We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2 · 26 October at 6:19PM

Hello readers wherever you may be hiding. I'm surprised anybody bothers reading this now TBH, I seem to have fallen off the MSE wagon and never post anything of interest. Not even posted for ages, although I have been reading other diaries and making the odd comment and learning a few tips. Do I have any excuses?? Well, I have been trying not to spend too much time online, but that's hard when there is so much I want to read & learn etc. Also been going through a bit of a bad patch with DH, which I am hoping is now resolved....don't want to go into too much info, suffice to say we had a BIG row this morning! I have been feeling a bit fed up and depressed lately about it all but hoping things are on the up again now. Trouble when I feel like this, I turn to too much cake!....not a good thing.
Maybe the weather and time of year has had a bit to do with how I feel as well, and also coming up to Christmas, which I hate with a passion! Used to love it, then as GKs have got bigger we never get invited to DD's (DSIL likes to cook dinner and spend the day just the 6 of them) and also they never want to come here; In-laws never want to come to us (although TBH, not sure how many hours I could put up with them); my dad and sister are too far away, and we would have to stay in hotel if we went down there anyway, and DH has to work until Christmas Eve afternoon; DS and DDIL always spend it with her parents and they used to come to us on Boxing Day, but now they have a dog and say they can't come and DDIL always feels too ill for us to go up there! . Last year, you may recall we went away to a lodge.....was great, and so relaxing but DH didn't have enough holiday days left for that. I suppose I shouldn't be moaning as we are actually away for a few days next month, for DH's birthday and will pop in and see my dad & sister at the same time, so at least we have something to look forward to.....but Christmas is still on the horizon!

Anyway, onwards and upwards and from now on I am in full MSE mode and promising to post more regularly and be a better MSE'er.
So, what has been happening? Well, the food processor from V*nt*d arrived and its amazing. Can't believe how many accessories it has. I made crumble straight away and then tried it for chopping veg really small for stir fry. Since then I have made 2 cakes with it, and I love it. It even has a grinder attachment so I can start buying coffee beans and get some really fresh good quality coffee in the cafetiere. The zero waste refil shop I go to sells a lovely one and she usually grinds it for me, so now I can do my own.
Listed a dress for sale on V*nt*d, but it just sat there for ages and even when I reduced the price no one wanted it, so I had to bite the bullet with that one and add it to the CS box. Got a few more bits in the box for this coming week, and hope to add a few more.

For anyone with a N*ct*r card, I read on one of my FB groups that Mr S is doing chicken at half price until Tuesday. There was talk of a 1.6kg chicken which usually retails at over £5, being less than £3. I normally use the butcher as I really like his meat, but at that price, I think they might be worth a try. Especially for anyone who has room in their freezer for a few.

Half way through this 4 week budget period and so far it is going very well. Grocery budget is about where it should be, but thinking I might be able to come in under budget by the end, and next period should be even better as we are away for 12 days and food is already paid for, so will see what I can do with that. It should mean a bit going towards Christmas maybe.

Have received the letter from HMRC saying the £200 WFP will be here soon. Hoping I won't need it for fuel, but it will be there incase. We are currently £263 in credit with the tentacled ones, and £135 payment went out on 24th, so once that is added, I may take a bit more back as I really don't think we'll need that much, and better in our account than theirs. Must confess to having had the heat on quite a bit today though as its been so cold. When the wind is in a certain direction, it really seems to make it cold in the lounge.

P/fc seems to have picked up a bit all of a sudden, and I cashed out £18 on Friday, and then had a £4 study today. Seems to be a lot of these particular £4 ones around at the moment, where you have to engage in a conversation online about political issues. Right up my street.

On a not so good note....had to spend from the house and garden pot today! Need a new microwave. Our current one is over 20years old, so has definitely done its duty. It still works but the door doesn't open properly and is almost coming off. So ordered through TCB from C*rrys. Only a cheap one, but it is a good make, and black to match the kettle, toaster & airfryer. The current one is silver. I wish now that we had bought a combo MW and AF as it all takes up such a lot of space on the work surface. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I will pick it up tomorrow when I go for my eye test!!! Not even wanting to think how much that will cost, but the Eyes/Teeth and medical pot has a good some in it, so we'll see how it goes. She asked if I wanted to have the photo scan thing....I asked how much it was....she said £84!!!!!! Mmmm, seems an awful lot just for a scan.

Well DH has just come downstairs and is making me a cup of ginger tea....Sounds like he's starting the week off on the right foot.....LOL
So have a good evening everyone. Will put TV on now and find something to watch until Strictly results are on....who will go?? Got a feeling it may be George, which would be a shame as I like him, but it wasn't his best dance last night.