Trying not to get into more debt

Toonie

It's been quite a quiet week. Though I did get together with friends for lunch on Friday which was lovely. We had a tasty roast dinner, lovely long catch up chats, and I made millionaires shortbread which was very nice. I didn't get home until 1.30am and ended up getting a cab back (a little pricey but far safer than a night bus). It was such a lovely time and much needed as we hadn't seen each other since the start of the pandemic.

We're popping over to see FIL today so have just done lateral flow tests (both negative) and then will stop on the way home to pick up some groceries (need some eggs, spuds, and a loaf of bread at the very least). Otherwise another quiet week planned as we're trying to avoid going anywhere so as to minimise risk and be able to have FIL over for Christmas Day.

savingholmes

Time with friends sounds lovely. I'd want a cab at that time too and in the current climate. Enjoy your time with FIL

Toonie

Thanks. We had a nice morning and then when going to Sainsbury saw they had their Christmas veggies down to 19p so got several lots so I can batch cook some soup and freeze it (as well as having some for the week ahead). Will get a few more bags as well as they are such good value and tend to store OK in our utility room (which is rather cold).

Toonie

Did a little trip to get some cheese and fruit in Lidl. We like to put together a little cheese board and our local Lidl does some small blocks of cheese which are handy when there is only two of you (or on Christmas Day, three). I also found a fig chutney which doesn't have onion in so I got that as a treat for myself (only 99p as well). We're going out later to pick up our turkey crown and fresh bits (salad, tomatoes, double cream) and then we are sorted for the week. We're also going to use some of our saved Nectar points for some nice beer/wine for Christmas Day.

Toonie

Well Christmas came and went, and we had lovely food, nice company from FIL, and spent a few days relaxing and watching daft things on TV. We're still working our way through the cheese selection, and we still have a few beers left from our Nectar spend treats.

Looking ahead I'm trying to work out budgets for the next few weeks. We're going to try and have a mostly spend-free January (not quite a "Uber frugal month" like the Frugalwoods as I'm willing to keep Netflix going but all other non-essential spends can go) and make the most of what we have at home. The only thing I know we need to buy is some aquarium supplies for our fish, but I tend to buy bulk and so get 6 months worth at time and will get that in before January.

I'm still having lots of trouble from my knee and it's been very painful the last couple of days. I've got a physio appointment at the beginning of January so I'm hoping they have figured out what the problem is and to get a treatment plan together.

nannygladys

Sounds like you have been having a lovely time Toonie . I have been through my budgets time and time again to make it go further, but it's so hard there's only so much you can do (and save) and its not easy!! It'll be continually fine tuned for the next few months until it works how I need it to.
Sorry you are having trouble with your knees and I hope you get it sorted soon.
Nannyg

savingholmes

Hope your knee improves soon. 

Well done on the planning. Frugalwoods can be very motivating

Toonie

I've got an interview next week for a nannying job. Hoping it goes well as the family seem nice and know some friends of mine who have talked me up to them. I've already informed them about my knee and they said that doesn't worry them as at present they would rather whoever looks after their toddler stay at home due to the increasing numbers and they want someone who has lots of ways to entertain a little one (which I definitely have).

We've decided that as long as DP and I have negative Lateral Flows tomorrow we are going to go and see some friends for New Years Eve. We'll take along some beer and wine and I'll make a cake.

nannygladys

Toonie - have a lovely New Years Eve, and I hope the tests are negative and your interview in the New Year goes well.
Nannyg

savingholmes

Happy New Year. Hope you get the nannying role