Living Large, on a Small Income, by the Sea.

Tresinia511

Chippy chip shop chips, nom nom😋. Let me tell you a secret about dining tables,  especially ones that come in off the hall .... they actually ask to have stuff dumped on them.  They're like the work counter tops'  bigger,  better brother😅

WelshmansDaughter

My work offers a dental plan that would save me £1200 on the teeth work. However it’s a monthly payment that would take me below national wage regulations so I can’t get it 🤦 
Poor tax indeed

doingitanyway

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds I fell asleep at the reading...I agree the house is mine and that was the biggest thing. Now, I need to make it comfortable and organised so my life works properly. The biggest thing now is to create the life I wanted to live in the house. But yes, I must learn when to take my foot off the accelerator and coast and when to floor the gas pedal! 

Thanks @Tresinia511 haha about the dining table!

Thanks @WelshmansDaughter sorry about your example of poor tax!

First things first. The debt I had when this diary began in March was 1,119. Now, at the end of April it is 378. I am very pleased with that. I also have a buffer zone of £100. No emergency savings but when I host in June I plan to use that money to begin my EF. I will still have a bit of debt then, but will keep plugging away at that whilst building my emergency fund. Signature happily updated 

I had a dal yesterday with white rice in a pop up Indian. It cost a tenner. That isn't bad, but it I could do it for a few pounds (and probably a tiny bit better if I may be so bold) in reality so I bought some split peas and will make a Tarka dal for my self and to remind myself that it is a good dish to make when I start hosting. I would add popadoms and pickled mango for a tasty low cost meal. 

I've been concentrating on AF days for health mostly (also helps finances)
This month I will be concentrating on NSD days too. When I was in my big debt before, it really helped me to stretch my budget and focus on spending on what I value instead of constant frittering. 

I am writing this down so it registers in my brain. It is obvious. But, shopping at Mr L is cheaper than shopping at marksies (even if they have reductions.) So my aim is to shop there once a week instead of running out of things and popping to the local Mr C or even Mr A and Mr M. Also the health shop isn't cheap so I'm sticking to using it for herbs, spices, beans and other pulses. Mr L is an up hill walk that will do me good. I need to get a grip on my groceries! 

I have started spending on everyday things on my cc. I've put it away now and should be able to pay it off in full next month as I force myself to do every month, but I'm getting stuck in an overspending cycle...it has been put away...

Since last posting I've had a migraine (so that is why I was bone tired!!) no surprise given the stress and upset of last week...

I also had a day out with friends. I visited a castle, a tea room, an exhibition and had a lovely walk. I went to a pop up Indian restaurant. This morning I had brunch (my friend's turn to pay  )

I got a wash done and it is all out drying.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend...Off to read diaries.

jwil

That's a great result on the debt. Well done on packing the CC away as well.

savingholmes

Well done on sorting out the small pension - and chasing the other one. 

You are making huge strides on the alley gates issue. I can't get my printer to work with my new laptop so may have to give in and buy a new printer which is frustrating so I feel your pain. 

Sorry about the migraine. Condolences on the loss of your cousin. Sounds a huge shock. 

Good luck with the curtains. I feel you on the never ending list of jobs after moving.

The private viewing of the artist and the cottage stay sound lovely to look forward to.

doingitanyway

Thank you @savingholmes I am looking forward to the cottage stay and private view 

Today I was spendy. I bought 2 stools for £70. Drinks £17.50. My friend has given me a lovely bed so I was happy to buy her drinks. We hung out for a few hours on the seafront. She is coming back later in the week to put the bed together for me so I will make her an evening meal as she is coming from work.

I washed another set of curtains as the weather was so sunny. They are very heavy ones but are nearly dry (curtains are becoming a theme with me of late) 

I tidied up and planted a few new plants at the front of my house

In the morning I will walk to Mr L. I plan to leave at 7.20 at the latest. It is uphill and will be good exercise. I want to start a habit of walking in the morning. 

I hope everyone has had a lovely, sunny weekend

PennysIntoPounds

As long as you're not getting into unmanageable debt then investing in your home and enjoyment is good spending. Drinks with friend on the seafront sounds idyllic 🥂
Lovely work on the curtains and plants, enjoy your walk tomorrow! I often feel to do a little walk in the morning and pretty much never do it, once I've dragged myself out of bed and remembered the day's to-do list it's just an extra thing to do, but maybe with the warmer weather and your inspiration an occasional stroll round the block might be possible!

doingitanyway

jwil said:

That's a great result on the debt. Well done on packing the CC away as well.

Thank you 

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds I know what you mean about good spending, but it was impulse buying and TBH once I pay for my mini break and a new railcard, it probably wasn't a good idea. But it is done now, so I will make it work...I think of it but pretty much never do either!  

doingitanyway

Well, an early morning walk was had. I walked to Mr L so sea and a hill.
The good news is they have quite good veg boxes. Unlike where I used to live they are not snapped up so after a gap for others to get theirs which they did not, I took another one. So £3 for the two boxes. Really pleased 

7 tangerines
18 satsumas
2 oranges
6 black plums
6 apples
3 lemons
3 bananas
9 strawberries
1 pear
3 large leeks
1 courgette
1 pak choi
9 jacket potatoes
4 smaller potatoes
11 tomotoes
 7 red onions (large) and 1 white
 2 red peppers 1 green pepper
 
I have a friend eating with me this week so will have jacket potatoes, ys pizza and a red onion and tomato salad.

I bought some turkey mince so will be prepping some turkey burgers. I am testing out whether jacket potatoes done in the slow cooker then crisped up in the air fryer works so will have a potato with hummus, turkey burgers and salad later today. 

Plants watered and ready for breakfast

Sunny here, hope you have some sun too  

Sunshine_girl2

Sounds like a good haul there SA. Glad you have sunny weather . It’s nice here in the North East the sun is intermittent but it’s warm . Have you been going to a college again for nails to be done etc ?