We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

Thanks for that FG. Definitely giving it some thought and might look for a suitable spot in the garden to put one and see what DH thinks. 

Makingabobor2

What a freezing cold, but sunny day it has been.  Was only outside for a bit, doing the bins and feeding the birds, and it was so bitter cold out there, even in a hat, gloves, coat, and with leg warmers over my leggings. 

So what has been happening on the MSE front?  Not a lot really, still sticking to the meal plan and also started to decrease portion size this year as I think we maybe have too much at dinner time. Although DH will  disagree I am sure.
 
Made my first offer of repayment to one of the creditors, but apparently it will take them 5 days to get back to me. 

Still continuing with my decluttering and got rid of 90 items so far. Very proud of myself there as I honestly didn't think I'd come across so much, so quickly.  I've noticed some people count normal recycling of rubbish as decluttering, well I am not doing that as that is normal day to day stuff for me anyway. I am only counting stuff I am physically finding in drawers, cupboards, sheds etc. Obviously before I get rid of them, I am checking if they can be reused in the home for some other purpose, like cut up for something etc.  If not, then it either goes in the CS pile, recycling or landfill bin if all else fails.   
One good thing though, I found my old little camera, nothing special, just one of those tiny dead easy to use things.  I haven't used it for years and think DH paid about £10 second hand for me when he bought it.  Just listed it on FBMP and sold it within 5 mins!  Only £5, but at least I got something for it.  Found an old padded envelope in the cupboard stash, so will post tomorrow.  So hoping I may find some more saleable items. Although TBH, I think we sold most of the good stuff before. 

Today has been housework and washing sheets, and now just about to have half an hour on my puzzle. 

Off to the farm shop tomorrow and if I get some eggs, I may bake over the weekend, then can combine it with using the oven for dinner at the same time. Although if I bake, I will eat naughty stuff. Could always freeze half of it I suppose. 

Well nothing else to ramble on about today. Another NSD today. 

Have a good evening all

 

Sun_Addict

Fingers crossed for the offer of repayment. Will you be able to clear everything this year? 

Well done on the decluttering and I wouldn’t count normal recycling/rubbish either that’s cheating in my book. That’s why I don’t join the challenge threads. I did the NSD one and was just counting days I really didn’t spend anything and maybe getting 10 or so days a month whereas others were getting 25 plus. I noticed they weren’t counting groceries, petrol, etc which in my eyes is still spending 🤔

Makingabobor2

Sun_Addict said:

Fingers crossed for the offer of repayment. Will you be able to clear everything this year? 

Well done on the decluttering and I wouldn’t count normal recycling/rubbish either that’s cheating in my book. That’s why I don’t join the challenge threads. I did the NSD one and was just counting days I really didn’t spend anything and maybe getting 10 or so days a month whereas others were getting 25 plus. I noticed they weren’t counting groceries, petrol, etc which in my eyes is still spending 🤔

Yes I do the NSD one, and I must admit I do allow grocery spends if they are out of normal budget and I had written them on my list etc.  If I buy anything not on the list, or extra on another day etc, then I would say that was a spendy day.  We have to eat don't we? So I do think essential groceries should be allowed. But this is the problem when the rules aren't really clear. 

Hoping to clear the debts this year, but will depend on the creditors still being prepared to accept the sort of offers they offered previously, and obviously any unforseen emergency. If not this year, then certainly very early next year. But I am aiming for this year. I have clearly budgeted for everything else, so fingers crossed we should do it. 

kayannie

Regarding compost bins attracting rats - I have been told never to include cooked food in the compost as that will encourage them. Mine is mainly fruit & veg peelings & we get through a lot of fruit & veg, being vegetarians - no cooked food is thrown away except maybe scraps which would go in the council food waste bin.
KA

Makingabobor2

kayannie said:

Regarding compost bins attracting rats - I have been told never to include cooked food in the compost as that will encourage them. Mine is mainly fruit & veg peelings & we get through a lot of fruit & veg, being vegetarians - no cooked food is thrown away except maybe scraps which would go in the council food waste bin.
KA

Yes, that would be what we would be putting in. Plus I have been told that used coffee grains and tea are good. And is it right that you should cut up old egg boxes in there as well?

joedenise

Shredded paper is good too.  You need to add as much dry stuff as fruit and veg peelings layering them and giving it a good mix from time to time.

Makingabobor2

joedenise said:

Shredded paper is good too.  You need to add as much dry stuff as fruit and veg peelings layering them and giving it a good mix from time to time.

Yes, I heard egg boxes are good.  I am seriously considering one. Need to make a new garden plan for the spring and find a suitable spot and then see what DH thinks.  I don't want it close to the house. 

Makingabobor2

Just a quick question, will be back with a proper post later.  

I need to get a new floor steamer, the old one has finally given up, not been steaming properly for a while now.  It was a Vax, came free when we bought a carpet shampooer, and had it a few years, now, so I am sure there are better ones out there.  What makes does anyone recommend?  Preferably one that does other steaming as well as floors, although that isn't a deal breaker as I hardly ever use the other functions, but might be handy.  Thanks

Just edited to add that at the moment I am liking the reviews on the Vax Steam Fresh Combi. Not overly expensive and seems to do the job.  Anybody got that one?

Sun_Addict

I’ve got the Shark steam scrubber which is brilliant but it only does floors.