Evasive action! Stop the trench becoming a hole.

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hi @KeepOnKnitting, more good progress being made! Thats £9 saved a month between the DD and the water! Sorry about the car, we have spent about £350 on both our cars in the last week, so painful to pay, but great that the money is there to use. Cars, so useful!haha. Keep up the amazing work!

KeepOnKnitting

Yeah, I always know that however expensive looking after my car is, I am always glad it is done. I hate driving my car when I know it needs work, it worries me so much.

Nothing exciting happened this week. I was naughty and bought lunch yesterday, which is I think the first time I have done that this year. I did contemplate takeaway in the evening but went for stir fry and a bottle of rum instead. (I didn't drink the bottle, just one rum and coke to be clear!)

I had a house-alcohol embargo last year, so I didn't buy any alcohol to drink at home in 2023. I ran down the various bottles of rum, gin and wine that were in the house, but mostly just didn't drink much at home. I was allowed to buy alcohol out at the pub or a bar, and to accept gifts, buy alcohol for others or to buy for guests, but just not to drink by myself at home. As a result, my drinks cabinet was pretty low. I'm not a big drinker, but I do like to have a choice in the house for the rare time when I do want an alcoholic drink. It was really appreciated last night. 

KeepOnKnitting

Another week done, and so another week closer to feeling out of danger. 

I've had Friday off work and I have Monday off too. It's made me feel like I want to go and treat myself in the shops to things that I want, like a non-acrylic jumper and some cosy joggers. My after-work scruffs are always full of static, and to be fair the joggers are about 11 years old, and I really really want to buy some new ones. I was good though, I looked at YNAB and reminded myself about the big car bill I have just had to pay, and that I am making progress, but that I won't if I spend my money on things that are just frivolous whims. I can buy new joggers once I have some emergency savings again.

Instead I went and spent money on things that will actually make me feel happy and accomplished. I got some stuff to clean the patio and driveway, as it has been getting slippery over the winter in the rain. I bought some seeds to grow a nice garden again this year. I washed the car, saving money from paying someone else to do it. I made a plan to eat all the stuff out of the freezer because it really needs defrosting. 

I can do this, and I don't need a new jumper to do it.

lucielle

You can do this. Step away from the joggers!  

L

KeepOnKnitting

I've been busy, but I've not stopped making progress. 
Defrosted the freezer, planted the seeds and then I got some more other varieties as well. Cleaned up the patio and did other house chores. Been busy at work, but everything is heading in the right direction. I realised about a week ago that the car MOT is due early April, so I've put money in my budget towards that. Got lots of social stuff on this weekend and next, so I'm trying to maximise fun while minimising spending. 

Mostly managed to take lunch to work, although there were some interesting combinations of food scavenged from the back of the fridge! 

KeepOnKnitting

Had a good weekend, and I am mostly caught up on sleep now. Spent money, but not unreasonable amounts. 

Bit excited/nervous. Big works are hopefully starting in the next few days on my house to make it properly watertight. Can't wait to see it all finished, but also nervous because I always worry that workmen won't do a job that I am happy with. Fingers crossed. 

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hi, you have made amazing progress, I have not quite mastered the walking away part yet! Great work on cleaning up the driveway, and exciting about the house being made watertight! I have everything crossed that they will do a good job!

KeepOnKnitting

Thanks @Aimingforthegoodlife. The scaffold has gone up and they start shortly. I'm just ignoring the gradually worsening water damage above a window, as it should stop getting worse in the near future.

I've spent some money this weekend as a friend came to visit, but nothing profligate.  

I've planted more trays of seeds, and they are gradually taking over the dining room. And the fridge, because there is a tray that needs to be cold for three weeks. I'm also planning for how to make a little patio in the garden over the Easter bank holiday. I'm planning to demolish some walling, so I might reuse the bricks as paving until I can afford real paving blocks. I have a vision in my head of a little patio surrounded by some really deep and full cottage style flower beds. 

KeepOnKnitting

I've used up some random bits and pieces to make dinner the last couple of days, a Thai meal kit, some strange veggie protein from one of the cheap supermarkets, and some leftover veg. Tasted pretty good to be honest. 

Finally listed some leftover DIY supplies I don't need, and sold for £15. More importantly, they are now gone from my house!

Email from the phone company. Really impressed that they emailed to say I am coming to the end of my contract. I usually only realise when my phone bill suddenly doubles. Shopped around, and managed to take off about £10 a month. I had got stuck in a rubbish deal 2 years ago when I moved, so really glad I have finally got back to a reasonable price.

All little steps in the right direction.

KeepOnKnitting

So the builders are here and the roof is coming along nicely. On the downside, some of the brickwork they will be repointing should be supported by a lintel, but isn't. I'm hoping it won't be too much extra cost for them to put it in, but I'm not really surprised to find the problem. I strongly suspect the window below will have the same situation. Hooray for poorly maintained ex-rental properties. 

I'm having a cheap weekend, working on the garden. I did treat myself to scones with clotted cream and jam, but I'm working on removing a big tree stump, so I deserve yummy food and probably need the calories! I will have a rummage in the garage as well as I need some canes for my sweet peas, and I'm hoping I have some. Lots of my other seeds are starting to come up. I'm especially excited about growing lavender from seed, and one of those has germinated so far. 

Council tax bill has arrived. Hasn't gone up too much, so that's a relief. Payments start again next month.

Otherwise, it's just same old same old. Had to have an afternoon nap today as I had a headache and neck ache. I usually struggle with daytime sleeping, but I managed and felt so much better for it.