£29,303...Enough is enough!

WelshKitty85

The charity collectors didn't turn up on Saturday, so now I've got 4 bin bags of random 'stuff' taking up space in the garage. I need to make an effort to either try and sell it, or drop it off for another charity before it becomes part of the scenery and stays cluttering up the small amount of garage space we have.

I've timed my grocery shops well lately and got loads of yellow sticker bargains for the freezer. I've taken out lamb mince for this evening and fancy trying a moussaka. I don't have any aubergines though, and I don't think DH or the children would eat them anyway, so I'm going try to a similar dish, but layered with just potatoes instead.

I've managed to get one load of washing through the machine this morning and out on the line to dry. I'm keeping an eye on the weather though as it's turned grey outside so I'll need to get it in before the rain starts again.

joedenise

I do a similar dish.  We used to have it when I was growing up and my dad just called it "rounders" because it was a "round of mince & onions, a round of potatoes, a round of mince topped up with the round of potatoes!"  It was a regular item on the menu when my kids were small as well because it's a fairly cheap meal!

WelshKitty85

Thanks joedenise. We tried the moussaka-type-dish and it was really tasty. I love cinnamon in desserts but am always a bit dubious about putting it in savoury dishes for some reason, but it turned out really well. It was a hit with everyone except DC3 who is going through the terrible twos and becoming a bit of a fussy eater. 

Realised this afternoon that I've miscalculated my budget for the next month and allocated £100 too much to car tax. I was expecting to have to really cut back on grocery shopping this month, so it's a relief that there's a bit more wriggle room in the budget than I thought.

savingholmes

Glad you spotted the error and sorted it out. Wriggle room definitely helps. Food sounds tasty!

Igamogam

WelshKitty85 said:

The charity collectors didn't turn up on Saturday, so now I've got 4 bin bags of random 'stuff' taking up space in the garage. I need to make an effort to either try and sell it, or drop it off for another charity before it becomes part of the scenery and stays cluttering up the small amount of garage space we have.

I've timed my grocery shops well lately and got loads of yellow sticker bargains for the freezer. I've taken out lamb mince for this evening and fancy trying a moussaka. I don't have any aubergines though, and I don't think DH or the children would eat them anyway, so I'm going try to a similar dish, but layered with just potatoes instead.

I've managed to get one load of washing through the machine this morning and out on the line to dry. I'm keeping an eye on the weather though as it's turned grey outside so I'll need to get it in before the rain starts again.

Found any charity shops open? None around here yet and I have lots waiting to go. Got rid of some stuff on Fr**gle and also trying FB and Eb*y and got rid of some books DVDs on Ziff!t but lots of bits and bobs bedding and clothes for CS taking root in conservatory!
Crikey isn't the rain awful today in our neck of the woods!

WelshKitty85

The weather's been strange here today - wet and windy, but too hot for a coat.

The donation centre for the local hospice is open but you have to book a slot, and only between 10-4 Monday to Friday. Not ideal times when you have to work for a living. I might sort through the bags again and see what's worth selling. I still haven't listed the actual selling pile though. I'll have to make an effort over the weekend. Work's been hard this week though. I'm feeling drained and like I could sleep through til Monday.

DH fancied a take away tonight. Luckily (for my purse) they don't do their salt and pepper box on a Friday or Saturday. So I compromised and made my own version. Not the healthiest meal, but a bung-in-the-oven Friday night treat.

WelshKitty85

I've had a bit of a lazy morning. Didn't get up til 9.30. I was awake before that but DH brought me coffee in bed & DC1 was happily entertaining DC3.  I haven't listed any of the items for sale yet but have:

• Completed energy switch - staying with the same company but a cheaper tariff & I'll get £25 cashback in a few months
• Cancelled sky. They wanted £40 per month (after haggling) for phone/broadband & tv. We've switched phone/broadband to one that's £19.99 a month, with £50 credit, and purchased a freesat box for £139.99.  So over the 18 months sky wanted to tie us in for we will save over £270.
• Finished birthday shopping for DC2. Walked into town and spent £70 in local shops. A bit more than we'd planned (as we've already got a few presents) but found something he will love and that he could keep forever.
• Done a workout 

savingholmes

Sounds like a good weekend. The weather has been weird for a few days.

WelshKitty85

Freezer stocktake done. I need to transform it into a meal plan now. I'm trying to hold off grocery shopping until Tuesday/Wednesday, which is doable if we can make the milk last until then. Chicken taken out for a roast dinner tonight, and sausage meat for stuffing which I'll also use to make sausage rolls for tomorrow's lunch. I've got 6 eggs that need using so will make a cake for pudding & might also make some pancakes for the freezer that can be used for packed lunches.

Washer is on and I'll get it out onto the line as soon as it's finished. It's still quite windy here so should dry quickly. To do list for today includes a general tidy up, ironing, and I still need to list items for sale.

WelshKitty85

I'm sneaking in to confess that this week has been very spendy. But, I can explain...
DH & I were discussing at the beginning of the week that we need some new furniture. The living room is a funny shape, with lots of doors, and the furniture just doesn't fit it. DH & I don't have enough bedroom storage. DC2 has outgrown his superhero furniture, and DC3 doesn't have any proper clothes storage (his baby clothes didn't take up much room, but he's suddenly shot up). So we had a brainwave that if we just replaced the living room drawers, the old (big) ones can go to our bedroom, our smaller ones can go to DC2, and DC2s superhero drawers can be repainted for DC3. We were discussing if we could afford to do this from savings when a letter landed for DH telling him he's due a large tax refund. I remember telling him last year that he was paying too much tax, and I even wrote down the correct tax code to give to his employer. But they obviously never amended it & I forgot about it ever since. So, we've spent every penny of the refund on living room furniture (and a few kitchen bits).

It could have gone to savings, but it is going to make such a difference to the whole house that I'm happy with our decision. Plus, we will have some old household items to sell. I've already sold a £5 item, agreed a sale for £15, and got interest in 2 items at £5 and £20. Anything I can sell will go to boosting savings.