Flying solo

twiggy86

So my pot total spends so far this year...

• Dentist/ medical - £311 - includes two visits to the dentist and hygienist (next appt is in Jan)
• Gifts £395 - higher than I expected given that I make crochet presents for a lot of the children in my life
• Beauty - £125 - I dye my hair and do my own waxing so this includes the cost of the "materials" and two hair cuts
• Pets £221 - have two tortoises and a new pooch, some of the cost was for buying things for the pooch (bed etc)
• Clothes - £640!!! (As above, this one was a shocker!)

I also have pots for insurances but those are "fixed expenses" whereas these are variable ones where it is more down to me how much I spend. Also have a Xmas pot but given that I've only just started my Xmas shopping it's not worth noting this yet. Plus there is a house DIY pot which I have spent £2,265 spend this year as have been doing quite a bit of work around the house this year (following the departure of ex) - more things planned before this is finished and currently have £300 saved towards this. 

Definitely was a worthwhile exercise adding these all up - also probably shows why I was feeling like I wasn't getting ahead as actually was pretty clueless as to how much was actually getting spent! Next job is to go through what I have spent from my personal allowance and see where this has been going - but that's a job for another day! 

Sarahwithlove

Eeek you're making me think I should do the same but I'm slightly scared to haha 

twiggy86

@Sarahwithlove - you should as it was a real eye opener! I don't know about you, but I had my head buried in the sand for too long about the true state of my finances so I guess the more information I have, the better! Even if it did make me face an uncomfortable truth - which is that I'm not quite as good with money now as I thought that I was! 

twiggy86

Back from such a lovely weekend with bf and pooch! It was very chilled and relaxing! Got there when it was already dark on Friday so bf cooked burgers on the bbq and we attempted to heat the wood fired hot tub - however it didn't warm up enough for us to get in, so just sat chatting. Saturday morning we had bacon sandwiches and then attempted to drive to a pub - well it took us longer than expected (and a few failed attempts!) but we found somewhere nice in the end and had a big lunch. Then it was back to the shepherds hut, heated the hot tub and sat by the firepit munching on snacks (with fireworks going off in the distance) and then had a fairly early night! Left about 11 to come back and stopped at a little town, had a mooch and again attempted to find somewhere to eat - we're not fussy but finding somewhere that was dog friendly, not overly expensive and had something on the menu that we fancied was easier said than done! So in the end I booked a table online at the carvery by home, so came back and dropped the pooch home and then went straight there! 

My total spends were £68 which was on some shopping, wood for the hot tub and a couple of drinks, as bf paid for the two lunches. Need to check with bf later what I owe him for petrol though as he did quite a bit of driving around country lanes! Can't decide which category to put the wood under - groceries or personal?! It's come out of groceries for now but will have a think as I can always move the money across. 

The "expensive" part of the weekend is that pooch has come into season - meaning that in (I believe) 3 months time we will have to pay to have her spade. We knew it was going to come along at some point, so at least now we have a timeline! Just need to check the cost at the vets. 

I'm working from home today (and possibly a few other days this week) as boss has a sick family member and so won't be in, so no point driving to the office. I'm then off on Friday as have a friend's funeral to attend, which is very sad as she was only 37. 

On to today... 

• Update spreadsheet 
• Make CC payment as one statement has come in 
• Pop to shop for a few bits 
• Snap receipt 
• Load of washing on 30 degree quick cycle
• Get everything together for crochet doll so that I can get started 
• Dinner from stores
• Check if friend is still popping over later for a catch up 

Sarahwithlove

Glad you had a nice weekend even if it didn't all go to plan. 

Sorry to hear about your friend, 37 is no age really. Makes you think doesn't it? 

twiggy86

Thanks @Sarahwithlove. It's very sad - she went through so much and seemed to be so unlucky when it came to health. It should never be "normal" to hear your friend is in hospital, but unfortunately it was. 

My friend popped over for a quick cuppa last night - was so lovely to catch her briefly and for her to meet bf. They got on like a house on fire! Because she came over and I was unorganised, I used it as an excuse to get me and bf a takeaway - very naughty of me! Totally justified it to myself that I hadn't spent much over the weekend (and I had a £7 off voucher). So plan is for me and bf to go food shopping tonight when he gets home. 

I've been cracking on with various crochet projects, but annoyingly I do need to buy something to finish the third pumpkin so will pop out later to get that as want to get them done by the weekend (as will likely see bf's sister at some point). I have finished the "shell" for two of the pumpkins and am half way through the third - I will stuff and finish them all that same time as need to use a glue gun. I have also started bf's hat, although think that should be a low priority as won't take too much time and not needed until Xmas. Yesterday I went through and picked out colours for the doll - am running low on a lot of colours but really trying to use up what I have as best I can. So this morning I have made a start on that - as I realised I only have two weeks to get it done! Also stressing about the blanket I promised I'd make a friend!!! 

Anyway, that's enough crochet waffle - on to today's list...

• Update spreadsheet 
• Start crochet doll (oops, further mention of crochet!)
• Load of washing on 30 degree quick cycle
• Hang washing on airer 
• Call dad about a possible plumbing issue to see if he has any ideas - both sink and shower are draining slowly, have tried plunging and plug unblocker stuff! 
• Pop out to buy yarn (crochet adjacent!) 
• Possibly order a couple of Christmas presents 
• Snap receipts
• Go food shopping
• Meals from stores 

Sarahwithlove

That's really sad, some people have the worst luck when it comes to these sorts of things. Unfortunately health issues don't care if you're a decent human being or not. 

How long did you leave your plug unblocked stuff? I leave mine over night now and find that seems to work the best. But I do use half a bottle a week to keep topped up and then do a whole bottle every 6 to 8 weeks. 

twiggy86

Sarahwithlove said:

How long did you leave your plug unblocked stuff? I leave mine over night now and find that seems to work the best. But I do use half a bottle a week to keep topped up and then do a whole bottle every 6 to 8 weeks. 

Used a whole bottle and left overnight! Put seeing as it's both the bathroom sink and the shower, it makes me think that it's something further down the system! My dad basically did all the DIY when I moved in 10-ish years ago (and is also pretty handy) so I'm hoping he may have some idea of a possibly cause/ solution! Bf would happily try fixing but worth chatting with my dad first given his knowledge! 

Oh and I separate point which I'm not sure I've mentioned (I could of course, read back and check!) is that bf has a tenant moving in on Friday! Well fingers crossed it doesn't fall through again! This will mean that he pays half of all the bills - as we agreed that he paid half of the bills that he wasn't paying on his flat (i.e. at the moment he is still paying the council tax for there, so isn't contributing towards the council tax here). 

twiggy86

Drain update (as I know it's an exciting topic!)... spoke to dad and he suggested that as the first step buy some stronger drain unblocker so I'm going to pop out and get that in a bit. If that doesn't work then need to pull the fridge out to access where the two pipes (i.e. from both shower and sink) join to see if can identify the problem. This morning I did go outside and lift the drain cover but doesn't seem to be a blockage "further down the line". 

Also went food shopping with bf last night and as we were walking around he brought up the topic of how we split it. He suggested that one pays and the other sends over half to ensure it is fair - I also used this as an opportunity to voice my unease at putting stuff in if I know he's paying and his was response was "I know and that's why I'm suggesting this"! He really can read me like a book! Of course, there may be little top-ups in between (like I want particular tea bags from a different shop and also forgot that we need sugar), so still needs a bit of thought. 

I have made a good start on my Christmas shopping already! I'm keeping a list of what ideas I have, what I've purchased and the prices/ estimates so that I can keep track of everything. I need to speak to bf about the presents I have planned for his son and daughter - to check I'm not doubling up on anything he has planned and the sizes. Also need to get something for his son's birthday but may need to ask for an idea! 

On to today's list...

• Update spreadsheet 
• Order a couple more Xmas presents
• Pop out for a couple of bits 
• Snap receipts 
• Try sort drain issue 
• Make small CC payment (just being impatient waiting for one of the statements before I can finlaise what can be allocated to what card!)  
• Continue plugging away with crochet projects  
• Meals from stores 
• Pay lowest amount at acro 

twiggy86

Christmas shopping continues! Never been this ahead before! However, I need to think about the budget... I have costed up everything and *have* the budget to buy everything I have planned BUT that includes the amount I have allocated in December's budget - meaning I don't have that money available (or rather allocated for Christmas) now. I have pretty much used up the current pot with all the things I've bought. I could of course wait until payday at the end of the month before I buy anything further given that it is only 7 November so plenty of time to get organised, but part of me wants to reshuffle the budget so that I can get as much purchased this month. What this would possibly look like is re-allocated the money that is currently set aside to clear my Virgin CC and then putting extra towards the CC instead of Xmas next month! Not sure it's the wisest choice but after feeling really down about Christmas last year (first year single), I'm really excited (probably too excited) about this Christmas! 

 Anyway, on to other things! Acro was fun last night and I did pay the lowest amount. However, I was asked to play for another team for netball tonight so now playing two games - so that's an extra £5.90! Fingers crossed made a plumbing saving though as the drain unblocker has (fingers crossed) worked - well it's all clearing quicker for now but will need to monitor in case it starts being slow again. 

Today's bits and pieces..

• Update spreadsheet 
• Order a couple more Xmas presents
• Continue working on crochet projects - goal is to finish the 3 pumpkins today which are nearly there 
• Meals from stores 
• Park for free at netball