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

Spendless

I've just used the time since I'm awake to go thru my fridge and to my shame, I've had to bin several things. I realise why (and I do think understanding what's happened is 50% of solving an issue).Mr S was away and a couple of times this week I left work and the temptation to get food whilst I was at (my workplace is situated between 2 chip shops!!) was too great and then I didn't want to eat at home later, hence the waste!

Lesson learnt cos this has now cost double, in groceries I bought and didn't eat plus the takeaway price.

I'll think of strategies to make sure I'm not tempted again. I need to sort out my work locker anyway because there has been a policy change at my workplace on hot drinks which is a little inconveniet for me. A similar thing happened at my previous workplace when we got banned from drinking out of mugs and could only drink from company issued flasks, that kept the liquid so hot that one fill up lasted all day - the cynic in me thinks it was done on purpose to keep people at their desks longer! This latest one involves everyone having individual items rather than communal stuff. I really wish companies/management thought thru how something that might be so little to them can have a big impact on the staff when the new changes don't work for them. Currently I'm left with how am I meant to take my own milk in daily when I work usually 3 days a week (occassionally more) part days where they can be a 'jump' in which days I'm in eg I could do Mon, Thurs, Sat so the same milk wont last all week. I'll also need to fetch in in my bag and I commute with a combo of car and train. Ideas appreciated.

DH said he'll pick me up some coffee sachets from the hotels he stays in, which will be space saving at least.

Sunshine_girl2

With regards to the milk issue I pick up some individual milks in BNM the make is by Champion UHT 10 in a pack.

Spendless

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992108#Comment_81992108

oohhh Thank you. I've never noticed them. What section are they in (sorry if this is a daft question!)?

Sunshine_girl2

In mine they are near the tea and coffee .

satchmo1

I don't know if this would work for you, but DS and partner have oat milk, so when I buy a carton I freeze it in an ice-cube tray.

Could you take a tray of frozen milk-cubes in an insulated bag?

weenancyinAmerica

Most flasks keep cold things cold also. Maybe a second company flask for the milk?

Spendless

Thank you all for your ideas re milk. I'm going to look into all of them to see which suits me the best. I the meantime I found this small bottle of cravendale in a nearby Sainsbury's for 60p which will do me to put in the communal fridge if I'm in on a run of consecutive day. Then I'll look at alternatives that best suit when I'm on 'random' days.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/cravendale-filtered-fresh-semi-skimmed-milk-fresher-for-longer-250ml?deeplink=true&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20333793068&utm_content=shopping&utm_term={sku}&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=759-449-0952&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19663891335&gbraid=0AAAAAD17J_DKBRUI9h-ASga6Cax9N7ypj&gclid=CjwKCAjwtvvPBhBuEiwAPMijr0psRi8Q3WYithoztuDH0f9zSu0MVE0b2t6z5VdpXIxpsD6D5BEkIhoCPI0QAvD_BwE

Went to my reunion. Small crowd but enjoyed it. Mr S went to visit a friend, I didn't see his message so he ordered me food, meanwhile our group moved to a different pub to get a meal. Ooops - guess what I'm eating today- lol.

We started looking at the CCs yesterday before my shift but will finish off today and pay them also I think. They're not due until beg of June, but I think it'll give us 1 less thing to think about on our return.

Sunshine_girl2

I have never seen that small bottle before , thanks for sharing it would be very useful for me on certain occasions.

HouseMartin567

I use this for taking milk to the office. Half filled is normally plenty for a day.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Hydrate-Stainless-Steel-Bottle/dp/B096R5BWSB/ref%3Dasc_df_B096R5BWSB?mcid=1561a4f3908937cca2fbeb1ccb0ed6af&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697315749782&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15536659362213636501&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007120&hvtargid=pla-1432788950862&psc=1&hvocijid=15536659362213636501-B096R5BWSB-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

I got mine in Asda for about £7.

Spendless

Thank you all. I only have 1 more shift to do before going away and it's the early one, so am contemplating getting a breakfast out before I start work and then DH can pick me up for us to set off as soon as I finish, so will be having my morning coffee out dining. Just got to find the place that will be open at the right time.

We paid the CC's off yesterday. Normally we pay them off around the time they are due (beg of month) in order to keep the money sat in our account/s until the interest is paid out (end of month). This time we decided we wanted 1 less thing to think about when we come home, and have paid them early. Made it clearer what available spending money we have whilst we're away. The huge majority of my breakfasts and lunches are included, and all DH's are except on travel days and at least 3 evening meals for us both which will include drinks. Got to work out likely expenditure for any meals/drinks not covered, any shopping we do, but we are more restricted this time it was too expensive to fly anything except economy whereas for past couple of years we've flown PE, so not as much luggage allowance and any expenditure I occur whilst DH is working. Back in Jan this included me going to a moonshine tasting session with 2 of the other wives, Back then the weather was freezing at least this time I'll be able to take advantage of the pool.

Today both me and Mum have consecutive chiropody appts, so I am driving us there. Hope to persuade her to grab a coffee at an independant eatery which was a fan fav of me and DD's but after the pandemic became take out only. Now it's re-opened under new management and available again to sit in. so excited to try.

Laundry was brought up to date yesterday and I moved all potentials to take away to 1 side of my wardrobe. Hoping to start packing later. Excited.