Family of 4, paying back £50k in 4 years whilst trying to live eco friendly

Sun_Addict

Welcome back Missymoo xx

missymoo81

Lovely to see you Sun addict! I’m trying to remain on the straight and narrow! It’s very easy to get distracted whilst sorting though! X

jwil

Congrats on getting married :T

missymoo81

Ah thanks JWIL!

Ok so plan for today, I have work at 2-10 but this morning I would like to get the unit for the spare room built, go to the charity shop to drop off the bags and bits and pieces I have. I need to speak to the library and take back all the books. I’m going to try and find some down time whilst at work and start my tax return. Need to do some washing, have mountains to put away too. I keep thinking Of things to add to my list so it’s not getting any smaller, but I am feeling so much better about having less stuff. Trying to be more minimalist is really helping my head space along with my actual space! There is no more floordrobe even after the washing!

Need to get some more porridge oats and jam as that’s our breakfast staple at the moment. Going to look at a ‘new’ car tomorrow. My step brother is selling his old one and I think I could sell my car and would need to find about another £500, it’s older than my car but a better make and has 4 doors and a bigger boot. Roo is so big now his knees are touching the front seat in my tiny 3 door. It’s nice to feel brighter and more organised.

I’m trying to spend as little as possible now until Xmas is over. Food wise, apart from the porridge and jam I think I’m going to get some bread, but we have stew tonight again and chicken and pasta for Wednesday and Thursday. I think we’ll Have feeezer burgers Friday so I’ll need broccoli for that, hmm and milk for the porridge I guess, so it’s just the weekend to think of.

missymoo81

Ok still sat on my !!! not doing anything! Watching a really crappy Christmas film..... send help!

missymoo81

Am supposed to be working but am Sat in the truck crying as I miss my babies so much, they’re at center parcs for the week with their dad. �� am so heartbroken it hurts. I wonder if it will ever get easier. Please send hugs x

Chop-D

Just read your diary from the start and really like it, loads of positivity and enthusiasm and good ideas! Will keep following, head up you’re doing great.

missymoo81

Ah thank you Chop D, so kind! We’l work was long and after a good cry and a hug from DH I feel better. I haven’t achieved much today but I have done some important work bits and I managed to work out which is important for my work and well being. I AM going to do the charity shop and library books tomorrow and OH will build my unit! I went to Dunelm Mill and got some bits for the bedroom, I didn’t spend a lot, but this way I can swap the stuff we have got to the spare room and try and make the bedroom a nicer place to be as I really don’t find it very calming. I didn’t end up going to Tesco but I will tomorrow. Something I’m definitely going to try and make a NY resolution to only shop in Lidl, Tesco or Sainsbury’s as shopping at the coop is just so expensive! I need to plan a head more. Just sat watching the Royle family, had stew for dinner again, going to make a cuppa in a second.

Chrystal

Sending ((((hugs)))) ...... they'll soon be home. X

Suffolk_lass

I have just read your diary from start and thought I would pop up to support you. I noticed your comment re toilet paper from China. Two things related to this - most goods like this will come on a cargo vessel that uses minimal energy to get here and much of it is recycled from wood and paper we send there to reprocess. Whether the recycling process is environmentally more friendly than using sustainable wood (Scottish pine wood, for example) is a whole other area.

Don't forget that made in Britain only has to mean assembled here - the component parts may have come from elsewhere (British Butter from Irish or Dutch milk, Dr Martens made from Chinese moulded soles and pre-formed uppers are just 2 examples). There is a lot more to this eco-friendly malarkey than first appearances.

Here is Suffolk, 100% of our domestic waste is reprocessed, with 60% recycled and the rest going to an energy from waste facility where it is burned under highly controlled conditions with the energy fed back into the National Grid (minute emissions compare favourably with methane and other landfill emissions). Swapping from plastic film to cellulose packing is a negative thing for me, as well as much more expensive for the retailer.

I'm interested in what cleaning products you are using - I use half the recommended amount of laundry gloop (have made my own previously) and make soap, so no packaging there. I run an empty or towels hot-wash to remove soap scum and keep my machine running sweet, once a month (only 2 of us) and everything is at least as clean as it ever was.

I use bleach sparingly, cheap cola to remove limescale from the toilet, and bicarbonate of soda to clean cooking pans. Anything stuck on generally helped by boiling on the hob with water and a wooden spoon - it just lifts it off. White vinegar is fantastic for cleaning anything stainless steel, de-furring kettles, and as a water softener added sparingly to washing machine.