From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

badmemory

I was really surprised today to have my RM 2nd class (no tracking) parcel delivered today by van.  They normally come via the normal postman.  They are always very pleasant which is a nice change & I think down to different areas management.  When I lived down south a friends husband worked for RM & he used to say they all had aggro form the management every day, it doesn't seem to have ever been the case up here.  They even go the extra mile.  A few weeks ago one delivered an untracked item to my back door (drive to) & realised as he was leaving that I was talking at my front door (walk to) & walked round to tell me he had left it there, so several hundred yards.

Greying_Pilgrim

Good afternoon MSE'rs

We played our part in remembering this morning.  Isn't it nice (and something of a rarity) that someone 'welcomes' you and says how much they've enjoyed your presence.  Particularly important to say it (and mean it) when chatting to young folk I think.

DH used the child-free time to crack on with decorating prep.  I guess the final couple of days holiday this year will be spent doing more DIY.  So much for planning festive lunches, and the quaffing of egg-nog on a school day......... 😕😉

Lunch was butter bean and thyme soup which is a Lindsay Bareham recipe........ from 'Wolf in the kitchen'???  It was the cookbook she wrote for her son when he went off to uni, anyway.  I like it as it's simple and uses a couple of tins of butter beans, so quick to prep too.  I did add in a couple of small tatties (left the skin on) to bulk it out a bit.  Blitzed up you couldn't tell they were in there.  Served with wholemeal baps with a couple of slices of cheese on the side - which LG delighted in melting into the soup fondue style.  Clean plates all round.  

The washing got set out before 8am this morning.  It's dried reasonably well, allowing for we certainly haven't had as much breeze as was forecast.  I've just brought it back in now, as there is starting to be a spot or 3 of rain on the wind.  I shall set it up on the airer just now.  If it dries overnight, then I will be pretty up to date with DH's workwear.  

One-third of the way through the month (already 😱) but not a third through the grocery money, which I am pleased about.  

In terms of appointments/commitments/events and bills to meet, we're (thankfully) entering into a quieter period, but December will just be a whizz of stuff/doing/being/spending, so I definitely need to get consulting, making and amending my lists for all things.  I really do want to have come to the year end "up" if you see what I mean.  Last Christmas/year end was all a bit rushed, but we were in a better position, as we were in our own home - it was far from perfect, but better than being tenants.  This year, we've not made as much progress as I'd hoped, but we have made progress, and there has certainly been less stress because we've not had the looming fear of a rent rise hanging over us and we've slowly began to claw some control back over how we chose to live our lives.  It's important to take a moment and acknowledge that.

I think I may make pizza for tea, but I'm not quite sure what to do with it.  We had veggie hot dogs, chips and baked beans last night - which was useful, as it used up some YS'd hot dog rolls (which I hadn't realised were pre-sliced, and I sliced them a different way, and then watched them disintergrate........ 🤣), the last veggie sausages in the bag and the last oven chips.  

DH and LG have gone out for a bike ride, so I am away to savour a few more minutes of peace and quiet.

Ta for popping in.  Greying X

teapot2

Definitively worth taking time to reflect and acknowledge where you've 'got to'.  No mean feat to be fast approaching half of your window replacement total in the the current financial clime x

beanielou

teapot2 said:

Definitively worth taking time to reflect and acknowledge where you've 'got to'.  No mean feat to be fast approaching half of your window replacement total in the the current financial clime x

Absolutely this. 

badmemory

I think you got out of renting just in time,  A friend started renting in Nov 21 at £500.  Now Nov 24 rent £900 in 3 years!!.  The family know the landlord & know they had no choice.  They have however stamped their collective foot & made him claim pension credit.  One of his DiLs knows what she is doing with these forms so I'll bet she filled it all in & said check then sign.  Even his rates bill has gone down & you could see the weight lifting.

Greying_Pilgrim

Thank you teapot2 and beanie - yes, you are both right.  Sometimes when you're "slap bang in the middle of it", you can't see what your achievement actually looks like from the outside.  I have to say that we benefited from DH getting a bonus this year, which - apparently - is not forthcoming from the firm next year 😕 But neither have we done "nothing" and lived on lentils to be able to save a bit.  Sure we live a wee bit "smaller" than some, but we have had day trips out/overnight stays, and LG has had bits and pieces and clothes and toys, so we're not living a beige existence.  Budgeting does work.

Thank you for your support.  It is appreciated, as ever.  Greying X

rtandon27

Lovely reflection GP - It is indeed all baby steps!  - a tiny bit at a time to financial security and living your best life to the beat of your own drum!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good morning MFW'rs

Well, Greying is "on fire" this morning.  I have achieved so much already - go me!  (And yes, dear reader, for sure it is about bl**dy time!!! 🤣)

I have set a wash on - the weather forecast has a breeze "just" about strong enough to dry clothes 😬.  I have cooked a batch of chickpeas that I remembered to soak overnight (😮) and it's cooked up to 1.15kg - they are on the window sill cooling, and will be destined for the freezer.  LG's snap is prepped and bagged up.  I have put out the equipment for school. Monday's are a nightmare for having to take "stuff".  Roll on the end of term......

I need to double-check the CHB amount and the calls on it.  I think there are two more CHB payment dates until the end of the year.  2025 has a number of club excursions, which, whilst cannot be totally funded out of CHB are a 'known' expense, and are payable in instalments.  I think I am going to try to get LG involved in saving any extra 'pennies' that they can, like we did for the first few months of this year.  It will hopefully help with engagement and 'ownership', and help teach valuable lifeskills.  LG is beginning to suffer from the effects of a child in their class who has messed with their head before.  The child is one of a pair that several years ago made LG's school and club life a misery with their selfish and self-absorbed behaviour.  In many ways LG has moved on, and this child has not - they are still as selfish and self-absorbed as they ever were (both the children who were the issue two years ago are still stuck in the same behaviour patterns). Whilst school is patchy in their response to sorting out this type of behavioural issue, LG has the opportunity to fly and enjoy club now, as these individuals no longer attend (phew!).  Naturally, because they are "in" it, and only a child, LG can't "see" the opportunity presented by club and a different set of companions.  

I will ring one window replacement firm today.

I need to do a bit of investigating of presents, on behalf of Mr S. Claus, on account of his entering his busiest period.  And I need to order a festive card that I have seen, that would be appropriate for a specific individual.

Right, the washing is about finished.  Need to get on and get out the door to school, and then peg out the wash.

Ta for being here.

Greying X

rtandon27

Phew - GP, what kind of 'go-juice' did you consume this morning?

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Gosh, Monday's activity was a bit of a 'flash in the pan' wasn't it?  

Anyhoo, we've sorted out (for the moment), the latest 'school saga' 🙄  To be fair, LG's teacher took the issues seriously and has certainly made moves to improve the situation.  Interestingly, yesterday saw another child be the target of 2 children's unkind behaviour - which isn't good (especially as the 2 protagonists are well known for their poor behaviour), but at least it proves that LG isn't just a 'sensitive soul' who makes things up.  There is a definite issue with some kids behaving badly, as a default.  Fingers crossed the teacher sorts yesterday's kerfuffle out too, as all the class will benefit - including LG, who has suffered at the hands of those 2 kiddos before 😕

I'm just back in from shopping.  The traffic works are still going on, but I wasn't delayed very long.  I suspect that the traffic lights have been adjusted to stop junctions being blocked, and/or there is currently less traffic using that route to avoid delay.  I went to MrL, MrS and hB.  I spent £61.98 on food in total, and £5.88 on non-food - I have amended my siggie.  I did another smart shop in MrS today, although I'm still no fan (plus I sabotaged myself today by selecting a trolley that had no gadget holder 😕 had to keep placing it in the trolley 😕).  MrS do nowt to encourage you to use the smart shop, as nearly everyone who was at the tills at the same time as me, was double-checked 😕  OK, so the young man was pleasant, quick and didn't rootle too badly in my packed bags, but it's more faff and still 'delays' you at the till.  Might as well go through a staffed till 😕  I didn't buy alcohol, nor any high priced items, so it was a 'random' check, but has done nothing to endear me to the smart shop process.......  

I would have bought some brussels sprouts in MrS, but the ones that were on n*ctar offer were so manky.  Half the tray were YS'd - and were rotting, and the remainer were tiny bullets that were yellowed and the stem cuts were all brown 😕  

I think my shop in MrS saved me just over a couple of quid, plus I would have got some extra points for several things I bought (on my list).  Although I have just noticed one of the frozen veg offers I bought hasn't scanned under the 3 for 2 offer 😕  I was sure it was included, as the SEL was what drew my attention.  However, I am now wondering if the packets were in the wrong place and as the writing on MrS's SEL is SO SMALL, I couldn't/didn't see if what I was buying was actually included grrr.  Never mind, I would have bought the things anyway - just over a matter of weeks, not all in one shop.

I have managed to make a start on christmas present shopping.  Thankfully there is only really LG to buy for these days.  I bought online, best price for one of the things, same price as 'bricks & mortar' for the other 2 things, plus there was a discount code, so I got on with ordering.  I did worry a bit when the delivery co. came up as a Alpine communication method, but to be fair, the delivery was made in daylight, in school hours (YAY! no awkward questions from LG to bat), and the delivery chap was polite.  So, my particular experience was good.  The only thing was that the tracking didn't in anyway marry up with what was happening on the ground.

LG has club tonight, so I will be knocking up lentil bolognese to have with pasta for tea.  

I haven't got around to ringing a windows firm.  Must get on and do that.  

Right, I am going to press 'post' before we're into the afternoon.

Ta for popping by.  Greying X