Spendy Wendy to Saver Savvy

Spendywendywoo

Wow, busy weekend and busy week so far, but in a good way. I have made some changes, which have been long overdue tbh; no social media, no games on my iPad and no alcohol for 3 weeks as I think the drinks I have at the weekend are really slowing down any weight loss progress. Day 2 of no social media scrolling and no games and I have read a full book and started another, almost removed my false nails myself (saving £20), my procrastination at work has reduced massively, I've done more exercise than I normally would, my screen time is very low and, most important, I've been more present. Only two days in, and I expect to hit a lull / boredom in time but I'll push through it and become the best version of me, well this side of COVID / 40 anyway :)

Oh we also won two prizes on the Postcode Lottery; a £5 giftcard (£10 in total as we have two numbers) and two books and a nice candle (I hadn't realised that the prizes would deminish as they were chosen so I was left with the scraps), still half decent tbf as I'll read the books and pass them on, and the candle I will save in my gift box for a future birthday (they are worth £15) - lesson learnt next time to choose something right away as they had some great Pyrex dishes that I could really have used! Hoping it comes in 3s and there is a cash prize into the bank next time, though I really mustn't be greedy ;)

Hope everyone is having a great week,

Wendy x

Spendywendywoo

What a lovely bright morning - spring is very almost here :)

Very busy day today work wise with a lot of calls. I feel like my head is clearer this morning, the only content I've consumed is 10 minutes of a podcast that I've just started listening to, which is in line with my goals for this year - I just listened to it whilst drying my hair.

Budget wise, I need to complete the update of the last week's spends but looking to be about where we should be at this point in the month - today's task is to get that up to date.

I've fallen behind on my journal so getting up to date with that, and recording my goal progression is on the list too.

I also 'borrowed' some books from the BorrowBox app so will be starting a new book this morning (couldn't concentrate last night and had a lie in this morning… oops lol). I have found that I've struggled to use the app whilst reading as it's on a screen (ironic when I used to scroll so much…) so will see how that goes. I do have a couple of physical books to fall back on if I am struggling. Cost to borrow the books… £0 :)

Have a great day all,

Wendy x

Spendywendywoo

Productive lunch - journal updated :)

Really do need to look at my exercise again, great intentions but not so great effort, and I'm overeating again…

Back to work for the final few hours and then I'll go for a walk outside and get some fresh air

Spendywendywoo

I did go for a walk last night, 70 minutes of exercise I really didn't want to do but actually enjoyed once I was out. I listened to a podcast, the only online content I am consuming at the moment. I am finding that I am getting a lot more done now I'm not spending hours scrolling, and tbf I've found it easy so far - I think the test will come at the weekend.

Productive morning this morning, woke up early and read my book for a while - interesting as it's different to what I would normally read, it's set in 1960's London. I'm already over half way through the book and I think I will have a good hour or so available tonight on my commute home.

Lunch has been some yellow sticker deli meat on a crusty roll with a packet of crisps, it was lovely though not in line with the healthy eating planned :/

Right, back to it for a few hours as lots to do. I hope everyone is having a great day,

Wendy x

Spendywendywoo

Happy Friday!

Another busy day today trying to get ahead for next week as that's looking a bit chaotic already, but will do what I can do - no stressing here :)

Quiet weekend planned, bit of spring cleaning, few jobs around the house and lots of reading planned.

I had a kings breakfast of toast and spaghetti hoops (out of a tin) and will likely have soup (from the freezer) and a sandwich for lunch, dinner is cannelloni that's currently defrosting.

Weekly plan for the week has been done so I can roughly plan where we will be and what we are doing. I'm going to do a reverse meal plan tomorrow morning and then just shop for what we need. We're having a few renovations done in a couple of weeks so need to save as much as possible alongside my usual sinking funds and savings, as a back up, so this will help.

I hope everyone has a lovely day :)

Spendywendywoo

Weekend was lovely and peaceful, just not long enough lol.

Two days away with work, landing back this evening, tired but it was a productive trip. Back in the local office tomorrow for another full day of meetings but a quieter end to the week WFH.

Budget looking great for this time of the month (15th payday).

My two gifts from PC Lottery have arrived (two Ian Rankin books which I will read and pass on and a lovely candle which I will keep for gifting later down the line).

Finished another book this evening, which brings 2026 total to 4 so far, very much on track to hit the 6 books quarterly target as I have at least 6 books lined up.

Time for shower and bed, hope everyone is having a great week :)

Spendywendywoo

What a difference the light mornings are making.

I've taken to watching 'What not to eat' following a mention in @Suffolk_lass diary, and what an eye opener that is… for ages I've wanted to make a change to our diets at home as I know we eat so many UFPs, we are lethargic, health stats aren't great (not the worst, but still) and overall I worry about future impacts. I realise that I will struggle to change my DS habits until I can show him that eating well and exercising make a difference, so I'm focusing on what I can control first (me).

I'm WFH today and so far I've managed to;

• Do one lot of daily washing and whites are ready to be put in shortly
• 10 minute strength workout
• 20 minute indoor walk on walking pad whilst finishing watching WNTE episode 2
• Showered and changed
• Nipped to the shop for supplies (avocado, cherry toms, sourdough bread and greek yoghurt)
• Got DS up and ready for school, dropped him off at the gate
• Make a breakfast of sourdough bread (2 but will just have 2 going forward), avocado (1/2 small) and scrambled eggs with a drop of milk and some pepper (2), all topped with some chilli flakes. Also had a milky coffee (549 cals). I'm really full whereas I'd usually be looking to snack by now!
• Ready to tackle my actions log today as I only have a few meetings over the course of the day

Budget is looking good for this time in the month, refund for some jeans I have bought has landed, and also a refund from S@insbugs for some washing powder substitute that I declined (due to allergies) has been received. I forgot to pick up washing tablets and milk so will nip out later for another walk to pick these up.

Have a great day all :)

Suffolk_lass

I wonder what you will think when you see the episode of WNTE about simple versus complex carbs. My takeaway is that I slice and freeze bread once it is day 3 (beyond dipping or spreading, and usually used for toast!). It just needs a plastic bag and enough room in the top drawer of the kitchen freezer!

Spendywendywoo

ooo @Suffolk_lass, I'll let you know when I get to it. Hoping to watch another episode tonight but I am hoping to attend a training session at the local leisure centre so it will be late when I am back.

Spendywendywoo

Happy Monday!

I feel like all I've done this weekend is eat and drink as we've been celebrating other's successes and birthdays. Had a quieter day yesterday but still made poor food choices. Thankfully I did the shopping on Saturday and bought lots of fruit and nutritious foods for this week, I have also done an exercise plan for the week and had an early night last night.

Up at 5am this morning (naturally, with a good sleep score), managed a 60 minute strength / cardio workout (intervals) and already on the second load of washing of the day. Breakfast was avocado and scrambled egg on sourdough and a milky coffee. Mid morning snack will be pineapple and some watermelon.

In and out of the office this week so making the most of the WFH days as the office days are workshops, which I will be in all day and sat down for the most part, and will also helping relatives with caring responsibilities so need more walks and movement to set me up for the week.

Budget wise we are looking good, pay day on Friday so need to update the budget and prep next months, we have a holiday to pay this month but this is accounted for in the sinking funds that I've been accumulating since the start of the year. Topped our petrol up yesterday when at the shop as it was at half way and the petrol station was quiet, and it had risen to £1.35 (from £1.29) so that should last a couple of weeks as we only have commuting and local big shop planned.

I hope everyone has a great week