Starting again ... again

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Happy Saturday!
Had another NSD yesterday but today is a bit of a spendy one. 
Online shop coming tonight because the weather is absolutely abysmal and I couldn't face lugging home all the shopping from Aldi in this, it's a bit of a trek. It's a 45 minutes round trip which isn't a problem when it's nice, but I just can't face getting drenched whilst sweating from carrying all the food haha. Spent £78 on that shop which isn't too bad - we had run out of coffee, tea, sugar, salt, oil and some canned stuff all at once, so won't need to buy those things again for a while. Leaves the grocery budget pretty depleted, but I am getting child benefit on Monday so it will be ok. Shouldn't need to buy anything else now until the next grocery shop next weekend.
DS1 had his annual eye test this morning, all good and still doesn't need glasses. It's expected that he might at some point as I'm the world's most short-sighted person! I've got my own eye test next week and will be quite costly. I wear lenses mostly and only have the glasses for emergencies, but mine have broken and the previously prescription is horribly out of date. Sadly can't order glasses from one of those cheap websites because they don't go up to my prescription - gives you an idea of how bad my eyes are haha. 
Luckily I've got private insurance through my work and should be getting back up to 80% of the cost of glasses. 
Anyway, had to get DS1 PE kit a size up today as well, £19 spent there. And I've got my Covid jab this afternoon which is on the other side of town and would need 3 train changes to get there, so I'll fork out for a cab. Worth it for a jab for me though. It's not officially my turn until next month or so, but my friend managed to get me on her hospital trust's friends and family list. One step closer to eventually visiting my family in Germany again and worth it for me to get it a few weeks earlier. 
I was sorely tempted to buy some white asparagus from the greengrocer's on the way back from the optician's. It's my favourite vegetable ever and a big thing in Germany, but they were £5 for a bundle so I just couldn't justify it. Sad face. 
Hope everyone has a nice weekend and the weather where you are is better than here. 

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

I've had my jab and I'm thrilled. Forced myself to take the trains back as it was £14 cheaper than the cab - even if it did take forever. 

mark55man

great diary, good thinking about your repayment priorities, and a fascinating insight into the real life impact of work and UC.  Plus, yes it does get lots cheaper when you don't have to pay for childcare (although it gets more expensive when they get to Y11 and above and then Uni), but that's long way away.

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Thanks Mark55Man!
Had a "use stuff that needs using" dinner tonight which turned out really nice. Had jerk jackfruit with rice and peas, fried plantain and some leftover parathas. Both kids had thirds on the rice and peas so I'm definitely making that again. It's so easy in the instant pot and lots of good stuff in it for them. Always makes me happy when I make something we haven't had before and they both tuck in. 

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Had a nice day today and an NSD. Weather wasn't abysmal for a change so we went to junior Park Run this morning where DS1 got a PB, then cleaned the whole house top to bottom, which was long overdue, and then spent a few hours outside with friends in the afternoon. Feels like it's been ages since we last had weather good enough for that. But then we did have to go home when a giant thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere haha. 
We managed to eat our allocated meal from the meal plan (hot dogs!) which is unheard of. 
The refund for the dresses I sent back ages ago came through today as well, so that's £40 off the Barclaycard. Looking forward to what the new week will bring. 

BalanceBy50

Sounds like a great day 😁. We’ve had torrential rain with the odd sunny patch! X

Parkyp

Well done to DS1 👏👏

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Morning MSE people!
I am off work with a bad cold at the moment, feeling really meh. I haven't been ill since late 2018 though, so I guess I've had a good run haha. 
Child benefit landed in my account yesterday so I've added £52 to the depleted grocery budget. This means I've got £64 left in it which should be comfortable as we've got enough food in to last us until the weekend. Means the total grocery budget for the month is £300 which I think is reasonable for a family of 4, especially because OH is 6'7" and eats as much as 1.5 regular people. 
I've paid the remaining £88 of the child benefit off the Barclaycard which takes that down to £875. Hopefully means I'm on track to clear this in time to hit goal number 1. 

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Nothing much to report today, not an NSD as had to send OH out to get onions. The horror of not having onions in the house haha! 
I'm still feeling rotten and spent pretty much all day in bed again. Cancelled my optician's appointment for tomorrow as I don't think I'll be well enough. This has the added bonus that I'll factor glasses into next month's budget rather than paying for it on the credit card. 

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

Hello and happy Friday! I finally started feeling human again last night, then I did my back in lifting DS2 out of the bath! And then a filling came out of one of my molars this morning - with the dentist not reopening until middle of June, it's really irritating!
It's just one of those weeks!
Have managed to stick to the meal plan all week which is unheard of. Tesco shop arriving tonight, and between the weather and my sciatica, I'm really glad I ordered it now instead of hauling stuff home from Aldi! 
I think I'll call the local chiropractor tomorrow and see if he can fit me in, I'm totally willing to spend £35 on the credit card if it reduces this back pain!
Would have been an NSD today if I hadn't needed to go out to get some more ibuprofen. Hope everyone else is having a better Friday than me!