A Year in the Life of...

beanielou

Thank you 
I will see if the library has the book.

girlatplay

It's the day of pay.  I have replenished the various accounts and managed to shove some more money into the EF.  I'm waiting for the interest to hit the mortgage account before I make an overpayment so that will be early next week.

LMG is getting paid monthly in her new job so I have said she can pay her digs monthly too.  I need to remember that and budget for extras a bit better as I'm used to weekly top ups.

I'm getting my hair cut next week so have allowed for that in the budget.

My cousin is having a housewarming party next weekend and I have already bought a gift for her.  Sent a card when she moved last month so no need to worry about that and I should have paper in my Clinton stash.

Bf and I usually have a Christmas shopping trip in November each year but he hasn't confirmed work dates for me yet and I can't book time off until he does.  I have some money aside ready for that so all ok there.

I need to get back into meal planning again as we have been winging it for a while.  Completed October's grocery budget with £16 to spare so not all bad but considering I added £50 to it back in April and haven't reduced it back down since, it's not ideal.  We do spend more than we should/could for a 2 person household but I don't worry about feeding us now, it just seems to work.  I've had food control issues for years and it's nice to be able to let go a little.  We're not excessive and I keep an eye on how much we are spending but I don't stop myself if I want something.  Okay, there is still a little control in there but I'm much more relaxed than I used to be.

Small halloween party for my niece at my sis's on Sunday afternoon.  I picked up a chocolate bomb thing she wanted last time she was with me (I said no but picked it up later when she wasn't around so I could give her it on Sunday).  I have a halloween dress and a witches hat so I'm organised.

beanielou

Enjoy your weekend.

savingholmes

Have a fun weekend

Good luck with grocery spends. I need to rein mine in

girlatplay

Thank you both.  I hope you have had lovely weekends.

Bf treated us to a Chinese last night.  I can only ever eat half so I have the other half in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch.

It was fun at my sis's this afternoon.  I managed to come home with a portion of chilli so that is Tuesday's lunch.

LMG is going to need dinners in the evenings now so I need to get a bit more prepared.  I got a 40% off offer for one of the food delivery places that was a godsend for us during lockdown so that arrives on Wednesday.  We have chicken in the freezer and some vegetables and sauces so can use them Monday and Tuesday.

My folks gave me money towards doing various jobs on the flat for selling.  I had one job done and paid for but we can actually sell as it is so apart from some woodwork needing painted, there is nothing else needed at this time.  I discussed giving them the rest back but they won't take it back and have told me to accept it as a gift as I might need it later for other house-related stuff.  I have put it into the EF for safekeeping.  I am extremely lucky and I am fully aware of that.

EDIT:  I also got a large blueberry muffin from my sis so that's breakfast tomorrow

savingholmes

Glad that things are going well for you. Always nice to be on the receiving end of treats and kindness. Well deserved I'm sure. 

girlatplay

savingholmes said:

Glad that things are going well for you. Always nice to be on the receiving end of treats and kindness. Well deserved I'm sure. 

It is nice.  I am always appreciative of it too.


The mortgage interest finally updated this morning so I have paid across £121.65 to reduce the balance by £120.  Sig updated.

LMG made up a lovely hoisin chicken stir fry last night for tea.  We didn't have any noodles so she made rice instead. It was blimmin' delicious!  She's got the rest for lunch today and I've got the chilli my sis gave me.  Not sure what we will have tonight but I should probably take more chicken out the freezer.

I've been drinking far too much coffee and not enough water recently.  I was doing well with the water too.  Got to get back on it so I'll start that today.  Two sips gone already! 😁🙈

EssexHebridean

hey GAP - just finished reading through here - what a great achievement to have knocked so much of your DF date and to now be looking at a house move - fantastic! Your impetuous raiding of the EF to clear the loan was exactly the sort of thing I would do too! 

I too am currently on a drive to get back to meal planning - so I will if you will! 

savingholmes

Well done on the OP. They all add up.

Great when your kids cook - and share! Result

girlatplay

Thanks for popping in EH 🙂
Oh my goodness I can't believe you read through my boring ramblings!  It's funny, I've only started posting a bit more, recently, because of you.  I wasn't kidding when I said I find your posts inspiring.  I've done the EF raiding thing before for paying off debt.  I get excited towards the end and then just go for it.

We have just bought a meal box from H3ll0 Fr3sh.  They were great for us during the first lockdown.  That's 4 days of meals sorted from tomorrow (provided it arrives on time) and the same for the next three weeks after that.  We also get a veg box delivered once a fortnight.  I have no excuse for not meal planning but I've found that I've become a bit agoraphobic since working from home for the past 19 months so I rely on LMG to go to the shops.  I really need to get out of that mindset.  I leave the house at weekends but avoid the supermarket where possible.  I did go to one on Sunday evening as I had to but it was later so not too busy and I was out anyway.

I need a virtual boot up the backside to get myself back into planning.  It was easier when I had a weekly shopping day. I'll start tomorrow when the box arrives and do it Wednesday to Tuesday.  Feel free to boot me when I slip.