Head out of the sand. Saving for a shiny future

MovingForwards

Increase your budget to £200, then work at reducing it down to a level you're comfortable with and write a shopping list; if it's not on the list it doesn't go in the basket.

Hope vet had some good ideas and treatment plans.

ForestBluebells

I have a good offer on gousto next week but the following two are full price so I might need to cancel and try cook my own, especially as I put additional cost meals in my basket so it’s expensive. I can even try cooking the meals I put in my basket to make meal planning easier. 

I’ll see if I can achieve a reasonable food budget this month. My biggest food spend is constantly having to go to the shops to buy food to feed my mum when she visits and it all just adds up when I would eat leftovers. Maybe I’ll just feed her leftovers 😂

MovingForwards

Your mom wouldn't want you being left financially short because of feeding her, leftovers isn't any different to extra portions cooked and frozen for a quick meal after work. Just do it, your purse will thank you!

ForestBluebells

Yeah I’ll try that this month. I usually don’t have lots of leftovers usually enough for me as she only ever visits on weekends and I’m usually low on food then. I’ll try though as I’m wasting over £100 a month on food i don’t need to buy. 

I feel like I’m having a mid life crisis, I’m very lost on my purpose and what I’m doing with my life and can’t face another 15 years of full time work just scrimping to save for retirement but I’ll still not be able to move home 

MovingForwards

You need to step back and stop trying to achieve everything at once. Set small goals and allow yourself fun.

Maybe your home isn't perfect, it does sound nice and you can do a bit with it. For now, shelve the idea of moving and work with what you've got.

ForestBluebells

I’m trying to decide if I should replace my windows and front door, the door is very drafty and I can see outside it’s not well fitted plus the windows are the original double glazing, not very efficient and again cold. Would be about £1,700 for the front door and the same again for the windows 

MovingForwards

It would make sense to change them as you'll be losing heat, they'll repay themselves over a few years.

ForestBluebells

Ok I just can’t be trusted in the supermarket 😂 I went in to get chicken for my dog and yoghurt for me and spent £75 as I bought 5 new baking trays. And I accidentally scanned one twice so paid £9 too much 🙈 I’ve emailed them to see if they can help, I hope they believe me! I should have noticed when it told me to bag the item and I had to press don’t bag item but I just thought it was confused as the trays were leaning against the side. 

Also went out for coffee and cake with my sister and I paid as i invited her then spent another £12 in John Lewis on measuring jugs and £13 in Waitrose on some sushi as a treat and frozen gyoza and herbs. Ok now to be good for the rest of the month 🙈 honestly I’m just terrible at sticking to a list!

on the plus side I signed up to chase bank yesterday and get 1% cash back on all spending and a 1.5% interest savings account with them so I’m happy with that