MeandO's money-shuffling

MeandO

Another day, another dollar - as my wonderful Grandad used to say. 

Not much to report today, other than making sure today is a NSD.
I had to pick up 3 items we’d run out of yesterday, so £5.44 spent. 

I had an interesting morning which involved an interview for something (non job related) that would have helped the finances if ultimately successful. Unfortunately, I’m 99% sure I messed it up and wasn’t what they were looking for, but I’m pleased I put myself forward and did it anyway. I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t at least tried. 

DS is eating out tonight so just myself to feed this evening. I’ve taken some chilli out of the freezer, previously frozen as leftovers, so that’s another freezer meal used up, I still need to do a freezer inventory. I did phone the hospital today though and got the details about my appointment so that’s one job ticked off the list. 

MeandO

Morning all,

I've just pegged the first load of washing on the line, the second is now in the machine. They'll even be a third today as I received all of DS's clothes back yesterday from a camping trip he went on with his father & a group they attend, none of it has been near a washing machine 3 days after their return and all absolutely stinking. Some of the socks may just need to be thrown out, DS must have been running around barefoot in his overpriced white socks. 

I can report a successful NSD yesterday, today should be another. We are running low on quite a few things so I've started compiling a list but I will make do for as long as I can. I forced myself to do the freezer inventory yesterday and I'm ashamed to say there is loads of chicken, diced beef, mince, fish and other foods in them that I just didn't realise we had. Once it goes in the freezer it often gets forgotten about, I need to do better at keeping a list. I've taken chicken portions out today and we'll be having jerk chicken legs/drumsticks using a seasoning that I need to use up, with salad potatoes, broccoli and coleslaw. DS loves coleslaw, he'd eat it with anything if allowed to!

Last night I re-read some of my old diaries on here from 10+ years ago. I still can't quite understand how I got through some of the severely stressful situations I had to deal with back then, but it does make me feel proud of myself for plodding on and handling those situations as best I could. I am going to try to print some of them out so that DS can read when he's much older if he wants to. The love I have for him shines through in what I said and did and if nothing else it may show him that he can find great strength through adversity.
Some comments also gave some clues that my current health problems may have started a lot longer ago than I thought and I can now see how the stress I have dealt with over the years may have exacerbated conditions or may even have been the catalyst. My attitude and demeanour have changed over the past few years and I feel like I handle stress and different situations a lot differently now. I accept that there's things I cannot change and that no amount of trying will alter the outcome, so I am much more chilled and relaxed about things. I've also got to the point in life where I'm less inclined to put up with negative behaviour from people so I remove myself from those situations or just don't get involved. It took me long enough to get to this point but I'm glad I'm there! 

OhLookAnotherNewStart

I'm very impressed with your washing regeime, I've only just sat at my desk and you've got between 2 and 3 loads done! 

It's nice to look back and see how far you've come, even just looking at your signature shows a massive effort!

MeandO

Thanks OhLookAnotherNewStart. I have a teenage boy who only has to wear something for 5 minute before it ends up in the washing basket so washing is always plentiful here! 
The third load has been done and is on the line with the whites coming up great at a 60 degree wash with a scoop of stain remover thrown in for good measure. The socks have been saved!  :smile It's sunny and breezy here today so most of the first & second loads are already dry, folded and on beds waiting to be put away. 

MeandO

I've just requested a free return for a item bought two weeks ago but broke on the first use. It's DS's so the money (£7.88) will go back to him so he can buy a replacement. I'm looking forward to a walk to the post office in the sunshine this afternoon to post that off.

I've had notification that two of the vinted sales have arrived at their destination so they should bring in £14 when it clears. I'm going to try and eek out the budgets so I don't need to spend that money and can stash it to savings instead. We'll see how that goes...

Considering there's not much in the fridge at the moment I just had a lovely lunch of scrambled eggs, half an avocado and salad on a bagel thin, all counted and logged in my nutrition app. I did put on around 7lbs when I came off the jabs but am now making sure I'm eating enough protein in a day and I've lost that weight again now. I have about a stone to lose until I am at a weight I will be happy with so I'm working on that. 
I also cleaned out the salad/veggie drawer and had to throw some carrots and a parsnip which had perished. I've cut up the salvageable carrots and will cook them with our food tonight and use leftovers tomorrow. I seem to have loads of peppers in at the moment so will use those in meals over the next few days.

MeandO

Morning all, another sunny one here. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

The antiques dealer I mentioned a little while ago is coming today to take a look at the jewellery and a couple of other bits. We'll see what that brings, if anything. Any money made from selling the items will go straight to the mortgage, I feel better about selling them that way as I know my grandparents would be happy to think they've helped me buy our home. I know I would get more selling them myself but I think the risk of being scammed online is very high and I have no idea where to start with the auctioning process.

All the washing was done yesterday so none to do today unless I decide to do DS's bedding, but may wait until tomorrow for that. The dishwasher is on eco mode after waiting for the breakfast dishes to fill it up and I read the gas meter yesterday and submitted the reading for an accurate bill.
I have my lunch planned and OH is cooking a healthy tea for the pair of us; DS will be with his Dad so only two of us to cater for tonight. 
Yesterday was another NSD , I may need milk today, other than that it should be spend free. I will have to get some groceries in within the next few days as the fridge is running pretty low. Should be able to keep it to a minimum though as I have to go 'home' for a few days next week so only need to cater for us for 3 or 4 days. 

Sarahwithlove

I hope you manage to find some balance in your budget. It's important to remember that the cost of everything has gone up so £50 now won't buy as much as it did this time last year. I too am struggling to accept that some of my pots need more 

MeandO

Yes, you're quite right, Sarahwithlove. £50 wasn't what it used to be!

MeandO

I listed an item on vinted this morning and it sold within the hour for £22  
It's wrapped and ready to send off later today. 
I've lost count of how much extra money I've made this past month but it must be over £100 now. Shame it's all been paid off the CC bill or gone towards the costs of living, but I'm pleased nonetheless.

MeandO

The antiques guy only took a small amount of the items but was very honest and a lovely guy too. I can see why he is so highly reviewed locally. He also made sure the money was in my bank before he'd left my house. He offered me £880 which was much more than I was expecting and more than my research came up with. He is also going to do some research on one of the other pieces and get back to me. So I've just paid £880 off my mortgage thanks to my wonderful Grandparents. Thank you Nan and Grandad.  They're still helping me years after they've gone.

Mortgage @ 03/2019: £125,000, Now: £56,120
Mortgage OP’s: £17,020.57