Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes, oh no to the milk, no use crying it over it I guess, but I would've felt like it.  I spilt some soup I'd just made once, rushing to try and get everything done and then do the school run.  Thank you for the hope for a winning ticket.  I could do with it this month, its not even the 1st of the month and I have £50 left in my personal account.  Too much spending last month as well as a couple of big bills.  But we've got everything we need (and more) so its just a matter of eking it out for December.  

Sorry debtfreeoneday, crikey you were up early, but saying that I am usually awake around that time too.  I tend to put the radio on and try to go back to sleep but it doesn't work very often.   I know I would be lost without mine too, so fingers crossed.

I used the no.7 voucher - spend £20, get £10 off plus a free gift today.  Free Costa coffee courtesy of vodafone was nice.  It was a tiring day today, so it was good to have a couple of little perks.  I didn't post my fleabay parcel today, so that will be a trip tomorrow lunchtime, but I pretty much got everything else done apart from a couple of grocery items.  These darker nights make for shorter days for me, especially as its so cold - I just want to hunker down inside.

debtfreeoneday

Always an early bird here. A child that thinks sleep is for the weak doesn’t help!  

Yay for free coffee. 

SandyShores

debtfreeoneday said:

Always an early bird here. A child that thinks sleep is for the weak doesn’t help!  

I had one of those, then all change for teenage years and couldn't get up for school.  Now goes to bed at 9pm-ish and gets up at 6 am (and I feel like the teenager now ).  

Found a link for joining BA Avios and gets bonus points for first purchase through the site: hotdealsuk_BA_Store

 Earning points slowly but surely.  Will start saving for Xmas 2022 now, which seems a bit weird as we've not even had this one yet, but it gives a full 12 months to save.  I think I'm going to do two 6 month saves this time - Dec-May saving for House Insurance, then June-November for the vet insurance.  Any leftover will go for a meal at Xmas.

savingholmes

I can definitely relate to just wanting to hunker down. Will soon be getting lighter.

debtfreeoneday

I’ll laugh when the days come when the kids stay up later than me. Not easy as I’m fairly early to bed!

SandyShores

Fleabay parcel posted.  Only a fiver from the sale, which reduces when the fee is taken off, but its still a few ££s.   

A few things crossed off the ToDo list, so I'm down to 18 - watch me go !! haha.  I've figured out that there are things on the list which aren't entirely urgent but are a bit awkward - like walking round to the vets to pick up some different food.  Some things that are just a bit awkward - like the ones involving paperwork where I need to find things out in order to fill in forms and so on.  Some things require a whole day to do them - organising rooms or cupboards and the like.  And somethings require more than just time they require thought, concentration and a clear headspace or space.  There's around 8 of the latter ones, so I'm aiming to do the other 10 initially, because finding that space is what I find most difficult.  The list is coming down though, which I'm pleased about.

On the money front I have realised that I am virtually broke in terms of personal spends.  I've got lots to show for it, but I've not been in this position for a long time.  Its going to be an interesting month as I usually top up the food money from the personal spends, although I do have a little extra in the savings I'm going to try my hardest not to break into them as I'd prefer to put it into the mortgage OPs.  

savingholmes

Sorry your budget hasn't quite gone to plan.

Your to do list needs breaking down more so it's not a whole room it's a corner etc. Or set a timer and try the 15 minutes tidy method and aim to do it daily. Hope that helps

debtfreeoneday

we keep we keep a top 5 to do list on our family board. I don’t feel overwhelm looking at it then. Once we do one it’s get replaced. So does mean I never get less than 5 on there!  😂

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes and debtfreeoneday.  Looking at the list there is really only one thing that will require a whole day.  Its one of those jobs where everything needs to come out, so I can organise the shelving and then put it all back again.  The rest can be broken down and there are definitely some more urgent than others which need a top 5 prioritising.  And there are some quick wins to do as well.  I've made my new year's resolution early not to keep picking up and/or running around after people any longer.  The next year is all about me (well mainly) .

Thanks savingholmes, I'm not too worried about the money situation.  It was just a bit of a surprise, but to be honest I have been a bit more free and easy with money lately.  Partly because we were so frugal for so long, and partly because its a chance to spoil us all before we all go our separate ways again (hopefully post-Covid) next year.  Its been lovely all being together and will be just as good to all have a bit more independence again.  I'll be saving up for a new sewing machine next year, and that will be my only large personal spend/treat.  

debtfreeoneday

Ebb and flow I always find with money. This month feels so much easier than last and I know it’s because I’ve stopped spending (Xmas gifts!).  So I can breathe again…