Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

Spendywendywoo

Well, we had a very enjoyable break - back to the grind today and not had a minute to think lol. 

Quick update - we had some holiday spends remaining as we had a very quiet but enjoyable time away. DS met some new friends and played football all day so just a few ice creams to keep him cool. I also completed the uniform shop under budget (I was over generous with this one as I have never budgeted before this year so the annual spends are estimates). Remaining monies for both these have been moved over to the car payment fund.

The maintenance to the car came in at £325 but I managed to move the monies in each category around and was able to accommodate the additional £25 which I am so pleased about (and the £300 car maintenance fund as been left untouched as I used our wages - it helped that we were away for a week and there were no groceries, packed lunches or additional childcare to pay for). 

I also bought some clothes before our holiday, the bill came to £31.50 - all sale items, but I took most back apart from one top and received a £27.50 refund. I've popped that back in to the budget for other items this month but I am especially happy with this as I would normally not take them back and vow to wear them at some point... to then find that I send them to the charity shop years later.  

I did the budget yesterday to bring up to present and we are in a good position this month, better than we have been for many months and that is despite a slightly lower wage this month so I am very hopeful that there will be money left come pay day and I will be able to move even more money over to the car payment fund, which currently stands at £8,681.46 with £3,562.14 remaining

Just a little non financial update also, I spent most of the time away reading and I also invested some time in self development. I've done some reflecting on this year and how far we have come. I now want to also focus on me as a person and have decided on some personal goals to take me through to the new year (rather than wait until the new year to start them), and beyond. I have found that my finance spreadsheet is really helpful in keeping a check on progress so I am going to do the same for the personal goals too (more habits than goals but I know a lot of people relate to goals more hence the reference).  I haven't yet had a chance to develop the spreadsheet / checklist since returning on Saturday but I am hoping to complete this tonight or before work tomorrow.

All in all, good progress being made and I can't wait to be more consistent with my updates (one of the daily habits I want to complete!). 

I hope you are all ok, 
Much love
Wendy x

jwil

Glad you had a good break!

Spendywendywoo

Afternoon!

Today has been productive so far...this morning I exercised, drank my coffee in peace, and also set up a new spreadsheet which incorporates the following;

* Goals for the remainder of the year (financial and physical are the focus)
* Daily habit checklist (aligned to my goals (highlighted as priorities) and also day to day habits I want to embed that I've been poor at lately)
* Weekly cleaning list (so cleaning is spread over the week rather than a 2/3 blitz at the weekend)
* Declutter challenge checklist (I would like to declutter each of the rooms by the end of the year, not in a bad shape to start with as we've curbed spending this year but less things will make cleaning and organising easier, and keep my brain from being overloaded)

I've decided that my key words for the remainder of the year will be CONSISTENCY and EFFORTLESS. 

foxgloves

Good keywords there. I find that consistency on the tedious everyday stuff does prevent one needing to expend extra effort later when that 'stuff' has built up into a much bigger task.
F

Suffolk_lass

I wish I did this. My clutter is appalling and definitely stops me being efficient. I hate filing, so there is loads of carpy paperwork - for example. I've just realised I need to read some back posts that I wasn't notified about...

Spendywendywoo

@Suffolk_lass, I have read a few books recently that are designed to help improve efficiency and focus on the necessary etc. I want to be able to go about my day with very minimal effort so I can put effort into the things I need to i.e. me, and my family. 

In terms of paperwork I have a folder that has the most up to date documents in it, and it's easily accessible. I then have everything else (old paperwork that I keep for 7 years just in case of claims like PPI etc, tax documents etc), professional certificates and anything I shouldn't need to access quickly in a fireproof box (in no logical order other than in a relevant folder). However, a lot of our documents are sent by email now so I do need to spend some time sorting through that and putting them in relevant folders, which will be much easier with the new laptop to hand - this has prompted another entry on the spreadsheet - thank you for the prompt

Spendywendywoo

Busy morning this morning but I've set aside a short break in the morning and afternoon to move away from my workload...

Tasks for today;
Exercise - done
Meals planned - done
Budget checked - done
Post update on MSE - in progress / done

I have decided once I have finished work and made dinner, I am going to get a bin bag (for things that are no longer serving us and that we can't donate), and a box for donations and I am just going to walk around every room and see what I can declutter. From tomorrow I have designated areas I'd like to focus on but thought this task would be easy and would help with motivation.

A little each day goes a long way... is my new motto!

Oh, I have also been given some baking apples from a neighbours tree... must find a crumble recipe before the apples spoil - any tried and tested recipes would be much appreciated

Suffolk_lass

Basic crumble rubble is 6oz flour, 4oz fat, 4oz sugar, pinch of salt. I do 100g each of fat and sugar and 150g flour, pinch of salt in the food processor then tip it in a large zip bag in the freezer. Use as needed. Over unsweetened fruit, 30 minutes at 180c

You can add oats, oat bran (reduces cholesterol), nuts, seeds or whatever, but this is my old school basic recipe (literally, old school c1971!)

Spendywendywoo

@Suffolk_lass, amazing thank you very much

Spendywendywoo

Unfortunately yesterday's best laid plans didn't work out as I fell asleep after work (I woke up incredibly tired and it didn't seem to lift all day, though I didn't/don't feel unwell as such). I slept for a couple of hours, ate then slept again until this morning. I was in the office today and have come home tired again...I really don't think I'm coming down with something, I just think it's the routine, starting to exercise again and being back at work, I'm sure it will all come good again with another good nights sleep. 

All good on the finance front, managed to read a bit of my book on my lunch break and I've had a lovely eating day too.

I plan to complete the bin bag declutter challenge tomorrow and then, over the weekend, I will start on the specific areas I have listed out. 

Sometimes it's good to rest, and listen to the body. 

Hope all is good for you all,
Wendy x