We will get this debt down & the savings up

Makingabobor2

Afternoon all.  Just a quick catch up while having lunch.  Trying to get more organised and be more productive, but just seem so tired lately. Think its the weather and not going so far when its not nice. Just need some sunshine. 

So what has been happening in MSE land?  
Decluttering is continuing, now decluttered 209 items between us so far, and luckily the local CS has started taking donations again.  I also managed to sell a sandwich toaster for £5 on FBMP, so that is going in the Debt pot.  Found some old tea shirts that weren't suitable for donating, so they have been cut up for polishing cloths. 

Managed a few yellow/orange stickered items this week, all of which were things I actually needed.  We are coming to the end of week 3 on our 4 week budget cycle, and so far things are looking good in the housekeeping pot as well as the petrol pot. Decided that when the petrol pot has some left over each time, I will just leave it in there for when we go on holiday, or need more for any reason. If buffer pot is untouched, I will transfer that to either the debt pot or the holiday pot each time. Today is DH's payday, so just going to check the bank accounts against my spread sheets and make a few adjustments to some of the transfers.  Will update signature once all done. 

Birthday cards for the year that couldn't be shopped from home from my stash, have been ordered and received from Wh*st!f*sh, so spend a total of £11 on cards for the year.  Pleased with that. Its a pity some have to be posted, as it will cost more to post than the cost of the card. 

Trying not to have the heating on too much, but it does seem to be getting colder again. Currently wearing 2 pairs of leggings, leg warmers, thermal under top,  fleecy top and body warmer! Don't know why I  just can't get warm today.  Maybe its time for some exercise to warm up. 

Think that's about it. Doesn't seem like much does it?  Just feeling deflated with this weather and also the thing about the hearing aids is still bothering me, as I really don't want to be spending out that amount of money, and I am not 100% sure yet, how much they will help.  I have booked a 2nd test at B00t* as the first one was just a basic 15minute health ear check thing, but the result of the beepy test, was pretty much what I expected and the same as the other audiologist had said.  I want my money for clearing debts and saving, and holidays, not for silly things like hearing aids. But I know the NHS route is not the right one for me.  Too generic and can't just pop back at any time for adjustments or ask questions etc etc. So stay tuned for any updates on this, as right now, I am still not sure what is happening. 

Looks like sun is trying to come out, so may just pop out for a walk to the village to drop plastic recycling at the C00p, before doing my admin bits. 

Paspatur

@milann may be able to give you some info on NHS hearing aids xx

Baileys_Babe

As you are nicely organised with this year's cards you can save some money on postage by sending them a little earlier 2nd class or given them to the recipient before the occasion.

I was going to use the wh!stle🐟 offer, but a friend was selling some handmade cards for a local charity I support and I picked DN up the perfect card in the charity shop, brand new 20p.

I need to go through both the new cards and those in the box and allocate them to the recipient, then make a list of any I'm short of. Definitely need a 21st birthday. Then I can keep my eyes open when I'm out and about.

Makingabobor2

Baileys_Babe said:

As you are nicely organised with this year's cards you can save some money on postage by sending them a little earlier 2nd class or given them to the recipient before the occasion.

I was going to use the wh!stle🐟 offer, but a friend was selling some handmade cards for a local charity I support and I picked DN up the perfect card in the charity shop, brand new 20p.

I need to go through both the new cards and those in the box and allocate them to the recipient, then make a list of any I'm short of. Definitely need a 21st birthday. Then I can keep my eyes open when I'm out and about.

Yes CSs are often brilliant for cards

Blackcats

My whistle 🐟 cards arrived yesterday.  When I was putting them away I found 20 Christmas cards that I must have bought last year.  I remember now that I bought 2 sets of 20 cards, so I'm already stocked up for Christmas 2025 with no recent effort or recent spend which was a great bonus.

I think you mentioned wanting to start crochet again?  Apologies if it wasn't you!  Black sheep wools are starting a crochet a long soon and the blanket they show you how to make looks beautiful.  Thought you might find it helpful and inspiring.  I'm thinking about treating myself to the wool pack for the blanket - using personal spends of course 😇

Makingabobor2

Yes @Blackcats, it was me who was wanting to crochet. Thanks for the tip, I will take a look. I've still not done anymore about learning. I need to have more " me time". I seem to be always busy lately. Must get more organised. 

Cara_

Hello Makingabobor2

Delurking to introduce myself and let you know that I follow your diary. You are very organised and I'm impressed with your decluttering. 

I've had plenty of layers on today as it has been wet and cold where i am - looking forward to some warmer weather.

Cara

Makingabobor2

Cara_ said:

Hello Makingabobor2

Delurking to introduce myself and let you know that I follow your diary. You are very organised and I'm impressed with your decluttering. 

I've had plenty of layers on today as it has been wet and cold where i am - looking forward to some warmer weather.

Cara

Hello @Cara_, and welcome. I'm not sure I'd describe myself as organised in all things, but I'm trying to get better. Funny thing is, when I worked, I was very organised. Now I am torn between getting things done and having more " me time" now I'm retired.

Makingabobor2

Just a quick weekend update.  
Yesterday we went to the farm shop for veg, and as I had been building up my "fun pot", by syphoning off the odd amounts from my personal account every day, we had enough to treat ourselves to breakfast at the cafe there. We had never tried before, but it had good reviews. DH had a sausage and bacon bap, and even though I knew we had plenty of money in that pot, I couldn't bring myself to spend lots of it and I just had a toasted tea cake, which was not as good as DH's bap.   The rest of the day was spent going for a walk to get more steps in, cleaning, doing surveys and DH cleaned his motorbike. 

Today we got back on the decluttering and have got rid of another 46 items between us.  Managed to sell something on FBMP for £20, so that has been added to my total of "making £5 a day", which normally only comes from surveys/studies, so its nice to sell something and make a bit extra.  Will send it to the holiday pot I think. 

Baked 2 cakes while I had the oven on for roast potatoes and veg.  Think I need to clean the oven this week, not a job I like as my back has got worse as I've got older and I find it hard getting down to reach the back. I would really love an eye level built in oven, but without redoing the whole kitchen, that won't happen while we are living here. 
I also did a exercise class with weights as well as my daily stretch class.  Need to start doing more weight classes, that is the secret as we age I think. 

I also finished another book last night. 

Just realised what the time is, need to get this dinner dished up....left over chicken with roasties and veg. 

Have a good evening everyone. 

Makingabobor2

Quick catch up although not much to report really.  Things are ticking along ok. 
 After Christmas an New Year out the way, I am starting to think about which debts to tackle first, and have created a savings pot, to transfer amount that used to go to mortgage, so we can get it going.  Just waiting on a response from C*b*t and M**rcr*t, in regard to 2 offers we have made, and hope to get the ball rolling. 

Yesterday I nipped to Mr A, not been there for a good while, and only wanted a few bits, so went there as its the closest.  Really disappointed TBH, lots of empty spaces on the shelves, and prices seemed to have gone up a lot since I last went.  Used to think they were the cheapest out of the main SMs, but seems like the most rubbish one now TBH.  
We are now on the last week of the budget period and looks like we may come in with an underspend. Already sent £20 across to the Refill/Stock up savings pot, and there's still a bit left which hoping I may not have to spend.

Did manage to get all the washing dry on the line yesterday as was lovely and sunny first thing with a good wind.  

Today has been cleaning, did the lounge, cleaned inside the microwave, cleaned kitchen down, as well as the normal loo cleaning etc. 
Wrote a meal plan up to next Tuesday, using things we already have
Quite a few surveys and studies so far as well. 
Wrote and stamped DD-i-L birthday card and ordered her some flowers to be delivered. They live further north, in N L*nc*nsh*r*, so we won't be seeing them to give her a present. Can't believe the price of flowers these days. Would have posted her a cheaper present, but she is just so hard to buy for, there is nothing I could think of.  
Changed my next hearing test as it was booked for first thing Friday, and we now have to babysit for 2 youngest DGSs on Thursday night so not sure what time we will get home, and as we are used to going to bed early, I might not feel like going out so early Friday.   The 2 eldest DGSs (twins), have been nominated for a Young Person's Unsung Heroes award, and the ceremony is Thursday night.  They do volunteer work at their local football club on match days and one of them helps out with the training of the younger ones. 

Apart from that, not much happening in MABor2 world. Just wish the weather would improve again. Its been horrible here today. 

Off to tidy the bedroom now and have a shower and wash my hair.  
Have a good evening all. 

Ooh, and today was another NSD as well.