Struggling along as best I can

nannygladys

Today, I had my two dgc for the day whilst mum and dad were at work, they bought new tech Xmas presents up with them and showed me different games et, not that I understood them but I had a go anyway!!!
Younger one likes doing a bit of crafting so I found some wooden figures for her to colour in and a couple of other bits to do. I have them tomorrow as well, but we are going to make a banana loaf as I have a few going soft and then they can take it home with them, I might get them making some scones as well as I have some buttermilk from making butter earlier today in the fridge as the oven will be on, but I will keep them
That's about it today I haven't done much else, except a bit of knitting tonight - a jumper for myself that has been on the needles a while, so I just want that finishing off before I start some mending that needs doing. I've decided to clear all the bits and bobs that need finishing etc before I start something new.
Anyway off to bed now as I want a shower and hopefully take pooch a quick walk before the girls arrive in the morning.
No money spent - yay, so far so good.
Nannyg

Cherryfudge

I think our community hub had to put new memberships on hold till they got more funding. I looked into it a bit but DH has some dietary restrictions and like you I was a bit concerned about whether it would be food I'd choose, given the luxury of choice.

I was thinking more along the lines of Community Gardens, though there are plenty that haven't made it onto this website, as our local ones don't seem to be there. Your experience might be of use to them as well, says I, assuming you have time and there's a local garden! 

cbsexec

I do the postal surveys and earn stamps and points towards vouchers.  Not too much effort and a little bonus.  Maybe you could sign up ?   

Moorviews

Happy New Year 🥳  I hope there will be many good things in 2025 for you. 

I was wondering whether garden gate sales would work where you live? You could sell plants, vegetables and jam jar posies of flowers. I like to buy in this way when I come across them and I have done it myself. You do have to collect the money in straightaway though unfortunately and be careful how much you put out as not everyone is honest. Maybe your family could contribute to the cost of the dog food? Most of us don’t own up to struggles with our finances due to our own pride and beliefs that we should be always able to manage everything ourselves. My husband’s family shamed us when we admitted difficulties (life threatening illness and redundancy), however, mine offered to chip in to some regular costs and gave us a loan. We paid everything back in various ways. 

nannygladys

Moorviews - Happy New Year to you as well 
Thanks for the suggestion about selling produce, I'm not sure it would work where I live but it may be worth to try  during the summer months.
My daughter who gave me the pooch pays for his dry food, pet insurance and flea and tic treatment still, which is a really good help, but I like him to eat fresh meat/fish regularly so I buy that and bulk it out with a free veggies and biscuits.
People can be very strange with money problems, I've always tried to help my dds, if it was with unexpected bills, shortage of food or whatever, I'm pleased that they all have houses and jobs and are sensible with money, so not much help has been needed - I must have done something right when bringing them upon my own. Mind you my eldest helped me out once but I did pay her back as soon as 

nannygladys

Well day 1 has been completed with no money spent, not even a dd I checked 
I watched some of the fireworks going off across the other side of the valley and couldn't believe how bright and big they were, the rain didn't seem to affect them all.

I haven't really done an awful lot today, its still raining here so I hunkered down except when I braved the outside and took the dog over the fields and we both ended up wet and muddy, but he did enjoy it and that's the main thing!

I haven't even picked up some sewing or knitting still it's been a simple slow day reading and watching the dog  guarding a new toy he had for Xmas  he hasn't let it out of his sight yet, he usually chews them up, but this one is a bit of an awkward shape and he can't get it in his mouth to chew it!

I had a simple lunch and made enough tea to last two days so I needn't cook tomorrow. Tomorrow I may make another banana cake, slice it and freeze it if I can fit it in somewhere  the girls and I made one yesterday that went home with them.

And that's about it, tomorrow I think I will start taking some of the decorations down, I never do it all in one go I think the house looks unlived in when its all bare and empty looking so I do it over a few days!! and then I can dust where they have been
Nannyg

nannygladys

Hi everyone
I took my Xmas decorations down today, I only meant to clear the fire place but I got carried away and cleared them all!!! Its the earliest I've ever taken them down.
I have made another banana cake, chopped it in half and managed to put that piece in the freezer when I took some meat out to thaw for the pooch! The other half will be eaten over the next few days.
I took the pooch for quite a long walk this afternoon as it was sunny but the fields were still covered in frost, so it wasn't exactly warm! I was glad to get back and make a hot drink. I have emptied my purse of money and put it away but I'm thinking of putting the change (about £6) back into it to act as an emergency backup. I have even put my card away and that's a first!! It'll feel really strange not having that as backup when I go anywhere!! a bit like leaving your phone at home, although my reasoning about taking my phone everywhere is in case I fall down or the car breaks down! So that's about it for now, I'm off looking after grandchildren tomorrow.
Nannyg

Makingabobor2

I know what you mean about making sure you take your phone when you go out, I'm the same. Makes you wonder how we managed years ago. 

Moorviews

I am taking down my decorations this weekend and having a good sort through of the ones still lingering in the loft. I am impressed that you got carried away as it isn’t a job I enjoy at all 😄

It is always nice to have a homebaked treat in the house. Those kinds of things helped stave off a sense of deprivation for me when it was necessary. In her Paupers Cookbook, Jocasta Innes describes how affordable, home made luxuries, give a sense of plenty. 

I am glad that your daughter helps with the cost of the dog; he does sound a lovely companion especially for the walks. Well done for the no spend days so far. It is just the right weather for curling up with books and cups of tea. I am making the most of it because there is loads to do in the garden once the weather improves. Luckily, I received two of Nancy B’s books for Christmas and two novels to keep me going for the moment. 

Hope you had a good day with the GC yesterday. 

nannygladys

Hello everyone
Another day done and dusted! Again I haven't really been doing an awful lot but I seem to have busy doing it 
The dog and I haven't been out walking as the weather has been atrocious here, it snowed before I went to bed last night and mid afternoon the rain came, there is still some snow here but nothing to get in a tiss about, but if it keeps raining we will all be getting webbed feet!!!
No baking done, but I have tried another small wholemeal loaf in the bm on a full cycle (not fast) and its turned out much better but its still sloping down to one side, tastes ok though.
That's about it, tomorrow is pick up day for dgs from school, so that'll be nice and I'll be out with the pooch in the morning. The best thing about doing a no spend month is not going to the shops and trying to think of what you need for tea, I'm being quite inventive with the food I have in and been stretching it as far as I can!!! I'm still not sure if I will last until the end of January but I'll have a ..... good go!
Nanyg