Missy’s Surviving the storm so we can dance in the rain.

missymoo81

Good Morning, I'm just sat outside with a coffee, it is the first morning I haven't had to get up early for a really long time. Don't get me wrong I was still up at 7.30 but I wasn't out of the house. And I probably won't get another one for about 3 weeks, as the childrens dad is away which means I'm up at 6.30 most days.

I've got the laptop out today so I can write a longer post. Like I said a couple of days ago, I really need a reset. I went through my online banking yesterday and am shocked at the amount of money I have spent on food this past 2 weeks at the COOP, because I didn't do a proper shop! I need to go to lidl either today or tomorrow. I've got £40 in cash so that will have to do. I do need washing powder though and fabric conditioner, so we will have to see how much I can make that stretch with all the rising prices.

So bad habits that have crept back, eating out more often, this needs to stop, nipping into coop, buying clothes, not driving economically, buying carrier bags, snacking, not planning meals, not turning the switches off as much, eating more expensive breakfasts etc. Washing things twice because I haven't got them out of the machine in time. Gone to coffee shops way more than i should. Booked private swimming pools as didn't have the confidence to swim in front of others. haven't invoiced for work I've done. All of these are super bad habits that I managed to kick before and will again.

Good things I have done....... thinking..... I haven't cancelled any work even when I was super tired. Went to the cinema, but took our own drink and popcorn. I fixed a zip on an old bag and its now good as new, I stopped myself from buying £100 of swimwear I didn't need, and just bought 1 (which I did need). Took all the heavy stuff out of the car so we weren't driving around with the extra weight. Managed to make a Pirate costume for Roo for school instead of buy one. Bought some £2.50 sunglasses to replace my old expensive ones i sat on!!! Got Roo his new glasses, and managed to choose a pair which didn't cost a penny. Didn't book an expensive weekend away with the children and we had a wonderful holiday at home last weekend. Really wanted takeaway last night but had beans on toast instead, heating has remained off for over a month and I dyed my own hair with a £3 dye and it looks as good as the hairdressers, I have also downgraded my shampoo and conditioner to £1 bottles, switching DW off before it goes into full dry mode..... So although I have got into super bad habits, and feel sick at the mounted cost. I have tried to reign in some things. But I absolutely can be better.

So steps I have taken or am taking to make things better:
Meal plan and shopping list - will do this today.
Write a budget, so that every £1 has a job. - Will do this today
Going to join a Sports club today, as swimming for a month will cost the same as a 1 off session!! (need to do this for possible new job).
Switch screen in car to consumption so i can see how I'm driving
Do washing in the morning so that it can be hung up.
Put carrier bags in both cars so always have some.
Treat going out to eat as a treat, not as a necessity because I haven't planned food propely
Invoice for work done today!


Soo I'm sure there is more to add to my list as we go, but today is looking pretty busy:

General stuff:
Do litter Tray
Hang up clean washing
Wash load no.2
Hoover
Wipe worktops
Mop floor
Unload Dishwasher
Bathrooms?

Food:
Meal Plan
Check Cupboards
Shopping List
Make nice dinner

Children:
Go through emails and see what I owe the school for trips etc, This will be quite a lot as have missed some payments?
Look on MP for bedroom stuff with children?
Payment for Childrens swimming on Tuesday

Work:
Message E
Program
Teams

Money:
Write invoice
Check next payment for J & C

Career:
Sort out training plan
Membership
Run

So lots to do, some can be done this afternoon whilst in the garden. 

JGB1955

missymoo81 said:

 I do need washing powder though and fabric conditioner, so we will have to see how much I can make that stretch with all the rising prices.

Why not buy 2-in-1?  It costs the same.

missymoo81

JGB1955 said:

missymoo81 said:

 I do need washing powder though and fabric conditioner, so we will have to see how much I can make that stretch with all the rising prices.

Why not buy 2-in-1?  It costs the same.

Thanks so much for posting. I’m trying to shop in lidl and I don’t know if they do it, but it is a very good point, I will check prices of 2 in 1 at Tesco and see if it works out cheaper. 

Elisheba

JGB1955 said:

missymoo81 said:

 I do need washing powder though and fabric conditioner, so we will have to see how much I can make that stretch with all the rising prices.

Why not buy 2-in-1?  It costs the same.

I'm making my own with 1 cup grated soap, 1/2 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup borax substitute. Mix with a little water in a pot on the stove till all melted, then make up to 10 litres with more tap water, stir while cooling, and decant into old plastic cartons/bottles. And I'm using white vinegar for softener. Not hugely helpful when you don't have that stuff in, but worth thinking about in the longer term as it's cheap as chips. 

missymoo81

Oooh thanks @Elisheba definitely something to think about longer term. I do struggle with not being able to smell the fabric conditioner. I seem to have an unhealthy attachment to it, although I am way better than I used to be and I use it sparingly. It stems from being a child and never having clean clothes as my mother could never be bothered to wash them 🤦🏻‍♀️. But I’m getting there with it! 

Have had a productive day so far. Still plenty to do but it’s all good!

WelshKitty85

Well done for noticing the bad habits creeping back in and doing something about it. Is there anything you can do now, while you are focused, to help your future self? For example, I struggle to meal plan and write shopping lists when I’m tired. So, having a cheat sheet with a list of our favourite meals, broken down into what ingredients each one needs, helps with that.

missymoo81

Hey @WelshKitty85 just seen your signature, well done for being debt neutral! That’s awesome! 

That is a really good idea. I struggle when I’m busy and then don’t have time to make things from scratch. Just having a couple of £s worth of quick sauces will help.

jwil

missymoo81 said:

Hey @WelshKitty85 just seen your signature, well done for being debt neutral! That’s awesome! 

That is a really good idea. I struggle when I’m busy and then don’t have time to make things from scratch. Just having a couple of £s worth of quick sauces will help.

I think we all have ambitions to cook everything from scratch, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  Having some jars of sauce, or even a few ready meals will be much cheaper than going out for a meal.

RelievedSheff

jwil said:

missymoo81 said:

Hey @WelshKitty85 just seen your signature, well done for being debt neutral! That’s awesome! 

That is a really good idea. I struggle when I’m busy and then don’t have time to make things from scratch. Just having a couple of £s worth of quick sauces will help.

I think we all have ambitions to cook everything from scratch, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  Having some jars of sauce, or even a few ready meals will be much cheaper than going out for a meal.

Fully agree. We don't cook from scratch every night. Sometimes we are just too busy. 

WelshKitty85

Thanks @missymoo81 but I have to confess my signature needs updating. We took a risk and made a huge investment to build some holiday accommodation on our land. So we’re now back in debt and hoping it pays off. Holiday to North Wales anyone???

I completely agree about buying in jars of sauce etc. I always have a few sachets of stir fry sauce in the cupboard as they’re cheap to buy and can make a relatively healthy meal. Better to spend a few ££s to keep some ‘cheats’ in the cupboard than end up getting a take away every night (not that it’s an option for us now we’ve moved to the middle of nowhere!!).