Earthgirl's Final Battle

earthgirl

Thanks karma and the madvix.

I thought normal choc wrappers couldn't be recycled? Yes I am wanting to support the local businesses but I'm struggling to get what I need so I think you are right - containers at the deli in the supermarket will help. My local baker and butcher are OK about bringing containers, but I sense they would prefer if I didn't which is a shame.

earthgirl

Really busy week where we had a bnb guest that I didn't know so I was sleeping in the same room as the kids and never sleep as well. My 'good deed' for the week was 5 hours childcare for a friend in need, and I also had reports to write and my works night out last night. We survived though, but I felt I didn't see the kids much, except when they were asleep!

Money Saving / making

Good extra income this week, £100 from tutoring, £83 from bnb. 2 new tutoring customers next week, whilst 2 drop off over Christmas.

£3 towards carbon neutral holiday fund - £13/£40

Took wine to Xmas night out in party bag and drank it. I don't feel bad about this. It was £50 a head and £9 for a glass of wine and it was way over priced. £70 for a bottle of Champagne! Wore a dress I already had which was a £1 charity shop find. I drove there and left big boots, coat and hat in the car to walk home It was an expensive night out made reasonable and I loved it!!

A party ds1 went to today had football tickets in for a local team for next weekend, so that's another free activity for next week.

To improve next week I need to take care with my scheduling to fit everything in. I need to make sure all is wrapped up at work so I can relax over the holidays.

Environment
Slowly improving! Wins this week have been only buying bread in my own bags, same with veg. Ham and pies from butcher in my own containers. Milk in returnable bottles - got the semi skimmed organised.

I've managed to book the electric car for quite a few days from this week on.

I'm going to be more organised with taking containers with me next week, madvix suggested taking them to supermarket deli counters which will work better for ham and cheese. Wonder about butter?

I am still trying to make sure I am getting things at a good price. Milk and bread is slightly more expensive but not too bad. I can't afford the biodegradable crisp packets, so we will cut back and when searching I have found ways of recycling them into really useful things like pencil cases - I'm sure the kids will enjoy making them!! https://craftbits.com/project/purse-recycled-potato-chip-bag/

beanielou

I think the milk in bottles is very expensive sadly

Karmacat

earthgirl wrote: »

Good extra income this week, £100 from tutoring, £83 from bnb. 2 new tutoring customers next week, whilst 2 drop off over Christmas.

Well done you!

Took wine to Xmas night out in party bag and drank it. I don't feel bad about this. It was £50 a head and £9 for a glass of wine and it was way over priced. £70 for a bottle of Champagne! Wore a dress I already had which was a £1 charity shop find. I drove there and left big boots, coat and hat in the car to walk home It was an expensive night out made reasonable and I loved it!!

Thats seriously brilliant. Good grief, £9 for a glass of wine! Good for you for not falling into that.

I'm going to be more organised with taking containers with me next week, madvix suggested taking them to supermarket deli counters which will work better for ham and cheese. Wonder about butter?

None of the shops round here are doing anything about it currently I'm wondering about sending emails, or even saying something at the customer service desk. Never mind about that - celebrating your wins with you!

earthgirl

Thanks Karma, I know when I look into things really, our little family reducing our carbon footprint is a drop in the ocean, but maybe the little ripples go out... I remember a poster topm who was very much into this an it was part of the reason it went on my list for this year. Maybe asking about using my own containers in the bakers/butchers etc. the person behind me might think I will do that... who knows.

Wow I have been googling repurposing junk and just wow! There are really talented people out there making things out of the unrecylable. I'm nowhere near as arty, but it would be good for the kids to do some of the projects.

themadvix

Sorry, I meant large bars of chocolate wrapped in paper and foil - most of the decent brands do this, as do the better supermarket ranges.

Great news on the electric car bookings! Where are you hiring it from, I missed that?

We still buy butter in unrecyclable wrappers. The zero waste shop in b’ham had it loose, but suspect they have a higher turnover in a city. And my zero waste shop is owned by vegans, so sadly don’t think they’ll be getting any. I think (and probably no use for you as a bit far north), that Waitrose do Salted essential butter in grease proof, but as I’d rather have organic, unsalted, it doesn’t help me much either!

earthgirl

Thanks the madvix, all good things to know. Busy week, working so hard, plus 2 nativities, charity post delivering and toy sorting. Phew!

Money saving / making

A whole load of tutoring done this week and next week. Mostly it has gone ok with scheduling.

Some last minute snacks to buy for visitors, could definitely have done better here.
I've planned out our meals over this holiday with very little to buy.
Bought a breakdown policy - the one martin recommends.

Charity/ volunteering
Massive amount of toys donated to the charity shop
Hundreds of cards delivered to raise money for BBs.
Next week DS1 is going for lunch at the old peoples home, he loves the company of that generation as he misses his grandpa.

Environment
I set my target to get our non recyclable rubbish down to 1 bucket per week, but with a little bit of effort- it's better than that! I'm so happy that we have managed to get it down so much it's more like a bucket every 2 weeks, and I have a plan for those things that are left. I don't think I'll get it down to nothing but it's fun trying!! My challenge in 2020 is to maintain this but do it cheaper.

I also want to reduce the recyclable things too - takes energy to recycle and also it is sent abroad so lots of costs there. So I'll look at that in 2020.

The car hire is free through my work as I do a lot of miles and it's cheaper for them to let me hire from their fleet than it is to pay my milage, so I can just request electric only cars.

This week:
I have a couple of busy days, 2 hours tutoring per day (only 1 hour on Christmas day which I was going to change but it actually suits).
Hairdressers for the kids, and I have a gift to give as well as a normal tip.
Christmas is all wrapped up so I just need to enjoy.
Holiday for us on the 31st which is perfect timing, just as the kids are getting bored. The rest of the holiday I'm going to try to do free things to entertain everybody.

beanielou

Have a lovely time

Karmacat

I worked one Christmas morning as a student, when I had a cleaning job at an old peoples' home (as they were called then) - never since! Anyway, have a lovely time, and make sure you enjoy yourself. I'm *very* impressed with one bucket of waste a fortnight, for a full family, by the way, and your plans to better that even more.

earthgirl

:money:

Karmacat wrote: »

I worked one Christmas morning as a student, when I had a cleaning job at an old peoples' home (as they were called then) - never since! Anyway, have a lovely time, and make sure you enjoy yourself. I'm *very* impressed with one bucket of waste a fortnight, for a full family, by the way, and your plans to better that even more.

And Karma thank you for all of your words of wisdom, help and encouragement. It's good to be back posting with a lot more balance in my life x