Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Drawingaline

Glad you woke feeling more positive. Hope your day remained that way.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunday Morning, 

Sleepover was a success but was taken back a bit by a very early start and requests for food from a very well known delivery company. I was definitely not banking on that! My kids know that money doesn't grow on trees and don't really ask for things. I certainly don't have a budget for takeaways etc at the moment. Anyway we ended up on a half way house and going through the golden arches instead. Trip to golden arches for 5 of us was £22.49 so not too bad. At least the bribe to get them out the house worked and meant I could go to the garden centre again for strimmer string & a couple of other minor garden bits. Garden (jungle) desperately needed cutting. Budget depleting but needs must an all that. 

So after trip to garden shop the garden had a well overdue haircut and looks much better. Will do a second neatening cut today. Kids even commented that it looked bigger. 

Last night I basically broke my budget for this month and booked a themed birthday party for eldest. I've been watching the dates and times, was hoping to book on next month's CC month but the options were disappearing fast so bit the bullet and booked. I know a party is quite an expense but it feels nice this year to be in a position to be able to work this into the budget. This has certainly not been the case since splitting from ex H & all the debt it left me in. There is some light at the end of the tunnel! Party cost is £230ish which will be shared with ex which is a big help. 

So all in all I am now down to £18.12 to last 16 days so life is going to get really frugal. Kids are with their dad for half term so just me and OH to cater for. 

Off now to plant some pumpkin seeds harvested from last years home grown pumpkin and re-pot baby tomato plants.  

Queen_of_the_Hive

Had a good Sunday, didn't spent anything which was good. It was a fairly typical, quiet Sunday. The kids catching up with homework, music practice etc whilst playing with their friends. We went to the local park for a bit to play and that was fun. The park was busy as you can imagine. Kids asked for ice cream but gave them lollies from home instead. 

As for me I am having another go at 'turning over a new leaf' having let go and put weight on this past year I really do need to lose it but haven't felt in the mood or motivated but know its needs to be done. So here I am. Yesterday I got up and weighed myself, did yoga stretches and later in the day went to the gym for a bit. Feel good for it. Day 1 calorie intake was ok too. The sweet stuff and snacks are my downfall but I was determined yesterday to not screw it up. Now on to the start of day 2. Going to do a yoga stretch after writing this.

The other good habit I started yesterday was to pick up the study books and make a start on a mock exam. Sadly the kids didn't give me the space to complete it but it was a start. This course I have picked up and put down so many times but I would like to gain the qualification to open up some more job options in the future which can only be a good thing

So plans for this week: 

* Complete mock exam. 
* Complete queries on tax return.
* Continue with good eating & exercise habits. 
* Have as many NSD as possible.  

Queen_of_the_Hive

Day 1 of writing a food diary went ok although all I can do is think about food

Today was a NSD! even though the temptation to spend was there it was held in check. Next week may be harder than thought. Would like to get my hair cut and it does need it but as a lady on a mission to save something it'll have to wait. 

This evening I've done one of my tasks. Emailed the accountant re tax return queries. Hopefylly they have everything now. Mock exam didn't happen but I did a walk around the park and yoga stretches this morning so a little of something is better than nothing. 

Also made some tentative enquiries about some temporary work so we will see whether anything comes of it. 

* Complete mock exam. 
* Complete queries on tax return.
* Continue with good eating & exercise habits. 
* Have as many NSD as possible.

Queen_of_the_Hive

This morning I got up and spent a bit of time on the mock exam, another 3rd of it completed and must admit I really had to think hard for some of it. The last time I was doing the course was Oct 2022 so memory is a bit rusty but will be interesting to see how I got on when scoring it. Think a brain dump might be a good idea to see where the blanks need filling in. Currently feeling happy in myself that I have done it this morning. 

Today planning for another NSD and actually nothing is planned for tonight so I think this should be doable. 

Another MSE task I need to do tonight / this week is to check the balance on Clubcard rewards. Have changed my spending habits this year to take advantage of the triple points thingy to use towards railcards. Hopefully have enough to cover family railcard which is expiring soon. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Today was a NSD and made it through day 2 of food diary. Honestly I was dreaming of takeaway and a glass of wine though... 

It was chucking it down here so trip to the gym didn't happen this evening but enjoyed watching something on demand instead. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Sad to wake up to the latest school shooting, makes me grateful of living in the UK and this kind of thing being a rare event.

After dreaming of take away, wine and all things naughty food I went to bed without breaking my diet so chuffed about that. Already starting to feel a bit lighter, not so much from actual weight loss but just not consuming as much which is nice. 

I really need today and tomorrow to be NSD's. Friday I'm using the train so this will cost a little bit. Planning to take a flask and make some sandwiches from home to save some £. Normally I buy snacks from the train station, will save a few £. 

One of my kid's birthday is looming so I need to get him a gift. I have a bit of cash left from Christmas so will use that so am not digging into the £18 left for the month. 

Checked Clubcard balance this morning and discovered there is enough to cover the cost of at least one railcard so happy about this

Shopping wise, am trying to use up what we have in as next week its back to holiday home to sort more stuff out. Nearly ready for paying guests. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello diary, 

Been away working on the holiday let. Its getting v close now to be ready for photos for marketing and near to being ready for paying guests which is exciting and scary at the same time. 

Sadly the very meagre budget went out of the window just on the train ride up. Train was full and I couldn't get to my food so ended up buying something on the train as was really thirsty and peckish. Was also ill for the first bit of the time away which was a bummer. 

Having had to get certain items for holiday let and going up with no real budget, i've gone over budget on the cc. Spends for holiday let was £350 and I'm now £255 over budget by the month so will try to live frugally as we can for the next few weeks where we can. 

This week its one of the kids birthday's, so have the expense of gift & taking him out. This will come out of next month's budget as cc roles onto new month on 7th. Still an expensive time. 

Went food shopping today as we had nothing in and spent £53.85. Didn't have a list prepared so we'll see how far that stretches. 

One positive, cashed out £9.43 from Prolific which has now gone on S&S ISA. Will update diary tomorrow with tasks for this week. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Well what a damp squib of a day it is today, actually the lazy person in me is saying 'yay' as I don't need to water the plants. Actually grateful the weather stayed dry for the bank holiday, at least where I was. 

So today is most def going to be a NSD. Need more of these tbh in the short term. 

Train was delayed on Saturday so after a prompt from the Trainline I've applied for a partial refund on train ticket. Nearly every time I take the train there is some kind of delay but this time I thought why not. So fingers crossed. Its only going to be £17 but every little helps. 

I've also added another £50 from joint acc to energy savings acc so now have £250 put aside inc council tax rebate. We pay for what we use not by DD every quarter for electric. Gas is by prepayment meter, def not by choice but by the landlord. I could probably see if we can change to DD but not too fussed as we don't use gas so much. Anyway checked the meter last night and we still have £207 left on from topping up before price hike so thats good. 

This week's tasks: 

* Complete mock exam.
* Welcome pack for holiday let to work on. 
* Revise task list for holiday let. 
* Pay for afterschool fees. 
* Birthday prep for little bee. 

No doubt other things will come up but this is a start for now

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its sunny Sunday, 

Its been a very busy week, had little one's birthday and we had some fun at a trampoline park. Cost £77 then went for dinner so spent a good £150 in one go. This was a nice but expensive treat. Little one enjoyed himself which is what it was all about. Home made birthday cake was also a winner too. 

So from the fun from birthday this weekend is a much quieter affair, Saturday was out in the garden giving it a good mow, de weed and tidy. Today the house needs a clean and polish ready for the new week. Yesterday went food shopping to Lidl and spent just shy of £35 which am hoping will last most of the week. The fridge and freezer is looking pretty well stocked so we will see how we get on. 

Not much progress on task list though

This week's tasks: 

* Complete mock exam.
* Welcome pack for holiday let to work on. 
* Revise task list for holiday let. 
* Pay for afterschool fees. 
* Birthdaey prep for little be. 
* Book theory test, revise for theory test