Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Thanks Fran and Saving Holmes - your encouragement is much appreciated especially as I don't share any of my financial info with friends or family in real life.
i've realised that I must have been so wasteful in the past - bloomin obvious but a few things have highlighted this to me recently.  For example I felt like I was doing well not to buy shower gel in January and actually by the end of February I still don't need any - don't worry I have been showering 🛁.  I thought I'd need face moisturiser in February but there is still some lurking in the nooks and crannies of the jar.  I have bought new because it's 3 for 2 at the moment and no real money was spent because I used my points.  However I won't need to open the new jars for at least another week.  

I'm trying to improve food wastage both by meal planning and by using up leftovers.  Soup is such a versatile meal and really uses up all sorts of everything. 

I'm working through candles from stock but this is a real weakness for me .... I've got a candle from Christmas to use and before I know it I can ask for a new candle for my birthday.  Honestly I am already eagerly anticipating the thrill of a new candle .... good grief that is such a daft thing to have to admit.  

foxgloves

Agree, Blackcats. I love candles too, but honestly, the sheer amount of them that were in this house! I cannot recall the last time I bought one! I've received 2 or 3 as gifts & the rest are from what must have been a really very ample stash. I'm also making sure I scrape out any leftover scented wax from the candle jars.... or break up the last bit of candle once the wick has completely burned down as I discovered this burns perfectly well on my wax tart burner meaning that I haven't been tempted by 'offers' on those lately either.
Current candle being burned here is a gorgeous lavender one which my sister gave me at Christmas. It is a soy candle & clearly contains very good quality oils as it really fragrances the room beautifully.
Keep being strong & those colouring-in squares will be multiplying.
F x

Sarahwithlove

Candles are one of my guilty pleasures too. Been good and not brought anymore since black Friday despite there being several sales. Though I did buy like 8 on black Friday 🤣 I've got so many I'm considering gifting some of them to save some money 

Blackcats

Thanks Foxgloves but now I have lavender soy candle envy 🥺.  I have diligently been using up odds and ends of candles and blending them to use in my wax melter.  My Christmas candle is a Ralph Lauren creation in a fancy glass jar and I estimate I could legitimately start to use it at the end of March when current stock is further diminished.  I'll be fine, I can resist the yank** candle new spring fragrances ... I will resist ... I want early retirement more than I want a sea salt and sage scented candle!! 

Franalamadingdong

I must have missed the candle thing as they don't really pull me.
I did chuckle at you being miss stinky not using shower gel Blackcats! Lol. I listed all my various ointments and gunk, much of which was bought for me - clearly it is I who stinks. And I've been working on using the things up. It helps having them all listed as I really really know I don't need X or y or z

joedenise

I'm another who candles passed by.  I have a few I've been given but very rarely use them so a bit of a waste really.

Onebrokelady

Hi Blackcats,I found your diary today,I hope you don't mind me popping in,I had to laugh at Foxgloves description of us being the spendy triplets 😂😂 I'm another who has a serious candle problem accept I never end up burning mine,I just used to buy them and then they just sit there,I'm going to try to remember to burn one later on when I'm settled down in the warm
I also love a bit of new stationary😀and funnily enough was checking some out today,it was a budgeting notebook of all things, it was really good but I decided that it would be too cheeky to buy it when it's not in my actual budget this month and I don't actually need it
I've subscribed to your diary to see how your saving goes, good luck 😊

Blackcats

Fran - a list of your toiletries - I've come to expect no less from you.
joeDenise - it's interesting how we are all so individual in what we like and the things we acquire.  I've never understood collecting of teaspoons or china ornaments but some folks do.  I'm hoping that you will light one of your candles soon and think of your ex-spendy chums.🕯
OBL - hello and welcome my long lost triplet.  How grown up not to buy a new budgeting book because it wasn't in your budget 😇.   
I did some shopping from home today ( trade mark Foxgloves/patent pending).  I found a pair of pink leather gloves that I bought when I used to happily spend £30+ on a pair of pink leather gloves that I used about once before forgetting.  I enjoyed wearing them and found myself glancing happily at my hands as I marched through the cold rainy morning. 

Franalamadingdong

Yes, I am list maker extraordinare! Poor boyfriend is slightly more used to it now that everyt time he suggests something I go make a list. It's an excuse to use stationery after all! 
Those gloves sound brilliant! Although for the rain to !!!!!! off for a bit would be much more welcome! 

savingholmes

Pink gloves sound unique. Great to shop from home. I'm admiring your restraint with your candle stock. I love burning stuff but with a cat and a dog I'm always worried if I leave a room with the candle burning. I'm allergic to most fragrance unfortunately.