Head out of the sand. Saving for a shiny future

ForestBluebells

I started my data analyst course. It’s super easy so far but I’m only on the introduction module so that’s expected. I don’t know if it will lead to a better job or not but it’s something to put on my cv and I can always do their coding or cyber security courses too if I want. I did find a good data analyst job I’d be interested in which is what made me choose this course. 

How often do you all see people each week? Not just at work but friends? Or maybe not each week but what’s a normal amount to see people and what do you do when you see them?

MovingForwards

It's good to have under your belt and can be used in many different areas of work.

I've not seen my friends since the pandemic started, but I've made friends with OHs sister. I did see her a fair bit when in my other job and booking a day off, haven't seen her for a few months now.

Original friends we'd go to each others place, a club, pub or restaurant and dance the night away. I'd go swimming with OHs sister.

For most people a normal amount is probably weekly, but mine was more like every few months.

ForestBluebells

Something is still leaking 🙈it’s intermittent but sometimes I see a big puddle under the washing machine so I think that’s leaking now. I’m half tempted to buy a new washing machine, mine still works but I’d love to be able to set it to wash at night on my cheap electric. This one was in the house when I bought it and seems very old. It does work though (other than leaking) so might not be sensible to replace 

MovingForwards

Might be worth asking on the DIY board where the leak might be coming from. Potentially you can fix it, with minimal cost and if it's not possible at least you've tried.
I assume there's nothing in your magic book about it? 

Skint_yet_Again

I have a leak somewhere as my machine keeps filling up with water when it’s off! I think I need to sort the pipes under the sink as I think water is going from the sink into the machine somehow. 

Have you cleaned the filter on the front of the machine near the floor? Maybe it’s blocked causing a leak on the floor ?

ForestBluebells

Skint_yet_Again said:

I have a leak somewhere as my machine keeps filling up with water when it’s off! I think I need to sort the pipes under the sink as I think water is going from the sink into the machine somehow. 

Have you cleaned the filter on the front of the machine near the floor? Maybe it’s blocked causing a leak on the floor ?

The filter was very blocked (as it wasn’t draining so I checked), and I’m worried it’s gone down the pipe and clogged too (it was full of dog hair)

plumbing is so frustrating isn’t it!

ForestBluebells

Trying to convince myself not to go to the supermarket. I’m already over budget (again!) on food and I only really want snacks. I was going to buy top up bits like milk and cereal and crackers but although I’m completely out I can eat toast instead for now. Just fancied some treats. I have gousto coming tomorrow so that’s most of my weeks food anyway. I also have a haggis in the fridge so that must be at least 4 meals if I buy some potatoes and carrots to go with it so realistically I don’t NEED to buy any food yet I’ll try hold out on buying snacks. The only thing I really want is coffee whitener, I do have powdered milk but it’s not very nice. 

I’m trying to decide if I should just recreate gousto recipes myself instead of buying from them or take up the 30% discount they offered. I’ve lost confidence in my non gousto cooking 🙈

Still have £400 Christmas money left, trying to be good and not waste it as I’m wasting some every time I go over budget on basics! I bought myself some new bedding, clothes and some cheap running clothes and shoes from decathlon and an expensive running jacket which has been brilliant. It’s actually waterproof! Still thinking about getting some new trail running shoes as mine are starting to split but they cost over £100! I’ll need to get some soon though. 

My elderly dog isn’t doing great. I think I might need to get some anxiety medication from the vet for him and extra painkillers. 

Had a long weekend off work this weekend so I’m trying to get some jobs done but was out with my sister Friday and not had the energy today 

MovingForwards

Can you wean yourself off the gusto by replacing one meal with one cooked from scratch, build up confidence with a 'basic' meal eg spag bol, soup, sausage and mash etc and then swap a second one out having slightly a more adventurous meal such as a chilli. Eventually you'll have swapped everything out.

If you say what you like, one of us is bound to have a tried and trusted recipe.

You can even make your own snacks.

I'm not sure if I've suggested the vegetarian student nosh book to you. It's a couple of quid online and my go to for when I'm only cooking for me. There's some great cake and biscuit recipes too!

Better buying the footwear while you have the money and before yours totally go. Can't mess with your feet.

See if your vet can recommend an over-the-counter tablet to keep costs down with the anxiety meds.

Rest up tomorrow.

MovingForwards

Noticed on Skinty's diary you asked about food budgets.

Mine is £200, that covers the two of us, cat, toiletries, hair dye and cleaning products. I tend to bulk-buy the latter three eg 6 months worth and make use of offers ie 3 for 2, 2 for £1 etc.

If I'm shopping alone I can budget down to £25 and get a week of food.

I also don't run my food down and buy extra to keep my freezer and cupboards full. I buy large bags of rice, pasta and cous cous. Each of us has a treat box which has crisps, biscuits, nuts etc, cat's has posh kibble, chew sticks and other treats.

A 'typical' week is banana smoothie for breakfast. Crackers or sandwich for lunch, sometimes I'll have a cup a soup too. Nuts or crisps and fruit for snacks. Tea is spag bol, chilli and rice, chicken wraps, Chinese curry and rice, steak and rice with veg, pork chops with veg, a roast on Sunday. Snacks are crisps, chocolate, yoghurt, toast, milk.

ForestBluebells

MovingForwards said:

Noticed on Skinty's diary you asked about food budgets.

Mine is £200, that covers the two of us, cat, toiletries, hair dye and cleaning products. I tend to bulk-buy the latter three eg 6 months worth and make use of offers ie 3 for 2, 2 for £1 etc.

If I'm shopping alone I can budget down to £25 and get a week of food.

I also don't run my food down and buy extra to keep my freezer and cupboards full. I buy large bags of rice, pasta and cous cous. Each of us has a treat box which has crisps, biscuits, nuts etc, cat's has posh kibble, chew sticks and other treats.

A 'typical' week is banana smoothie for breakfast. Crackers or sandwich for lunch, sometimes I'll have a cup a soup too. Nuts or crisps and fruit for snacks. Tea is spag bol, chilli and rice, chicken wraps, Chinese curry and rice, steak and rice with veg, pork chops with veg, a roast on Sunday. Snacks are crisps, chocolate, yoghurt, toast, milk.

I’m often spending £200+ just for me each month on food and any toiletries I buy at the supermarket plus £52 a month on the dogs food (don’t really want to change their food though). If I buy moisturiser etc not at the supermarket it comes out my monthly “spend” budget instead. 

I usually eat toast or cereal for breakfast and then leftovers for lunch (or toast/cereal/cheese on toast if I don’t have any leftovers). I guess it’s my gousto adding up then any extras like cleaning products, snacks, laundry detergent, foil etc I buy takes me over budget. 

I’ve been getting stressed about what to eat hence why I just buy gousto as if I start trying to meal plan I get stressed about the fact I probably shouldn’t buy meat to help the environment and end up not being able to choose any recipes. 

I really like dal which I order a lot on gousto, I had a yummy pulled chicken burger this week, mushroom wraps, Malaysia curries, mushroom ragu pasta, lamb spiced stew. I’m generally not that fussy to be honest. 

Crackers are my favourite snacks when I’m working.