Trying not to get into more debt

savingholmes

I'm sure you'll hear soon. 

Great that you got a coupon too.

Toonie

Well, my groceries came to £49.87 (and toiletries and household came to £15) and there is enough food for a coupe of weeks. Decided to do a roast chicken for dinner tonight (it's a small one). DP gets a chicken sandwich for work tomorrow, I'll have chicken salad, I'll make a stir fry for dinner tomorrow. Plus, I'll pop the bones into my stock box in the freezer as next week I'm planning on a big batch of soup.

A close friend has just announced her wedding date for next year. I'd really love to go but it will mean an overnight stay and unfortunately it coincides with the extra bank holidays in June next year so rooms are expensive. As it seems hotels are filling up quick, I've booked one but it doesn't have to be paid until arrival and you can cancel up until 48 hours before hand. I'm hoping  that I will be able to make some money towards it before then from babysitting, extras from swagbucks, and decluttering/selling items. I also need to lose some weight, that way I won't need to buy a dress as I've got some lovely ones which are slightly too tight at present (gone up a dress size since injuring my knee).

As such I'm going to continue my quest to eat frugally whilst also making it healthy and try to move as much as my dodgy knee allows me. It's good to have something to aim towards, especially as my friend wants to lose some weight too, so we're cheering each other on.

savingholmes

Having someone cheering you on can make a huge difference. I agree too that having something to look forward to helps

Toonie

Spent £12.50 on coffee beans, dried fruit, a big box of tea, and some fresh fruit from the market. The tea will last a few months, the coffee and dried fruit will last until the end of the month.

Today I'm going to do some baking as need to make some cereal bars for DPs lunch, thinking I'll do cranberry and cashew for a change. I'm also going to make either rock buns or a fruit loaf as I discovered a big bag of mixed dried fruit in the cupboard so that will make a change for breakfast. My breakfasts currently are quite a random selection as I've been enjoying a more European selection with bits and pieces. This morning I had a slice of rye bread, a few cashews, some dried apricots, a slice of cheese, and a few cherry tomatoes. I quite like the randomness of it and find it keeps me full far longer than a bowl of cereal.

Tomorrow is mine and DPs anniversary, so I've got us some steak for supper (with peppercorn sauce for DP). A nice treat alongside a bottle of red wine (which was a present for my birthday earlier in the year).

My debt is slowly reducing (paying the minimum payments) but hopefully my new job will start next week and when I go to longer hours I can start sorting it all out.

savingholmes

Fruit loaf sounds good. Never been a fan of rock cakes. Happy anniversary for tomorrow. You'll speed up your progress when you get your new job. You've done well to manage on one wage during this period.

Toonie

To be fair I'm really please at how we've managed. I think the buffer of having a couple months to cut spending and save as much as possible definitely helped. I think if this had carried on into the new year that is when we'd start struggling. As it is there is enough to keep my share of the bills going until my hours increase at work.

I ended up making a tea loaf yesterday as I found a recipe of my great aunt's which I wanted to try. It read "Soak 7oz dried fruit (any) in half a pint of hot strong black tea for at least 2 hours. Add to 9oz flour and baking powder. Splash of milk/water if mix too dry. Grease a loaf tin and bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes." A note at the bottom read "Good with Jean's marmalade." Jean was my Grandma. And I had a slice this morning for breakfast and it was lovely. Didn't miss the sugar or fat (though did put a scrape of butter on).

savingholmes

Well done on the baking. Can you taste the tea? I hate tea which is why I am asking.

Toonie

No, can't taste the tea at all. I've seen other recipes use coffee or fruit/herbal teas or warmed juice to soak the fruit in.

Toonie

My first week at work went well but was tiring and I have a rather painful knee now. I'm resting as much as possible this weekend and after work each day when I've got home I've been popping on an ice pack for a bit and rubbing in some muscle rub to try and help a little.

Budget wise, I popped to the shops one day after work to pick up fresh fruit and veg. I didn't stick to my list as my local Lidl had quite a few reduced items which I have portioned up and popped into the freezer which will benefit us over the next few months. I've got £36 left in my food budget until the end of the month, which should be manageable as all we'll need is fruit and veggies and maybe a box of eggs depending on the baking I do.

savingholmes

Sorry you are still in pain. Hope things improve soon. Glad job ok