Giving every £ a job

enthusiasticsaver

Good you now finished work for Christmas and great savings going on.  I hope you enjoyed the film.  I love Little Women, both the book and the films.  Not sure which I like better.  The old one or the new one. 

Blackcats

JoeDenise I'm not a fan of mince pies but mini panettone sound delicious.  I made a toffee apple cake yesterday - still using up apples that I picked from my garden.  The toffee bit was achieved by putting some Werthe*rs toffees into the middle of the cake so they melted their toffiness (probably not a real word).  

Foxgloves - your dad was right wasn't he!  Isn't the origin of the word derived from mort(death) gage (pledge or contract).  

Already feeling more energised so I've written a list of tasks for while I'm off work.  

joedenise

I've no idea I didn't eat any of them!  DH ate the lot, LOL!

Blackcats

Although it's been a very different Christmas we've had a good day.  A lovely lunch - back to a simple, traditional lunch which we enjoyed.  As I avoided shopping last week, I was resourceful using store cupboard bits for a trifle, a jar of mincemeat that was lurking at the back of a shelf turned into mince pies - both turned out ok.  

I'm feeling inspired for a money saving year ahead.  Going to have a household Annual General Meeting in the next few days to finalise plans for Blackcats 2021.  

In the meantime it's time for a glass of wine, some knitting and watching Military Wives.
happy Christmas 

savingholmes

I really enjoyed Military wives film. Sounds like a relaxing time

Blackcats

Yes, savingholmes it was a nice film.  Better because it was based on a true story - lots of lovely songs featured too.
a spendy day today, but mostly for my elderly relative.  I complained to marks and expensive about a messed up order and poor customer service and was sent a voucher which I spent on new socks - cost neutral purchase.  I will clear out the holey, worn out socks in my drawer and am ridiculously excited waiting for my new socks.  

50% cash back offer at the large health food shop so I stocked up on some bits and bobs - again mostly for elderly relative.  

Thoroughly enjoyed turkey salad baguette tonight, followed by leftover trifle.
did some de-cluttering too.  I'm decanting all my travel size shampoos into one bottle to use them up as no likelihood of any travel for a while.  Shocking amount of plastic in those little bottles.  

Feeling energised, positive and focused despite copious amounts of chocolate and wine 🤣

savingholmes

Glad you had a good time. Free socks. All good. We ate our trifle far too fast... wished I'd bought a second LOL.

Blackcats

There's something so yummy about a trifle.  The one I made was so unsophisticated -- shop bought sponge fingers, tinned mandarins, orange jelly, tinned custard, cream and sprinkles on the top - a retro classic 😋
I'm doing an end of year financial review - will be interesting to see my spends for this year.  I've set a stretch budget for 2021 - not stretch as in making it bigger but a stretching challenge type budget.  Nothing like as low as some amazing people are setting on the frugal living board but a reduction from this year and closer to what my retirement income will be.
i bought birthday cards for the first six months of the year birthdays today.  From an independent shop which has had to shut because of lockdown but online is still open for business.  Really nice cards and feels right to help a small business.  The cost will sneak into 2020 spends which is probably cheating but it's only cheating myself 🤷‍♀️

Also trying to do 15 minutes a day de-cluttering.  I've designed a page in my notebook setting out my challenges and achievements in clearing and sorting stuff.  How does so much "stuff" sneak it's way into the house????

foxgloves

That's sounding so posirive, Blackcats. I set my January budget today, but haven't yet paid anything to Savings Pots because I also want to set some kind of additional savings target for 2021.
F x

savingholmes

The cards sound beautiful. I've barely gone in a shop this year so have been very grateful for the stash I already had at home. Good luck with your stretch budget. Think of it as creating your freedom fund. Each £ saved brings us closer to our freedom from having to work - and opens up new choices.