The Final Furlong

savingholmes

Great about free top soil

Dottles1

My post from yesterday as some how disappeared so just a quick catch up.
Monday should have been a NSD but I grabbed a diet coke from the vending machine on my way out of work. A reaction to a long and boring day of CPD but I need to watch this as it is really just the beginnings of emotional spending which I know I can be guilty of. Yesterday I picked up a few bits (£2.50) so I'm determined that I will not spend today, I have everything in that I need until the weekend really so shouldn't need to.
We have to attend 2 days of compulsory CPD each September, most of which is not related to my area, is boring and teaches me nothing. I don't mind that we have to do it but I do mind that it is a tick box exercise and I then have to do work at home to catch up with my stuff.
Anyway, it's done now and after today I'll be off until next Wednesday. Woohoo !!

Today should be fun as I have a workshop to run which I am looking forward to.
Have a good day all
Dottles x

Dottles1

Afternoon all
At last I have finally got around to sorting out my tax return. The internet has been playing up so I have been unable to download a couple of invoices and I need to get my P60 next week when I'm in work. Other than that I have everything in place and ready to go and have emailed my accountant. It really didn't take that long so don't know why I put it off for so long.

I'm looking forward to seeing my friend and our NT day out tomorrow. The rain has stopped here now but is still quite windy but the forecast is looking good so fingers crossed. I have now paid for the afternoon tea and cocktail making on the hen do so just need to take money for anything else and taxi fares if necessary. I did some private work this morning so made £50 this will do.

Other than that I will be weeding the front garden and topping up the borders with the top soil this weekend and hoping to get an hour out there with my book.

There is £69.33 left in the grocery budget so I'm planning to spend £19.33 next week and take back the rest to the holding account to divide between pots once I've been paid.

All is looking good on the financial front, I can't quite believe it.

Right I'm off to have half an hour with my book.
Bye for now


Dottles x

beanielou

Have a good day tomorrow.

Dottles1

Morning all
I had a fabulous day yesterday at Bennington Hall in N Yorks. The weather was sunny and hot, perfect for walking round the gardens. My friend insisted on buying lunch as I had driven so I bought the coffees in the afternoon. So lovely eating lunch under a pergola in the garden and we spent 20 minutes sitting in comfy chairs in the small library reading our books. I think I was born to live in a country house, just wish my bank balance agreed !! I bought a small wooden bird feeder complete with feed which was reduced to £5 (I have been planning to get a couple so a bargain) and so with the coffees and 2 second hand books from the library (which I didn't need but what the heck) I spent a total of £12.70. Petrol was from budget and I still have enough to last until payday. Not bad for a day out and, may I add, I resisted the lovely plants for sale.

Today is the day of the hen do, I have put money aside and will be sharing a taxi home so trying to minimise spend as much as possible without looking like a tight @*se. I am looking forward to it but suspect it will progress to going round the town which isn't really my thing. Oh well it's about the bride to be not me so will suck it up if that happens.
However, in budget land all is looking good with one week left till payday. I should have money left in holding account to overpay/save and will look at rejigging budgets then.

I'll definitely be reducing grocery budget and was thinking I might do one big shop around payday of things I buy every week e.g. freezer stuff, dried/tinned goods etc. and then split the rest of the money between the weeks in the month. I should then only have to buy fresh fruit and veg each week. I'd be interested to hear how anyone else manages their food budget.

It looks like being hot again today so going to take Tilly out this morning though she is lying beside me snoring at present and I want to get a bit of weeding done if I have time so I'd better get moving.

Have a lovely day all, I hope you have sunshine wherever you are
Dottles x

beanielou

Glad that you had a good day yesterday.
Enjoy the hen do.

Seasidegal58

Your NT day sounded lovely dottles. I don't drive so I tend to miss out on NT trips as they're always situated rather rurally!

Enjoy the hen do. When you wander around the town will you be wearing any sashes etc?!:)

Dottles1

Thanks Beanie and yes, sashes were duly worn Seasidegal. The bride to be has just found out she is pregnant so wasn't drinking so it wasn't as "around town" type of night after all. We had a lovely afternoon drinking tea and eating cake followed by making cocktails and a couple of drinks in a pub garden. We had been given a VIP booth (apparently £500 to book, how ridiculous?) in the original pub/club but the place was empty so we piled into taxi to a club that plays 70's music and danced for couple of hours. I would say that I've still got it but not quite sure what "it" is anymore however, one of the pluses of getting older is that you care less about what other people think.
It was fun and we all had a good time and got home around 2.30 so had a bit of a lie in today. It was particularly good to see my friend dancing and having fun with her daughter.
I stuck to budget and even have a little over I think (need to check purse).

My next event is open air cinema on Wednesday evening at a local country house. I will drive again and friend is checking if we can take a drink in or have to buy there. Who says you can't enjoy yourself on a budget?

Another friend has just rang to say she is on her way over for a cuppa and a catch up. I think that will be in the garden as it's hot here again. I'm not complaining though, the cold weather will be here before we know it and much as I love that cosying up feeling, I'm not ready for it yet.

Might catch up with son and family later but apart from some gardening I won't be doing much today. I can hear my book calling me....

Right I'd better get dressed before friend arrives and get the kettle on.

Speak later fellow frugalers

Dottles x

DebtFreeMonkey

Sounds like you're having a delightful time, as of late, which is super motivational to me. We'd all like to be on top of our finances but without compromising on enjoying life. It's amazing how much we forget that, often, the cheapest and more low key things are the most fun/meaningful.

Hope you continue to enjoy this sunny BH!

Dottles1

You're right Alicia, my most enjoyable times are usually when spending time with those I care about or in my garden. As I get older I value them more and shared experiences make for good memories.
On that note I have arranged to meet up with GD3 on Thursday for lunch. She works at the weekends so I'm making the time while I'm still on short hours. It will be nice to see her and chat without the whole family being there as she is quite reserved and can get overlooked in a crowd.
Yesterday was a NSD but I will need to get some fresh veg in today and also some bits to take for our trip on Wednesday. We will eat before the film starts and so have each decided what we will bring. This should all come within what is left of my food budget as I will be shopping from the freezer and fridge and have the makings of about 6 meals in and the budgets restart on Sunday.

I spent some time in the garden yesterday mowed the front and then tackled the side patch that I let grow long (much to the disapproval of one of my neighbours). I bought some wild flower meadow seed a while ago and have strimmed the area and raked it and just need to mow it as short as possible before scattering the seed. Unfortunately I went over the cable and cut it, so frustrating !! Anyway I got on with weeding the borders and topping them up with the free top soil. 4 bags later and I have nearly finished one side, it doesn't go nearly as far as I thought it might. I may get in touch with the guy and see if he has any left. It is looking so much better already though.

Another hot day is forecast here but I'm not complaining though I do need to sort out some shade for the back garden. It is south facing therefore doesn't get any real shade until late afternoon which, in this weather, makes it too uncomfortable to sit out. I might look on FB to see if I can get a parasol even if I have to spear it into the lawn for now then I'll see what is in the sales for a more permanent one.

Tilly is managing the weather well though we tend to take shorter walks early morning and evening when it's cooler. I'm looking after GS's Gecko (Gustav) for a few days and have a friends dog coming to stay on Thursday till Sunday. Chez Dottles will be quite the menagerie !

I seem to be waffling on today so will get off and make some breakfast.

Have a good day all
Dottles x