My Lightbulb Moment

Trixysticks

Why is it when everything is ticking along well the Universe throws a spanner in the works? :rotfl:

Today DH took our dog to the vet because he’s been limping for several days. Turns out he’s got a grass seed stuck in his paw and will need a little op tomorrow to remove it. Total bill should be around £300 :eek: but I’m just relieved we found the problem and he should be back to his walks very soon.

I’m always reminded when these things happen to be grateful for my emergency fund- there was a time I would have used my credit card for unexpected bills. As it goes I’m yet to make a mortgage OP this month so it’ll come from there...I’m happy to slow the process down for a happy puppy we don’t have kids yet so he’s 100% our baby.

In other news I made an eBay sale that I can post tomorrow. Will be listing a few more bits as I have a day off. Hopefully it’ll be sunny so I can get some washing out and fit in a run!

Husband is out so I’m about to read my library book and have a hot chocolate! Hope everyone is having a relaxing evening.

Trixysticks

Well the dog is back after being at the vets all day...£309 but I’m feeling very relieved to have him home!

Spent all day waiting for the vets so managed to sweep and clean the floors (with no dog padding about!) posted my eBay and had Tesco deliver.

On the money saving front I also did some batch cooking- two big macaroni cheeses to last us a couple of nights and probably lunches. Got a lamb casserole in the oven now that will also provide some leftovers.

Another day off tomorrow so will fit in a run and then relax. Dog needs rest so a good excuse to curl up with him on the sofa!

Trixysticks

A sleepless night with one very upset dog! Had to keep checking he wasn’t pulling his bandage off (the cone didn’t stay on very long!)

Plan for the day:
1. Update every dollar budget to account for vet bill
2. Buy butternut squash, bath soap
3. Batch cook lentil daal
4. Complete a yoga workout

That’s it today, going to try and take it easy. Have a good day everyone!

twinklie

I've just joined your thread but reading from the beginning to now, you can see how your priorities have changed and how you've grown in confidence on this journey.


Congratulations to you.


I think you are being very wise in sorting things out prior to having kids, I wish we'd done this. That said, we are still in a better position than most. But kids are a giant (but rewarding) money pit! Plus you never know what you are going to get. My two have additional needs (ASD) and so we save money on some things (because we can't do them), but other things cost us a fair bit in trying to maintain routine, I can't work full time (not that I'm THAT upset by that - or at all, I love being home with the kids).


We need to get back into batch cooking, but we don't have a big freezer so have nowhere to store the food. That's definitely on my Christmas wish list this year - a freezer (oh what an exciting life I lead).

Trixysticks

Thanks twinklie, yes we feel very lucky to have the disposable income at the moment. Hopefully we are also training ourselves to live on a lot less! I’m sure kids will still be a shock- the dog is expensive enough!

Haha I’m after a second freezer :rotfl: trying to convince DH that I could have a chest freezer in the shed down the garden, then my batch cooking could really take off!

Primrose

[QUOTE=Trixysticks;76130727

Haha I’m after a second freezer :rotfl: trying to convince DH that I could have a chest freezer in the shed down the garden, then my batch cooking could really take off![/QUOTE]

Would an upright freezer with removable drawers be a more manageable proposition? It will make for more efficient stock rotation and storing.

The trouble with a chest freezer is that many people will say the stuff at the bottom tends to live in a permanent "glory hole" of forgottenness and rarely gets rotated regularly. With an upright freezer you can have one drawer for meats, one for batch cooking, one for vegs etc and can quickly find and retrieve or deposit what you want, which may be more important when you have to venture down the garden on a dark winter night in the freezing cold dark or pouring rain.

Perhaps others could relate their preferences and reasons. Just be careful when selecting a model as some designs are not suitable for environments like outhouses, sheds and garages where the temperature can drop very low in winter . Apparently they can cut out and stop operating . Do some research on this before you buy. Biko seem to be about the only manufacturer who will guarantee their appliances to continue operating in low temperatures.

We have a 40 year old upright Electrolux freezer operating in our garage. It has lived through some very cold winter temperatures but it,s a solid brick built garage attached to the house and the freezer is against a kitchen wall where the central heating boiler is located which probably provides some protective heat and insulation. I imagine a garden shed would be a much harsher environment. The Which website may provide some good info when you're ready tomproceed.

Trixysticks

Great point Primrose! Actually just reminded me of the chest freezer my parents had in the garage when we were growing up. There would be a clear out every few years and some of the discoveries were terrifying :rotfl: I think I may even have kitchen space for an upright next to my fridge/freezer. Will do some investigating.

twinklie

We are going to get a small under counter one to fit in the utility. Mainly because the one we have currently is a smallish one integrated into the fridge.

I miss having a bigger freezer.

monz

You made me laugh with I am sure kids will be a shock. I was duped to believe the baby was the most expensive part... I have an 8 year old.. they lied lol from costs for TKD, his training, comps, outfits, travelling for comps (he loves it and worth every penny ) then clothes continuous growing, games for the PS4 then everything else on top...

However with all that.... there is nothing like their happiness , love, hugs and seeing them happy so you do not mind xx