Round in circles...

mark55man

I don't know if its helpful but we occasionally use frozen pre cooked chicken strips.  They are great for making fricassee or stir fry type dishes.  Not as nice as fresh chicken but in a holiday setting might be more convenient.  TBH we don't just thaw them and eat them although they are pre cooked, a bit bland and I prefer to cook them but maybe useful for you 

blubella

So glad that I took the time to take time out today, it felt like time well spent.  I sometimes feel like a little hamster on a wheel..especially since starting this new job. However, I needed to collect my friends medication and didn't want to let him down, although there was no pressure. I got loads of love from his little rescue dog, a nice meal and a stroll through the city. A nice relaxing day...back on the wheel tomorrow...nighty night

blubella

Finally arrived in Dartmoor yesterday afternoon after doing a little detour on the moor. I really did feel like I had driven around in a big circle and I was correct. Lost signal and had no sense of where I was going, ending up where I started. Mobile phones eh! Thankfully, my signal returned and I was able to get here. The caravan is lovely with a great view and I've been in the hot tub already. 

It took at least 4 trips back and fourth to pack up the car with all the shopping, bags and waterproofs etc before I left home. Going to take a day trip to my parents for lunch one day as they are only a 45 minute drive away and need to drop a few bits and pieces off to them too.

Prepared a lentil and veggie lasagne last night and ate that with salad tonight. My friend loved it and it only cost around £3-4 for 4 portions. Took the soup out of the freezer, so we are going to fill our flasks for our walk today. I boiled a few eggs up and we can take bread and butter and some fruit. Definitely going to treat myself to a cream tea this week.

_Dolly_Rocker_

Hi @blubella - this is the first time I've been back on here!

Aw it absolutely has been, it's so hard when the person you're in love with is literally ruining your life and it takes time for you to realise that no matter what you do it is never going to be enough. 

My mental health was in tatters and I'm still not back to myself yet but I will get there. 

I've got debt to pay off and weight to lose but you know what by this time next year I'll be in a much better place. 

I'd love to be debt free by December too but don't think it's gonna happen - as long as I've made good progress then I'll be happy!

We are AWESOME!!!

Aimingforthegoodlife

@BlueBella you are doing so well, I have everything crossed you will make it to payday! Caravan sounds lovely, especially the hot tub, enjoy adventuring! I also have the same issue with alcohol, if I buy a bottle, I drink a bottle! Seem to lose all control and thoughts, but I only have the max of a bottle a week, so its something I can work on! Have a lovely time x

blubella

The S'ander 0% was coming to an end in May so I've managed to shift £1,200 of the balance to B'card with a £39.60 fee which I think was worth it in the long run. Paid the remaining £61.82 off, so now owing £0 on that card.

S'andr £1,261.82 currently £0
B'Card was £2,900.00 now £3961.06. Need to focus on paying £630 by 1st June before any fees kick in. 

Thank you @Aimingforthegoodlife, just about made it to pay day but the caravan was a little more costly than anticipated! My friend said "it's only £180" when she asked me to go but I did not realise that she meant £180 each! I did think that it was a super bargain! Anyways, I still owe her £75.34 as I paid for any additional food, a visit to the Jamaica Inn museum, one lunch and a cream tea out. Other than that I cooked all week and went for a dip in the hot tub every day!

blubella

Managed to get B'card down to £3,695.40 with my payment this month, only to just go and increase it. Could not afford to pay car insurance outright without resorting to using the CC. Disappointed, but needs must. Balance is back up to £3954.25. Went via TCB, so will at least have a little bonus payout.  On a positive I have closed the S'andr CC account, so now I am down to one CC.

I am being extra frugal this month and would normally have zilch in the bank following pay day. My friend helped me set up a couple of spread sheets and I am monitoring, every single spend. I absolutely love them! I have £207.88 to last until 25th, so I'm going to pay my friend the outstanding amount I owe her from our trip to Dartmoor. Finding it super annoying that the bank takes so long to process any payments when I have had to resort to using my debit card. Need to make sure I withdraw more cash in future.

blubella

Paid my friend the £75.34 that I owe her, so we are straight now. So i'm now down to £132.54 to last until 25th and that has to stretch to food and fuel..hopefully I can make it without going overdrawn. Don't think I have any other big bill surprises.

Have been trying to stick to using some elements of the 'super six' from Aldi in my meals to keep grocery shop down, and I am going to try and use up some of the freezer and store cupboard finds. Banana, sultana and walnut porridge is on the menu for breakfast tomorrow with Caesar salad for lunch with left over chicken from the freezer. Have boiled some eggs to keep in the fridge, so can incorporate them into a couple of meals or snacks. Missing the sweet stuff, so made a banana and chocolate sponge with one banana, one egg, some cacao powder and a spoonful of peanut butter..stopped me salivating for a little while and I have a spare for tomorrow

blubella

What a glorious day it's been! I started work early this morning so finished at 2 and have spent the afternoon scarifying the lawn and planting some flowers in my raised bed. I do love a good garden potter. My living room is looking like a nursery, so I need to get down to the allotment ASAP.

Have had my 3rd SPD of the month today and also made an OP of £4.25 to the CC, minuscule I know but it's rounded down a little which is satisfying to some of us! Small victories..  

I am going totally overboard on the spreadsheets, where have they been all my life?

_Dolly_Rocker_

Oh I love a spreadsheet!

I'm gonna make a new one today too.