Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

SH - you are right about shopping emails - I find myself opening emails and browsing websites looking at stuff I don't need!! 

I've had a few frugal moments this week that are so unlike the old me that I'm going to record them here 🤣
1. I cut the end off my hand cream tube and after 3 more uses there's still plenty in there 
2. I have a toiletries bag I use for work travel.  As there is currently no likelihood of travel I used the deodorant from that bag instead of buying a new one this week.  Also got a shampoo and conditioner in there that I'll use when my current ones are empty.
3. I used up apples and pears and a VERY out of date scone mix found at the back of a cupboard (apologies to Mr Hollywood who put his name to the mix) and made a fruit cobbler and served it with a blancmanche which I also found a sachet of at the back of a cupboard and it was lovely 😋
4.  I was reimbursed £158 by energy provider which must indicate that I've dine well with my usage this winter 
5.  I sold an unwanted item for £100
amazed myself how much I've learned from here and how much I'm changing 

Sun_Addict

That’s brilliant 👏 I had to smile because I always cut the ends off tubes of cream. There’s always loads left inside. 

Tightpants24

Thanks for the tip @Blackcats.  I am currently using a very expensive (gift from generous relative) hand cream which I will now be cutting open to get every last drop out 😃 

foxgloves

Hi Blackcats, Yes it's amazing how much product gets left in tubes & binned if not cut open. I also make sure I use every drop of foundation. The brand I like is in a glass bottle, but someone on the DFW Small Things thread years ago suggested availing myself of a few free coffee stirrer sticks & using those to winkle it out. Works perfectly & foundation lasts at least another week.
F x

Blackcats

Hi sun addict, tightpants and foxgloves.  I can't believe how much was left in my hand cream tube.  It's a very thick cream that I use at night so as it got empty it's harder to squeeze the cream out.  I think tonight will be the last of it but it's given me 6 more nights. I like the tip about the coffee stick.
I've had lots of lovely thank you texts from the recipients of my little Easter parcels that I've sent family and friends.  None of the gifts were expensive (although together they added up to a fair bit) but people seem to be genuinely happy to receive them. I was having a bit of a fed up day at work but as the texts started coming through it really cheered me up. 

foxgloves

We always celebrated Easter at home when we were growing up, Blackcats, so it is something I have brought with me into adulthood. We just do little, mostly edible gifts for family, I always bake something nice & although it is more of a pagan festival of springtime for me now, I still have fond memories of Easter time when we were growing up, going to church in our new sandals (feet usually freezing) & being given chocolate eggs at the end of the service. And I think it is nice to hear from anyone atm, even if it is just a text. It's kind of a sign that there is still life going on outside, I suppose.
F x

Blackcats

Foxgloves, I grew up in a fairly strict catholic household so Easter involved lots of trips to church - my birthday often coincides with Easter too so if it was on Good Friday that meant no snacks and fish for dinner.  My parents weren't adventurous cooks so that would be boil in the bag cod in parsley sauce with mashed potato and peas.  If my birthday was on Easter Saturday that meant a trip to church for confession and stations of the cross.   At least Easter Sunday birthdays meant going to mass and then tucking into Easter eggs.

The dregs of the hand cream have finally been used up - I was a bit enthusiastic when scooping out and managed to flick out a big globby lump so moisturised hands, elbows and knees to use it up.    

I completed my energy provider swop arrangements yesterday.  I received £158 refund where I'd overpaid over the last 6 months - I'm so proud that my efforts to switch off lights, reduce use of washing machine/tumble dryer and keeping an eye on the thermostat really did work.  However, the provider then informed me they were increasing my direct debit by £50 a month.  I went through £co for £40 and I think I'll be getting a £30 m and s voucher too and will be paying the same monthly amount as now so I'm very pleased with that.  

Looking forward to a homemade curry tonight.  I'd like to find a good film for the evening  but can't think what to watch.  

savingholmes

You have done well on energy usage and swapping providers. Good call on using up the remaining cream. I've never done that but have cut open shampoo and conditioner bottles. 

scandimore

Hello blackcats, popping by to say hello and am enjoying reading your diary - have caught up to present day now. You've done well with your utility bills - we've just found out our water bill has gone up 33% since September so currently trying to find out the cause. 
It does all add up doesn't it! I haven't bothered cutting tubes open yet but will now, sounds worthwhile! Good luck with your flexible working request too  

Blackcats

Hello SH - I do feel pleased with myself for the energy switch.  It is so much easier these days - easy to check usage on line and compare suppliers etc.  I'd like to persuade my parents to swop providers but they will be very reluctant and dubious so I will bide my time with that conversation. 

Hello scandimore - thank you so much for popping by - glad you have enjoyed my diary.  It's nice to have somewhere to write down my thoughts and chart progress and it does help keep me accountable.  Even better to think someone has enjoyed it.  

Your water bill increase seems very steep - perhaps there is a slight leak ?  Good to get it checked.  That literally is money down the drain!
I've brandished the scissors on my office hand cream tube now - loads of hand cream still lurking in there 😁
start of my pay it off credit card statement period yesterday ... I don't have any birthdays this month and my freezer and food cupboards are quite full so it might be a low spend month - well actually I suppose it's up to me whether it's a low spend month or not.  Ok - I'll commit to a low spend month - will report back on how well I'm doing each week to keep myself on track for the month.