A new chapter, An empty nest, Drama school & Last year of Uni

Loanranger21

Hi Spendless. re cost of new element in oven: from memory it was under £100. Maybe £80 ish. Far far cheaper than buying a new oven.

Spendless

Cheers loan ranger - definately something to look into.

Kxmx - from my days as a Sat girl in a food hall many moons ago you can freeze cheese assumming you are talking about the hard type like cheddar or red leicester etc, so you could cut a block in half and freeze if you cant find a smaller pack.

My manager bought some mince from the meat market opposite where we work said it was cheaper for 2lb compared to the supermarket. We used to shop there before eldest went to Uni but then stopped as back then youngest was vegetarian and Mr S works away every week so not eating it as much. The stalls are much reduced since then but I think its something we need to return to doing.

Work wasnt busy customer wise yesterday due to weather but a delivery meant there was plenty to occupy me for the hours I worked. I was also hit with a double whammy. First the liklihood is my role will be permanent pending the outcome for someone Im covering for. The other is a long term staff member in a managerial role is leaving. I think finding a replacement is going to be tough due to the hours, location and the need for them to 'hit the ground running'. Ive been here in the past 2 jobs where the long term experienced staff has given notice and it's ended up not being good for those left behind.

Today Im off, I dont want to say Im aiming for a NSD as Gremlins tend to throw spanners in the works but hopefully as minimal as I can.

Dog whining to go for a walk - at least thats a free activity to go and do.

KxMx

Unfortunately hard cheese tends to crumble after being frozen, making it difficult to cut 🧀 So I prefer freezing grated only that I use for baking.

Spendless

Feezing grated is a great idea.

DH's payday today. We ended the month with a fiver in this account and strictly speaking with none at all cos we need today's wages to pay the CC before 1st. It's many many months since we've been in this position, but I'm aware that due to circs beyond my control, I took my eye off the ball towards the end of last year. Am now implimenting strategies to prevent that happening again.

I used yesterday's £5 and another £10 today to move into my Friday savings/alternative universe. Xtra rent now has £95 in stolen £55.

Today I have a work shift, another tomorrow and then in all day Sunday. Then only 1 midweek because next weekend we are going to see DD play the lead role in what is pretty much her last major production at drama school. There will be 2 more after this, one is her own work but she's the writer and isn't taking a major role in directing and isn't acting in it, the other days before the course finishes but will have a minor role due to having a bigger part this time, which is exactly what she wished for.

Workwise there is a meeting next week when whether my role will continue as I'm covering for someone long term absent. Once this is known it will be easier for long term financial planning. For now we will just pay the CClater today and see what money is available to be sent to cover which committment we have. Will be doing this later afternoon/early evening once I'm home from work.

Spendless

Tuesday and DD's student rent sent. Assumming I keep my job, I have now got enough money in reserve from DH's wages to meet the ongoing costs until the end of the tenancy paying from my wages. I won't know if I have got a job beyond my current temp contract until the end of next week I think just due to how my shifts have fallen.

Though January was very tight, I have been able to buy some Xmas gifts in the sales which will be 'padding' or stocking gifts. This will help considerably at the end of the year.

Today and tomorrow I intend being 'housebound' whilst I completely tidy the house which is long overdue for doing. My thought process being to do the upstairs first (today's job) followed by the downstairs tomorrow as I have more downstairs items that need to go up than vice versa if that makes sense.

Mr S is now working away until Thurs evening, so only me (and the dog!) responsible for any more mess made. Let's see how I get on.

Spendless

I got around 70% of the house done. I need to set myself more acheivable targets I think, not try to do too much at once. I also realised that if it took 3 of us to empty an area then it's not realistic (or fair) if just one puts it all back. I have no weekday shifts next week, so will concentrate on doing a little more each day.

Had a blood test this morning, something that was missed off at my last check. Asked if I could get weighed whilst there too cos no batteries in my scales and this was free, no putting £1 in boots machine or (re) joining SW - lol. Very slight gain of one pound)but tidying my handbags on my return I found a boots machine slip from.Oct where Im half a stone heavier. Confirmation Ive been yo-yoing. Will try and eat better, just dont crave salads with this weather.

Going to set off for work within the hour and see if I can pick up any last sales bits before my shift starts.

DD's show has sold out for Saturday, so glad we bought tickets early. Its a matinee which I really wasnt expecting. I thought it'd be an evening show or both. We are setting off early at my insistance because DH's 'it takes 3.5 hours to get there' has happened only once when Ive gone - the rest of the time its been nearer 5 hours due to various road delays!

Spendless

Friday and the £5 pots filled. Extra rent has hit the 3 figure mark with £100 in. Just looked and this will need to be continued to be paid into until June to cover the final week's rent at DD's student digs. Stolen is up to £60.

Yesterday, I went into the city centre, looked round some shops, bought something in the 70% off Boots sale, grabbed lunch (Drs appt in the morning meant I hadnt spaced eating out adequately something I only realised after leaving home), had my top lip waxed and was completely done with everything in 65 mins. Nowhere had customers at the till, this included at our large Primark. Looking round the recently vacated M&S and what it has now become (discount clothing store) was depressing. Work was the same with barely a customer. I realise weather played a part but still. It has to be that with people struggling with bills and grocery increases there's nothing left over.