Frugal, thrifty, make do, mend! Let this debt come to an end!

SuzeQStan

So glad you are toasty in your new place Elisheba xx

Elisheba

Evening, all,

I'm really glad I wrote everything down as I spent it when I was moving. It makes interesting reading, for me anyway! Some of that stuff might not seem like an obvious moving cost, like glasses for example, but there is a reason for everything. With the new glasses it was to help with the long commute at night.so a story for everything there. 

There are something's I've no doubt forgotten. I realised after I posted that I hadn't added the £70 charge for the interest free loan on the credit card, and I'm sure there will be other things.

In a good piece of money saving news I changed my address with the cat insurance people today, and the premium is going down by £141 a year! That's split between me and my ex, but I honestly don't think vet prices are that different between rural West Midlands and rural mid Wales. I'm not complaining though! I wonder if my dog insurance will go down by a similar amount - could only email that company so I did that today as well, and should hear back from them soon.

I had a lovely supper this evening of a Linda McCartney pie, mash from a tin of potatoes, and some mixed frozen veg. Cooked the pie in the Instant Pot on bake, so that saved some energy. Being on my own, and now I'm further away from shops as well, I've found buying a lot of my veg frozen or tinned saves me money in the long run. They last forever and are there when I need them. I think the only fresh stuff I've bought this month were mushrooms (one of the only things I can't abide frozen or tinned - might try dried at some point though), celery (adds a lot of flavour to soups), tomatoes (for sandwiches), satsumas, bananas, and apples (mainly for my dog 😂).

I'll have the rest of the mash tomorrow evening with some veggie sausages  (bought reduced and then frozen), frozen peas and gravy. I'm going to make soup for lunch which will last me 3 days - part of a bag of mixed veg, celery, frozen onions, some herbs and spices and a couple of stock cubes. I cook it once in the soupmaker and set it to blend. Then I might add some beans and pasta, and cook it again without blending it to make it nice and filling and hearty. I have some partially baked baguettes so I may well bake one in the Instant Pot to have with it as well.

I have a Xmas meal and disco on Friday night, back at my old house. Thankfully I don't need to go into the office, so can just drive there after work. I'm dithering on whether to put my dog in the car and sleep over in the car. A friend has offered me her driveway and use of her facilities. 

I have many presents to wrap at some point before I head up to Scotland on Sunday. I checked my wrapping paper stock and I have loads so that's okay, although I should probably double check sellotape. I also need to empty my car and out the wheelbarrow and Flymo I got for £20 at the weekend into the garage.

I've solved the Scotland problem of not having any leave left by deciding to work up there between Xmas and New Year. I'm taking black cat up with me and my brother is going to look after her, as she doesn't like being around silly dog and their isn't enough room in my Mum's flat to separate the two. Then I'll head back down here after New Year (all being well, and no family arguements 🤣).

I got the final bill in for poor spotty cat today, now insurance have paid their bit. It was £120 each for me and my ex, so I've paid the full bill and I imagine he'll transfer me his half soon. I still need to collect her ashes, but I'm not sure when I'm going to be there on a day the vets are open.

Think that's everything for now. I feel like I should be off doing Christmassy things, but instead I'm working this week (and most of next). It's always the way at this time of year - my inner child just wants fun and games 🤣. I did go to 2 Xmas carol services last week, and a village event as well so I haven't been doing too badly.

Hope everyone is having lots of festive fun, or at least no festive disasters 😁

Elisheba

Morning, all,

Happy Midwinter!

Plan for the day, when I can get myself moving -

AM
🎄 Finish making the soup

🎄 Get ready

🎄 Make bed
🎄 Start work report

Lunch
🎄Eat

🎄Walk dog

🎄Empty car (and take some other stuff to garage at the same time)

PM

🎄 Work

🎄 Put dry clothes away

🎄 Bring in wood and kindling 

Evening

🎄 Make dinner

🎄 Wrap some presents

🎄 Light fire
🎄 Read more of Xmas murder mystery

🎄 Watch last Doctor Who?

Makingabobor2

Ooh yes, if you are a Dr Who fan, you must watch it. Loved it, one of the best episodes for years IMHO. 

Elisheba

Evening, Thursday thrifters,

Managed to get everything on my list done except empty the car, mainly because I forgot until it was too dark. Still a present in there that needs wrapping, and when wrapping everything else I realised I'd forgotten someone so that's ordered and arriving on Saturday.

I've refined my 2024 budget, although there are some figures I won't know until later in the month. It's going to be a tight year - all my bills will be paid, and money put aside for annual things, but not a huge amount for extras.

I'm tired, so just going to write a quick list for tomorrow.  Quite a lot to get done, and I'm going to work backwards -

7pm - off to Xmas do

6.40pm - arrive at friends house where staying after Xmas do 
4.40pm - leave house for Xmas do. Get diesel on way.
4pm - finish work, feed monkeys, pack car for overnight stay, get changed, do hair and makeup 
12noon - lunch break - empty car, have lunch, walk dog, collect prescription.
8am - start work
6.30am - up, shower, dress, make bed, feed monkeys, have breakfast, look out clothes for tonight, pack overnight bag.

Think that's all for now.

fionaandphil

Sorry @Elisheba I thought I'd replied to your Octopus question but can't see it now. I think if you've not got a date it would be worth cancelling the transfer and trying again in a few days. If you've already got the date, it will probably be too far on.

Once you transfer you can also refer people you know.

Thanks for the updates on your move, sounds like you're getting well settled.

If you're coming up the M6 watch out around Preston. Lots of accidents the last couple of days. If the roads are queuing badly coming off at J28 or J29 there are lots of local services and supermarkets to take a break at. Have a safe trip

Moorviews

It was interesting to see how your costs worked out but also a scary reminder about how expensive moving home is. I am glad that it feels positive though and that you are warmer in the new house. I agree that it does make such a difference to how one feels. 

Enjoy your party and have safe travels over Christmas 🧑‍🎄

SuzeQStan

fionaandphil said:

If you're coming up the M6 watch out around Preston. Lots of accidents the last couple of days. If the roads are queuing badly coming off at J28 or J29 there are lots of local services and supermarkets to take a break at. Have a safe trip

You’re right it’s been a nitemare recently here 

SuzeQStan

Happy Christmas Elisheba - safe journeys - hope you have a wonderful time with friends & family 🥰🎅🏻🎉🥳

Elisheba

Thanks, all. The big journey is tomorrow. I am going up the M6 - although I'll be cross country to Chester and then a short spell on the M56 first. Planning on leaving by 8am so hopefully the journey won't be too horrendous.

The Xmas Do last night went well, and the car camping on my friend's driveway was fine. It did remind me I need to pack lots of pillows or my back starts aching. My foam foldout bed is is fairly good and not hard at all - it's more to do with my sleeping position I think. I was actually too warm in my sleeping bag, so that's good to know for the future. I still need to measure to see if I can comfortably put a porta potti in there, and sort out window coverings, but funds are fairly short after the house move so both things will need to wait.

Things I need to do today, or very early tomorrow morning in order to leave on time -

🎄Put out recycling bins ✅
🎄Put on dishwasher ✅
🎄 Empty dishwasher ✅
🎄 Wrap remaining presents ✅

🎄 Put presents in car

🎄 Put work laptop and other bits in car.

🎄 Pack clothes ✅, shoes, outdoor clothes, toiletries and meds for going away, and put in car 
🎄 Put out clothes I'm wearing tomorrow ✅

🎄 Empty car litter tray and clean it, then put it in car

🎄 Put cat and dog food, bowls, dog rugs and toys, and cat litter in the car

🎄 Make sandwiches, a flask of coffee, and pack with a bottle of squash, biscuits and crisps for journey 
🎄 Look out slow cooker for brother 

I have a £1 voucher on my Coop card to spend before tomorrow, but realistically I don't think I'm going to get there and there is nothing I really need. I had thought about getting crackers, but I'm tired and I don't feel like going out again.

Right, better get cracking! Hope everyone is feeling festive and if not, at least safe and warm 😊