Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

MovingForwards

Think of how many books you could get for £3.60. If you factor that into your spending budget, perhaps every quarter you could buy 'new' books and 'return' the old ones to the charity shop.
I'm not sure how frequently you read or how long a book takes you, but it's a starting point.

You are getting better Ren, perhaps not in the ways you would like (health), but in other day to day ways. You're not 'existing' but 'living'. Having daily support, a place to air your mind and talk it through makes a huge difference, compared to trying to muddle through on your own. This is why we are seeing how you are changing.

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Think of how many books you could get for £3.60. If you factor that into your spending budget, perhaps every quarter you could buy 'new' books and 'return' the old ones to the charity shop.
I'm not sure how frequently you read or how long a book takes you, but it's a starting point.
You know, that's weird, I was just staggering slowly brain-wise towards that same conclusion. £3.60 bus fare vs. 15 minute walk for nothing and only spend what I can afford in the little charity shop - kind of a cheap book swap. I was also thinking about walking to the town to return the library books, when due. I think it would take an hour there & back, so 2 hours plus browsing time... Good for activity too. I might do both! On the other hand, I might collapse gasping, trying that....ha!
You are getting better Ren, perhaps not in the ways you would like (health), but in other day to day ways. You're not 'existing' but 'living'. Having daily support, a place to air your mind and talk it through makes a huge difference, compared to trying to muddle through on your own. This is why we are seeing how you are changing.

Aw thank you for that. It does make so much more of a difference 'chatting' to like minded people, especially if they have had sadly similar experiences. The support of yourself and others on here (I am 'looking' at you Skinty and Swan especially!) has been amazing and inspires me to push myself... I don't think I would have done any of it, sort out the utility bills, attempt to budget, and even start to grasp what the proper difference is between 'needs and wants', so I will save.... 

Cheers to all of you on here, posters and lurkers too, you will never know how much of a morale boost it is.... 

MovingForwards

The library walk would be fine on warmer days, but an hour each way requires building up to doing it, not just straight off. Unless you are used to walking for that long.

I'm sure I won't be the only one blushing, but we 'feed' off each other, support and encourage, also see and suggest things that are overlooked.

Together we make a great team 😁

Irenadler

Yes, weather plays a big factor in my wanting to walk or not... I think I could do it, if I motivate myself enough... I usually walk the dog between an hour to hour and a half each day, which helps burn off flabber from chocolate, etc.

True! It really helps to have a second pair of eyes (or three, or more) as particularly for me, I sometimes cannot see the glaringly obvious, even if it is hitting me in the face with a wet fish....  

Irenadler

On MSE matters:
I have stupidly bravely set up a standing order of £50 per month to pay as savings into the new, shiny savings account, which is hopefully not going to go all to 'male chicken'. This will go out after I get 'paid' in the current account.

As I have worked out (sweated/added up over & over again/crossed out and started again/swearing) I should have 'surplus' to budget of £173.05. It never seems to work out that I have any surplus though. However I need to push myself, stick to the actual flaming budget, and see what's left. That should be Universal Credit of £409.89 - £136.84 (utilities/set aside monthly amount for annual fees) - £100 groceries = £173.05.

I have the dog's booster vaccination at the end of the month, hence, setting up s/o for after this, in case my brain goes all wrong again... In theory, after that £50 goes out, I then have £123.05 contingency, which should cover the dog's bill... 

If I finally manage to achieve saving that £50 (apart from doing a crazed amount of dancing around the lounge), I will then look at what is actually left over, to shove that in too. I feel my brain is finally (slowly, painfully) getting to grips with real saving and budgeting.... Brain, don't let me down...

In other news, I have managed to get to £7.80 in PA. Although I am slightly terrified of how to cash it out, being as I have never done that before, gulp, a lot of firsts for me...

MovingForwards

That definitely deserves a dance around the house, not just the lounge! 
Remember, the day before or payday itself, put the leftovers in to savings, don't try and do it how I do things. That's something you can contemplate in the future.

Don't try and cash out yet, leave it to build up until you need it, not want it, for something. That can be your other back up money for house things, Winterville or even those treats like a new coat, good pair of winter boots etc. I'm sure there's posts on how to cash out around the comps / freebies / earn extra money section. But PA should have a guide saying how to do it, the one I use is quite straightforward.

I'm so pleased for you!

Irenadler

I would do cartwheels but I think I might break something! Or worse, myself... 

Definitely feels like an achievable goal now, whereas before, it felt like a pipe dream. I would feel more confident doing a sweep of savings from current to savings account the day after 'pay day', in case it is delayed getting in there. Not paranoid. Much.

That's a good point about leaving it as back up cash, for Xmas type stuff, nearer the time... have to read the FAQ's again...

Thank you very much Babs

MovingForwards

That's why I say do test and trial runs of things. Then you know it works on a small scale, can slowly increase and boost self-confidence and faith in yourself.

Survey points I leave to build up for treats, supermarket / loyalty points help towards Winterville. The new year starts over, as do the squirreling away of points, ready for next Winterville.
You know that one event a year will be a good one, which is a bonus having it during the cold / dark time of the year, whereas the other three seasons it's easier to get out and about, doing 'free' things.

I cannot believe how quickly you've soaked up, what as taken me nearly 4 years to perfect 🤗

Irenadler

I am focusing even more intently on the grocery budget, being as that seems to cause the most 'system failure', or the on-going battle between spendy me and saving me.    v

Down to the last mystery meal in the freezer yesterday - bean stew! I have roasted up all the sad looking veggies in the bottom of the fridge, to make around 4 portions. One of those has been stretched into 2 curry meals by adding a tin of tomatoes and coconut curry, with a bit of curry powder. Nice! So the rest I am planning to stretch into stew x 2, chilli x 2, bolognese x 2, so should last the week.

I have successfully made raw brownies. The good thing about that is no cooking involved, just hurl everything in the blender, and then smoosh into balls... so that's a sweet treat I have made rather than bought.

For anyone interested, it's from the B*sh! book I brought months ago and finally using:

50g nuts (their recipe said pecans, and to toast them first, I didn't) - L*dl Walnuts £1.99 for 200g = 50p
100g rolled oats - L*dl 75p for 1kg = 7.5p
200g dates (says medjool, I just used cheapest stoned ones) L*dl £1.19 for 200g = £1.19
50 dark chocolate - L*dl £1 for 100g = 50p
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon - dunno 5p?
100g raisins (again theirs says flame ones, just used cheapest) Mr T's seedless £1.80 for 500g = 36p

Total cost £ 3.35, made 15 balls around golf ball size. They recommend one after a workout, but, I can't say I stick to that unfortunately. Very filling though. Works out at 22p each, and feel more substantial than chocolate on it's own. 

I am trying to eat slightly healthier, but, inevitably drawn to sweet stuff. This is like fruit wrapped around a bit of nuts and chocolate rather than the other way round! I have looked at and tried nice vegan chocolate bars, these vary from £2 - £3.50 and are usually 100-150g. Weight wise, these brownies are 500g in total, or the equivalent in weight to 5 choc bars. Even at the cheapest one of £2 each, that means I would have paid £10, or up to £17.50 for the dearest ones. I would not buy 5 bars at £3.50 though!

So instead of paying a tenner, I have the sweet treat effect for £3.35, a first mind set adjustment.... Reality is, I should not be eating any of it, given my health warning, but this is slightly better than sinking 5 choc bars in the week, even the cheapest non-vegan dark choc's at £1 each. What this means is it isn't (expensively) marketed as vegan, but, doesn't show any non-vegan ingredients in it. Just the 'may contain' warning that it's produced near non-vegan... And better on the wallet which is the aim....

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

That's why I say do test and trial runs of things. Then you know it works on a small scale, can slowly increase and boost self-confidence and faith in yourself.
Defo....
Survey points I leave to build up for treats, supermarket / loyalty points help towards Winterville. The new year starts over, as do the squirreling away of points, ready for next Winterville.
You know that one event a year will be a good one, which is a bonus having it during the cold / dark time of the year, whereas the other three seasons it's easier to get out and about, doing 'free' things.

I cannot believe how quickly you've soaked up, what as taken me nearly 4 years to perfect 🤗

I am hoping it has! I used to be a saver, only, the last several years other stuff happened. Maybe it's a 'refresher' to my poor old brain....?

The snag is, I see it logically, start doing the logical steps, and then my emotions kick in if something sets it off .... Putting in limits or self-protections like only taking cash to the supermarket is the only way I can take back control from myself, if that makes sense?

Really need to focus so I don't trip up on the first s/o going out to savings...