No more debt, now what? Searching for happiness.

itsthelittlethings

Got a birthday present for my friend and posted it to Ireland (cost undisclosed), had a coffee and a cake in a cafe (£8.50 with tip), bus into town because I'm a bit knackered (£2), bought a gorgeous top in a charity shop (£3.25), coffee at knitting (£3.50), houmous kebab (£6.50).

I was gonna bake for my work colleagues tomorrow but I won't now because baking is expensive and also I couldn't decide what to make.  Just a swim and make bread in my bread maker. Also knit and watch junk TV which is free although obviously the wool wasn't originally free.

itsthelittlethings

I bought a coffee this morning (£3.40 I think). Also a swim (£6.20). I just vacuumed and I'm about to finish cleaning my kitchen workspace. I'm listening back to a program from last night on BBC sounds. Smoked tofu, tomato and veg bag salad for lunch which was delicious. I must cut my food costs next month.

itsthelittlethings

I ended up baking yesterday. £3.50 for ingredients, I made marshmallow rice crispie squares. I did have to buy a tray (£4) but I like making tray bakes so that's kind of handy.

Just watching BBC News (nearly free) before work now. Apparently it's going to rain this week. I predicted sun.

Not much to do at work this week.  I must do my excel training.

itsthelittlethings

What a day! It turned out to be quite busy. I'm not going to complain as it does help the day go fast.

I had a money advice call with my landlord at lunchtime. It was quite helpful to go over my finances and budget with someone external. Also nice to walk and talk at lunchtime although not ideal to be discussing your finances in the street! She said I have a surplus of about £150 which she said isn't that much. I think she was thinking I could cut back on coffee and clothes though which is true.

I bought a coffee this morning for about £3.50. That was my caffeine for the day. It was a cortado, beautifully made. I meant to ask for a ristretto but I don't know all the coffee names. It was creamy but not too strong and not too milky. I also saw a poster advertising knitting lessons but I don't think I'll go as I can't afford it. Also spent £3.00 on a coffee in the afternoon after a massive work panic. I didn't really enjoy it but it did pass the time. Spent £3.00 on a sandwich at lunchtime as I didn't have time to make my lunch.

It's still pretty much too warm to knit. Need to do a bit of housework and then watch Netflix. I started watching Pride and Prejudice the other day. It's OK, period dramas aren't my thing but it's well made and very funny. I've got £4.00 from Vinted in my Monzo bank account. I don't know what to spend it on as there's nothing I want, ironically enough.

itsthelittlethings

£3.00 on a coffee today, £3.00 on a sandwich at lunch. About to make lunches for the next two days. Roll on the weekend!

itsthelittlethings

I've been doing some knitting, brought my knitting home from work yesterday. It's very relaxing and obviously FREE 😎 Just doing my hair and makeup for the day. I don't usually really do them at the weekend but I am customer facing so in the week I wear a bit of primer and eyebrow pencil. Very unfeminist of me. Just listening to some youtube (free).

I'm going out for dinner with a friend tonight, my treat. Will be nice to see her. We're going to a Middle Eastern restaurant. We might even just end up having chips, houmous and pitta. Their houmous is so good. I'm budgeting about £30-50.

I bought a second hand yarn advent for a blanket knitalong I'm joining (£88.50 with postage). I need to do a budget and stick to it when I get paid as I've had a few splurges this month. I have no major expense occasions in September and no birthdays.

itsthelittlethings

Yawn, stretch. The weather is stormy this morning, it's definitely coat weather!

Nice day yesterday.  Meal out with my friend was just lovely,  we had a good old catch up and the meal was absolutely delicious. It was £37.00 which I thought was fantastic. I had aubergine with rice and green beans and my friend had chicken.

Other than that I just bought the usual coffees and two pairs of socks from V!nted. Need to do my budget for September and most important of all, stick to it.

itsthelittlethings

Bought 2 coffees today, some tickets to an art exhibition I've been really wanting to go to and some craft stuff. Also some socks on V!nted. I decided every time I go on V!nted I'll just look at socks because I could do with some nice ones. It's not even that much cheaper than a jumper with postage but it all adds up. I like my clothes now and I don't need any more,

Went to Sainsbury's on the way home.

Carrot juice £3.15
Greek yoghurt £1.95
Eggs £2.60
Bread flour £1.70
Garlic £0.72

I'm working for a bit tomorrow and then going away. Can't wait.

itsthelittlethings

Worked for a bit, bought a bracelet online during work (£10), some skincare on the way home (£14) but I got a discount for signing up for a S&perdrug card which is good as I buy most of my toiletries from there. I also spent £3.40 on a pointless coffee and £5.40 (!) on a coffee in St*rbucks on the way to work. I won’t be going back there in a hurry although it was a very nice soya pumpkin spiced latte.

Then later I got the train (£9.60) and am now relaxing after a good night’s sleep. Bacon sandwiches for breakfast (free ☺️). Hoping to go for a swim later.

I've put the amount I want to spend on food in my Starling account and the amount I want to spend on coffee on my Monz:: card. I’m hoping this will help me to budget better. I’m not going to buy any clothes to afford my haircut and brow wax. I am also determined not to buy any wool although I paid the second instalment of my festive box which I guess is technically both wool and debt. £20 left to pay.

itsthelittlethings

Went for a lovely walk yesterday with my mum and watched a film on Netflix in the afternoon, Leave No Trace which I’ve seen in the cinema but really enjoyed. Then we watched Mrs Harris goes to Paris in the evening which I also enjoyed. My mum doesn’t have Netflix so she always likes it when I visit and we can watch films. Just waiting for another bacon sandwich now.

I paid off a pesky credit card balance that had mounted up using some of my savings. I’m a bit annoyed but it’s good not to have it hanging over me and panicking me. I must check how much I have left and update my signature.

Yesterday I got an email about renewing my Picturehouse membership. Until today, it was £39 and you get 5 free tickets. I hummed and hawed but eventually went for it as it’s very good value and I tend to get the 5 free tickets and then that’s most of my cinema visits for the year. I have seen some amazing films this year. I like to go when it’s quiet, so they’re not losing out. Then I checked if I can afford it which I can, just about.

Train home tonight (£9.60) but hopefully no other spends today.