“Debt is normal. Be weird.”

browneyed_girl

So yesterday turned out to be a NSD after all!  That means three in a row and quite possibly a new personal best!  Depending on whether or not DH needs fuel today, we could make it number four - I’ve got everything crossed!  DH is being very supportive but I think he draws the line at driving home on fumes .

Kids are all at school and preschool today, which means DH should have had a reasonably chill day at home.  He’s told me that he’s already managed three loads of laundry, including the kids’ bedding.  Apparently it’s lovely and sunny, but also breezy - the perfect weather for drying clothes on the line (and getting one over on the energy companies!).  I’ll have to take his word for it as I rarely get close enough to a window at work to see the outside world!

I have had my little annoyances today though.  Whilst planning the day’s food and sorting through the fridge and cupboards this morning, I had to throw out two peppers, two pears and a couple of brioche buns that were all mouldy.  Really frustrated with this as I hate food waste and the items weren’t even bought that long ago - I would have really expected them to last longer.  The brioche buns were even in an unopened packet with a best before date of the 11th!!  I quickly got rid of the offending buns, kept four aside for the kids’ tea tonight and put the rest in the freezer, all whilst calmly effing and blinding.  I’m going to have to scrutinise everything closely when I get home this evening to make sure nothing else gets thrown away.  

I know it seems like a small thing, but having food go to waste really does feel like throwing money straight in the bin.  I was brought up in a household with five siblings and two working parents, where money was always tight and we appreciated everything we had.  Food never went to waste because it never had the chance - my sister was terrible for trying to eat up all the leftovers before everyone else had even finished their meal!  My children are all hopefully going to grow up with the same mindset - they’ve heard me go on and on about starving children in Africa so much that they now know the speech word for word!  

Right, must be getting back to work!  Hope everyone is managing to enjoy the (apparently) lovely weather - it won’t be long before we’re all moaning about the cold and having to put on the heating!

TheAble

Just an observation but you seem to spend rather a lot on fuel. £87.30 went on OH's fuel on 1st Sep and now it's 6 days later and he needs more? Just wondering is whatever car he's driving right for the job? 

browneyed_girl

TheAble said:

Just an observation but you seem to spend rather a lot on fuel. £87.30 went on OH's fuel on 1st Sep and now it's 6 days later and he needs more? Just wondering is whatever car he's driving right for the job? 

Hi @TheAble and thanks for taking the time to comment!  I quite agree that a lot of money gets spent on fuel - that and the car are a point of contention in our household!  DH chose the car (I say car - the kids call it a monster truck!) because he’d always wanted one similar to this model.  It does have its uses - we live in the middle of the countryside and at the top of a hill, so the 4x4 function is set to serve us well during the winter when we always get snow.  It also has seven seats (important for our family of six!) and is perfectly suited to towing DH’s trailer when he’s off collecting wood (and often various items of furniture from Freecycle) or when we go camping with the whole extended family.  

However, I don’t think DH really considered the fuel economy when he bought it.  He tells me that he averages 30-35mpg.  This might not sound too horrendous, but as mentioned before, we live in the middle of nowhere.  He has to take the kids to and from school and preschool which are both 9 miles away (that’s 36 miles, five times a week already) and then has a 40 mile round trip to get to work.  Add in a few trips to the shops and to family and the fuel costs quickly mount up!  

We do try to avoid using the cars if possible and try to run multiple errands on a single journey.  However, it doesn’t seem to have that much impact on our fuel spend.  My car (which is having work done later this week) is much more efficient (easily averages over 50mpg) and does fit us all as it has six seats.  I typically spend £40 a week on fuel for my total daily commute of 50 miles.  The main issue I have with DH (and the cause of many arguments!) is that when we go out as a family, he will insist on taking his car.  I know he prefers driving and just loves his car, but if we’re off on a long journey and don’t need the extra seat or towing capability, I’d much rather use my car and save on fuel costs.  I know DH is never going to give up his car voluntarily and I wouldn’t ask him to.  I would just like him to appreciate the impact it has on our finances, as well as the environmental implications (I’m a bit of a hippy at heart!).  Still, I have to pick my battles wisely and this is definitely one for another day!

TheAble

Way too much car for the job hey I had a feeling we might be in 4x4 territory.

A decent small car would be the way to go (him and 3 kids) with your car for when you need to accommodate the whole family. Commuting a 40 mile round trip in one of these things is crazy!

browneyed_girl

@TheAble - I quite agree!  But I don’t think it’s a battle I’m ever going to win!  I’d like to think that if we were ever in a position that we couldn’t make loan or CC repayments, DH would agree to a drastic change of vehicle.  However, it’s his dream car and as we are fairly comfortable financially each month, I’d much rather prioritise DH’s happiness over paying off debt quicker.  Others may disagree and are perfectly entitled to feel that way - I think we all have different opinions on these matters and that is what makes this forum (and the world!) such an interesting and informative place .

browneyed_girl

So yesterday turned out to be a NSD after all! Total of four in a row! 

Today, however, was a different story entirely.  Had a whole day off without the kids, so DH and I popped into town for a few things and some quality time.  Fuel spend of exactly £30.01 and parking cost £4.25 before we had even got out the car!  Went round a few different shops to find a birthday present for a friend of DD3 as she’s been invited to her party next week.  Managed to find a few things on sale that only came to £9 (my budget is usually £10 for this sort of thing).  Then DH suggested he buy me an early birthday present which came to £45.  What present?  Um...it may or may not have been getting my tongue (re)pierced.  Except that it definitely was that.  I think it’s entirely possible that I am going through a very early mid-life crisis, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and threw caution to the wind.  Plus, it’s doing wonders for my diet as I have to eat soft foods - I’ve only managed a smoothie and a yoghurt all day!

Anyway, moving on from that, we then stopped at Lid! for a few top-up items amounting to £14.51 and also spent £11.14 at Mr T to stock up on some things that we can’t get at Lid!.  I had hoped that would be all the spending for the day, but of course DD1 then comes home from school with a letter asking for money for swimming sessions.  It’s only the second day of the term and already they’re asking for money?!?  We had to fork out £240 at the end of last term for a residential trip that they’re taking next year - they must think parents are just made of money!  At least this time it was only a request for £25, but still unexpected and somewhat irritating. 

After all that spending, it was nice to see I could bank £5 from my rewards account, which will be added to the EF once it clears.  It may not be much, but (as DH would say) it’s better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick. 

I’m now off to see if it’s possible to blend biscuits into something soft (I’m thinking with the help of ice cream) as I’ve been missing my favourite treat today!  Have a lovely evening everyone!

BellaLasagna2018

Oh, getting your tongue pierced! The thought of it makes me shudder! You’re a braver woman than I am. I stopped at ears, then belly button  

browneyed_girl

@BellaLasagna2018 It hurts a lot less than you would think!  I have 12 ear piercings and my nose done.  One thing I could never pierce is my belly button!  It’s bizarre but I can barely even touch it - it’s just such a weird body part!!

BellaLasagna2018

browneyed_girl said:

@BellaLasagna2018 It hurts a lot less than you would think!  I have 12 ear piercings and my nose done.  One thing I could never pierce is my belly button!  It’s bizarre but I can barely even touch it - it’s just such a weird body part!!

It’s funny, isn’t it? How people react to things! When I had my belly button pierced it didn’t hurt. It just felt like a pinch. With my ears, piercings x 5, I felt like Dumbo for hours after 😂 I would love my nose or eyebrow pierced but it would be seriously frowned upon at work. 

WinterWarrior

I love nose piercings, they can look so beautiful. I wasn’t brave enough when I was young enough to carry it off 😖 Doesn’t food get caught up in a tongue piercing? I would not want anything to interfere with food 😁