From £6000 ----> £9000 in 2023.

NinjaSavingKat

Yes I write everything down on an expences list. Obviously this is the first month of doing it properly properly but I am going to be more vigilant this month. 

Fingers crossed. 

duesouthtwin2

Doing well! Very interested in your food budget, recipes. Struggling with that a bit -shift work and packed lunches especially 

NinjaSavingKat

Hello @duesouthtwin2... I think the key is to play to your strengths and tastes. I have access to a microwave and toaster at work so can bring my frozen delights in and make them ahead. 

Think of what food you like, make a large pan of it (pasta sauce?), keep it simple and freeze it. 

This is a very simple step towards knowing how to plan ahead and be prepared. Cheese can be grated (buying a block is cheaper than the pre grated stuff) and frozen. Pasta can be cooked in ten minutes and two plates made for the following day, 2 sausages chopped up and hey pesto you have two meals with a protein source that will fill you up. 

Get ready to eat the same meal 2, 3 or 4 times in a row. I always make sure lunch and dinner are different though.

OR buy panini's and freeze them.. have a selection of fillings always available (meat slices for protein, cucumber for crunch, onion for flavour, gherkins if you dare..).. So you can tin foil wrap it and keep it in your bag without getting too elaborate. 

There are items I can't not have in my fridge (tofu, tomatoes, broccoli, avocado, one large courgette, carrots, peppers, vegan butter for very quick scones, butternut squash, apple cidar vinegar, lemons, limes and onions) that can make a range of different meals AND I have all sorts of condiments at hand.

From simple soy sauce, to yeast flakes, garlic and onion powders, many many different spices like Sichuan and Alleppo pepper, herbs and black salt for that fake eggy taste/smell, chinese red wine, rice wine vinegars for sushi..

With lunch for me it's a mindset drilled in from years of never finding vegetarian and then vegan food. Even now I work in a large organisation who provides lunch for everyone bar those with dietary requirements. 

So my lunch prep is because I have no choice. Get that mind set, a few good cookbooks, good Instagram pages and practise until you know what freezes well and what really doesn't. 

Breakfast bean burritos are a good start. Very tasty cold as well and easily slipped into your bag.

Hope this helps. 

duesouthtwin2

Thank you! 

NinjaSavingKat

Good Afternoon MSE peeps..

So thinking I was a smarty pants, I went to Asda today. This means that I have to remain on schedule and get home in order to prepare for work today. On my day off (tomorrow) there is more of an urge to "look" in certain stores which leads to temptation. I am like a child.

So I am switching up to Thursday shops when money is extremely tight. 

I spent a grand total of £24.58. 

£20 from wages as planned.
£3 from Vinted (sold a dress pattern)
£0.83 from credit card interest (waste not want not)
£0.75 from leftovers in my current account. 

Genius. 

Then my temporary crown cracked off in my mouth, in two pieces. 

So I am awaiting a call from my dentist to see when he can fit me in. 

See how life likes to throw curve balls. 

The Other account would have had a grand total of £87 tomorrow which would have been very cleverly spent on tablets for my knee which are about to run out. However I think its now going to have to be tooth repair as a matter of urgency. 

Also - the other woman in the running for the new job has told the company she has a full time job offer elsewhere and is no longer in the race. Awaiting confirmation. 

atrixa

Ugh, I resent spending money on dental stuff but it needs to be done. I hope you can get seen quickly. Fingers crossed for you jobwise!

NinjaSavingKat

Dentist can't fit me in until Monday. Fingers crossed for a cancellation today. £50 for a temporary fix on Monday. £400 for a permanent one. That will have to be in April I'd say. #groan

MovingForwards

Life often throws curve balls, it helps us learn and be prepared for when it happens again.

Fingers crossed for the job!

NinjaSavingKat

MovingForwards said:

Life often throws curve balls, it helps us learn and be prepared for when it happens again.

Fingers crossed for the job!

Bingo... just grateful he can do a temporary again. 

NinjaSavingKat

Job confirmed. Starts Monday. PHEW!

However, as much as it's an increase in wage, it's still a rubbish wage.

My company have consistently under-paid people until a mass walk out before Christmas (9 department heads/staff resigned). then my wage went from £9.01 to £10. Now it's going to £12. I am there for the extra in-house training that I have been promised. This is something I can build on and take elsewhere.  I have told them it needs to be in my contract also. I have seen people screwed over because they have NOT asked for details to be in their contract. 

I am not wanting to sound ungrateful - but they know what they are getting with me. Someone who has done the job for the last 6 months virtually on my own since I am the only full time member of staff in my department....also having been there 3 years I have seen 4 managers and 4 assistants come and go. However at just over £18,000 a year its poor form for someone in her late 30's. It's the industry more than anything but my workplace are taking advantage of that. 

So I will continue looking for better work/industry. My current manager is amazing so I think we will be ok. 

I will be increasing the long term savings to £85 a week. This was my original desire and now I can just get on with it. Not making any further decisions until I am sure of whats coming into my account.

My estimation is £376 after tax with a £10.20 deduction for the pension so £365.80.

.......and speaking of curve balls. Phone bill is £15 more this month due to ONE phone call. I dropped the ball speaking to an old friend and didn't use Whatsapp. My fault, friend has a UK number now but still. Could have done without that. 

Food prep day for me, water is on for a massive bath as well. Taking it easy today and going through food supplies. 

Grateful for the roof over my head, the money to buy food, water coming out of my taps, the ability to buy more food if I need to and my health and the ability to get up and go to the gym today.