Life in our forever family home and the mortgage that came with it

MissRikkiC

Today I have been back at work and it was a little more intense than I’d have planned so my goal for 2025 of slowing down didn’t feel as easy. But it was nice to be back into a sort of routine and getting the children off to school and nursery at the right time. I didn’t really rush either today however I did squeeze something in which I didn’t really have the time for (maybe had I have rushed I would have 😂) so a wrist slap for me.

I picked up some groceries this morning from Aldi to include nappies for my son and switched back to the tab nappies for now. Over Christmas I briefly contemplated using reusables again but changed my mind due to the fact that I hope to have him potty trained over the summer. Instead if we switch from pull ups to tab nappies for the last few months of him needing them, from a cost perspective; it’s a middle ground and will save a few quid. 

In the shopping I got a few reduced price Christmas items for 2025 Christmas, which will be stored in the workshop until the time arrives. 

Breakfast was a big bowl of oats and seeds with frozen fruit, lunch leftover pasta and boiled eggs whilst dinner became a curry. Chicken from the freezer, cauliflower I got reduced at the weekend with chickpeas I soaked and cooked yesterday. 

I’ve put some black beans to soak overnight tonight and will have those tomorrow will the left over rice (or more rice should their not be enough) however I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t have any lime or sour cream to go with. 

My friend dropped by (for a brew)/to drop another pallet at my house today and on his way home drove past the timber merchant. He enquired about the cost for the fence for the veg patch and by 4pm I’d got all the components parts delivered to my door and an IOU of £150 from my friend. Seems like I’ll be building the fence this weekend

I’ve just seen on another thread the importance of gratitude and recognising it even if it’s difficult to do so. I’m grateful today for my friend and his generosity, he is due more than just another cup of tea. 

beanielou

What a great friend. 

rtandon27

MissRikkiC said:

...I’ve just seen on another thread the importance of gratitude and recognising it even if it’s difficult to do so. I’m grateful today for my friend and his generosity, he is due more than just another cup of tea. 

Awww - what a sweet sentiment!  It's always nice to have a friend like that 😁

MissRikkiC

It really is. He has been the friend who has often featured in my DIy posts. He’s taught me so much over the years, mostly for nothing and helped on no end of occasions for just a brew. I’m so grateful. 

Slowness- a 35 minute walk with the dog this morning, most of which was phone free. I also took the time to journal a bit beforehand. I didn’t really connect with what I was writing so much but trying to form the habit of writing all the same. 

Frugalness- recipe called for celery, I used romaine lettuce. Dippy breads made from Jack Munroe recipe. Attempted another free go at YNAB … 

Costs- husband car bill was £320. 2 buckled tyres and a tyre with a bulge.  Slightly more than we had in the pot but not unaffordable from other pots which will be replenished later on in the year. 

Overall, not a cheap day, but all accounted for. Plus, that car is ours now (we cleared the balloon payment a few months ago) so it actually feels like an achievement to not only afford it but for it to be for our very own, car. Smile. 

MissRikkiC

Yesterday’s MS wins - withdrawal from TCB of £41. This has gone into savings. 

Reduced veg from Aldi - 50% off an aubergine strawberries and 3 packs of little tomatoes. No packet sandwich for my daughter before her club though as I’d prepared her a lunch box. 

Applied for smart meter so I can switch to an EV electricity tariff 

Yesterday’s slowness wins - not really that much. I didn’t rush on the school run though so that’s better than normal. I also went out for a run, I plan on doing a race later on this year so following loosely a plan. I only had an hour spare yesterday and the session was 1 hour 20 so I did have to cut it short. It was also very challenging so maybe I’ve set my sights too high. 

Today - I am tetchy and irritable. Even the slightest thing is annoying me so I think I’ll have an early night tonight. 

MS today - freezer beef for dinner and left overs for lunch. Didn’t throw away a sourdough I’d made that was a bit too dense in the middle. Attempting a proper loaf to make up for it though! 

Slowness- an early night I think. 

MissRikkiC

Happy weekend. A lie in this morning after a wakeful night with my littles. GP appointment incoming. 

2 coffees and eggs on toast for breakfast. Im
now out of milk and we’re out of fresh eggs. The cold has certainly slowed the 2 chicks down who were laying, we got to 2 a day for a week and are back to every 2 days now. 

Yesterday’s MS wins were a fake away, satay chicken and miso noodles for dinner. Coffee with a friend at my house was also nice. 2 coffees each for my friend and I, using the barista machine saved us both probably about £20. I paid a lot for my machine (and there is a repair bill Incoming) but it’s so worth it for the coffee. 

Slowness was some time with my boy yesterday. A non working Friday meant we had the day at home and we played a lot and read stories. 

We have a birthday lunch out today for my BIL with Jamie Oliver’s £1 wonder, pearl barley rissoto for dinner. It should make a considerable amount which means a dinner is also done for next week too. 

We’re £75 into the £150 budget I set for groceries this month. I usually spend more than that in the first shop for the month so I’m seriously impressed. We need a few bits this weekend (milk and marg mainly) but if I can plan some meals today, I think we can make another week with buying much again! If I spend the intended budget, I will have saved £450 vs the original amount I spend/budgeted which is actually crazy. 

MissRikkiC

Today my youngest had me awake at 5:25! Several coffees later and I was finally feeling normal. I coach at a local gym a few Sundays a month so I had that today but also a 16km run planned. I called up my diy friend (who’s mum is a bit poorly at the moment) and asked if he wanted to join me for a bit of the run to take his mind off things. He joined me for 11/16km which was his longest run ever 🤣 we didn’t know that when we started out. But it was a glorious day for running, the weather was perfect and the run felt easy. Time flew considering I was out for nearly 2 hours, probably because we just chatted our way around. 

Got home and had some time with the children before finishing off sinking the fence posts into the ground ready for the veg patch fence.  I started yesterday just before dark and thankfully finished it today just before dark again. I think I’ll need another rail due to my measuring skills but I’m going to see if I can’t make it from what I’ve got in the shed/workshop. 

MS today - no spending and all foods consumed were from stores/fridge/freezers. 

Slowness/mindfulness - steady run with my friend through beautiful trails and scenery. Cleaning my car out of rubbish and tightening up the car seats. Something which I’ve been meaning to do since Christmas. Hand washing my merino socks. 

Gratitude - the weather today, was just perfect for a winter run. Grateful for my body working well enough that I can cover 16km distance quite comfortably. 

Grateful for OH cooking tonight and running me a bath. Happy weekend. 

KajiKita

Your dedication to your garden structures work is exemplary! 👏 Waaaay too cold here to work until dark! 

Tightening up the car seats …? I’m intrigued. 😊

KK

MissRikkiC

Thank you. I’ll not be out there tonight however @KajiKita but I’ll be inside the workshop instead attaching the pales to the rails rather than doing that outside in the cold. 

It’s the children’s car seats. They were safe and fully attached but one was squeaking and one was a little further forward than I’d have liked (they’re rear facing) so wanted to allow a bit more leg space. 

I drove to school today, everyone comfortable and no noisy squeaking from the car seats (still lots of noise from the children however 🤣)

KajiKita

Ah … I hadn’t even thought children’s car seats! Doh!! 😂 <slaps forehead with open hand> 

You’re *still* working on the garden, in the workshop …?! I bow down to you! 👏👏👏👏

KK