There is always tomorrow

Sponge_pudding

Another win today. Funny how when you cancel payments people get it touch. Anyway they will be sorry they do as they have agreed to refund me the grand sum of £67.30, happy days.  
Been thinking what my balance might look like next month if I stick to my budget and pay the debt as expected. I thought about what has stopped me achieving this previously and what might stand in my way this month.....SPENDING... that's ok, just that one word, easier to remember, harder to digest and ignore. I'm planning on getting it tattooed on my right hand so each time I go to open my purse I get a stark reminder.

Sponge_pudding

!!!!!!? Why is it whenever I tell DH that things are improving, we have a tiny bit put away and actually feel like we can do this, things go **** up. 
Last night whilst busily relaying all my money saving endeavours to DH and my mini successes, he decides to go and bring in the horses, I would make coffee and then we would watch a film together as a little celebration and if I am honest to snuggle down in that lovely smug feeling of contentness.  Next minute DH is banging on the window for me to come.  One of the horses can't walk, literally staggering along. A few hours, and a vet visit later, she is all bandaged up,on antibiotics, painkiller and tetanus jab. Turns out she had injured her heel in the field which had cut and bruised it. Whilst I am grateful the injury was not worse I hate the fact that now I have to pay for a vets bill and I don't have any money in the horses pot yet.  My measly £100 transfer on the 17th Sept as a starting point seems like a drop in the ocean now.  
Focus:
RAC yesterday £140 - £40 cash back(once it tracks and pays out) = £100
Refund from company that have been taking monthly payments has now been increased to another month refund as a gesture of goodwill so that is £100.95 = Rac breakdown no outward payment (once tracked).
Regular DD to CC that I cancelled but went through has now shown on my bank as not gone through, but is still showing on my CC as cleared. I suppose once they sort themselves out the CC will show it as refunded and that means I have £250 in my bank that I didn't have yesterday. It also means the CC has had £250 less to the debt but I have overpaid my minimum amount this month anyway, so that is safe and up to date. I did like the feeling of being £250 less in debt but am also kind of grateful that it did not go through as it gives me a little bit more playing room for juggling. = £250 better off in ready money. I am desperate to pay the vets bill without putting it on the card and adding to the debt.
Topcashback has a withdraw balance of £11 = £261
Prolific balance = £13.89 = £274.89
Buffer/Emergency A/C = £38.06 = £312.95
My wages are £11.33 more than budgeted for = £324.28
So as long as the vets bill is less than £324.28 I can pay it without it going on the CC.
DH's expected wage this week is less than budgeted so any shortfall is going to have to come out of the holiday pot so I can balance the bank account to keep that on track. 
Feeling a little better that I can drag the money for the bill, worried it wont be enough, gutted that it happened.

in_need_of_direction

it happened and your default position was to look at how you could manage to pay without increasing debt.  well done you

Sponge_pudding

Oh thank you so much @in_need_of_direction that's made me smile. You're right! My mindset is good x

Was meeting two friends for coffee later today but it's been cancelled, I didn't want to buy a coffee (debt busting) and can't drink them anyway (weird stomach) so I was going to buy a bottle of water. I can't tell you how much I was begruding that, I have tap water and a refillable bottle here so why would I buy one in the cafe.  Anyway, now I don't have to spend out and will see my friends in a fortnight so that's ok.  I was going to do my shop at the same time but now I will leave it till tomorrow night at discounting time and see if anything on my list is YS, potentially another winner (shhh don't mention any money successes or the horse will hurt herself again just to spite me!

Sponge_pudding

I'm in work, things are quiet so I am browsing at the moment, sorting the debt as best I can.
I saw on here somewhere about the Olio app, I've downloaded it and there is a lady not far from us who has a lot of things available. Anyway, I've taken the bull by the horns and requested them all...all!  I have a freezer so in they will go. I am not sure what the full prices would be but not far off £20 I should think. It feels really nice to have something for nothing and to be helping at the same time   

Sponge_pudding

Some good news tonight somehow last minute DH managed to hit target so there is no shortfall in his wages this week, really good news.
I have had an amazing Olio haul, I went to get it and it was really worth it. Lots of fresh cob loaves, baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat, childrens chocolate bars, all sorts of bakery items, really happy. DDIL has taken some for her freezer and so has my Mum, our freezer is almost full.  I also had a look at the too good to go app and bought a last minute bag from greggs, £10 worth for £2.99. 3 large rolls, 1 baguette and a ham and cheese toastie. DH had the toastie for tea with some chips and salad and the other rolls/baguette are in the fridge for dinner tomorrow. Possibly he may have a roll for tea with some chips and salad again.  I suppose it was ok for value but DH and I rarely buy sandwiches out so I found myself wondering how many rolls I could have made with £2.99. I think I was a little disappointed as I was hoping for some pasties which would make meals.  I sound ungrateful so I will stop now.
I added up the Olio haul and it was nearer £40 worth of food, definitely a win.
Neighbouring farmer brought some eggs round in exchange for some work DH did for him, best way to do business.
Poorly horse is feeling so much better tonight, walking fine and pawing for her tea as usual, just need to wait for the dreaded bill, no sign of it yet. 
Prolific = £21.59

Sponge_pudding

Poorly horse is much better again today, very bright and wants to go out. I was nervous about changing her foot dressing as she is very big and full of attitude but she was a sweetie. DH helped me this morning and between us it was all fine.
I'm going to have a chilled day today as not feeling too well again. I am going to try and do an inventory of the freezer and cupboards and meal plan for the week from that.  I might be able to claw some money back from the shopping budget this month and put it towards the vet bill if needs be (who am I kidding of course needs will be!)
I am going to have a look for the shopping budget thread in a sec and see if the new one has started for September.

Sponge_pudding

I've cleaned out the freezer, defrosted it and repacked it. I've done a meal plan to include lunch and dinner until the 15th Sept and will still have lots left in the cupboards and freezer after.  I will have to top up with bits like salad, butter, milk, yogurts and possibly cereal but overall the bulk of the shopping is already here.  Shopping budget for September is £237.01 sounds odd but it is the monthly transfer into the shopping account plus what is in my purse.

Sponge_pudding

Managed to get another Olio haul last night. Very pleased with that one as well, a few meals, fruit, veg and some bread and rolls.  Only a mile away from us as well.  I did have to pay £2.99 for a months supporter fee otherwise I had a 30 second ad to watch each time I wanted to request something.  The haul last night added up to around £50 so £2.99 is fine.
Went for a walk to the nearest beach today about 40 minutes drive. Dinner was free all from the Olio haul, diesel was next to nothing as the car is fantastic on it's fuel consumption.  Doggos had a nice walk and we came home.  We called at a farm on the way home. We have had bags of potatoes from there previously but they were shut and nothing for sale at all, hopefully they haven't shut for good.
Poorly horse is not being particuarly helpful. She is not good when kept in despite having a small barn to walk around so is stood by the door pawing. Needless to say she is ripping her bandage off. In the end we decided to put her out as there is a higher chance of her keeping the bandage on.  This evening it was still on so the decision was a good one.

Sponge_pudding

I've joined the September grocery challenge and have my fingers crossed this helps.
Horses have been fed, turned out and mucked out with help from my little grandchildren. They love to get stuck in with their own tiny sweeping brushes, shovels and wheelbarrows. Still have lots of hay and straw, feed is going down but is ok unti the weekend.  
Plenty of food in the cupboards due to Olio. Tea for tonight is greek salad in pittas with pork chops mixed in. This wasn't on the meal plan but the greek salad was free so need to use it up. I have pushed the cooked dinner I had planned to the end of the meal plan. I do need to buy some ice-cream so DH can have it on the bakery treats I collected on Friday as his deserts.
I was not well again this morning, had a headache to add to the usual but luckily it has gone now so I am able to potter about, wont do too much as no doubt it will return and it always leaves me absolutely shattered.
My DDIL has jumped on the Olio wagon today and picked up her first box on her way home. She was so chuffed she sent me pictures of what she had, with two little ones to feed she needs all the help she can get.