£31k of debt to go in 18 months.

MrFrugalFever

Hi Flapflop,
Great news on the jab! Everyone i know who has had it has been largely fine, a few little side effects but nothing to worry about, the whole process has been smooth and efficient from what they've told me.

I think it will be good to get creative in the kitchen - I often find cooking a chore but sometimes when i'm creating new things it does give me a little more excitement!

With regards to the heated blanket, spring is almost upon us and although there is still a strong chance of an incredibly cold snap it is very unlikely. I would possibly look to hang fire on the heated blanket - perhaps set yourself a little challenge to try to find it cheaper than £30 later in the year - in the height of summer if there's still stock around in shops they'd probably reduce it as most unlikely time to buy!

Peach crumble, peach pie, peach cobbler, peaches and cream, peach scones.....yum yum yum!

flapflop

I didnt get the heated blanket, I got a refund instead 🙂. I sold three things yesterday for £20. Its not much but one was an old pair of DS sandals from last summer and I thought that if I had thrown them away, that would have been like throwing a fiver away. 
Took DS to the garden centre today to look at snakes. Im not sure if that's allowed or not? It is local but not essential but then it is open. Anyway, we were in and out but didn't spend anything other than petrol. 
I made the school chocolate concrete today and it tasted exactly as I remembered it which was exciting. I ran out of caster sugar which meant I couldn't make the peqch bakes so ill need to get some but it can wait until I need milk and stuff. 
One thing I did do yesterday was use a bag of coppers to buy veg at the little tesco. Im sure the queue hated me but honestly that just incentivices (?) me more. Im so annoying. 

flapflop

So I decided today that we need to eat healthier. Sadly, this doesn't necessarily mean cheaper. Im hoping that the money I save on chocolate can be spent on veg instead. Also, instead if driving the 3/4 mile to the post office and back there is no reason that I cant walk it. This should save a few pennies in fuel, help with the wellbeing and give me a bit of exercise and head clearing space. 
DS and I need new water bottles bevause ours are rank but we like our water icey cold so the insulated ones are best for us. We will take a trip to Wilko tomorrow. That will be £13. We also need milk and caster sugar (for cake - I promise you we are eating healthier). 
Good news, I sold £94 off stuff today. That can go towards PayPal but im going to wait until next Friday and pay it one lump. PayPal seems to take a while to apply credits and I dont want to end up overpaying so I will make one payment to clear the whole lot. So exciting. 

MrFrugalFever

Sounds like the selling is still making good progress. Finding things to do for the kids during half term that don’t cost anything can feel challenging at first but there are plenty of things to do. I was always an outdoor kid, building camps, bases, turning the garden shed in to a hotel, digging big holes and climbing up trees etc you know the usual kiddy stuff lol.

i think getting out the house and getting some fresh air is essential right now given the current circumstances, not to mention it will do you good. 

I am on day 3 of my not spending a penny challenge, 7 days to go. I have actually been doing the no spend challenge since 1st January last month but if I continue then I will only be penalised for it at my next annual review so I will unfortunately have to spend next month I was so getting in to it as well!

flapflop

@MrFrugalFever I need to read up about IVAs, how can you be penalised for not spending money?

MrFrugalFever

Hi, I think it depends on which firm you’re with and how detailed they are in the annual review but if you appear to have a lot of surplus disposable income then the Iva payments will be increased. There are clauses about what you can/can’t spend your money on, like for example, you can’t go out and buy a car unless it meets certain conditions and your IP approves it, or you can’t invest in anything. I guess it kind of makes sense as the creditors are wiping off debt that has been built up and then not getting quite so much back.

i still don’t fully understand it and I’ve been in it for 4 years! Haha.

flapflop

Another £61 sold this morning. Still going to hold onto it until I can make one lump payment next week so that can go into my Monzo pot out the way. Off to buy water bottles soon and I've told the mini one he can have a happy meal. I'll have a tuna nicoise when I get home. I had 2 eggs with toast this morning and used a thin layer of philadelphia instead of butter. I've got the biggest headache but I think that's because I've cut back on Pepsi max. Jeeeeeez it's sore. My mum is poorly too so ill get her some lucozade. Its her go to medicine. 
Speaking of Philadelphia, does anyone else watch Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia? I absolutely love that show. They're the worst type of humans but its so funny.
Anyway, I digress. Im also going to go to Costco and see if I can get some brown paper to wrap ebay and facebay stuff in. Im currently using old Christmas wrapping paper 😕.

flapflop

Right, today. I'll make muffins for bun Saturday. I made peach cobbler last night using peaches in the cupboard and it was amazing. I also grilled some flank steaks which I thought were going to be really rough and chewy but they were actually completely delicious. So good in fact that I haven't stopped thinking about them all day and want to eat them all over again. I was genuinely sad when I had finished my meal. I had to buy eggs, milk and bread today and I've seen that they have my brother in laws favourite drink reduced to clear in Tesco so I'm going to get a bottle of that and put it away for Christmas. I've got loads to post but am waiting for my amazon delivery of brown paper to get it posted. My step dad was able to get us some bubble wrap free which will be very useful. 
Healthy eating wise, eggs and toast for breakfast along with 2 clementines. Lunch will be be baked potato and dinner will be steak and salad. I know I shouldn't be having red meat two nights on the trot but it is out of date and needs to get eaten. Im also down to 2 tins of Pepsi max a day. The headache is still present but I shall persevere and hopefully it will go in the next couple of days. Damn withdrawal symptoms. 

MrFrugalFever

hi flapflop, 
you've got my mouth watering with the thought of a steak, come Friday I shall be treating myself to a nice piece of fillet.
I gave up fizzy drinks (other than sparkling water) a long time ago and haven't looked back, knowing what it does to your insides and the acidity effect on your teeth just makes me shudder thinking about it. For every pepsi you would have had, replace it with a water, your headaches may well be due to a sudden change in caffeine but also may be dehydration related.

4 days ago i cleared my current accounts down to £0 (paid a bit in to my energy company pot & emergency fund pot) so that i would not spend until Friday. I did spend today though, i managed to find some loose change in the car and bought a pack of crumpets for my breakfast at work for 25p, but i consider buying a bit of food to be exempt from the NSD's.

flapflop

25p for a pack of crumpets sounds like a bargain! I'd be well chuffed if I managed to spend that and nothing else. 
Fillet steak is the king of steak and flank is the pauper (the 'me') of steak but it was still delicious. When we go to back to America my goal is to find the best steak house. Damn I love food.