Budgeting by the beach

DaisyCheerings

The glass blowing was so much fun.  We didn't do a great deal, but they did make us feel involved in the whole process.

doingitanyway

Hi @DaisyCheerings glad glass blowing was enjoyable

You gave me a little hope with the reports of houses not going so quickly! 
Are you in the South East?

DaisyCheerings

Hello @doingitanyway.  I'm in Norfolk now.  I also keep an eye on Zoopla and RightMove and they've both reported a decline in price increases in the area where I live.

DaisyCheerings

I've been on holiday the last few weeks and am back now!  It's a light relief to be home as it's hard saving for holidays.  My next trip is in March 2023 and that's just a short break for a week.

It was a great holiday, and really needed.  It's also really helped me get my head straighter by giving me some thinking room to figure a few things out.  Financially I think I've found some good methods, so that side helped. I also have a better idea of what I want my life to look like and so I need to make some adjustments to fit in with that picture.

I decided to book a day to work in the office later this month as it's currently just £20 return (normally closer to £60).  We've been told we need to go in at least once every 3 months, so this will be my visit.  Because it was so much cheaper than expected, I've also booked a hotel overnight next February for my dentist appointment.  That was just £35 for booking so early and will save me driving all day just for an hour or so appointment.  I can't get in with the dentist near me, so will continue with my previous one until I can.  So that hotel payment came out of my commuter budget and can incorporate a catch up with friends or just a nice relaxing afternoon away from the list of home chores.

The financial spreadsheet I follow each month is working out perfectly for me still.  I tick off what's been paid each day so I have a type of running total.  I can see that YNAB wouldn't have suited me and the financial saving is excellent.

This month is pay rise month.  They drag out letting us know what it will be, sometimes until November, but I'm really hoping they factor in the cost of living and high inflation rates this time around rather than their standard low percent.

It's suddenly turned very Autumnal and I'm loving that.  While away I bought some autumnal colour throws and blankets for home, and to help with heating bills, so I'm looking forward to getting those out to snuggle up in.  I also bought some gorgeous candles which are so good I'm going to need to convince myself to light them!!!  I wish I could have bought more, but they're big and heavy so only had room for a few.

Cooking is again my next challenge to conquer.  I've been so busy at work I've not had the energy to go shopping, but this weekend I'm planning on driving to a superstore to get what I need, and also to use the grocery market here on Saturday to stock up.  

I hope everyone is enjoying this change in season as much as I am.

savingholmes

I love autumn colours - they are so beautiful.

doingitanyway

Good to read you enjoyed your holiday.
Sounds like you are making the most of your trip into the office.
You are down to the 3s in your debt now. All good

DaisyCheerings

savingholmes said:

I love autumn colours - they are so beautiful.

It's my absolute favourite time of the year.  I'm loving it and feeling motivated by it too.

DaisyCheerings

doingitanyway said:

Good to read you enjoyed your holiday.
Sounds like you are making the most of your trip into the office.
You are down to the 3s in your debt now. All good

Ooh, thank you doingitanyway.  I hadn't noticed I reduced my debt by a whole beginning number.  My original debt was £51,000 so being in the 3's now makes me very happy.  Thanks for pointing that out.

DaisyCheerings

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  


This weather is making me feel quite motivated.  I've even found the energy to cook more from scratch so I currently have some salmon, new potatoes and broccoli being cooked.  I've also brought out my Velvetiser for Autumn and am really enjoying that.  I have the maple and pecan chocolate sachets and they're gorgeous.

I've updated my sheet of bills with all that's left the account and what's still to go.  That's looking as it should and I'm still chuffed that this works so much better for me than I believe YNAB would have done.  My next task is to make a note of what I'm spending on shopping as I go over budget every month on that but don't feel that I eat lots and lots.  So I'd like to take a closer look at that.

I'm loving Autumn in my new home.  I've been lighting smelly candles around the house too which gives a good autumnal vibe.  I've also got a mood light that a friend bought for me and I put that on either the blue/green which matches my decor, or orange to give it a warm boost.  I'd like to add a little warm lighting in the garden to have something nice to look out to.

I've cut my grass but I think I may do it one more time next week before putting the mower away until Spring.  I've also cut my hydrangeas back as they were looking very sorry for themselves.

I'm currently contemplating whether to buy a low wattage mini heater as during the week when I'm working I'm in my tiny office, which doesn't need much to warm it up.  It seems silly to put the heating system on with all radiators but one heating up.  It's not expensive and has a lot of recent good reviews so I probably will give it a go.

My British Gas account has been credited with £66 and they emailed today to say it'll go in the first week of each month.  I don't pay by Direct Debit which is why it goes on my account.  I believe anyone with a direct debit gets the payment sent to the account they pay their direct debit from.  That's really useful, so I think I'll get the heater and take the money from my energy bill account to pay for it.

I hope everyone is having a great start of the week.

savingholmes

I'd buy an electric blanket rather than  a heater so you are heating you rather than the room. Working for me - although I am putting the heating on occasionally.