Should itsthelittlethings spend less on coffee?

itsthelittlethings

Just relaxing before my mum wakes up. I might have another cup of coffee in a minute.

Lovely walk in the sunshine yesterday afternoon. I was going to have a lazy day but was getting a bit bored so we went out. I took some photos with my film camera and used up the last of a roll of film. For the rest of the day I just spent time knitting and finished the hat I was making which I’m very pleased with. Today I’m going to start on a new pair of socks. Need to wind the wool and choose a pattern first.

We’re thinking of taking a trip on the bus next week to have lunch and get out and about. There’s a very well reviewed new restaurant that does a £15 lunch menu. We’re just not sure they’ll be doing it next week. We’re also planning a trip on the bus to a local town as I would like to go to the wool shop, however they don’t open again until Friday 2nd. To be honest I’m fairly happy just knitting and going for walks.

Veganuary is coming up. I’m debating ordering a recipe box to make the first week a bit easier, however they don’t really like you ordering one box and then cancelling and make it a bit difficult. I used to use Gousto occasionally but I deactivated my account and have to contact them to reactivate it. A lot of hassle for one recipe box! Plus I have heard they do not treat their employees very well.

9 more days of holiday including today. I should get my credit card statement but I wonder if it won’t come till Monday. My budget is done and looking good. I don’t have too much spending money left for January as I bought a coat off Vinted and a couple of other small bits. I would like to go to London on 10th to an exhibition which I can afford if I really tighten my belt on other things. My food budget will be fine as I am at my mum’s over Christmas for a week and for a week’s holiday near the end of the month. I think I should offer to give her some money for food though. I don’t want to be costing her money.

itsthelittlethings

Have made a good start on the pair of socks I’m knitting for Mr Unsuitable. I’m really enjoying them, the wool is so lovely. Unfortunately the dyer doesn’t dye any more so I can’t get any more. Also I’m trying not to buy yarn and just use up the large quantity which I already have.

We went for a nice walk yesterday to buy some fish although the weather was a bit grim. It’s very grey. I wore my new hat - it’s very warm and comfortable so I’m pleased with it. In the evening we watched a Netflix film about a lady from Nepal who has summited Everest ten times. It tells the story of her life and her tenth summit. It’s really well made and very interesting. I’d highly recommend it. It’s called Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa. Me and my mum enjoy watching films about exploration. The night before we watched another film on Netflix called Against the Ice, about a 1909 Danish Polar expedition. That was pretty good too but I think last night’s was better.

We are going to try and go out on my mum’s boat today if it’s not raining. We probably won’t sail unless there’s more water than yesterday but it’s nice to go out under motor anyway. It will save me from becoming completely glued to the sofa!

We also made scones yesterday to eat with leftover cream from our family Christmas. Not amazing for my fitness though! I’m recording everything I eat on MyFitnessPal and doing well to stay just under maintenance amounts of calories considering I’m at my mum’s and having a few treats. I’ll get back to the gym when I go home.

itsthelittlethings

A good day yesterday. We got the bus along the coast to a seaside town and had lunch out there. I really enjoyed it as did my mum but she had a few criticisms afterwards. We went in a Cancer Research charity shop and my mum bought some discounted Christmas cards while I bought a top for £4. Then we got the bus back. It’s two buses and you have to change so we stopped off and had a coffee which I bought. All in all it was a really nice day out if a lot of travelling on the bus. I’ve left the restaurant a favourable review on Google maps.

I’ve done a delivery shop for Saturday when I get back and planned what I’m eating for the first two weeks. It’s all vegan and I feel a bit less daunted now. Last night me and my mum planned some vegan meals for the week I’m visiting her at the end of January. She’s being very supportive about Veganuary and I think she likes the challenge too.

We’re aiming for a trip out on the water under motor today so that’ll be nice. Otherwise I’m just getting on with my knitting. I wanted to buy a case for toiletries etc when I’m travelling but I already have two perfectly good ones, one I use for wet stuff and one for dry stuff. The linings are very ripped but I don’t need to buy a new one just for that. I might just remove the linings and then they’ll probably be washable. I never put very wet stuff in them anyway, just stuff like my toothbrush.

I’ve had a lot of sustainability and no-buy accounts suggested to me on Instagram and I think they’re having a good effect.

itsthelittlethings

Happy New Year MSE-ers! A good day yesterday. We had a last trip out on the water for 2025. It was a bit cold but very beautiful and we saw loads of seabirds. We also briefly saw a seal as we were coming back. Well worth it. Then in the evening we watched a film and had a  slightly fancy meal with smoked salmon to start and a steak. I had a baked potato, my favourite.

Slight change of plan for the weekend as I’m heading to see Mr Unsuitable in London so I’ll go home and set off again to London. I’ve moved my supermarket delivery. The tickets only cost £25 although part of the way is a rail replacement bus. I do like going to London though and we’re staying at his mate’s flat in the same area as where I used to live. Will be cool to reminisce a bit. Mr Unsuitable lives in a shared house so I don’t think he really wants to have guests round. Hence staying in a friend’s flat. The friend won’t be there. I was kind of planning to start the year by getting myself together and doing all my jobs etc ready to get back to work on the Monday. I’ll do that the next weekend. 

I’m getting my hair cut on the Monday after work. I’ve put the money aside so I can afford it. I’m gradually growing my hair long. It’s a bit below chin length now.

Well I don’t expect much change this year. Hopefully I can finally get out of debt and stay out of debt. I also really want this to be the year I do something about my fitness after being obese for so long. I’m also going to try and wear my night guard to stop me grinding my teeth. It cost £200 but more importantly the dentist has been on at me to start wearing it. It’s very hard to wear even for two minutes though. A project.

Happy New Year and good thoughts to everyone.

jwil

Happy new year!  Enjoy your weekend.

itsthelittlethings

Good morning. A lot of my direct debits went out this morning so I’ve been putting them all on my budgeting spreadsheet and seeing where we are. My fun money (which started off pretty low due to me putting £100 in emergency fund and some money in an Airbnb to go to London at the end of January) is very low. I have £66 left. I think this weekend will be a cheap weekend but might need to grab some food on the go which I usually take from fun money. We’re also going out today and I was going to buy some wool. I have £66 in the pot to last until 23/1.

I am debating taking some money out of debt repayments to give me more fun money. I would like not to touch the EF as I know this is something I need to start prioritising. I have already paid £200 off debt and £250 off my overdraft this month. I have £150 waiting for the statement to be generated which is very late because of Christmas. I think the minimum payment will be around £60 so I could use £90 towards fun money. I’ve decided to call it fun money rather than spending because it makes me feel less guilty. I know often when you’re paying off debt there’s a tendency to rush to get it paid off but I think for me slow and steady wins the race a bit more. £500 towards debt and £100 towards EF is still good for January. Otherwise I may dip into my overdraft and that’s a bit counter productive.

itsthelittlethings

Home at last. My flat was very cold but I had a good sleep in a fleece and pajamas under a duvet and a blanket. Must do a wash and get to Tescos this morning. Also a trip to the gym.

Had a lovely time yesterday. We got the bus to the nearby town. It’s an hour there and back. A return cost £7 so the bus cap does not seem to apply. Took a few things to the charity shop although I’m not sure they really wanted them. Then a trip to the wool shop (my mum was horrified at the price of wool). Lastly we had a coffee which my mum let me buy before she bought some beetroot from the greengrocer and then we caught the bus back. Black bean curry and rice for an early dinner then I got the hour and a half bus to the station, a train home and lastly a bus as I couldn’t face the walk from the station in the dark.

I felt a bit sad on the bus but it’s been a really good break. I’m very much relaxed and refreshed and ready to go back on Monday. I’m definitely ready to go back to normal. I was going to turn into a sofa! Just jobs to do today and a trip to London overnight.

joedenise

Yes

I think you'll find the price cap on bus fares only applies to single tickets so buying a return can often cost more than 2 singles.  Bus drivers are usually pretty good at telling you to buy singles but doesn't sound like your driver did!

itsthelittlethings

I'm finally home for good. Just drinking kombucha and catching up with a few things. I've nearly done all my jobs for today, debating on starting on some for next weekend.

I've added up my money, somehow I've spent all my fun money for the month but that should be ok as I can do work without any money. I want to go to knitting next weekend so that will be a £4 coffee.

I'm turning my heating down to 17 degrees to save some money. Also I don't like my flat too warm.

I applied for an apprenticeship in a career I've been considering. I doubt I'll get it as it's a good opportunity but it can't hurt to apply. Sometimes you can't do an apprenticeship if you already have a degree - we shall see.

itsthelittlethings

Diabolical day at work. To top it all off when I finished I realised I had dry skin on my legs which was showing on my tights and I'd been walking around all day like that. Gross!

Got my hair cut after work. It's looking nice. A spendy £70. It felt good to pay for something that I had budgeted for though, and pay it knowing that I had the money.

I'm making plans and scheming about my future. Inspired by another diary on here I have a goal of £150,000 towards the property that I want. I'm also inspired by something my friend has in her lounge which says "a goal is a dream with a deadline". I want the property before I'm too old to enjoy it. The money is going to be made up of a mixture of a mortgage and savings. It's an unimaginable amount of money for me really.