Reining it in for retirement and sanity

Blackcats

Sorry that work hasn't even great.  I remember all too well having stressy times at work which were rarely caused by the actual work and  mostly caused by colleagues.  I hope next week is better.
did the children have a successful dig on the beach?

RebeccaPAgain

Thanks @Blackcats - this week not shaping up great either.  I will definitely be glad when it's over!  The beach was hilarious.  We got 2 razor clams (which DH cooked up afterwards - a LOT of effort for not much reward on that front) but the kids had fun.  Well, until DC2 splashed through a load of deep water and soaked himself so wanted to retreat to the car!  But was a lovely sunny day and great to get out there.

So, on the Sky front, we cancelled as we realised that we could get all the channels we want on Now TV for a fraction of the cost and the ability to cancel anytime!  We figured we will only subscribe when there's something on we want to watch and dip in and out.  There was no way we were paying £50 a month for a basic package - they didn't even try to negotiate with us to stay so I do wonder if the satellite box is being phased out in favour of streaming.

I got up super early this morning and went for a run despite a rubbish nights sleep.  Then did 15 mins of a work out video (until I felt like a muscle was about to pull) and then headed for a walk around the park instead (about another 15 mins as that's all the time I had).  Just less than 9 weeks until we head on a sunny holiday and I need to get in shape.  Had a protein shake with yoghurt and a couple chunks of mango for breakfast then some calorie controlled cereal for lunch.  Got the DC home from school and snacked on carrot and cucumber.  Am SO hungry but hoping my body will get used to it.

Might have to get milk tomorrow(!) and DH has had to order a new battery for my car key as it's not working but am hopeful for a relatively non-spendy week.

Blackcats

I think you made the right decision about sky.  £50 for a basic package is very pricey.  We gave up our subscription about a year ago and use a free view box for most of what we want to watch.  I sometimes look at the tv listings to see what's on the sky movie channels and there is nothing I ever want to watch.  

A new career as a razor clam fisherperson is probably not viable until you get the children a bit more productive on the beach. 😀

RebeccaPAgain

@Blackcats ha ha yes I will need to stick to the day job which has been absolutely awful this week.  I can't go into it but it has been very difficult.

In addition to that, Tuesday lunchtime we spotted some wet brown patches in the pantry.  Water tank is above it and seemed the obvious culprit.  So we got the plumber out and turned off the water until he could fit a new one Thursday.  At this point the 2 x 5l of bottled water I bought way back when for the zombie apocalypse (and for which DH moaned/laughed at me at the time) came in rather handy.  Showering at work and such and going through every dish in the house due to limited ability to clean.  Thankfully a new tank was fitted on Thursday at a cost of £1200(!!!!!) (as you know everything over here is expensive).  However, I seem to recall that when we had the builders in, the plumber the builder was using said we would probably need a new one soon and quoted something like 5k I think so do feel like it's a saving.  

Other than that, we are actually doing ok in terms of this month's budget (I have not included the tank in it obviously) - if we are careful, we should come in under the usual budget but not the reduced one I had set.

Flew to our sister isle for work so had a nice lunch out which was paid for. Have been sticking to diet (if I go out for lunch then I just have low cal cereal for dinner) and have done 3 x C25K week 1 runs and 2 x workout videos this week so feeling virtuous.  Once a week I am allowing myself pudding.  DH has bought some beautiful belly pork from a local farmer so we are having that tonight and I am buying a pudding. Have done 7 nights without booze and didn't buy any in today's shop.

Today is a lazy one, been for a run, done big shop (still a bit more to do from another shop). Kids have played lego all morning (it has been raining a little) and will go to MIL's this arvo.  Tomorrow DH is going to take kids swimming in morning whilst I clean the floors(!).  I usually do them on a Friday as I finish early and don't have the kids but I had the worst headache yesterday so slept for a couple of hours and drank some tea watching trial and retribution. Lunch at FIL's tomorrow so will take a bottle of wine we already have in.

Bought the DC some lego at the airport on way back (duty free!) so just waiting for a spontaneous moment to give them to them.

RebeccaPAgain

Day 11 of no booze. Day 9 of diet and as of yesterday, had lost 2.4lbs in the last week!  Didn't run yesterday - taking some scary tablets for pain which knock me out so could not rouse myself early enough. That said, I did plenty of walking yesterday. Got up at 0545 today for a run but weather was really bad and so I stayed in and did an arm workout instead (for which I used the DC's filled water bottles!!). Did about 50 mins of walking before picking up the DC so figure that's ok. Have stuck to the diet so far.  Really hoping to lose around 2lbs per week until we go away.

Budget wise.  Hmmm. It will be close for this month that is for certain. We were supposed to have some friends round Sat arvo but they have just deferred for a week - suits me as means don't have to buy or make cake and clean house to within an inch of its life!  Also means Sat is free to spend with the DC. DC1 has a party Sun but present and card were bought earlier in month.

Vitamin run tomorrow - for DC - but should be able to get 3 for 2. Small amount of cash to pay into bank though that has already been accounted for in budget.  Awaiting repayment of expenses from work. Going to take "lunch" (cereal!) in with me plus low cal snack bars. Library have also notified me 2 books I had reserved `are ready for collection so looking forward to snagging those.  Of course we need milk and also orange juice for DC2 who now demands it daily.

Going for a long walk with friends Friday which am really looking forward to and its free of course.  DH and I are then going to sort a room out which we've been meaning to for ages - I've set him a few other tasks as well - painting one of the walls in the bathroom which is filthy is one of them.  We should already have the paint.

Do feel like life is going to be rather boring (work, diet and exercise with no real "fun") until we go on holiday but I am determined to be able to get into some of the nice clothes languishing sadly in my wardrobe this year! (plus it's MSE as means I shouldn't have to buy much, if anything).

Blackcats

Well done on exercise, diet and booze!   I've given up biscuits and cake for Lent but not chocolate 😇.  I also haven't had any alcohol so far in Lent so I might keep going and see how far into Lent I can get.  I'm not missing my "sacrifices" so far.

I remember @Foxgloves got all her "don't quite fit" clothes and put them on a rail so she could try them on and shop from home for a refreshed wardrobe.

RebeccaPAgain

@Blackcats well done to you on the "sacrifices" - I love the sound of Foxgloves' shop from home idea - if I manage to ditch the weight I may well copy!

Another not such a great week - washing machine finally gave up the ghost on Tuesday. The previous owners had bought it off a local FB group when they sold to us so we were expecting it to go, and it had been leaking everywhere for some time (the utility is part of the garage). So a new one was purchased and was installed this morning.  I did find the old one left marks on our clothing and the things I have washed today actually appear much cleaner than they ever did coming out of the old machine!  But it does mean really trying to cut costs again in the month ahead to try to cover some of the cost.

Did get two emails with more positive news this week - one from Nation Wide saying I am eligible for £50 which will be in my account in April and one from my bank offering me £50 compensation in vouchers following an issue which had arisen.  So I suppose that offsets the cost a bit.

Took a half day today and went for a lovely cliff walk with my friend. Did part of the food shop, then spent the afternoon reading my book (A year of living simply) interspersed with hoovering the floors and doing laundry.  Feeling good. DC due home in a minute so will be chaos!

Day 14 of no booze. Will be interested to see if I've lost any weight when weigh again Monday as have stuck religiously to my diet (though the exercise has waned a little this week).

RebeccaPAgain

Well that was an expensive month!  Water tank, washing machine (including a plumber's fee for capping some pipes after DH decided to rip the entire (very old and disgusting) cabinets and sink out of the utility) and gravel.  Was glad to draw a line under it Thursday and start a brand new (although not so shiny) budget.

DH was out Thursday night (first day of budget) and it was hilarious as could see what he was spending as got notifications as he's the additional cardholder on our credit card.  As it was, he has so far only bought a round of drinks as one of the two other blokes he was out with picked up dinner.  He has asked to pay him back but he used to be one of his old bosses so suspect he was just treating him.

Friday I worked from home.  I wanted to go out and buy some chocolate for pudding as we only had 4 squares of dairy milk left - but resisted and figured we'd have a few of the kids' choc buttons as well because of course I am still dieting and only needed a little hit of sweet post-dinner so a saving there.  We ate from stores Fri night - DH made a carbonara (which we both agreed wasn't great) but no money spent.

Today was big shop. In 3 different shops(!).  We have come in £30 under budget for this week though I know we will need a milk top up mid-week and I may have to buy some more diet cokes. Also need to get the kids' easter eggs before they start selling out. But we should remain under budget on food shop for this week.

Took kids on walk and then to the park.

Then came home and played in garden with kids. Lots of bouncing on the trampoline (from me also much to their amusement). Then we had some friends and their kids round for cake which I bought in big shop. I managed to resist.

I've really stuck to the diet though haven't lost as much as I'd like - I will have to add exercise in really.  Day 21 of no booze though so really proud of myself.  Plus my double (triple) chin has gone and I can see my body shape is changing so as painful as it is, it is working.  Not sleeping any better though which really does surprise me.

Tonight is pizza (home made including the bases) and sticky toffee pudding and cream.  I allow myself a proper pudding on a saturday and am only eating one "proper" meal a day so pizza is fine.  Re-watching series 1 of the Recruit as there is a second one out and Bosch Legacy series 3 is out thurs - can't wait - though DH due out again (although he's not sure it's happening) but we probably won't be finished with series 2 of the Recruit by then anyway.

Currently sat on sofa with the kids whilst typing this - they are exhausted after all their play today so are having some well deserved down time with tv.  Spidey and his amazing friends is the programme of choice. Think I might read my book (from library so free) in a second too. (First Wife's Shadow).

DH is hopefully selling an item for £10 (which he says is going towards a new wheelbarrow). I advertised some items too but no bites.

Ordered chocolates and a book token for my mum for mothers day.

Not sure what doing tomorrow but should not need to spend anything.  We really do have to get a hold on it this month as we also have to pay for the DC's swim lessons for next term

Blackcats

You sound very disciplined with your diet and lack of alcohol.  I've given up booze for Lent and I've stuck to it so far.  My birthday falls during Lent though 🤷‍♀️

RebeccaPAgain

@Blackcats you may need to allow yourself a tipple on your birthday - would be rude not to!

Wow another week has gone by.  Life just seems manic at the moment and until about this time on a Friday, there is barely time to breathe. Work is not great. Can't go into it online but it is not good. I don't really want to work anywhere else though so a bit stuck.

Day 28 of no booze, not that I feel any better. Only ran once this week as have been having some medical troubles and am just exhausted. Have stuck to the diet though. Doesn't seem to be much weight coming off on the scales but I can definitely see my tummy has shrunk down and is a lot flatter.  Now need to do something about my arms. Suspect I won't be in my old wardrobe in time for holiday so may have to buy a couple of things. Trying to tell myself that in the day I will mainly be in beach gear and have a couple of overthrow things (not sure what you call them!) which still fit so will be those. So guess just the evenings. DH and I have (perhaps this is not great parenting) booked the kids into kids club each afternoon - we've booked on the basis that if they don't like it we can cancel but it will be nice to have some time to go to the adults only pool and sip a pina colada without being jumped on.  The kids club is free so we're not having to fork out for it, and the other trips we have planned this year won't have kids clubs so we will be with them 100% of the time.

Budget wise we are not doing too badly.  DH went out again last night but it was sedate so only £29 spent. We have come in under budget on food for last week and, subject to anything DH may add to the list, is not looking anywhere close to budget this week so happy days. It is a good job as we have gone over (or will go over) in other budgeted areas. For mother's day we were doing ok but then DH has bought me things - I told him not to for the sake of it and that all I wanted was a new keyring with the kids on but he won't listen. So now, with my mum and his mum plus me, we will be going well over. There was also a household item we needed but hadn't budgeted for which has smashed the "miscellaneous" budget out the park annoyingly. However, trying to keep the food budget down so that we can claw some back.

A friend also announced she is coming over start April and wants to meet for dinner so that now needs to be added in and DH has invited yet more friends around next weekend (they keep bumping into him and saying oh yes we need to get together but we hosted last so it's really their turn) but have asked to keep it to coffee and cake so we are not having to buy booze/food as last time we hosted I think the bloke went through pretty much all our booze.

DH did get a (very) small bonus and pay rise. The pay rise doesn't amount to very much each month but was a surprise given he was told there wasn't one.  So we are *slightly* better off each month now than we were last month.

Tonight is home made burgers from stores with home made chips.  I know that doesn't sound like a diet but I only have one proper meal a day and I will make sure the chips are not too many.  I don't actually really like these burgers, DH made them ages ago from local mince and froze them all. But they need eating so I will volunteer as tribute.

Hope everyone has had a good week and has a lovely weekend.