Keeping the wolf from the door.

pennywisepoundstupid

Morning,

Yesterday was an expensive day, took delivery of 500litres of oil for CH so the tank is now full and this will last us all winter, hopefully we can keep it off until the end of October, we do have a woodburner which heats the majority of the house. Also did electricity reading and we are £150 in credit,i was hoping it would be higher but anything is a bonus.
Lots of strawberries picked and kind neighbour gave me another 2kg of damsons which i need to do something with today. Weather was kind yesterday afternoon and washing was dried on the line, hopefully it was stay dry today as the kitchen mats need a wash.
Low on my fav clar!ns moisturiser and magically got sent a 20% off code from their website, its an expensive cream but i love it and won't be swayed especially as the medication i take plays havoc with my skin, it's my non negotiable treat and comes out of my own personal spends, also ordered some face wash and several freebies/samples were added to my basket, some i won't use and can be sold and some can be put in my travel wash bag for holidays. 

So even though today has been spendy finances are ticking along, I think DH is starting to see the benefits of everything being budgeted for and all my pots he laughs about takes the pressure off because we know the money is there, we have come a long way and it certainly makes life feel less stressful.
Quite a few surveys yesterday which was good, I have very little on ebay and nothing on vinted and i'm starting to think this is a good thing, we have less stuff and don't feel the need to purchase stuff, Purchases are carefully considered and the thought of going and spending a day shopping for fun brings me out in a cold sweat, I would much rather read a book or take dogs for a walk. Although i am in need of a new pair of jeans but can't bring myself to go though the hell of going and trying them on trying to find a pair that fit.

Off to the vets shortly for yearly vaccinations but i pay a monthly health plan so should be a NSD.

jwil

All sounds good

debtfreeoneday

I’m the same with the food budget. Upped it twice this year as just can’t buy the basics on what we were putting aside. 

pennywisepoundstupid

Good morning

Finances are looking good as it is finally payday, it has almost felt as long as January. £450 sent to various saving pots and £100 OP to mortgage.
£25 amazon voucher received from survey site, also cashed out £5 from qmee and i am finding it to be better and screening me out less so will keep going with them for now. Joined another site called Prime opinion very similar to qmee cashed out £10 after a few days and pays straight into paypal or there is voucher options.
IF anyone interested in joining i have a referral link
https://primeopinion.com/register?ref=99f55211-bfea-4179-a52c-a41c4260cf01

Set my alarm for 6.30 to try and get myself back into work mode as we are back next week, did mean i was in the supermarket by 8am.Yesterday i did the weekly meal plan and a careful shopping list, had quite a few bits that i buy on the nectar app giving extra points along with money off for using shop and scan, also alot of these were fruit/veg items and sainsburys are doing a fruit and veg challenge so i was able to combine and came away with 674 nectar points.
Grocery spends -
Sainsbury - £24.2,saved £3.21 by using shop and scan +674 points
Aldi - £54.11
Booths -£14.95
Also need to claim £1 from shopimum for beans.
Do still need to get sausage and bacon from butchers and i also forgot to add malt vinegar to shopping list. Will pick these up over the weekend 

PWPS xx

jwil

Happy payday!

pennywisepoundstupid

Morning all.

Yesterday i nipped into work to sort out some bits before Monday, had a catch up with colleagues and generally got my headspace back into work. It is going to be a tough year with the class that are moving up and i don't feel good about it but i'm going to try to be positive and take it one day at a time.
Called into a friends for lunch and a natter, managed to offload some of my worries (she is an ex teacher). Gave me a talking to about mental health and well being and i know she is right. She hasn't looked back since she left teaching and is at her happiest,food for thought 

Came home to an email letting me know i had had a small comp win, doggy treats so baby doggo will be happy. Old doggo is on a diet and eating special food and is only allowed veggie treats.
Popped into butchers and spent £20 but some of what i bought has gone into freezer for next week.

Been out to the chickens and feels very autumnal, although its supposed to be dry today and the sun is shining. First load of washing is in the machine and will be hung out.
Its going to be a cleaning and cooking day today, need to hoover the whole house, strip bedding and clean bathroom. Jam to be made, some soup to use the leeks i bought on Thursday, I have some ham pieces in the freezer which i will throw in.Coffee cake to make as well as i have some coffee butter cream to use up.

But first to get dressed and walk dogs xx

jwil

It's such a shame that so many teachers are struggling and don't have adequate support.  Hope the class isn't as challenging.

I think having an 'out' option is always worthwhile.  Sometimes knowing that it doesn't have to be forever, and that you are choosing to be there takes a big weight off and helps you continue.  If it is that bad that you need to go, then you've got an idea of what you want to be doing.  For me, that's what my plans are for early retirement, it's given me a new focus when I'm unsettled in my job.  When the time comes, I might choose not to go, or I might choose to work elsewhere, but I will have the freedom to do what feels right for me at the time.

pennywisepoundstupid

jwil said:

It's such a shame that so many teachers are struggling and don't have adequate support.  Hope the class isn't as challenging.

I think having an 'out' option is always worthwhile.  Sometimes knowing that it doesn't have to be forever, and that you are choosing to be there takes a big weight off and helps you continue.  If it is that bad that you need to go, then you've got an idea of what you want to be doing.  For me, that's what my plans are for early retirement, it's given me a new focus when I'm unsettled in my job.  When the time comes, I might choose not to go, or I might choose to work elsewhere, but I will have the freedom to do what feels right for me at the time.

I have nearly 20 years of experience of working in Education and have never known it so bad  . I love working with children but the politics, red tape and pressure are getting too much. Also we are heading into a different season of our life and although we are only in our mid forties we have money set aside to pay off mortgage once fixed rate ends, DS has left home and working full time,DD is in her last year of uni. It is time for DH and i to spend more time together and want to factor travel into that but it is impossible whilst tied to school holidays.
I plan to continue working but doing something less stressful and less hours. DH is totally supportive and wanted me to leave before the summer, i'm starting to think i will work this year, finish in July because we are paid pro rata i will get paid my last wage end of August which will see me through September and will save up enough money to cover October and November(thinking worse case) this will give me 4 months to find a part time job.
I think my mind is about 90% made up  .

jwil

pennywisepoundstupid said:

jwil said:

It's such a shame that so many teachers are struggling and don't have adequate support.  Hope the class isn't as challenging.

I think having an 'out' option is always worthwhile.  Sometimes knowing that it doesn't have to be forever, and that you are choosing to be there takes a big weight off and helps you continue.  If it is that bad that you need to go, then you've got an idea of what you want to be doing.  For me, that's what my plans are for early retirement, it's given me a new focus when I'm unsettled in my job.  When the time comes, I might choose not to go, or I might choose to work elsewhere, but I will have the freedom to do what feels right for me at the time.

I have nearly 20 years of experience of working in Education and have never known it so bad  . I love working with children but the politics, red tape and pressure are getting too much. Also we are heading into a different season of our life and although we are only in our mid forties we have money set aside to pay off mortgage once fixed rate ends, DS has left home and working full time,DD is in her last year of uni. It is time for DH and i to spend more time together and want to factor travel into that but it is impossible whilst tied to school holidays.
I plan to continue working but doing something less stressful and less hours. DH is totally supportive and wanted me to leave before the summer, i'm starting to think i will work this year, finish in July because we are paid pro rata i will get paid my last wage end of August which will see me through September and will save up enough money to cover October and November(thinking worse case) this will give me 4 months to find a part time job.
I think my mind is about 90% made up  .

That sounds like a good plan.

pennywisepoundstupid

Good morning, what a beautiful sunny day.

Yesterday was spent cleaning and cooking, jam, more plum chutney and coffee cake made, didn't make soup with the leeks as DH decided he fancies leeks n cheese sauce,so they are on the menu for tonight.

This morning i have managed to get 2 loads of laundry washed and hung out and 3rd is in the machine and then we are all caught up, ironing has been done and dogs walked.

Lakeland is offering free delivery today, so i have ordered a set of fluted pie tins and are a bargain £10 for 4, these are perfect for turning bits of leftover stew, sunday dinners, left over mash with some cheese and onion stirred in into tasty individual  pies that i can put in the freezer and get out for a quick tea or lunch.

Rest of the day is going to be spent pottering in the garden and making a meat and potato pie for tea. xx