Time to stop being frivolous!

savingholmes

Glad it helped. I'm useless at cooking in the week while also working so I batch cook when I can on a Sunday. When I manage it it makes a big difference.

WatchedByOwls

savingholmes said:

Glad it helped. I'm useless at cooking in the week while also working so I batch cook when I can on a Sunday. When I manage it it makes a big difference.

I would love to be able to do this more but we've got a very small fridge and freezer at the moment so can't fit much into it! Hopefully when we move we'll be investing in a super large one to make it possible. 

WatchedByOwls

Good evening all. 

Today was a spending day but nothing frivolous or impulsive, just things I had planned to get for a while that are needed for holiday.

Not going to lie, while I was out I was tempted to grab a snack but I resisted! I also had a terrible headache this evening and wasn't really in the mood to cook dinner so came sooooo close to suggesting a takeaway (which I know the boyfriend would have readily agreed to!). But we had all the ingredients at home so I forced myself into the kitchen and made a delicious seafood pasta. There's even some leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Really pleased with myself as I all the 'triggers' for my frivolous spending were lined up today and I avoided them. Hopefully I can keep this up and form good habits.

Earlier I made food for work tomorrow. I've planned satay chicken for dinner using a meal kit from the back of the cupboard that needs eating. None of the ingredients at home so will need to pop to shops to get them. Might try and swing by Aldi on the way home from work rather than go to the expensive supermarket near me! 

daintydaisy

Just caught up on your diary - you’re doing a fab job repaying your debt and seem to have a good handle on your spending. My motto is everything in moderation, so don’t feel bad for treating yourself once in a while. I see you mentioned you like a takeaway so why don’t you organise it as a monthly treat? That way it becomes something to look forward to and it’s budgeted for. 😊 I’m also terrible at prepping lunches but trying to get better. I’ve been pre-cooking chicken breasts which I can just throw in a salad and take to work. 

savingholmes

Well done for resisting yesterday

WatchedByOwls

daintydaisy said:

Just caught up on your diary - you’re doing a fab job repaying your debt and seem to have a good handle on your spending. My motto is everything in moderation, so don’t feel bad for treating yourself once in a while. I see you mentioned you like a takeaway so why don’t you organise it as a monthly treat? That way it becomes something to look forward to and it’s budgeted for. 😊 I’m also terrible at prepping lunches but trying to get better. I’ve been pre-cooking chicken breasts which I can just throw in a salad and take to work. 

Thank you for reading! Your suggestions are very sensible. Something to think about to help keep my willpower up. 

WatchedByOwls

Good evening all.

Another long working day. Although I've only worked 3 days this week I absolutely exhausted. I have to do some work over the weekend to catch up but other than that I don't plan to do much at all. 

Today was a spend day but it was on food to make dinner and came from my food shopping pot. Spending should be low over the weekend. We will need to get some top up stuff for meals but that's it.

Now slobbed in front of the TV and won't be moving from here till bedtime! 😴 

WatchedByOwls

Good morning all. I'm now on holiday so won't update my diary till next week. I have set spending money with me which I won't be able to overspend so I should be able to keep within budget.

I'm annoyed at myself. I usually bring an empty water bottle with me to the airport so I can fill it up when I'm through security. I forgot to bring one yesterday so I had to pay an extortionate amount for one at the airport! 

I also managed to forget buy more suncream, despite packing well in advance of my departure day and having plenty of time to get some. I was unsure because I did have a very small amount but it definitely wouldn't have been enough to get me through the week and I didn't want to risk my health. So I grudgingly got the cheapest one (although still very expensive!) at Boots at the airport. I won't look up how much it'd cost normally so as not to depress myself!

Anyway I'm off to breakfast and then out for a wander shortly! 

daintydaisy

Hope you have a lovely holiday! 

Well done for only getting essentials at the airport as I’m a sucker for getting drawn into the shops and splurging as “I’m on my holidays” haha. 

Bring some sunshine back with you please!

WatchedByOwls

Hello all! 

I've been back from holiday a few days now. I actually underspent while I was away so came back with $100 leftover spending money which I'm keeping aside for the next holiday. Doesn't make sense to change the dollars back to GBP only to change them back again! 

Unfortunately I've had to spend a bit since I came back. We had a few things to book for the next holiday so that was done and I also went to a farmers market over the weekend where I spent too much however I've kept unplanned and spontaneous spending to a minimum which is good! Keep reminding myself of this diary every time I think about buying something unnecessary and it guilt trips me!

We had a food order delivered over the weekend and then noticed the next day that we were totally out of essentials we used every day, eg toilet roll, kitchen roll, food bags, etc. I had to make a quick trip out to the local shops this afternoon to get them. No doubt it cost more than if I'd got them on the Tesco order but needs must.

No planned spending for the rest of the week except maybe one or two bits I'll need to pick up. No social plans either which will help the budget!