Missy’s family of 4, paying off debts, saving for a house and just trying to survive!

missymoo81

Ok….. have put yet another load of washing on the line although sky doesn’t look too promising! Have found a fabric conditioner and water spray I had from a couple of weeks back. So have sprayed the towels on the line and hope that they will smell ok! 

Have also frozen the bananas I know we won’t eat and a packet of bacon. This is a big deal for me as I usually forget and have to throw things away.

I have also bitten the bullet and am trying to descale the kettle. I’ve spoken of the kettle before, it’s an expensive but refurbished smeg kettle, I bought it about 3.5 years ago, and stupidly never thought to descale it. It looks awful now, scale all over the rim, spout around the back and the handle. Utterly disgusting. I have tried to use oust on it but it did very little. So have covered all of the stubborn bits in viakal. It’s the outside not inside, although that is really scaled up too but will try the oust stuff again in there, as I have some, just don’t want it looking all horrid on the outside. Hopefully fingers crossed it works! 

Oh I meant to say, I tried using the gross powdered porridge in a porridge pot I measured it out into a kilner jar, then topped with hot water. Took a while to incorporate and it was really lumpy, I left it for a bit then put peanut butter, half a banana and some honey in, and do you know what, it’s definitely passable. Nicer cold than hot. So i think that is my answer, it could do with some cream or yoghurt in it. Might buy a cheap pot and see if that helps. Thanks for all of your ideas.

missymoo81

Just met OH after his lesson and he treated me to coffee. Again just a plain latte and I didn’t eat anything. Usually we would have spent £20. But it was less than £10. And I usually feel the need to put my hand in my pocket but it was OH’s choice to go so he paid. Like last night, he decided he didn’t fancy chilli 🙄he wanted a takeaway, and I said fine if he was paying. So I have chilli to make tonight instead and will have lots left over for the freezer. 

Do need to move things around in the freezer though, it needs defrosting and there’s lots in there that can probably be put into the same packet. I also froze the leftover crumpets from last week, usually they would have languished in the cupboard. But not today! 

I’m umming and ahhing about ordering myself a new coat. There’s one a really like on eBay new for £30, I’ve got £40 in my account for incidentals this month. Of which I’ve already taken £3.85… so I would be left with £6.25…… not a lot….. but I would have my coat….. it’s whether that £6.25 would be enough for extras until 6th Sep….. I’m going to look at the diary and see what we’re doing until then…..

Cheery_Daff

Well done on the cafe! Is this the birthday coat you were talking about? If not, can you wait until nearer September to spend the money, even if it means you don't get this particular coat? 6th Sept is a long time to wait without extra spends for incidentals, and you've just done such a good job of meticulously planning the rest of your spends, it would be a shame to upset it by having to pinch some from the food budget to pay for something else.

Could you wait til 1st Sept and then if you've still got £30 spare, look for another coat?

joedenise

Could you not ask DH to pay for the coat for your birthday?  That way you'd still get your coat and also still have your money for incidentals.

missymoo81

Hey @Cheery_Daff and @joedenise thanks for the input. I’m still wavering on a little hot tub from OH for my birthday, trying to find the most cost effective one. So it would be me funding the coat. You are right I should wait. My budget isn’t really enough to be buying coats right now. It’s so hard to not buy stuff Willy Nilly. 

It’s pouring with rain here, I'm sat on the sofa with the cats, watching beechgrove with a cup of tea. I need to sort out a Tesco order to be delivered at the cottage tomorrow (OHs budget). We’re going to a cottage in Yorkshire for OHs birthday for 4 days, I’ll wave to you as I go past Cheery (I think it’s Yorkshire you live). We’re going on the motorbike so can’t take any food etc with us. 

Out for a roast this afternoon with BIL then off to the cinema. Need to pack when I get home, oooh need to charge up my kindle!!!!

Going to start looking at greener ways to do things whilst I’m away. COOP now offers soft plastic recycling so I need to save that up and drop it off once a week. Does anyone know where recycles cat food pouches? I’ve tried tins and small cat won’t eat it. Speaking of small cat. We’ve found a lump on his back 😢. Googled it (as you do) and can be something or nothing, worrying thing is he had a vaccine 2 weeks ago and that can cause all sorts of bad things. So need to ring the vet tomorrow and hope SIL can take him. Thankfully OH was switched on and both cats are insured! 

Hungry now actually, need to make some toast.

missymoo81

Washing is in the machine, think the rain may have gone for today, wondering whether to hang it out or not.

BIL has Covid symptoms so is waiting for a test. So they’re not coming to lunch. he’s double vaccinated so not sure. Me and OH are going to go. Fingers crossed he’s paying. Going to wave the coat under his nose also and drop hints re birthday…

Kettle update. So, after hours of scrubbing and taking some of the paint off 😳. About 95% of the limescale on the outside has gone, although there is still loads on the inside.

slm6002

Maybe while you are away you could leave vinegar in the kettle to descale while you are not using it.  Might be worth checking it wont damage it if its left in too long. I expect someone on here will know.  Also you would need to remember not to make tea on your return before rinsing it.  Maybe a sticky note on the lid of it to remind you

missymoo81

Ok so currently at the vets for small cat 🙄 about his lump. Meant to be leaving for hols in 20 mins. Will be a little late I think! BIL has been confirmed positive for Covid. Bless them they were supposed to be going on holiday too.

My silicone cupcake cases came, I love them! Can’t wait to use them. I know the children will love using them. Have ordered OH’s little birthday presents, forgot this was out of incidentals budget too 🙄

Baileys_Babe

missymoo81 said:

Have ordered OH’s little birthday presents, forgot this was out of incidentals budget too 🙄

Thankfully you didn't buy the coat.

jwil

Hope the cat is ok.

I'm not sure about Co-op but Tesco certainly accept pet food pouches in their soft plastic recycling.  It might be worth checking if coop do as well.