤞the charity shop gods deliver x