So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Morning all,

EH - I don't know about putting you to shame - I very rarely make this much in a month! My usual aim is £20. I hadn't thought of the foam roller and am still struggling, so I will give that a go, thanks!

NG - I don't think there's anything wrong with potting up supermarket ones - there are plenty of videos on YT with tips on how to do it. They plant loads of seeds very close, so you actually end up with multiple plants that can be split. I had basil (ancient seed), coriander and parsley (both bought at the height of seed shortages during the pandemic!). We'll see what they do! Re blood tests - they really don't like fainters! And they press the panic button and everyone comes running when you do pass out. It's not fun!

I am still struggling quite a bit with back problems - the physio I saw previously told me that I have fluid built up and compression in my spine, which causes tingling in my feet. He also told me to do pilates for it (but expensive, small group pilates) - which of course I didn't do. And then when I was ill, I was sitting badly for (short-term) comfort, so I'm suffering the consequences now. I need to book to see someone but after my last experience, I don't want to go back to him and I'm struggling to find someone I'm keen to see. I have done some gentle yoga and some gentle strengthening exercises and it is better than it was.

Eon have not been in touch, despite assurances that they would be. And I've still not opened an Ombudsman case - tbh, I've not felt up to it. 

I've been contacted by an Olio friend about some cat sitting which won't be going through CIAF. She also works in the M&S in town,  which was celebrating its first anniversary today and she tipped me off that there were goody bags for the first customers through the door this morning, so as I was planning on popping down there today, I got my backside out of bed first thing and was first through the door. Goody bag contained a pack of biscuits, colin the caterpillar mini rolls and a bag of percy pigs. I'm quite pleased with that! We missed the opening day shenanigans last year because we were self-isolating in preparation for our US trip, so it was nice to get to enjoy it today!

In less cheery news, the oven tripped the circuit breaker the other day because the fan element had gone. It is, of course, now out of its 5-year guarantee (under which it's already had one element and the fan replaced - don't buy IKEA appliances) - which was expected to be fine 'as we'll have moved by then'. Mr MV has ordered the replacement part and will fit it when it arrives, but we're expecting people for Sunday lunch! It might be not-a-roast for Sunday lunch, or rotisserie chicken (and something for me?)...

Work is quiet, but I'm expecting some bits from my main client and have done a small piece of work for a US client and a small platform job this morning. Mr MV rang me earlier from the office to say he'd just had a really good conversation about his work/role with the new boss. Fingers crossed this results in a) things improving and b) a pay rise (as he's seriously undervalued) - even if it's not to the level it should be, something more than the standard would be recognition of his contribution.

MS things:
* Clicks, HW and comps done - have just reached payout level with one bookie, but will leave the balance to build up a bit more before withdrawing
* PA survey
* YG survey
* Free M&S bits (and a lovely, quiet cycle through the park to get there this morning - the damp air smelt gorgeous!)
* Bananas from Olio
* Used voucher from RM survey to pay for bits in M&S
* Bought the last seeds needed in Wilko while I was in town this morning - had to wait for them to open at 8.30!
* Cat sitting booking for May - without CIAF fees!

Gratitudes:
* Freebies 😊
* Wildlife and peace in the park this morning - it felt very European cycling through there on my upright bike
* Bit delayed, but it was lovely to see Dad and partner on Tuesday - had a good chat
* Good work vibes for Mr MV

Have a good day all!

Karmacat

Oof, your back doesn't sound good at all and everything becomes more difficult when your back's out good luck on finding a practitioner you get on with and has helpful suggestions geared to what's right for you.

The M&S bits sound just right but fancy it being a year ago that you were self-isolating to go to the States!  I'd never have guessed it was that long ago.

Just realised this was yesterday's post from you  oh well, I'm starting to catch up!  Hope you have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

themadvix

Morning all,

Hey Karma! No, back is not great, although not particularly painful (unless I get silly). But I definitely did a bit much yesterday (three bikes rides and some seed sowing) and am suffering for it today. I'm currently sat with a hot water bottle behind my back, but I'm beginning to think it's not going to do much. And I'm going to look so cool when I turn up to a BBQ shortly with it! 😂

The year does seem to have flown past - America memories are still very fresh in our minds!

In between hot water bottle sessions (when I'm entering comps and have just done a small bit of work - I didn't bother telling the Americans that it's bank holiday), I have managed to get washing on the line and sow some more seeds. I've now got french beans, chard, baby sweetcorn, sweet peas, sunflowers and nasturtiums on the go. And I've potted up my cukes (6 very healthy seedlings) and toms (two tiny tiny seedlings - still on kitchen windowsill), so at least I feel a bit more with it in that regard. 

Off to a BBQ at BIL's shortly. And then escaping that by heading to Sis's to say hi as she's having Dad round for dinner for his birthday. Quite hoping we'll get away from there about 6 (when they are eating - we won't need to) and have a gentle evening. Tomorrow we've got people coming for lunch... the oven still doesn't have a working fan element (we could use it on conventional (convection?) oven, but I have no idea about how well it works on that function) and I'm seriously limited it what I can do. Mr MV doesn't seem to think any of this is an issue though! And the house is a state too.... and he's pressure-washing the drive at the minute! Well, I'm just going to have to go with the flow... my friend does know it might not be the roast dinner planned - she did suggest a pub but that's more money. Apart from some dairy-free cream/ice cream, dessert is at least sorted. And I have GF gravy granules (she's wheat and dairy intolerant)....  I just wish that element would turn up - then it would be OK!

MS things:
* Clicks, HW and lots of comps entered while I've been sat here
* Seeds sown - future us will be fed!
* PA survey - somehow now at £57! I'm sure they're magically adding to my balance when I'm not looking!
* 1P surveys done and 1P payment received (along with another invoice I'd forgotten about, so things are looking a bit better in the work account currently)

Gratitudes:
* Mr MV - for making me smile this morning, when all I wanted to do was have a temper tantrum (dishwasher not doing a very good job, plus frustration at not being able to do as much as I want/need to does not make for a happy me)
* Lovely drink at the pub with Olio friend and husband last night - the first time they've made it
* Lovely cycles yesterday - it felt so good (at the time!) to be back on the bike

Have a good day all!

earthgirl2

Glad you are trying to take it a little easy and hope you feel better soon.

themadvix

Morning all,

 Thanks Earthie! It is slowly improving, but definitely looking forward to physio appointment on Wednesday.

Friends came round for lunch Saturday and we managed with the oven, so that was good. Apart from that we had a very chilled day, which was nice and needed.

 Today we’ve got some house/garden bits to do but it has just started raining. Then we’re off to the football later.

Mr MV used an intro offer to get 3 recipe boxes from a recipe box company for £10, so that’s most of the week’s meals sorted. Freezer is full too, so I’m not planning on spending money on anything but milk this week/next week. Managed to get a dozen eggs in Sains yesterday for £1.50 - they were reduced! Bizarre how these things go. I’ve skipped my Olio slot on Wednesday but hoping I’ll be ok to do one the following week as that helps with the food costs.

MS things:
* clicks, hw and comps done - £5 withdrawn from a bookie
* £2.75 TCB claimed too
* £3 Populous survey done (must check where I’m at with that)
* Yesterday’s lunch used up some slightly furry carrots and parsnips, some sprouts potatoes and the last of last year’s hg raspberries from the freezer.
* Got 5x Nectar points on my shop yesterday, which will convert to Avios

Gratitudes:
* Lovely to see friends
* Mr MV did most of the prep and tidying to save my back
* No socialising required today - an introvert recovery day!

Have a good day all!

Karmacat

Introvert recovery, I like that  

themadvix

It’s much needed KC! And better still, we have no plans at all for next weekend! My Olio friend (who came to pub on Friday) was trying to get us to watch the coronation in town with them, but tbh I’d rather watch it at home with commentary (even if it is a bit ridiculous at times the amount they repeat themselves) and be able to dip in and out as I please. 

Productive morning this morning - we’ve been to Wickes and Halfords for a few bits (Mr MV not only used his trade discount at Hf but also the work perks scheme, so saved quite a bit), then Mr MV spread the top soil we’d bought - we’re trying to level out our very bumpy lawn (worsened by the heat last summer and the scaffolders) while I sowed lots of wildflower seeds which we will transplant into the front garden when they have established. Mr MV has done a couple of other jobs too. Veggie sausage rolls are in the oven for a snack (we’ll eat at the Emirates - on their early offer).

EssexHebridean

We are currently planning to head into London on Saturday but I said to MrEH the other day it will definitely need to depend on the weather - I don't mind  going up there, and would really quite like to experience the atmosphere etc, but equally I have no intention of spending he day soaking wet! there is certainly a temptation to just having the TV in and watch what we choose in comfort though!  (And I could go and grab the photos I was hoping for of the flypast as the stuff runs in over the country park not so far from home, too...) 

themadvix

Afternoon all,

EH - Normally I'd be up for heading into London (although I'm not sure Mr MV would), but with my back and the seemingly endless social expectations recently, it'll be nice just to enjoy the time at home. I have, however, just picked up some coronation themed edible cake toppers from an Olioer nearby, so will be making some proper cupcakes to celebrate! (Also will be going back on the not buying any food this week thing as I definitely need flour and may get a few other cupboard bits at the same time.)

The football yesterday was interesting… We'd planned to cycle to the station and get the train. Cycled to station and then discovered everything was in uproar and the station was a train park as someone had ended their life on the tracks. So we cycled home in a hurry, grabbed the car and headed for Cockfosters. Managed to find a parking space, get on the Tube and made it just in time for a quick bite (not the early-bird offer though, but we were starving by this point!) and kick-off. Unfortunately Arsenal lost, but it was a very good match (and the near-capacity crowd was amazing).

Work is quiet today, so I've been out to aforementioned Olioer, popped to the pharmacy for a prescription and meandered (all by bike) to the allotment - where I swapped a large pile of rhubarb (feeling slightly overwhelmed by it - had already harvested a large batch here at the weekend!) for 5 tomato plants - 4 money maker and a tumbling Tom. With the two tiny San Marzano I've got, I think that'll do me. Also pulled the last couple of leeks before they bolted.

About to do my accounts, invoicing and money shuffles…. when I can find the motivation. Same applies to my evening class homework 🙄

Have discovered that we can get vouchers from S&S that would pay for our October caravan break, so the aim is to do that with them. Only £20 away, so shouldn't be too tricky. With this in mind, I made sure to scan everything, snap the receipt and upload it all before Sunday and get FOTG submitted too (I am not always so diligent!). For our main holiday I have started a list of bits of kit that need either sorting, buying or borrowing: camping mats need repairing (I've bought the recommended gunk), head torches would be a good purchase, we need a new camping table (ours is a) permanently up in the garden and b) falling apart) and we both definitely need new waterproof coats - neither of us have suitable summer weight ones and we are camping… in Yorkshire! I'm hoping we might be able to subsidise some of the costs with Argoose vouchers also from S&S, although the table may be a purchase from a camping show that happens near us (this month, next month? I can't find any details as yet!).

MS things:

• PA surveys (oooh bullet points, fancy!) - over £60 there when it's cleared, so a good chunk will shortly be converted and a nice start for next month's earnings
• Clicks, HW and comps done - a couple of nice small earnings on the HW today
• VB is now at cashout level, so that will either be next Tuesday or the following one
• Tomato plants! And I was thinking of buying some from FB marketplace 🙄
• Lunch was panini with cheese; dinner will be one of the recipe boxes

Gratitudes:

• My physio appointment is tomorrow - I really hope it helps!
• Great football match yesterday, even if we lost
• Tomato plants 😊

Better get on with the money stuff now. Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

So, accounts done, CCs paid, invoicing done. And May needs to be a cheap month! (Suffice to say, nowhere near enough made it into the mortgage OP savings due at the end of this month, and unbilled CC balances are higher than I'd like - although some of this is in pots).

So, May…. Weekends are when things tend to get expensive so (feel free to skip this, just thinking aloud):

6-8 May: Apart from the pub on Friday and me making cupcakes, we have no plans, plenty of DIY projects (and most of the bits needed for them), so hopefully a cheap weekend, whilst still being enjoyable. I'll try to get a simple supper sorted for post-pub on Friday so as to avoid temptation.

13-14: I am meant to be going to Windsor for the day with Mum, Sis and Niece. No plans to go into Castle as already deemed too expensive. Not sure if it's wise to be going then anyway, given proximity to coronation (will it be full of people? Will there be stuff to see?). I will discuss with Mum and Sis. Mr MV was meant to be meeting his friends in London for a lads' night, but because of the recently announced train strikes, they've had to postpone it again (this is the second time it's had to be moved because of train strikes 😡). Sunday, we are going to the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley. Tickets already covered by Mr MV. Also a train strike day, so potentially will be driving to end of a Tube line again - this may work in our favour on train costs. Not sure what time kick-off is, but we may manage to avoid eating at the stadium (unknown).

20-21: Saturday, nothing planned. Sunday, meant to be meeting friends in Brighton for the L2B Mini run (we are not participating, but getting the train). Mr MV organising, so no firm plans yet, but will likely involve food out.

27-28: Nothing on the Saturday (apart from some cat sitting); beer festival on the Sunday afternoon - so has potential to be spendy, but hopefully not (much as Mr MV likes beer, it doesn't like him, so spending is more likely to be on food after a pint or so). Given it's at the usual Friday place, I think we may skip the Friday?

So quite a few opportunities to spend there. Also two SIL's birthdays, although I think only one will be getting a present, so that's a saving (as there was no acknowledgement of my birthday at all from the other one!). Also unknown number of physio appointments - I have a little bit tucked away that will cover tomorrow's appointment, but how often she'll want to see me in future, I don't know.

However, freezer is very full (and not just with Olioed bread!) and there's quite a bit of other food lurking - I did a bit stock up at the zero-waste shops last month, so I'm hoping we should be able to minimise food spending. No Olio collection tomorrow because of my back, but I'll keep an eye on what's available and if it'll help, try to nab it. Need to try to get back into the habit of ensuring Mr MV has food to eat on office days - easy when I have a collection on a Weds for a Thurs, but not so much on a Weds. However, he's at some event or something tomorrow - will have to see if he is being fed.

I also have two cat-sitting gigs already booked in for the end of the month, which will add to this month's income, and a sufficient balance on the work platform to payout (minimum is about £50). I'll try to grab a few more jobs there before next Tuesday (as that's when they pay). Have already done one this afternoon - problem is, you have to be quick!

I have some about £6 of a £10 M&S voucher left in my inbox, plus the £20 pre-paid Visa card from YG, so these may get used to keep costs low.