The Money Diet

Lauralozzle

SnowBallBunny wrote: »

Happy New Year Laura! Wishing you the very best.

Thank you Snowball. And a happy new year to you! :beer:

Lauralozzle

January 1st 2018

Happy New Year everyone.

So, I'm off to a cracking start! Bagged my first NSD. Christmas decorations are down, although the living room could do with a tidy. Will get on with that tomorrow I think after work (or before, if I get up early enough).

We've been outside in the garden chopping down some of the trees and sweeping the patio. I've used some fish (another yellow sticker bargain) from the freezer for dinner. Have turned it into a fish pie. Diet has been good today.

I have to get back into the swing of working tomorrow. I think I'm on queries tomorrow so will get to work early(ish). Not looking forward to it, it's been nice to have these two weeks off and getting back into the swing of it all again (early morning and late evenings) is something I'm not looking forward to. Will have to have a look at the work diary and have a look which days I can work from home and get them requested. I'd rather work from home and start early as I have the late afternoon to myself then.

Nothing much else to report apart from the fact that I'm ready for this new year. I'd like to get the credit card debt sorted - or at least pay off the highest credit card in full.

Lauralozzle

Tuesday 2nd January

First day back to work today. It went okay, even though I was dreading it immensely. Worked a little over my 7.24 hours so building up more flexi-time. Need to get it to 15 hours by the 12th January as I have two flexi days off on the 15th and 16th.

Today has not been a NSD as we forgot to get loo roll the other day when we went shopping and we are down to the last roll, so popped to Asda on the way home. Also picked up some YS bread, salad, meat for DH (for sandwiches) and he 'topped up' on Relentless as it was on offer (he drinks the stuff for band practice). Signature is updated.

I got home and changed straight into my pjs this evening. DH is cooking dinner and I'm looking forward to a nice evening relaxing on the sofa (I still haven't recovered from the early morning start).

Lauralozzle

Wednesday 3rd January

I've had another NSD so I'm at 2/18. Really hoping I can make target this month so will have to be very strict. Had a good day at work, and I'm happy tomorrow is Thursday. I sometimes find that a four day week drags so I'm pretty pleased that the weekend is just around the corner.

I've checked the honeymoon fund today and spotted 5p interest! Every little helps! Signature is updated and I should get my £100+ paid in bonus during the month.

I've taken in lunch to work these past two days and will continue that endeavour throughout the month. I save so much money when I can be bothered to make my own lunch so that is a definite target this month.

I've also managed 10,000 steps everyday so far this month (all 3 days of it) so I will make it my mission to make sure I regularly meet that goal.

Had a lovely quick dinner tonight of hunters chicken, roast potatoes and veg. I've now used up some the leftover potatoes from Sunday and I am getting through the veg in the fridge.

Lauralozzle

Thursday 4th January

Thursday was not a NSD as I bought some more e-liquid. I did take my lunch to work though.

Friday 5th January

Friday was a bit of fail. No packed lunch to work as I woke up late, didn't make lunch the night before and was unprepared. Resulted in another spend day which is not ideal. A fairly spendy day, all things considered. DH wanted me to grab him a sausage cob from the new cafe next to work and I got a coffee, I then got lunch afterwards at Tesco.

It's the end of the week where everything gets on top of me. I am tired and just cannot be bothered to do anything. I think for Thursday/Fridays I will have to make sure I have batch cooked something for dinner so it is easier for me. We need to go shopping this weekend so I will make sure we have some bits I can batch cook and pop in the freezer for these sort of days.

Lauralozzle

Saturday 6th January

Today I have managed a NSD so I'm at 3/18. I've had a really quiet day which has been nice. Must plan to try and do something tomorrow though as it will feel like I've wasted the whole weekend otherwise.

Mortgage payment has gone out for the month so I've updated my signature. I will be happy when it ops down to the next thousand pound bracket but it seems to take an age to get there. Can't start thinking about you overpayments yet though, as so much needs to be done to the house. It would be pointless as we need to save to get the house sorted.

I think I'll have a hot both tonight before I go to bed, that will nicely top off my relaxation day.

I've also lost half a pound this week, which although it doesn't sound like much, is pretty good going given the alcohol I drank on New Years and the chocolate I've been eating! Will be expecting a much bigger loss next week though.

Lauralozzle

Sunday 7th January

Today has been a spendy day as we went food shopping this afternoon.

To be honest, it's a little alarming that most of my budget has disappeared already. Needed a good shop though as we had nothing in the fridge and I'd Pretty much reduced the freezer stocks to nothing.

Big shop at Aldi Today - spent £50.78 but fridge is full. £10 of that was on a bay tree and little rosemary tree. We do tend to get through a lot of the stuff and I decided buying that would work out much cheaper in the long run although it was quite a hefty expense out of the budget. My task is to make sure they don't die! Edit: they died!

Spent £16.82 in Home Bargains - on mainly household stuff (oven cleaner, carpet cleaner, toothpaste, mouthwash and the like.)

£11.38 in Asda - on not very much. DH impulse buys as he decided he wanted canned soup (for emergencies). They were the big eat ones. He wanted them, I imagine, for lunches as I don't make soup all the time. They should last a while though. We also got some sausages for today's dinner.

Fridge is looking very full now though, which is good.

Budget now at £189.15/£275

Our next shops have to be small. Or, the entertainment budget will have to go to make up any shortfall. It's important that the books balance this month, and there is no reason why we can't hit target as our budget is very generous.

I've decided I must get back into Menu planning for the week ahead though, so I've come up with this.

Sunday - sausage, mashed potatoes, veg, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.
Monday - chicken fajitas
Tuesday - spaghetti bolognese
Wednesday - chicken curry
Thursday - pie, mash and veg with gravy
Friday - spaghetti carbonara
Saturday - birthday meal (eating out)

I am going to have to make sure Monday - Friday are NSD to help everything sort itself out, we have enough in, and if I make sure I have lunches prepped it is definitely doable.

Lauralozzle

Monday 8th January

Bagged a NSD and took lunch to work.

I then ate dinner and fell asleep so nothing much to report there.

Tuesday 9th January

Bagged another NSD. I'm now at 5/18.

I got a reward and recognition gift today at work. £25. I've asked for £20 to be next vouchers (I'll then have £70) and £5 Amazon which I'll use for gifts and such. Chuffed with that.

Work today was good, and after all the sleep from yesterday I don't feel as exhausted today. Made Quorn spaghetti bolognese for dinner and will make up some pasta so that can be lunch for tomorrow as well as I have plenty leftover. Might see how much leftovers I'll have after that, I might bulk the remainder out with a can of baked beans and that'll be base for a cottage pie. I have pie and mash for one of my meals this week so will make too much mash on purpose and then freeze leftovers and then when I'm not feeling particularly inventive that's a meal for next week sorted! The other option would be swap spaghetti carbonara for cottage pie instead and move that to next week. I am at present undecided. Menus have to be flexible so we will see.

Minimum payment on Credit Card number 3 went out today so I will update that later.

zippygeorgeandben

Make sure you use the carpet and oven cleaner, or it was a pointless purchase!

Lauralozzle

Haha thanks zippy

Luckily the carpet cleaner is more of a carpet freshener. Used every weekend when I blitz the living room. I’m paranoid about the smell of dog and would rather it smell like Thai orchard (or whatever scent it is!).

The oven needs desperately cleaning... it’s gross... but I’m less enthusiastic about that endeavour!!!

Wednesday 10th January

Today was spendy! Very spendy. Trip to the vets was £116 which was more than I had budgeted for. Old dog, insurance wouldn’t cover it as pre-existing condition he’s had since he was about 2. Have 100 days of tablets though so no trip to the vet for another three months.

That is basically all of the emergency fund plus allocated dog spend this month. Luckily he has lots of food left.

May have to amend Febs budget to increase the amount going into his ‘pot’. I have also applied for another savings account to his pot separate (it’s accounted for in monthly budget but I think putting money elsewhere will help me keep a better eye on it).

I found out my supervisor is moving today - not sure when, but it will leave a position open on a temporary responsibility allowance (10% more than current wage) that I think I will apply for. She has been suggesting that I apply for roles the next band up, and a few supervisors today asked if I was going to apply so I’ll give it a go. What’s the worse that could happen? They say no and I keep my job? I’ve worked really hard the past year and it has been noticed, so I’m hoping I’d have a fairly decent shot (no way guaranteed though, as there are plenty of capable people).

Hoping tomorrow and Friday will be spend free days though.