Debt in Dizzyland

mumtoomany

Hi, we've been here just over 8 years, moved from the north west of England. I too would never go back, much prefer the chilled, friendly existence here. Even though we now live on next to nothing! 
All the stuff you've sorted, is it worth selling on ebay or marketplace? Even a few pounds is useful. You could always bundle like things together and sell as job lots. Or save it all up and have a carboot sale later in the year.
Pups sound lovely, mumtoomany.xx

Dizzy_Imp

Morning diary!   Day 30 has arrived in a slow, gentle way, for which I am glad.

Tasks for today include sorting out the fridge - freezing any useable leftovers and giving the whole thing a thorough scrub and polish.

I've decided to do Dry January as it's a good way for me to reset my body after a few weeks of bingeing both on food and alcohol, plus it will definitely save me a few pennies.  I'm continuing to declutter too, which feels good.

Thanks for the suggestions MTM, but I'm not a fan of car boot sales or selling online as my anxiety always gets too much in those situations.  I'll be sending off some of my quality clothes that are sadly now way too small for me to Re-Fashion in exchange for a credit to spend on their site.  I know I need to man-up in selling situations but I find the whole process of buying and selling really awkward.

Earl Grey brewing, so let's get started!

Dizzy_Imp

Happy New Year!

The first day of 2022 is Day 32 of my diary.  I never thought I'd be able to keep this up for more than a week or two, so I'm proud of that achievement! 

Yesterday was DH's birthday.  Spendy day with a takeaway for dinner, but we didn't go out to celebrate, so I think that's OK. I was more restrained with presents for him, taking advantage of the sales to buy what he wanted.  It did mean a trip into town, which I always hate, but I took Tiny and got his hair cut at the Turkish barbers,  so killed two birds...

I've been awake since 4.30am watching budgeting videos on YouTube so I'm fired up to start this year in the right frame of mind.  I've looked at the oil gauge reading for our tank and reckon we can make it to the end of the month without filling up.  I'm glad it's been mild, if wet, weather-wise.

I intend on spending the day sorting the laundry room and ironing approx. 16,754 items that have been waiting for some considerable time now.

Pork chews (not great at chops) planned for dinner, with garlic mash and veggies.  I stripped the meat from the turkey and gammon and froze it in meal-sized portions for use later, when people won't groan about yet another leftover dish.  My cupboards are still groaning with stashed food, so an inventory is needed to help me plan/use stuff up. I'd like to make a dish from a different country each week this year, so will be asking Alexa to randomly select me a name later to research.  

Catch up soon!

Fortune_Smiles

Just de-lurking to say Happy New Year!  Good luck with the ironing 🙂

Fortune x

WinterWarrior

Happy New Year 🥳 

savingholmes

Happy New Year

kazwookie

Dizzy, you are doing great, happy new year

Dizzy_Imp

Evening diary report for Day 34, as I've been catching up on zzzz most of today, after a particularly busy night shift.

Not much to report on my frugal journey progress, other than I stopped DH going shopping today for food (no jars of curry sauce for him to cook with...) and made Cuban Turkey linguine, not with leftovers, but fresh turkey breast. I will need to pop to the shops soon though as there is no fresh fruit left.

ParentPay have debited £20, to top up my school dinner account for the boys, which has tipped below the minimum balance, as they had a Christmas Dinner last term, which was mandatory optional to attend.

Floss, our collie, and her pups went to the vets for a check up to make sure all OK, and to get some cream for Flossy's itchy bit of skin that she has now licked bald, so £82 later...sigh...

But! Milo the Chiuhuahua has paid for December's daycare and his owners have confirmed January dates going forward, so some pennies to play with.

DH has finally agreed to sell our car, which we hardly ever use, as I drive the Transit mainly and he has a company car with personal use allowance, so I've got to get it serviced, valeted and spruced up for potential buyers.  It's a lovely dark blue sporty Audi with really low mileage, so I'm hopeful of a good price.  I've already ear-marked some of the money for a polycrub, but the majority will go towards debt-busting.

Trying to get motivated to attack the washing mountain, but I'm currently buried under a pile of dogs, so finding it tricky lol.

TTFN x

Dizzy_Imp

Hello! I think I'm on Day 38, but I've got brain fog and can't work it out...

I've had a shattering four night shifts on the trot (outside of my contracted hours) so not been much use yesterday and today. Having the children at home due to holidays, home learning/blended learning days and teacher preparation days has meant very little sleep after each night shift and so I'm pretty exhausted. 

In other news, our two "lambs"-  massive, huge woolly beasts - went off to the abbatoir today, so in a few days I will have to find space in one of the chest freezers for the butchered meat.  I gave both of them big kisses as they were loaded and had a little cry, as they were both very tame, affectionate sheep and I was very sad to see them go.  I know they've had a great life here (e.g. spending their first four weeks sleeping in the house with the dogs to keep warm and have company) but we did raise them to be food for our family.  Thank you Curly and Minty 

The weather here is just horrid ATM. Rain, cold wind and dreary light levels are making going outside hard-going.  I've got lots to do in the garden, but am becoming discouraged and testy about this coming growing season.  This feeling will pass (it always does) but *mutter, mutter, grumble, moan*..

Bye for now!

mumtoomany

I feel your pain regarding the sheep. We slaughtered Spot, a ewe, just before Christmas. I always feel a bit sorry for them, but they are bred to be eaten. Will probably get a couple of piglets again this year. Last two were named Sage and Onion. Reminds me what they are for. You're doing well with the debt busting, keep it up, take care, mumtoomany.xx