Gap is Back - Time to Knuckle Down

[Deleted User]

You're doing so well and that risotto sounds amazing I love frozen spinach, it's so versatile. I can struggle to get through a bag of fresh spinach before it goes a bit slimy, so it's definitely a good frugal choice for me

girlatplay

Frozen spinach is really good. That's exactly the problem I have; getting through a fresh bag in time, even with the two of us who both like it.

Lovely day with mum, sis and Peachy. I love weekends.

I forgot the Lidl grocery list so went anyway but with the caveat that I could only buy what I could definitely remember being on the list. I was short of time so that helped. When I got home I had only forgotten two things, both of which I can get from Morries at a similar price and don't really need them for this week's meal plan. I spent £7.57 which included 75p for bread for sis and 95p for sour cream for Bestie. That means I have only gone over the grocery budget by £1.21 this week. That is good news. Not so good news is that items that were priced up at 49p each were charged at 55p each. I've only just spotted that right now and I'm not brave enough to go back and complain tomorrow.

Went to Bestie's for tea. She made chilli and it was really blimmin' good. Split a taxi home with the other Bestie (there are 3 in total) so £10.20 from the Overflow Budget.

Should be an NSD tomorrow (Sunday - I've not been to sleep yet so I think it's still Saturday night) as I have everything in and going to the folks' for tea.

girlatplay

All dd's off today apart from the 7th but I've updated the spreadsheet anyway as there's nothing else to come off.

I've made two errors this month. Nothing major, just really annoying. I wasn't planning to come back here before June but after a couple of months of thinking and planning, writing out my first post, editing and deleting bits (you know how I blether on and, yes, that was a shortened version) I stumbled across BabyStepper's diary and that just made me want to start at that moment (I am not blaming you for this BS, just explaining myself).
First error is, I have said that I have £6,798.44 left of the loan to pay, well, that was the June figure after June's dd came off which means I can't change that amount in my signature as that's where I am at as of today. Dammit!
Second error is, I misinterpreted the letter from the mortgage lender and thought the new, reduced interest rate started as at 17th May. It did not. It started at 1st June so I budgeted completely incorrectly this month. This is one of the reasons I keep money in the holding account for a wee while before making any payments. The holding account took a hit but I have £65 left in it so it could have been worse.

LMG and (my) boyfriend will both be here for tea (LMG's boyfriend is working or he would have been here too). We're having mac 'n' cheese because apparently I make it quite well. That's what they tell me. I need to clean the bathroom and fold and put washing away before they get here. I also need to go and top up my bus card and collect a prescription. Still got to catch up on a few diaries so I better get my skates on.

girlatplay

Mac 'n' cheese a success with enough left over for a small lunch each for the two of them. Happy loved ones

Bathroom cleaned.

Bus card topped up.

Prescription collected.

Dishes done.

Washing moved from couch to bed and will be moved back to couch shortly. I might put a couple of bits away but it's quite a big pile and I'm tired now.

I remembered a third error (since these things always come in threes ) Again, it's not massive but I still have a couple of items to pick up that were on the shopping list which I forgot to add in to my total spend for the week so I am likely to be nearer £50 this week. £10 over budget.

Tea tomorrow is on the meal plan.
Wednesday I'm meeting a friend for a catch up but won't be too expensive - from Overflow Budget.
Thursday boyfriend is cooking at his house.
Friday it's just me so I'll make extra tomorrow and have the leftovers then or I might have the risotto again. Choices..
Saturday we're going to boyfriend's brother's. It's a planned night out but he lives in a different city so we're staying nearby, somewhere we've stayed before, and eating our meals with brother's family. Hotel is paid for, I just have to give him money towards petrol (he'll try to not take it but I need to pay my way) - from Overflow Budget.
Sunday should be dinner at my folks' but it depends on what time we get back.
Then it's Monday again! Looks like just one top up of milk between now and Monday. LMG is at college or working most of the week. That means if I can stretch to Wednesday next week with just the one top up of milk then that's almost two weeks on one and a bit weeks' money. Hmmmm that's my challenge to 12th June then.

girlatplay

Just been and got the rest of the shop. £8.95 in total so I'm a £1 or two over £50 this week. Not too concerned as, like I said, some things are more like monthly things; washing up liquid, shampoo, etc. Actually the shampoo probably won't get opened until next month but I have this fear of running out of stuff so I tend to buy when I open things and that way I always have the next one ready. I don't stockpile things like that.

On my way home for lunch now and I'm starving so looking forward to that. One of Jack Monroe's daal's for tea tonight (Jack's not making it for me though, sadly).

I had a wee look over at the old style boards last night. Not looked at them for a couple of years. I didn't even get past the grocery challenge as I forgot how much is in that. Going to take time later and go through the recipes to get some ideas for the next meal plan.

Got the house to myself all afternoon and evening so I'm going to rest properly and have an early night.

girlatplay

I feel really rubbish today. Feels like I've got a hangover but I've not touched a drop of alcohol. I was struggling at work all morning. I saw a recipe for spinach and feta muffins so I was going to go for milk today and pick up feta too but I just couldn't. I took the spinach out the freezer too. I'll pat it dry, put it in the fridge and hopefully feel better enough tomorrow to make them.

Just had lunch and got a big glass of water here beside me. I'll drink a lot this afternoon and rest. Meeting a friend later for a catch up. We'll have something to eat and I'll stick to diluting juice. I really, really don't want to let her down as I only see her every couple of months or so and it's like a counselling session for both of us. I'm usually home by the back of 9pm so not a late one.

girlatplay

Forgot to mention, I got £9.72 today via CMS to feed and clothe my child. The monthly payments appear to have stabilised and are £9.71/£9.72 alternate months. Good job she's self-sufficient when it comes to clothing and I make ends meet to feed her from the money I earn. It will stop once she finishes college for the summer but he still has arrears that amount to over £1k, however, somehow they've managed to calculate it down to around £400. I don't even care anymore but when they ask if I want them to write off the arrears I say no. It's the principle is it not? If I just got the £400 in a lump sum I could give it to LMG for her savings and be done with it.

I've paid the £9.72 to the groceries account.

beanielou

So sorry that you are not feeling your best
Dont spend all the CM in one shop now!!
That is shocking.

girlatplay

Thank you Lou for your kind words. I hope you're okay right now, I have been following your diary.
I think I might go and get my nails done or maybe my hair done with the money. That seems to be the general consensus of what happens to it in the opinions of non-resident parents. Not all, but many that I have come across.

I started to feel a bit better when I had a rest and drank some water so probably a bit of dehydration. I gathered enough energy to make the muffins so I put grated cheddar in them since I had no feta (did not have the energy nor time to go to the supermarket). I am so rubbish at baking no matter how hard I try and these taste of flour they are edible though so I will have them for breakfast for the next few days. I'd like to try them with feta so I might attempt them in a few weeks.

Met my friend at the back of 5pm and got home about 8.05pm. Had a fantastic catch up, cried a few tears (her young daughter died a few years ago, we always talk about her and sometimes it gets very emotional) and put the world to rights. Had a panini and a juice and it came to £5.75. I'm really chuffed. We've had dearer nights out than that. Paid it from the Overflow Budget.

I'll manage some more water and an early night. Hopefully I'll feel good tomorrow.

beanielou

Glad that you had a good catch up.
How sad for your friend.

I am plodding on

If you get a moment can you post up the muffin recipie. Thanks.
Mine will be dire.