Midlife Musings and Measurable Goals

doingitanyway

Coronavirus has not only affected how I shop now but also how I will shop in the future.

I’ve been buying food in a haphazard way. I now have weekly, monthly, annually, quarterly, food/cleaning costs. It feels messy and out of control.

Time to get real.  I can at least try to have a set budget. I have an account that used to be my car expenses. I’m going to use it for all food shops. 

I’m not in debt and although on a small income I prioritise good food so not going to compromise nutrition plus I have health issues so I need to eat well. Plus, I’m greedy if I am honest, so good food gives me pleasure.

My veg box company are taking orders again from existing customers. Just signed up to a monthly large organic veggies box. I’d love a small one every week but this will do. I’ll freeze some and nothing will go to waste.  This company haven’t hiked their prices and still offer free delivery. 

I always used cash but now I’m reverting to a card, more reason to know what I’m spending as card users spend more.  

In other MSE news I’m going not buying alcohol anymore for myself for now. Better for my wallet, health and weight. I’ll still drink with friends sometimes but that can come out of my entertainment budget.

My frog of the day will be trying to set up the headset!!!

Have a good day everyone

beanielou

Happy Friday 🌈

another_casualty

Don't know about the headset DIA . You have a great mindset though 😼

savingholmes

Good luck with the headphones

HairyHandofDartmoor

You're doing amazingly well DIA. I always function better without alcohol.

doingitanyway

beanielou said:

Happy Friday 🌈

another_casualty said:

Don't know about the headset DIA . You have a great mindset though 😼

savingholmes said:

Good luck with the headphones

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

You're doing amazingly well DIA. I always function better without alcohol.

Thanks everyone
@HairyHandofDartmoor I do, but I do enjoy wine too. Keeping it for socialising might be the right balance for me

doingitanyway

It is a damp, cold day so scarf and a hot water bottle, as I don’t want to use heating. A bill is on its way as I sent the readings in. Its bound to be higher as here more using everything.

I took a leaf out of HH’s diary and went for a walk at 7.15. Fewer people. It was a gloomy day so not so enjoyable but good exercise. I cycled to the common.  Then I cycled to Mr.L and queued for early opening. I’ve noticed everyone starts in the first aisle so I went to the last aisle and shopped backwards so there were fewer people around me. 

The house needs cleaning again, it is a tip. I’m getting it back to reasonable but slowly as not very energised today. 

The linen cupboard is a mess and is packed tight so I can’t use it without pulling everything out. Cleaned out drawers at the bottom of the divan in the guest room. Wiped with antiseptic and now there is a set of towels, dressing gown, bed linen and a pillow. The linen cupboard is thinned out and can be used effectively.

Plants went in the bath overnight and all look happy

Finally signed up for the £1 a month drain issue insurance.

Generally, having a slow day as feeling tired for some reason.

Burning eucalyptus and peppermint oils to clear my head.

Have I sorted the headset? Nope, I have not. That frog remains uneaten…

Wishing you all a positive day

savingholmes

Well done for getting out and exercising. Good plan being strategic in how you tackled the store too. For the airing cupboard - I sorted mine last year after the water cylinder got taken out. It fitted an 1kea unit in it. I labelled it with help from DD and got rid of about half of what I owned!! Then it pretty much fit other than some pillows in a vacuum bag on top and a vacuum bag quilt down the side

Seasidegal58

I'm so pleased to read your exercising is going well and you've been enjoying your gardening.

 

I do think a positive from this crisis is that people are revisiting their spending patterns, especially with food. I'm another like you, I don't like comprising about decent food but I've found I've been planning my meals much better since the lockdown - I think it's because I've had more time to cook from scratch - I've also been looking to batch cook more but at the moment the freezer is quite full !  

Re the alcohol - I live on my own like you and I've never been one to drink at home on my own. I've actually not had an alcoholic drink since the lockdown, though some wine has gone into casseroles!  I do like a good drink - but with friends at home or out socially.   Of course this means that my crutch is eating, but that's another story!😱

And another here with a 🐸 to eat re the headphones. I've got to get over my procrastination about tech!☹️

another_casualty

Sorry to hear about the headache DIA . It sounds that while you've been doing loads outside , that you've forgotten about the inside albeit temporarily . You can't do it all , but it does seem that you could slow down a little and focus indoors when you're ready or even have a couple of days off. 

No more rain forecast from what I've heard 💦. Apparently mon- weds should be sunny like it has been of late 🌞🐠
If either your self or @Seasidegal58 want any help with your tech stuff /🐸you could always ask here or pm me . I may be able to help . Not 100% guaranteed but you never know 😼