Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

SandyShores

Over-ate and under-exercised at the weekend, but I am back on track now (I was slightly worried).  I'm getting my steps in everyday and it really seems to be helping physically and mentally.  Good to start feeling a little bit of space in my clothes too.  I've no other huge stresses in my life at the moment so now is as good a time as it will ever get.

Another trip to MrL later to use a coupon for a free loaf of bread - will do that on the way home - so just a brief detour.   I seem to be constantly popping to the shops lately - doesn't help that I have three favourite shops and get different things in each.  MrA didn't have my coffee pods in Sunday, nor yesterday, so it looks like a call to another supermarket is needed - probably MrM on my way home from exercise class later.  I've just  created a list of essentials for each supermarket I use and will make sure I use it in future - and will buy in bulk!

Another hot day, stay cool everyone.

Sandy x

KajiKita

Oooh, good idea about the list of specific purchases per supermarket - i shall be robbing that idea 😊

KK

savingholmes

Glad you are feeling better in yourself Sandy.

SandyShores

Glad to be of help Kajikita, help yourself  

And thanks Savingholmes, I really am feeling much more positive right now - a cloud has lifted   I think it all started with me beginning to say no to taking on too much.  I'm still busy, but no longer frantic!  I've learned that you have to stick up for yourself to look after yourself - then the rest seems to follow.

SandyShores

My list of purchases for each supermarket has been really helpful, and I used it to order a collection today from MrA.  For only 50p I've been able to avoid the big trolley push and everything was available.  Quick stop off at Mr L, and week's shopping now done without the usual feeling of exhaustion   We should be good to go for the week.  Although there was a trip to M&S yesterday and as a result the week's grocery spend stands at £200.  The cupboards are all stocked up so hopefully it will balance up next week and it will be payday again soon.  I will just be pleased to not be popping into the shops so much.

savingholmes

Eeek at that weekly food shop. I've spent money like water this weekend though so have no room to talk... As you say, hopefully it will balance out with other weeks... 

SandyShores

I know savingholmes .  To be fair a big chunk was M&S as we had company yesterday - so its some entertaining budget and there were loo rolls for a couple of weeks and coffee.  But I do need to keep an eye on it - especially as the cupboards and freezer are starting to feel a bit full.  I think its because I've been nipping to the shops so often and have tended to pick up extra items 'just in case' -  my new shopping routine should help. 

On the other hand we are eating so much healthier than ever before, and we are sticking to smaller portions.   

Pleased to report I have read over one third of my first book.  Just got to keep going and work my way through the other 17 too.

SandyShores

Very pleased that my new shopping regime has worked.  No little trips to the shops have been required - more time and energy for other stuff - result!  In other good news, as well as the NW £100, I also received about £130 back from the water company - that really was unexpected and a very nice bonus - especially as payday is taking a little longer to come around (or so it seems).  I should be able to get more of an idea this week of my weekly spend, hoping its a bit less than last week's!

savingholmes

Lovely refund on the water.

Well done on reducing the shopping trips - I think I took them all up this month!

SandyShores

Thanks @savingholmes it really was an unexpected bonus, I'd forgotten all about the annual review.  The water use should be slightly down again next year as this will be the first full year of just the two of us.

I'm over the moon with my shopping trip reduction.  Another click and collect yesterday - took me minutes to pick up the shopping from Mr Aa (and no substitutions).  Its twice as good because as well as time saving I'm not tempted by the special offers that I really don't need.  Afterwards a quick call into my second fave shop which is so much smaller - and not as exhausting to walk around -  and my whole weeks shopping took less than 30 minutes across the two shops - it normally seems to take a whole afternoon.  MrShores and I are creatures of habit, which makes it so much easier - with no little Shores to cater for on a full-time basis its much simpler to plan for the week.

With much of the cleaning and tidying done I'll be spending a bit of time in the garden this afternoon