Should itsthelittlethings spend less on coffee?

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856767#Comment_81856767

Hi @itsthelittlethings

I'm even more confused by your recent posts on other threads!

You seemed to have a Waitrose and Asda online delivery in the same week but then cancelled the Asda one, instead doing an Aldi shop and getting a veg box delivery?!

Sounds like you have plenty of options for meal planning and batch cooking, though sounds a lot of food, and you mentioned the freezer is full! I posted a few ideas for you on the grocery thread in reply to your posts.

Personally, I find meal planning is easier and more effective for me the other way around. Eg plan meals before going food shopping.

I do a version of reverse meal planning with leftovers. Day to day I do a mix of batch cooking, eating fresh food and making meals with leftovers.

[Deleted User]

Hi @itsthelittlethings

As we are approaching the start of a new month and I think you're already trying the NSDs challenge...
Why not challenge yourself to have as many NSDs as you can in February (only 28 days!).  You could try doing one supermarket visit a week and have a payday treat at the end of the month instead of spending as you go.  I'm aiming for 20 NSDs!  😁  I'll spend on food shopping once a week, toiletries and haircare, and lunch/coffee cake out.  I haven't yet decided what I want as a payday treat at end of February yet!

It's great you have so much enthusiasm but I think you were more focused in your other thread 'Goals, hopes and dreams'.  Maybe re-read that thread and thing about those three things for the short, medium and long term.   You could have one in each category to make it manageable to work towards.  Though it would be wise to continue to prioritise your debt and try to build your emergency fund without dipping into it.

itsthelittlethings

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81862000#Comment_81862000

I cancelled the Waitrose and Asda orders and went to Aldi plus got a veg delivery.

itsthelittlethings

Great weekend away, very relaxing and I stuck to budget. No more holidays until debt is paid off. I’m back now and planning for a very low spend month until payday as I don’t have much left in the bank except in the food account. I managed a no spend day today and hopefully plenty more to come. I’m off to Aldi for a food shop tomorrow. Hoping for a cheap weekend. Just watching tv after washing up and vacuuming. I’ve also made granary rolls for lunches. They’re a bit heavy but should hopefully be ok to eat. I’ll be in bed early this evening as I’m working early tomorrow.

itsthelittlethings

Relaxing evening, did some chores and now watching tv and going to drink a decaf coffee and catalogue some wool in a minute. Managed another no spend day today which I'm pleased about. Just over a month until my mum and me go away to France (I forgot about this holiday when I said no more holidays but it will cost me very little as my mum kindly booked the accommodation and trains and said she'd pay for our meals, so I will just need some spending money). We're there over my birthday and I'm looking forward to it. After that hopefully some warmer weather along with the longer days.

Going to try for two more no spend days until the weekend although I really need to buy some more bike lights. The ones I have were very cheap, and get knocked on very easily if taken off and put in a bag or a pocket, meaning the batteries are always running out. It would cost me less to buy new lights than keep buying batteries.

itsthelittlethings

So much for a no spend day! I went to the bike shop and ended up spending £68 on the cheapest decent bike lights. Anything else is a false economy as they don’t last. I really don’t know when bike lights got so expensive.

I’m going to wash up and then watch some tv for the rest of the evening. My back bike tyre also needs pumping up so I’ll do that and desperately hope it’s not flat tomorrow. It’s just a bit flat, still rideable. I guess it’s probably a slow puncture so I may be walking to work tomorrow.

itsthelittlethings

One day to the weekend. I’m up early although I’m on a late shift. Just had my yoghurt breakfast. I need to go and pump my bike tyres up in a bit when it gets light as I didn’t do it yesterday.

A quiet weekend planned. Chores and gym mainly.

itsthelittlethings

A quiet but good weekend. I made it to the gym yesterday and have made a good start on a hat that I'm knitting. My bike tyre stayed pumped up and I got a step counter which just needed a new battery and some index cards off the Olio app today. I've made rolls for lunches today and also nine portions of tuna pasta sauce to freeze which will help me get to the end of the month.

I went to Starbucks today to study. I was annoyed to spend the money but find it very hard to concentrate at home. I studied 2 units so I've caught up on what I missed when I was away last weekend. We also had a family Zoom quiz as it's my niece's birthday. Also managed to clean the bathroom this morning which I'm very pleased about as now it's nice for the week. I'm on an early tomorrow so off to bed fairly soon. I've been listening to podcasts and knitting this evening after dinner.

Also charged my new bike lights. As they're nice I'll be taking them off every time as they're a bit more stealable than my old ones

itsthelittlethings

Very quiet week, just knitting, chores and work. I’ve got a doctors appointment today so will be leaving work for a bit. I’m going to my sister’s for dinner tomorrow and she’s going to make pancakes so that’s something to look forward to. Just under two weeks to payday, roll on payday.

itsthelittlethings

Have managed two no spend days in a row. I’ve taken my bank card off my phone and been leaving my wallet at home. It stops incidental spends and I don’t really miss them. I’m going to buy a salad for lunch tomorrow which is about £4 as I’m out of bread. Friday is for treats anyway!

Managed to have an argument with my sister this evening when I went round for dinner which meant that I never got my pancakes! Luckily we have made up. I might suggest we have dinner less often than once a week as I think maybe it’s too often.

I’ve managed to do the washing up and tidy the table a bit. Need to do a radical tidy at the weekend. I’ve just watched Dragons Den but must go to bed and not stay up and watch The Apprentice.