Pulling my frugal pants on.

ladybird1106

Expensive day, car was £339😳. OH has had a stern talking to about their disregard for safety for themselves and others. I should not be having to check their car is road worthy as well as my own. Deep breath 😮‍💨.
SM shop came in at £110.56. I’m quite worried how expensive food is becoming. My trolley contained no meat, very few fresh fruit and veggies, no sweets, crisps, pop, or other junk food items etc and it still came to that amount. Thank god we’ve got the allotments to keep us fed as I really think we would struggle to eat healthy on our limited income. 

Frugalness for today
1) Harvested sweetcorn, tomatoes, courgettes and french beans.
2) Tea was homemade curry ( carrots, tomatoes, French beans and potatoes from the plot)
3) Saved water from the shower to flush the loo. 

4) I didn’t buy sweets, crisps, pop etc as I need to lose weight and reduce the food bill.
5) 2nd batch of damaged apples dehydrated to make apple rings. 

Not so frugal
1) very large car bill caused by OH (see above)
2) The homemade cider (2024 batch) has had to be thrown as it had gone off, due to not racking it off earlier. This is a job normally done by OH and fil, so I need to learn how to do it.
Love 🐞

Cherryfudge

What aa shame about the bungalow, though it's good you aren't going to put yourself under pressure buying somewhere that's not right for how things are at present.

I'm very impressed with you for keeping on top of three plots of land!

KajiKita

What happened about youngest moving out? Have they changed their mind or will it just take too long?

Absolutely agree about keeping on top of three plots! 😳🤩😊👏 Amazing. I’ve barely kept on top of my one in the hot weather we’ve had this year …

I hear you on the food bills … 😢

KK

ladybird1106

The youngest is still moving out but the social worker ended up off work for quite awhile and is on a phased return. There is no rush at the moment as the youngest is feeling a lot more settled in themselves. They have decided to return to college and will be on the same course as their best friend and their current squeeze is returning too. 

I’ve had a lot time on my hands KK as I’ve not been have to deal with any family dramas, supporting people who are ill etc. I’ve had time for me. Going to the plot gives me headspace and allows me to be in the moment. This has helped me to deal with any minor things as I’ve not felt so overwhelmed by present, future or even past stuff.
love 🐞

ladybird1106

Trip to the plot this morning, sowed some more spinach and watered the greenhouses. Prayed for rain that did arrive later in the day. Harvested leeks, sweetcorn and cucumbers. 

Met up with the youngest best friend and parent for lunch. We were going to do a treasure hunt but the weather wasn’t promising. Youngest paid for our lunch, which was a nice treat. Swapped allotment veggies for a big box of green gages. 

Finally got TR form for dads house signed and witnessed by a friend. Will send it recorded delivery.

OH  has gone out to the quiz with his dad and the eldest. I’m just relaxing. No money spent by me at least.
love🐞

KajiKita

It sounds like life at home is much calmer with youngest for now, which offsets the bungalow opportunity I guess. 

I’m glad you have had all the time you’ve had this summer to yourself - I think you needed it 😊

KK

ladybird1106

Spent 80p of a ys gluten free loaf yesterday and that was it. 

Took mil out for cake and coffee which she paid for, as I drove. Gave her chance to offload on a current family issue. Paid me a lovely compliment, which was nice. Even asked me how my mum was! I managed to resist buying 🪴. 

Quick visit to the plot before the heavens opened. Trimmed up the tomatoes, watered and sat and admired my handy work. Identified a few jobs that need doing, hopefully get these done tomorrow morning when we both go up as they require 2 people. 

Harvested tomatoes and yet another cucumber. 

Right best get sorted as the youngest current squeeze is due this afternoon to watch a movie.
love 🐞

ladybird1106

Eye watering cc bill has arrived. Just remembered I have my birthday money upstairs, which covers part of the bill. I did buy myself a present and put it on the cc. There is an online food shop on there, garlic seeds ( price is halved as allotment friend is paying the other half when it arrives) and the balance of our holiday that I booked ages ago. So all accounted for but holidays after this year need to be few and far between. We’ve had a lot this year, with dad passing I wanted to live a little. 

Also found the receipt for fancy coffee bean shop, I bought them for a treat for OH- £7.86. This weeks total so far  excluding the cc bill as doesn’t need paying till mid September is £483.22( car tyres essential/ coffee beans not essential/ food essential/pub essential- support for fil). Hmmmm well I suppose we won’t need tyres for  a while. I’ve still got Sunday trip out with bestie to see eldest on Sunday. Fuel and bus ticket only hopefully as bestie is paying for lunch. 

Time for housework, whoop whoop 😮‍💨
love 🐞

ladybird1106

No money spent yesterday.
Yesterday’s rain was for about 5 minutes which was very disappointing from an allotment view however, on the bright side I got to use nature’s tumble dryer. Cleaned the house whilst youngest and current squeeze watched a couple of movies. Lovely clean bedding was thoroughly enjoyed after my shower. Tea was baked veggie pasta using onions, courgettes, tomatoes and homegrown herbs. Made apple, pear and ginger mincemeat made without suet. OH had a cheeky spoonful and declared it delicious and that before it matures. 

Quick trip to the plot to water and drop off OH skip dive finds. Lots of useable wood to make raised beds. 
Sundays trip maybe cancelled as bestie has had the bedside vigil call for mil this am💜. 

Time to get up and 🧘🏻‍♀️. Hope you all have a good day 
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

That's so sad for your friend. Prayers for all to be peaceful and not too long drawn out.

The mincemeat sounds very tasty! How does it work without suet?