15months to debt free - I hope

Flying_By

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year, Lady Holly

jwil

Happy New Year!

ladyholly

Thank you all for the new year wishes. We had a quiet one just having the remains of a bottle of Cava we had started at dinner with our roast beef. I got to bed about 1.45pm and woke at 7.15 so felt tired. Christmas is put away in the attic until Christmas 2024.  Bear coped with the fireworks at midnight really well by giving him a filled kong which kept him busy. We watched the London ones on TV which were spectacular but couldnt help feeling that a mayor who starts the firworks with The mayor of London presents was somewhat egotistical. It was also an insult to all the people who have to pay ULEZ to stop pollution and the council tax payers who presumably have paid for it. Half as long would have been just as good. 

We have gone in 2024 not owing anything to anyone which is a wonderful feeling after many years of being in debt. In fact I have been able to put a little money in a the present account and the random pot for mr LHs festival food and alcohol from underspends.

The weather is atrocious at the moment and pouring down but at least the wind has dropped although more forcast for tomorrow.

Shopping list and meal plan done for next week ready for shopping tommorrow.

Lounge hoovered and then a friend dropped in with a present of a soft toy for bear which he destroyed in about 10 minutes so the carpet had stuffing all over it. Easily picked up luckily.

The first no spend today but must order some flowers for a friend who wasnt at home for Christmas.She doesnt live locally so only got token gifts for Chritmas as was was flying home so had to be careful of the weight.

My two main goals for the year are to lose weight for my health and spend less money on food as our bill has become stupid. Anyway off to carry on with my book.

badmemory

I think spending less on food will be a good challenge.  I've run a housekeeping budget for years since DS used to pay half once he hit 25 & was earning more than me.  I know we had a really rubbish month when I was recovering from my hip replacement & couldn't drive etc but if I ignore that we are looking at not 10% but more like 25%.  It is a little scary.  I am so glad I don't have to pay rent or a mortgage as I really have no idea how they are coping.

ladyholly

Out to sm this morning getting wet on the way. It would have been a small shop but I bought a new pair of shoes. This is a constant need and I try to have a pair in stock ready for when I need them as I have trouble finding ones that are both suitable for my poor gait and actually fit. The actual groceries were £21 including £9 for Bears tinned food.

We were going to Mr T for the big shop this afternoon but have delayed it due to absolutely awful wind and rain. Bear loved it - not. I think it is calming down now as it travels further east so this evenings walk should be ok.

I was supposed to go to my bil tomorrow but both he and mr lh were worried about getting stuck on the train so it has been postponed for the 4th time until next week. Keep your fingers crossed. It wouldnt be quite so bad but the journey is 3 trains each so it only needs one delay to throw the whole journey out.

I have sorted out one of my bookcases and cleared out a carrier bag of books to go to the charity shop when I am heading that way next. There are are plenty more to go so plenty to donate. I am still gathering bits to make up a job lot to sell but I am in no hurry as it will only be suitable for a car boot sale so waiting for the better weather when sellers are thinking of getting stock. I cant do car boot sales any more as the only one nearby is on very rough agricultural land which I cannot walk on and mr lh doesnt want to risk the car suspension.

Little economies today. Gravy made with veg water, filled the kettle with the water run off while the it is getting hot for washing up, ( I hate the  waste from conbi boilers), delayed putting the heating on as long a possible today, cleaning done in the bathroom with a small amount of vinegar.

I will stop wittering now and get ready to take Bear out for his evening walk.

 

Blackcats

Happy New Year @ladyholly.  Good luck with your aims for 2024.
I think postponing the trip to your b-in-law is the right decision although I know you are both disappointed.

foxgloves

Yes, I agree too re postponing travel. There is certainly disruption around from all the flooding.
F

ladyholly

I did follow the trains I would have cught on the national rail website and wouldnt have had a problem going and would have been about 20mins late getting home.so I could have gone but it would haave been a risk. Bear and I got soaked first thing this morning and he cut his walk short. He doesnt mind light rain but this was anything but. Lunchtime walk was dry and mr lh walked him most of the way so he is better except for being deaf in one ear. He also has tinnitus which affects his hearing so I am constantly having to repeat myself.

Shopping done and I am quite pleased with myself. Just under £11 discount from promotions and I used the vouchers that I couldnt use at Christmas as I didnt want mr lh driving and sitting in the car while he was ill so used the nearer sm and the bus. The upshot was the main shop this week was £27. If only it was that every week.

Nothing else to report tonight as I have had a very lazy day. I must get some inspiration from somewhere.

ladyholly

Pleased with myself today as I put the money from the shopping vouchers into the present/ Christmas account which now stands at just over £100. It wont be that much for long as young dgd has a birthday in early February. 

Nothing spent today although I will need to go out tomorrow to get the bits the sm didnt have yesterday.

Miserable wet weather this afternoon and we have never seen so many people walking their dogs as when we were out with bear. I spent most of his walk trying to stop him from pulling to get to them and crossing roads to avoid them. I think its because the various parks etc are so waterlogged people dont want to walk on them. I know the one we use has water lying on it. From tomorrow on the weather is supposed to improve although getting colder.

Mediterranean roast veg and baco for dinner which is a cheap meal for us especially as I think there is almost enough left for another meal which has gone in the freezer. Mr lh will not generally eat what he calls messed up food only meat and two veg type meals which makes being economical quite hard. He will be fed up tomorrow as I am planning a cottage pie or two. He doesnt like puddings/ desserts so meals have to be substantial enough to fill him up and isnt too keen on most veg. Would anyone like like a well used husband.

ladyholly

I note I have had no offers for mr lh. Oh well it was worth a try.    

Out to Mr S this morning to get the last bits of shopping and after I had recovered from that made the planned cottage pie. I managed to get enough for 6 meals out of 400g of mince and a handful of red lentils  which isnt too bad. 2 used this evening the rest in the freezer.  I would be able to stretch it more if mr lh would eat it with veg in but mushrooms and a little onion is as much as he will eat. 

Small savings only half a bowl of hot water to wash up this evening. The heating didnt go on until about 4pm which is late for mr lh. He is being quite good as the heating i set to 19.5 down from last year when it was 21 most days. As usual bus trips with my bus pass.

Car is booked in for MOT next Wednesday which is the day I was going to bil so I have had to change my visit to tuesday when we usually go shoppin so th whole of next week is messed up. I was hoping to go to town on thursday but that will now be shopping day depending on what we need. I may be able to combine the two.

Fewer dogs out today thank goodness so Bears walk was a bit calmer. It was lovely out and there was even a bit of sun. A rare sight recently. I am very sorry for those poor people in both Notts and Gloucester that have been flooded luckily we are ok just somewhat soggy. It will take some time for it all to dry out by which time there will probably been more rain. A pessimist - Me.