Debt free by 40

savingholmes

Perhaps build up your EF too as that gives you choices and if there was a longer gap between pay days it will be easier to weather

jokono

That's an excellent suggestion, @savingholmes , I'll direct some of the bonus money into the EF.

@EssexHebridean one of my children will love the holiday club, the other one said I ruined his half term. He'd rather play video games/ watch utube all day, he's done that before and I felt very guilty so I'll pay other people to keep him away  

Lots going on in the next few days - community larder tomorrow, dog to the groomer, dog to the vet for the snip, a day in the office and then dentist for me and one of the children next week. All but the vet are paid or there's money in their respective pots. Really happy I have managed to buy a Network rail card with only £20! The train I used to take in the office before covid was too early for a discount, but now time tables have changed I can get a £10 off the ticket. Very pleased.

I need a haircut but it can wait until next month, the dog insurance will need renewing before the end of the month as well, need to include these in the budget for next month. I'm also thinking of doing something for me if I get a bonus (that bonus is slowly disappearing!), maybe a trip to a London market to buy some fabric. I don't need more fabric, I have plenty to last me a few years, but I haven't bought any in a long time. I was very tempted to buy some nice expensive fabric online a few weeks ago when I was feeling very low but I was strong and decided against it in the end. But now I'm thinking to make a day out of it, meet a friend or two while I'm there, and I know I always find nice quality fabric there that doesn't cost too much. And I have a 30% train discount!  

EssexHebridean

That sounds like a nice plan for a day out - I used to make oddments of clothes years ago and always had my favourite spots where bargainous fabric could be found. The offcuts bin on J0hn L3w1s on Oxford St used to be a good one. I always loved the fabric shops under the arches in Brixton too - no idea if they're even still there though. Best bargain I ever got was in a little fabric shop I stumbled across over at Shepherds Bush - a several-metre long length of the most beautiful soft raw silk in a stunning rich purple. It made a waistcoat, a hat and I think I may even still have some of it sitting in my stash box which sadly never sees the ight of day now. 

jokono

Raw silk sounds amazing, lucky find! I've never been to Brixton but I heard it's good for fabric shopping. There's an online shop with nice and reasonably priced fabrics - Simply Fabrics - based there, I've bought from them a couple of times when they had discounts and free shipping. Shepherd's Bush and Goldh4wk  road and great for fabric shopping, but GH has become more expensive in the last few years, I think the rent went up considerably at some point. There still are nice small shops there - Fabric House is my favourite, lovely owner, but also bigger ones, even Mis4n of Berwick st has a branch there
I'm going to go to W4lth4mstow, there are quite a few cheap and cheerful shops and on a market day lots of fabric and notions stalls.

Been to the larder today, got lots of grated carrot that need using, I also have some carrots left from last week, I think I'll make a carrot and cumin soup. Got some more mangoes, there's always mangoes!, broccoli, cabbage, oat milk, toothpaste, lemon and limes, sprouts. I never know what they're going to have and I'm always excited on my way there 

EssexHebridean

I grew up in W@lth@mstow - the market used to have a couple of decent fabric stalls but they went years ago I believe - sounds like maybe stuff has come along to replace them though, It's a few years since I've been thee at all (I don't work far away but rarely have reason to go over) and even longer since I've been "down the market!" at actual market times. Last time in fact was the day we walked the length of the Victoria line overground - but that was a Sunday morning, fairly early! There used to be an absolutely amazing buttons stall - I still have a fair few little packs bought from there over the years! 

jokono

What a coincidence! I can't remember the last time I've been, must be 3-4 years now.

I made the carrot and cumin soup, found a super easy recipe on cbb good food. I was worried it might be too sweet but it was suprisingly tasty considering it's mainly carrots, lentils and a bit of milk - oat and barley milk, got it from the larder yesterday. I spent my whole lunch break today chopping old peppers, carrots and parsnips, they're in the freezer now waiting to become more soups. Yum!

jokono

Dog had the snip last week and was absolutely fine until Saturday after his post op appointment. He then went on to have a bad tummy over the weekend, didn't eat anything and vomited any water he'd had. So we went back to the vet last night for a check, and sure enough he started getting better and even had some food as soon as we got back home. We were a bit worried as he was quite lethargic, the vet said they'd seen lots of dogs with a tummy bug recently. I'm also thinking it might be stress related after the operation.  It's good he's getting better.
His insurance was sorted, had to sort out cat as well. I thought I had a couple more months until that was due but got renewal paperwork in the post. I went through TCB and found the same provider for the same price but with a £20 cashback. Called the provider to see if they can give me a discount so I don't have cancel and take a new policy but that wasn't possible 

I've increased the monthly pet pot ( ) contribution to cover the cat's insurance next year.
I'm switching a current account to my main account to take advantage of the £150 offer, that will just about cover the vet and cat insurance. At least I don't have to takeout more from the bonus. I got the payslip so was able to sort out next month's budget. Most of the bonus is going towards the debt, I also marked 500 for the EF. There's already just over £1k there, I think I will buy £1k worth of PB, I've read in another diary(must try harder) that buying big blocks give you the best chance of winning anything. *fingers crossed*

jokono

Forgot to say I have £41 in Prolific with another £14 pending! Not decided what to do with them, might put them on a CC.

WinterWarrior

Good luck with the pb’s. I haven’t won anything yet, but I do live in hope 😁 I try to add in blocks, after the advice we got, but I also add a £25 here and there (stops me spending it!).
Well done on the prolific total 👏 

sunshine_raincloud

Newbie here just reading your diary for inspiration! It seems like you have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time! Can I ask what might be a silly question but what is PB?