Gap is Back - Time to Knuckle Down

beanielou

Definatly a keeper
Well done to LMG

girlatplay

Exciting (for me) financial news: I've just called the Tax Credit office to advise that LMG finished up college today (when she goes back after the summer she will be doing an HNC so Further Education and you don't get tax credits for that) and they have told me that the tax credit award runs to 31st August, regardless of whether she goes back to college or not! That means another 11 tax credit payments that I didn't expect. They also advised that child benefit will run to around that time too (a couple of days difference, apparently). Great news for my budget!! However;

I really need to be sensible about this. I have to stick to the new budget so I'll try putting what I get into a separate account from next week's payment (Wednesday) onwards.

I am going out in about half an hour as there is a work social meet up arranged later. I am taking cash from my unsealed pot and just having a couple of juices so won't be a big expense, less than £5 I expect. I'm only going for an hour or so. I'll have tea when I get home, unless the Social Committee have funds in the budget for food. LMG and I were supposed to be going out for tea together but she's still not well so we'll do it one night next week when she's feeling better.

Taking my Dad out for lunch on Sunday because we just don't know what to get him anymore. He usually insists on paying for lunches and dinners when we're out so it will be nice for him to not put his hand in his pocket.

Other than that, the weekend shouldn't be too spendy. I could do with a couple of things from the supermarket but I'm not in desperate need so it will only happen if I'm near a shop and I'll be sure to keep the list on my phone, and stick to it.

[Deleted User]

That is exciting news about the Tax Credits! :j All sounding really positive Enjoy your meet-up and your weekend

girlatplay

Thank you BlackCoffee.

That's me home. Went along and really enjoyed myself. I took the car because I was running short of time and also it was a deterrent from alcohol (I'm easy persuaded, even by myself). I had a juice and one of the guys insisted on paying, even though I explained it was just a juice and I was not staying long. I didn't spend a single penny! I'm so glad I went (not just because of the money thing).

That makes today an NSD and the third out of five.

girlatplay

£15 spent yesterday on required groceries and a card and small gift (socks & chocs) for my Dad from LMG & Peachy.

Off out for lunch today and halving that with my sis so it won't be overly expensive.

Have a good day all.

girlatplay

£36 each in total (between 2) for carvery lunch with dessert for 5 adults and one littley. That's not too bad. It might seem like a lot to some for a Father's Day present but honestly, all the money in the world couldn't make up for everything my Dad has done for me, and continues to do. I'm so very lucky to have him because he really is wonderful and also because the majority of my friends don't have their Dads anymore. I'm very lucky.

I'm home now and stuffed so won't need tea, maybe a wee bit toast if I'm peckish later. I'm lying on the couch like a slob playing on my phone as I'm not able to do much else. Just hit £5 on Prolific though so cashed that out. Nice to know I can still make money whilst in a food coma.

Need to prepare for work tomorrow but nothing else to do this evening. LMG is working and boyfriend has his kids this weekend so house to myself tonight. I've started a new box set on Netflix which I'm quite enjoying. I'll probably watch a few of those before a reasonably early night.

beanielou

As you say you are very lucky to still have your dad

girlatplay

I know I'm lucky Lou and I try to extra appreciate my folks on behalf of those who don't have theirs anymore. I don't have my grandparents now and it upsets me when others don't realise what they have (I was the same, in the past) and I'm determined not to feel that way when my luck eventually runs out.

It's a special birthday for my sis next week but her DH is taking her away for a couple of nights then so tomorrow I'm taking her for a special day out. I've been planning it for a while and I've saved and paid for most of it already, just got to pay for two short taxi journeys and dinner tomorrow night. She took me out for my special birthday two years ago and we had a great day so I'm hoping she will enjoy tomorrow. It's a surprise (she's knows she's going out but no details) and I've not told a soul so keeping tight lipped here too, just in case

Smallish spend today just picking up a couple of bits for tomorrow and kievs for tea tonight. Going to boyfriend's to help him renew his home insurance. He was one of those people who just let it roll forward!! Well not anymore pal, you're with me now. We need to do his car insurance soon too but that's not for another couple of weeks.

Off to nosey at other diaries

girlatplay

Boyfriend's home insurance renewed yesterday and we saved him £40 so he was delighted. Could have saved him another £12 but he's not at the stage where he can pay yearly yet so I had to grudgingly let that go.

Had a great day with my sis today. I took her for a spa day at a nice hotel. We got the train as it wasn't in the city and it was just great. I only ended up paying for the two taxis because lunch (included in the spa deal) was so filling we were both too full for tea. I'm still full! We've got shiny faces, smooth skin and relaxed muscles. I think she enjoyed it and that's all I wanted. I planned, budgeted and paid for it in advance and that worked really well.

Payout from Prolific received today.

£1.70 bus fare taken from Overflow Budget for an emergency journey this morning (the traffic is awful here right now, road works around every corner).
£17 for the taxis also from OB.

I desperately need to sleep now as back to work again tomorrow.

beanielou

Glad that you had a lovely day