We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893179#Comment_81893179

Yes, they have got worse here as well. Wonder if here in the UK we use cheap rubbish tarmac compared to other countries?

badmemory

I hit one with a terrific crack last week. It was either that or hit a car coming the other way. Luckily no damage to anything but my nerves.

Makingabobor2

Well today was dry & reasonably sunny, so DH put this up for me. He was less than impressed with the instructions and it took him over 3 hours....oops! Only put the 1 shelf in for now until I plan exactly what I'm doing.

Makingabobor2

A couple of dry, almost spring like days, so managed to get out and make up some weedkiller and attack the front garden also a few bits cut back and trimmed off a bit. The runners on the greenhouse are still rubbish, but DH says its just me, as he seems to have no problem with them at all….LOL. We'll se how it goes.

Nipped into B'n'Emms this morning after dance class, as I needed a new toothbrush and they do some that are compostable. Managed to snag a few reduced bread items as well, wholemeal rolls at 70p, a tiger loaf at 80p and 2 packets of muffins for 55p.

Logged into P/fc earlier and there was a nice £25 study sitting there, was very surprised that I actually managed to nab it. Been such a good month, so far. Currently already cashed out £78 and now got £19.50 available at the moment, plus another £45 waiting to approve. Not sure how much of that will approve before the end of the month, but it will be a good start to March if not. Got a lot of things planned for next month, so might not get so much time to log in. DH has 3 days off work next week, so planning a few days out. The thermos is coming out of winter hiding and I will make some cakes.

Managed to get the washing dry on the line today. So nice to see the sun shining and a bit of a breeze to help.

Last few days of the budget period and looks like we will just about come out ok. I had thought the grocery budget might be an underspend, but not quite. But the good thing is that there is plenty in for the start of next period on Monday, so won't need to go to mad with the first shop of the month. The good thing is that I knocked the grocery budget down by £20 this year, and so far we have been ok. So that's £20 to send elsewhere….every little helps. Just shows it can be done if you try hard enough. Don't know what most of you spend on housekeeping budget, but we were allocating £240 and now down to £220. Doesn't seem that long ago I was managing on £200…..must have been a few years ago though. That's just for 2 adults and no pets…well we do have fish in the pond, but DH uses his personal spends to buy their food. I'm going to try and be extra good next period, as the meal plan does seem to have slightly gone by the way side this week. Its all in there to be used, just the actual plan went a bit haywire when I forgot to defrost stuff yesterday. and we ended up with salmon, which was meant for Saturday.

DH had hygenist appointment on Monday and the cost has gone up from £60 to £69! I told him not to bother next time and only have 1 clean a year. Seems a bit much to me. Mine is next month, but I am private anyway, so the cost is covered by my monthly plan. I have such a phobia about dentists that when my lovely dentist went private, I tried the new one who took over, and just got to know and trust him, and then he left. The new one was so young and I just couldn't bring myself to go again, so I went private. I know its not an essential spend, but for my sanity, it really is. I also get 10% off any treatment, and so far…fingers crossed, since I went private, I haven't had any extra treatment, so think he is worth his weight in gold.

Decluttering is still ongoing, but seems to be slowing down. I do have a bag started for CS and hope to drop off tomorrow, just a few more bits to add to it. Also they collect "rags", so I have some of those to take as well. Also meeting up with my friend tomorrow and will give him some of my jigsaws and a book. He normally has some books for us as well.

Well need to get on and fold the washing, and run the hoover over and steam the floor, Then think about dinner.

Have a good evening everyone.

Sun_Addict

That’s a pretty impressive PA total. Well done!

BnM have some great reduced bread products. I usually manage to pick up some half price sandwich thins in there.

Makingabobor2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899275#Comment_81899275

Yes they are good for that. I did notice that a lot of their food that used to be cheap, is now a lot dearer than L*d!. Tuna, sardines, crisps, biscuits etc.

Blackcats

your groceries budget is very good. I allocate £80 per week in order to smooth out 5 week months. I spend about £60 of this a month on the cat - wet food, dry food,treats, litter etc. General toiletries and cleaning products are included too. We generally have an underspend and I know that I'm better at having more £ than I need and aiming to underspend. If I set too tight a budget and bust it then I tend to give up and spend loads.

Makingabobor2

Just a quick update….had a letter from L!*ds today, who we used to have our mortgage with. Mortgage has now been paid off 15 months ago …..( where has time gone), anyway, they say they had miscalculated our interest between 2022 & 2024, and are therefore refunding it along with some compensation interest! We will apparently be receiving 2 cheques in the next 28 days, totaling £169! So most of that will go into the debt pot. Its not often we get good surprises like that, but it certainly made my day.

Other than that, a pretty dreary, windy day here. So no outside jobs done. I did go to the gym, and then do a books swap with my friend and then nipped to the village for batteries as the house alarm has been beeping all day with the low alarm warning. Waiting for DH to do it when he gets in.

Logged into P/fc and had a couple of good studies. One of which drove me mad as it was talking to an AI, who just seemed to ask the same questions over and over again, but in different ways…..LOL Anyway, it paid good money, so can't complain. Now got over £61 waiting to approve, and already cashed out £98 this month. So hoping this good streak continues and its not just this month. Obviously I need to keep it under the £1K for the tax year though, as not going to pay any extra tax that's for sure. Its bad enough that my pensions are taxed now. I keep an accurate record of what I cash out, in my diary, so have a running total, and will slow down on doing them when I get anywhere near £1K.

So that's about it for today.

foxgloves

What a nice surprise to hear about those refunds! I'd be well happy to receive that letter! How is your piano playing coming along? I've decided to play more this year so as to learn some new pieces.

F x

Makingabobor2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81901033#Comment_81901033

Thanks for asking @foxgloves . I am really enjoying it. Although I think I am not as good as I thought I was…..but it is over 50 years since I last had lessons. I think my posture/technique/correct fingers etc needs a bit of help. I may contact the piano teacher I found, just for a couple of "lessons" to point me in the right direction. I also find that my varifocals are not great for playing as when I move my head up and down from music to keys, I seem to lose focus. So not sure if I maybe need a pair of reading glasses for that. Might contact the optician and ask advice.