Don't hit me with those negative waves Moriarity

LzzyIsGod

And so as we wave goodbye to January, the longest month in the year, we can call sing Survivor (Destiny's Child) as we have made it.

I did do a little tot up earlier of how much ive paid off this month and in total but left my paperwork downstairs (and now I can't be bothered to move 😂) but it was approx £580ish this month so £2120 ish overall. I will properly log this tomorrow I promise. Not too shabby, just £36.996 and 19p to go.

Positives to take from Jan - no overdraft use, budgets adherred to and nothing debt wise added due to spending (there was £15 BT fees)  so that's a real turn around. 

Today was food shop delivery - slightly bigger than usual due it being the 1st of the month and needing some cupboard amd feeezer staples. 

The only annoying thing that happened today was one of my subscriptions which i had paused popped back up so was an unexpected expense. My error having forgotten about it but I have repaused it from the end of the month otherwise I'd lose the credits. Tbf I used one of the credits and spent an enjoyable day driving round at work listening to an interesting audible book so perhaps not all bad and it was only 7.99.

And so onto Feb. Let's see what debt busting we can do next month! 

rachmac3

Sounds like January was pretty good! Plenty of positives!

FootyFanDan

A long, but very positive sounding January.  

jwil

Great result for January

Nintud

Thank goodness January is over! Fabulous February ahead, longer days, lighter mornings, romance in the air.

you have had a great start to the year, now imagine how it will end. Keep up the good work.

LzzyIsGod

Last to Know (Del Amitri)

Apologies I've been awol since the weekend - not sure where the days have sped by to! 

Saturday (my usual downfall) was in budget although I did treat the yoofs to a very rare takeaway treat as they have been very patient recently with some of the Economy Months, my pay from the Saturday side gig paid for this though so not technically out of the budget.

Sunday was the usual quiet day in and NSD, we've got into a nice little routine of baking which the youngest really seems to enjoy. This week was brownies thanks to Nigellas receipe and rather indulgent.

My latest epiphany has been around food - I'm late to the party on this one but one of the books I downloaded last week to.listen to was a well known one around food quality and processed foods. I have to admit it's quite affected me - I had thought I didn't feed my lot particularly poorly (after all noone sets out to feed their offspring total rubbish do they) but some of the stuff I have brought has been more processed than I thought or would like it to be,  and ultimately this has been driven by cost and budget.

This leaves an uncomfortable quandary really - whilst cutting out ultra processed stuff totally is very difficult,  ideally I'd like to cut down on them (I do mostly cook from scratch but sometimes the convenience of something quick is needed). BUT as we all know there's not an endless pot of money and better quality ingredients are more pricey (Ive just been through my shopping for Friday 🤣) - drives home some of arguments that health often correlates to income.  One to think about and try and work out a compromise - possibly retry the Oligo app again. The rest of them going full.time veggie is likely to be met with riots (I have suggested this before!!) although I am a long time veggie. 

Debt wise regular loan payment has gone out today so is close to tipping down to the next 1000 bracket whoop whoop.  I suspect my credit rating is creeping up as after mbnas credit increase, they have now opened up some.more "borrow more" options - not needed currently but gives me hope there may be options in 6 -7 months time. I do feel.more in control on the finance side even if I do remain utterly impatient!

Hope everyone is doing ok and also had a good weekend.

LzzyIsGod

Ooo a PS.  

Did also manage to sell a clothing item this weekend and eldest youth paid back 20 quid from his Bank of mum loan ...... both will likely go into the EF for the time being until the end of the month for now.

LzzyIsGod

Paint it Black (rolling stones)

Well not quite black but I have done some home decorating today because we have fallen behind on DIY projects. Not made too shabby a progress and I've used paint from the garage so hasn't cost anything. It's certainly kept me busy but I did find time for a good long home workout (i use equipment i already have and free online videos). I'm.back in the home working out routine which makes me increasing confident I will manage without the (formal) gym for a while as mine isn't cheap at 50 quid a month. I may miss swimming in the spring/summer months (our public pools are tricky to access and aren't the nicest tbh) but as its still cold and dark I'm not massively aching for it currently! 

Spends today have been low - some natural yoghurt to use with some frozen fruit I already have and some daffodils just because I love them. The lovely yellow trumpets in a vase make me smile for a couple of quid and remind me Spring is coming.

I have listed some.more bits on local.selling sites and Vinted so keeping my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is side hustle for a little bit and then finish off the room I'm half way through freshing up. Should.sleep well tonight! 

Cara_

You did very well in January.

I listen to audiobooks via the Borrowbox and Libby apps that I can access for free through the library. They might help while you pause your subscription.

I started to look into processed foods and now I avoid anything that is obviously over processed and I check the list of ingredients for anything new that I buy. If the list is too long, I don't buy it which helps but it is difficult to avoid all processed food.

Blackcats

I love the £1 bunch of daffodils too.  They seem like very good value for money for the happiness they bring.  I bought a couple of bunches for my dad's carer for him to give her.  They can't accept money so it seemed like a nice little thank you.
I've been humming Flowers in the Window this afternoon.  Probably your fault 😉