Struggling along as best I can

Sun_Addict

I’m so glad I don’t have a car 90% of the time. Sometimes it’s a pain to have to walk everywhere but it’s good for the step count. Odd occasions mean I have to get a taxi but still cheaper than running a car. 

nannygladys

Sun_Addict - I live quite close to a bus route and small railway station, and I can catch a bus to one dd but  my youngest lives about 16miles away and there's no direct bus or train to get there on the day I look after dgs, but I will give the car up at some time. I sometimes think it's the convenience of having one!

Took dgd to the cs for her stint there and then just nipped into the food hub, I didn't come away with much as I only went in because the cs is very near to it, but I did get some bread for dd and mange tout and asparagus for me as I'm having a stir fry for my tea tonight.

Not doing much now as dgd has been picked up by her dad and I'm having a sit down 
Nannyg

nannygladys

Lazy day, took me a while to realise it was a Saturday!!

The tidying in the craft room carries on and I've managed to release some cardboard boxes from it after dd3 gave me a willow hamper she doesn't need and although I didn't get rid of the kits that were in the boxes they are now hid altogether in the much prettier willow basket!

Tonight's tea was green pasta (green veggies) followed by banana pancakes with wrinkled apple's and blueberries from the freezer, very nice it was as well. I've decided to eat what I really like and not always what you are supposed to like my sc veggie stew! I do like veggie stew but cooked on top of the stove, so the sc will be going at some point, and if I want a pudding I will make one, as long as its not every day! My eating habits are not the best, I like cooking but after I've spent time making something it's not always what I want anymore and end up with a piece (or 3) of toast, I really like toast but I know you can't live on it! Anyway I'm getting too old now to bother that much as long as I get a balanced diet. 

This year seems to be my year of change.

1. saving for the canopy, I'd probably put it on the cc and pay later, but this time I'm saving for it first!!!

2. Taking part in the 'fashion on a ration' thread, I'm finding this fascinating, and I keep disappearing down some wonderous rabbit holes!! It's perhaps a good thing I'm doing a 'no spend' January, so I can research what I need etc otherwise I would be in the cs hunting and probably buying!!! It's also making me go through all my stash of wool and material as well, to see if I can home make.

3. Using the food hub and community pantry, I like the idea of a no food waste community, it's shocking to see how much food is thrown, I was worried it was taking food away from food banks, but this is food they can't use because of dates etc, so it's good that it is offered to others.

4. Trying to cut back on fuel,  not buying 'non essentials' being more careful with g&e, fuel and using up 'stuff' I have in, has also been an eye opener.
I'm trying to only use the car when it's necessary instead of all the time, and besides going to dds (to do granny duties) which is 16 miles away and not easy to get to, I either walk or incorporate several journeys together. I have yet to use the bus or train but I will do if it can be done.
The heating is only put on when needed, and I tend to put a fleecy throw over me and an extra jumper on instead of having it on most of the day. The slow cooker is going, but I will use the steamer on the stove and cook enough for two meals in one go to keep costs down.
'Stuff' in the freezer and cupboards are slowly being used, you can't take it with you and when there's bad weather etc I still have lots in as I couldn't live without some stocks, I just have too much.

So these are some of my changes, I should be doing these already but although I know what I should be doing, it's easier sometimes to ignore the obvious!! And all this really started for me because that canopy needs replacing!!!

Now I've put the main points down I can keep referring back to them to keep me on track.
Nannyg

nannygladys

I've been sorting through clothes today and although I have a few things for summer none seems to co ordinate! I need to try and collate outfits, so I will have a grand try on over the next few days and see where the gaps are, I'm OK for summer shoes and sandals though but the one obvious thing missing is a jacket/coat/thick caddie! I will make a list and then decide where/how I'm going to acquire them from. I will do the same with winter stuff in the summer, then hopefully they will be organised!!! Yeh in my dreams, but I will try!

Eaten out of cupboards and fridge. Lunch, I had green noodles and chilli sauce and for tea I just had peanut butter and toast. Tomorrow I'm at dds, grandma duties, and will be taking a potato and a tin of baked beans with me, and then for tea it will be a green veggie risotto. Everything is green veggies at the moment, but the only one left now is the kale, but I still have plenty of potatoes, onions and carrots as well as eggs and whatever is in the cupboards and freezer, so still plenty to go at.
Nannyg

nannygladys

So grandma duties completed for another week, we didn't go out anywhere so no money spent and played trucks, diggers and trains most of the day!! Lunch was jacket potato and spag hoops - not beans, so that made a change. Also had plenty of puppy cuddles, he gives me such a big long welcome so I reckon he remembers me looking after him for about 6 weeks I think it was maybe a little but longer, oh and he's better now normal poos and no more sickness. 

It was so cold when I got back in so I put the heating on for a couple of hours and I've just been upstairs to plug the electric blanket in, I love a warm cosy bed.

Nannyg

nannygladys

Stocked up with a bit of veg and a loaf of bread from the hub and will call into a sm for milk, yogurt and something for dgds tea tomorrow when she stays over. 
I've made a food plan for the next few days and made three meatless shepherd's pies, using stuff from the cupboards and veg basket. I also have a couple of risottos lined up as I have some asparagus and courgettes to use up and I'm going to try and make celery soup.
Anyway I think it's time I called in my dds, to drop off a birthday card/present for dgc (it's tomorrow) and then go to the sm on the way back.
Nannyg

nannygladys

Dropped card off and went onto sm, spent £8.50, don't know how I managed a nice round figure, I even bought a few goodies! So bought packet of biscuits, fruit pastilles (packet not tube), 6 cartons of skimmed milk, cheddar cheese, a pizza (for dgc) and a huge pot of Greek yogurt and that was it. There's enough milk for a few weeks I hope, and the biscuits and sweeties are treats I'm hoping to put a bit more money from the grocery budget into the Xmas tin so I'll be keeping spends as low as possible, but I still have 2 weeks until I'm paid. Will update my signature.

Made a courgette and asparagus risotto and now watching a bit of telly. Spoke to dd2 last night and she was saying how cold it was, mind you living in the Med, anything under 18° feels cold to her
Nannyg

nannygladys

I'm thinking I will keep putting leftover grocery money in the Xmas tin and money left in my bank account divided between the canopy and EF each pay day.

nannygladys

Spent £1 on marmite peanut butter at the community shop and as I love both individually I'm expecting big things!!!!
Signature amended.

Sun_Addict

You’re doing really well with the canopy savings. I can take or leave marmite, I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either.