Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

Suffolk_lass

Oh yes, insults. I took our son, and a school friend of his to South of France when DS finished his GCSEs (a long story, but I used my accumulated betting winnings for the accommodation and two flights, and the other boy's parents paid for his flight). On the last full day I rented a car and we were driving up towards the southern alps, north of Nice when someone pulled out, causing an emergency stop (he did not have right of way). Before I could stop myself I shouted that F-face was out without his carer and then heard the giggling from the back seat as the two 16 year olds essentially had hysterics. I have to say they were far less reverential towards me after that. I remain ashamed of that comment but it did mean I joined their banter a bit more, for the remainder of the holiday

ladyholly

suffolk_lass
Don't be ashamed by your outburst in the car.firstly I am sure the boys had heard far worse in playground at school and secondly anything that creates a bond between adults and children can only be a good thing even it involves something you wouldn't normally do. 

foxgloves

Well, m'dears....all good things come to an end, do they not? Lovely holiday, arrived back at Foxgloves Manor late last night after an awful journey (particularly ascerbic letter to Highways percolating....).
Everywhere I look I see a job but have tackled post-holiday laundry as it's been such a good free-drying day. Also unpacked, did some sorting out, planned meals to the end of the month & wrote grocery shopping list as Mr F said he was up for doing the supermarket run while I dealt with prepping 2kg of tray-ripened tomatoes for making chutney tomorrow.
No cooking tonight. As last night turned into such a cr*pfest, & we still have holiday expenses money left....(hey, did you hear what I said there?), we are going to treat ourselves to pizza from our favourite little indie place (much cheaper than the spotty pub game ones). And then I intend to do nothing until tomorrow as have been rushing around like that proverbial azure-bottomed insect all day.
Cats coming home tomorrow. Mr F even sharked everywhere this afternoon so that their first day back isn't upset by the vacuum. Anyone would think they are both spoiled rotten!
F x

Sun_Addict

Welcome home Mrs F. Well done on having holiday money left and surviving the rubbish journey home. I bet you’ll be glad to get the cats back tomorrow. 

Blackcats

Welcome back.  Glad you had a good holiday and hope you enjoy your pizza.  Will the cats be immediately generous with their affection or will there be a bit of sulking?  

rtandon27

Enjoy the pizza dinner!  Always nice to have something left in the pocket at the end of the holiday!

KajiKita

Welcome home 😊

And no your cats are not spoilt. It’s just what is expected and required by our Feline Overlords … 😉

Hope you have a restful and restorative evening and night’s sleep 😊

KK

foxgloves

Actually, they haven't been at all sulky. They do stay at a lovely cattery but were clearly pleased to be home & have been demanding lots of fuss & attention. Soot even went out in the rain to celebrate being able to enjoy the garden. He normally refuses to venture forth in anything but the very lightest drizzle.
F

foxgloves

Hello Readers,
Busy day & looking forward both to it being Mr F's cooking night & getting my backside onto the sofa.
Today's efforts:
*Sorted clean post-hol laundry & ironed what needed it.
*Mixed up a sourdough.
*Did garden pickings: Courgettes, tromboncinos, 4 big red peppers, pears & blackberries.
*Made chutney. Still need to label the jars & find a space in the pantry.
*Made blackberry & pear crumble.
*Mr F spotted some decent-priced petrol yesterday but all the pumps had run out, so he popped back today to fill up.....
*.....& called into the village farm shop to buy a potato sack (we find these work out better value as a bulk purchase).
*Transferred cattery fee from our Holiday Savings Pot & paid the invoice. Already taking bookings for next year so I booked them in for our 2026 holiday & mini-break. My Holiday Payment Schedule has been a gamechanger for things like integrating cattery fees. I never used to remember to budget for them, then on return from holiday, would need to raid another pot for the money, or pre-LBM, stick it on a credit card. Our Holiday Savings Pot is quite low now, but all the payments are fully worked out & next year's holidays including cattery, plus a deposit for 2027 will be met from a £90 per month pot payment from October.
*Made a start on email inbox.
*Entered 2 competitions.
*Did 2 surveys.
What I haven't done is reach my daily minimum steps target & as it is raining, I am going to have to stomp around the house generally having a tidy up to boost them up. So I'm off to do that, then I really will be attaching myself to the sofa as if with very sticky glue. I need to have a big financial catch-up tomorrow as my mid-month budget check-in window was while we were in Northumbria so it didn't get done. 
Right, off I go for those blimmin' steps!
F x

PennysIntoPounds

A good day of getting things straightened and progressed.
I find catching up with magazines and books I'm not devoted to a good way of spending time for a carpet walk.
Enjoy your sofa time and it not being your cooking night 🥂