Progress not Perfection

Makingabobor2

Enjoy your day, despite the weather

EssexHebridean

Have a lovely sneaky day out SA! Lovely to start with a coffee and a book somewhere other than home too - means you have nothing sitting in the background calling for your attention! (Or indeed, no-ONE sitting in the background...) 

beanielou

Enjoy your day. 

Sun_Addict

Morning all.

I had a nice day yesterday and got loads of shopping done. It was a waste of time going to the other shopping area though as it was mainly restaurants and charity shops. I think I only stayed an hour and didn't buy anything. I went back to the city centre and finished off. 

I got a few bargains though. I've been looking for a coat for the dog for a while and had seen a perfect one online. She won't wear coats that you have to put her legs through and the velcro ones never stick properly. I found just what I was looking for in TKM, it didn't have a price on it and I'd seen exactly the same online and in Pets At Home for £26 upwards. They let me have it for £9.99 - bargain number 1. It's one of those coats that zip up with back with a built in harness and it fits her perfectly.

Bargain number 2 was I finally redeemed the £20 gift card I got for my birthday in B00ts. I got 2 No7 items which came with a lovely free gift and only paid £3.90 towards everything. 

Bargain number 3 was I needed a few extra baubles for the Christmas tree so went back to JL where I bought the others from and they were reduced to half price.

Bargain number 4 was a set of battery operated lights I wanted for the stair decorations for 50p.

Bargain number 5 was I stopped off at a pub for lunch and they had a meal deal on so I had a massive flatbread topped with peppers and smoked tofu, a bowl of skin on fries and a soft drink for £7. I'm not keen on fries so the majority of them got left. There was so much flatbread and tofu I just couldn't finish it. I couldn't believe how much I got for £7. 

The final bargain was I popped into a Turkish supermarket and stocked up on harissa paste, big bags of rosemary and big bags of smoked paprika for a lot cheaper than elsewhere. 

Mr SA had been in the charity shop again and bought himself yet another pair of canvas shoes 😐

Despite getting the bus everywhere I still did over 22,000 steps.

All I have to buy now is a Playstation gift card for DGS and a few bits of food. I'm assuming DS and family will be with us on Christmas Eve as usual, they haven't said otherwise. 

As for today, I'm WFH thank goodness.

The Mr M delivery came at 6am. This was a big order with the Christmas drinks on it so I redeemed my £50 M0re points voucher. I've had to hide the beer from Mr SA and it's dotted around all over the place so hopefully I'll remember where.

Today's exercise was yoga first thing, just got back from dog walking, Rick's advent challenge day 17 at lunchtime and Zumba tonight. 

DD is at work so hoping to get time to give the kitchen and bathroom a good clean later.

Sitting in my home office I've noticed a bit I've missed at the top of the walls where I've tried not to get it on the ceiling so that job has been added to my to do list whenever I get chance over the next few days. 

Tonight's dinner is a portion of tomato and lentil gnocchi bake from freezer stocks. 

Makingabobor2

Some great bargains there. Sounds like you had a really good day. 

EssexHebridean

Ahh glad you had a lovely day and a nice lunch too! 

Sun_Addict

In money dealings:

Received a letter confirming the remaining balance of the mortgage will be paid off on 1 January with reminders of things to action like cancel any related insurance and standing orders. 

Did my midweek finance check and paid off the cc balance. An oddment of £4.20 has gone to the Christmas 2026 pot. The balance of the Christmas 2025 pot has been transferred to the current account to cover remaining spends. 

Received a C0sta gift card from my line manager which was nice as I've never met her and she's not been my manager that long. 

The 12 months fix for gas/electricity finishes on 1 January and I've gone for another 12 months fix, it's a bit more per month but that was expected. Still just over £500 in credit but that amount is starting to reduce now the heating's on more. 

EssexHebridean

How brilliant to be so close to the mortgage being gone! 

Lovely to be appreciated by way of a gift card too! 

Baileys_Babe

Sun_Addict said:

In money dealings:

Received a letter confirming the remaining balance of the mortgage will be paid off on 1 January with reminders of things to action like cancel any related insurance and standing orders.  

That is very exciting (insert jumping up and down emoji)

How lovely of your line manager 

Blackcats

Fabulous to be starting 2026 mortgage free!  You've worked blooming hard at managing the household finances despite MrSA's canvas shoe, man bag etc spending.  For me being mortgage free was about the feeling of freedom and relief after squillions of years paying a mortgage.  The freed up money is obviously great but the freedom felt even better.  Treat yourself on the first day that your mortgage direct debit doesn't go out just to ensure you have a big celebratory smile.  Have a kitchen boogie to George Michael's Freedom and/or Michael MacDonald's Sweet Freedom 💃