Now or never

Its_time

Just updated my weekly shop on the Grocery Challenge the exact amount I will know on Monday when it arrives, but by shaving down the basket and telling myself NO I have managed to drop it by around £40, so now it is going to be under £100 but will hopefully do two weeks so in budget of £50 a week.  The weekly £50 is doing ok I think, the New Year will tell whether we can drop it lower or whether it needs to be a bit higher as a lot of the shopping the last month has been towards Christmas.
I need to set up more funds to dip into, I can see lots of people have a bulk fund or offers fund for their shopping, not sure how this works to be honest.  I feel really excited today, can't put my finger on it but I am looking forward to Christmas I think.  
I am going to do more hours again this week hoping to earn around £230 this week again.  
I've been doing a lot of thinking at the moment about a couple we know who are not going to have full old age pensions, they also rent a house.  They don't think they can afford to retire but at pension age they feel they are ready to.  It seems no matter what they do they are always going to have to work or somehow claim benefits to pay for their rent.  I am sad for them that this has happened, maybe they were never given the scenarios of how their future would pan out going about things the way they have.
It's a very wet day here today, windy and heavy rain.  DH is having a very rare duvet on the sofa day with movies so after I have cleaned the house (well half of my jobs) I am joining him.

joedenise

Have the couple looked into Pension Credit if they won't have full pensions?  If they are entitled to PC then I'm sure they'll get reductions in their rent and Council Tax as well as other things.  Definitely worth them looking into I'd have thought.

Its_time

Thank you @joedenise, I will mention this to them as they need to do something and I can't think of a way out for them.
I have a very stressful morning today, I have someone on the bosses instruction, from our old job coming to see us and although they've said they are bringing a well deserved Christmas present I don't want them anywhere near me. The very thought is causing my chest to tighten.  We thought about cancelling them but it's probably best to get it over and done with.  We have made it crystal clear no matter what, we are not going back so if that's what the visit and present is about then don't bother.  Hopefully they will come relatively early and get it over with.

Its_time

Not sure whether it's for the best or not but they did not turn up.  I am grateful for that just hope they don't think they can come another time.  I made sure I was up early, ready and house tidied in readiness, rude of them didn't even message to say they weren't coming.
I've had a look at our finances AGAIN and they are looking very poor.  With me being unwell since October and the horse being unwell the money has taken a huge hit especially as the big car has not sold yet so we are still paying our debt payments each month which are around £600, including about £100 or so now of overpayments.  There is no way out of it other than me getting back to work in the sanctuary which I will do as soon as I feel able.  I have been up there and have done some work over the last few weeks, I just get very tired very quickly although I am slowly, very slowly getting better.  
DH has been absolutely fantastic and has been a hero for me, helping out doing things he has never done before and not moaning about having to do it.  I know I am getting better because I keep on feeling this excited feeling inside, I still don't know what it is about so have to presume it's because it's Christmas.
I was given some lovely wool on the weekend which was really nice to have, I would take wool and fabric over gold any day
Would love 2023 to be a very happy, healthy and successful year.

Its_time

Today's sensible decision was to cancel our amazon music subscription saving £9.99 a month but bought one month of Disney for over Christmas at £7.99.  Initial saving of £2 this month but then the full £9.99 each month after.
My Mum has just given us 4 bananas and also has some cod she does not want, good news.
I've only got two shifts of 3 hours each left before the Christmas holidays start for us.  This Christmas 🎄 is the first one since before we started our family that it will just be me and DH on Christmas eve and morning, then we will descend on DS and his fiance for dinner and DD and her husband for tea, looking forward to that.
My new job gives me quite a lot of free time whilst working which means I can browse moneysavingexpert and read the forums all with full permission of the boss, I also take advantage of the quiet moments by doing some knitting and crocheting.
I've started to finish off a pair of aran socks I started about 2 years or so ago.  I couldn't understand why I stopped with about 2 inches left to knit.  I started to finish them this afternoon and realised the colours are very slightly different in the two socks!  That's why I had stopped.  I have taken one apart making the leg part shorter which hopefully will give enough wool to make a pair in the same colour.  The other sock in the different shade will be taken apart and perhaps made into some gloves or a bobble hat.  Make do and mend new policy coming into action. 
Tomorrow I am hoping to spend a few hours in the sanctuary the same for Thursday and Friday.

Its_time

Been quite a good day today.  I've been up the sanctuary for a couple of hours and contacted my customer with what I have done so far, he is more than happy but has again assured me there is no rush, for which I am very grateful.
I've had a very busy day besides working in the sanctuary and in my new job i've been helping DD babysit which was nice but I am shattered!
I still feel really content and happy, it's so nice to feel this way after such a turbulent few years.

Its_time

Last shift for me today, DH has also finished for Christmas, can't wait till later when I can sit down, munch my tea and put my feet up.
Managed to get out of another vets bills today, the vet agreed to give antibiotics without visiting, they are expensive enough on their own.  The horses have more than they need of everything we are just not silly anymore buying matching items etc. funds don't allow.  They are all happy, retired and living the life.  Today me and DD gave the stable yard a good scrub ready for the new year, it wasn't too bad at all but it is nice to see it back to fresh concrete.  Our oldest horse was calling me from the field today, I mentioned to DH that something was up with him as he only calls me when he wants something. DH said he wants hay I have given them all a tub of hay every day this week and last week.  I gave the hay and he stopped his shouting, he can practically speak English.
The 3 small dogs stayed inside all day today just popping out for a quick wee.  They are real cuddlers and snuggle into the settee with blankets most of the day but if a lap is free then they are on it.  DH has just taken our little one out for a quick walk, wrapped up in her coat, she loves to walk and is much happier when shes been, despite having the garden and yards to run around.
I've got one more day of work in the sanctuary tomorrow, DD will be here as well.  We are hoping to get to a point where it will be all downhill with this particular job in the New Year, we will also do two days next week but we are having a rest as well.
I bought two bags of feed for the horses today in the farm shop but they are out of stock until tomorrow afternoon, DH will pop over and get them then.  We are not short just thought it best to have some ready as we will need it in the New Year.  I could not believe the increase in price, they are usually around £6/7 a bag but the bill was £19 odd.
No shopping since Monday but today I needed to ask DD to pick up a small present for her MIL who will join us for Christmas, I asked for it to be under £5 so I know DD will do a good job and get as cheap as possible.
The heating has been back on timed so that's 1 hour in the morning and 4 hours in the evening.  Better than on all day like last week.
We have a large airing cupboard with hanging rail so as long as I keep on top of the washing most of it drys in there with a few bits on the radiators, this has saved loads on the electricity as we don't have to use the tumbler. The dishwasher is still not being used, DH and I do the dishes in the sink so I am sure that is saving electricity also.  In addition I usually have an electric radiator in the sanctuary but when I saw how much the electricity shot up by when it is in use it is off now unless we are desperate or it needs a little bit of heat as the equipment can't become too damp.
Does anyone know anything about Prolific Academy? I saw it on here and the lady talking about it said it was very good but I can't find any reviews online about it? It is a survey site that apparently pays very well.

Its_time

I've just joined up to Prolific Academy surveys.  They've accepted me and just need to wait for my info to be verified and apparently we will be off.  I am hoping this is genuine, I saw a thread on here where I asked and they said it is bona-fide.  I've seen where one person has earned over £24 today so that would be fantastic 😀, I am hoping I can squeeze some in during quiet times when I am working.
Picked up the horses feed today with DH and then home.  Treated DH to a takeaway as he was shattered bless,  he has been helping me non stop, he was quietly delighted. 
Horses all done again and now tucked up for the night 🌙 
Christmas Eve tomorrow and I am going to be very busy.  Horses in the morning then I need to make 4 Sponges.  They will all be put together with buttercream and raspberry jam and shaped into a dome.  Then covered with chocolate buttercream and maltesers with white chocolate drizzled over the top.  I saw it on Pinterest the idea is to make it look like a Christmas pudding.  I have a Robin I will put on top to decorate.  Then to make the easy no bake cheesecake with mascarpone and icing sugar for Boxing day.  I won't have time to make it on Christmas day and it needs time to set so Boxing day won't be any good either. I will also do the usual sausage/cheese rolls which have become a tradition.   
Tomorrow evening DH is having chicken and stuffing baguette which is also a Christmas Eve 🎄 tradition.
On an MSE train of thought I have joined 2 challenges and have set up a weekly standing order for one of them, the other is varying amounts so have noted all the amounts needed and what days.  I am really looking forward to the day after Boxing Day which will be quiet, I am hoping I have a lovely new diary as a present so will be busy filling it in.  No joy with the big car yet but according to DS over 1000 people have it in their want basket, so it's hopefully going to go sometime in the New Year, unless we miraculously come into some money (without any harm coming to anyone) and then we can keep it. 

Its_time

It's Christmas Eve 🎄 
Quite possibly my favourite day of the year.
DH very kindly did the horses on his own this morning whilst I made cake and cheesecake for tomorrow and Boxing Day.
The cake, this did not go well.  The sponges did not rise but as there is 4 of them it doesn't matter too much.  The butter icing is too runny so it's sliding everywhere, ive attempted to hold it together with melted chocolate and have bunged it in the fridge, my fingers are crossed.
The cheesecake, this went well except for the base which is not hardening. I am beginning to suspect that Tescos buttery spread is too soft for both of these jobs, nevermind it is too late now so it will be what it will be.
I am just having a well earned sit down because I am shattered and then after tea I will wrap presents.  Oh and will also melt white chocolate on the cake and add the Robin.
Our old horse lorry has sat in the barn for about 4 years now.  DH keeps meaning to do it ready to sell but never gets round to it.  One of my customers called this morning for some work I have done for him.  I mentioned the lorry to him as I know he deals with lorries, DH said he was thinking of scrapping it and my customer laughed and said you must be joking it's worth around £8000! Funnily enough (but I wont mention) it, DH has found time this afternoon to go and work on it 😊.  I might have to work for this customer a few times more this coming year if DH's new found enthusiasm wains.
Wedges and something for me tonight and sausage and chips for DH, he has said he doesn't feel like his chicken and stuffing baguettes as he will get heartburn.
Merry Christmas 🎅 

WinterWarrior

Merry Christmas @Its_time. I hope you have a wonderful day x