Plodding Along

InDebtEnby

I managed a couple of NSDs last week after planning my days a bit better. I got the family Christmas presents and failed to find myself a lindt bear.

I was supposed to go dancing on Tuesday but I got to the van and the door handle was frozen shut. I didn't think it would be a good idea to drive on country roads late at night over an hour away from home!

I have started the conversion on the van since it was relatively warm and dry so I removed the wood panels and put the insulation on the floor. I need to buy a panel for the roof since that didn't come with the van. Then comes the scary part of cutting holes in the roof and floor!

I had lunch with my parents yesterday and we were discussing holiday plans, I'm thinking Barcelona for my birthday in February.

I went over budget this month but it was all on fuel so I need to look at what it realistically costs to live where I need to drive everywhere and adjust the budget accordingly. I also did a nearly 400 mile round trip which is not cheap in a van. I also need to factor in going to the bingo and making sure I eat before I go/take food with me as I go at lunchtime, at least we have won every time I've been this month.

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I have not put up the Christmas tree and have no inclination to do so.

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Weekly update: it's been a chill Christmas but got to see most of the family, I bought everyone a chocolate bear and got a couple of presents for my parents so it was a low cost Christmas, I wasn't sure who I was going to see so there was no expectation for anyone to get me anything, it actually took some pressure off everyone.

I opened a new savings account which I thought had virtual pots so that I could have different savings goals but that's only available on their current accounts. Nevermind, it's a slightly better interest rate than my other account so I will move money at the start of the year.

I want to spend my money more consciously next year so I will be buying second-hand or if it's new then it will not be mass produced. I like to go to makers markets and support small businesses.

I've also been looking at my bingo card goals for next year and travel is featuring heavily. It looks like I'll have a month off in October and I want to take the campervan to France for the month.

InDebtEnby

It's been a cold start to the new year.

I went for a hike on New Year's Day with a few people from a large group I'm part of. It was nice to get to know people a bit better. The route was up a hill but not too challenging and shows har far my fitness has come in the last year. 

I bought some more stuff for the camper conversion but it's just too cold to do anything. I'm grouping purchases together so I can get more NSDs and makes me consider each purchase and reduces impulse buying.

I managed to get buttons for the cardigan I knit but I was going to go for duffle coat style toggles as I bought deer antler buttons about 10 years ago and have not used. However the loops were £6 each and I needed 3, so I looked for a cheaper alternative and got nice yellow buttons for 25p each. I will be using the antlers on a jumper that has decorative buttons. I'm thinking of using colours inspired by the Scottish Highlands.

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I've not started the jumper yet, I need to go and buy the wool. I have some supplies from my mum's craft cupboard to make a 2026 Bingo card.

Talking of bingo, I go every week and last week was the first time since November that none of us at the table won ☹️

I made a Rogan Josh from scratch, it was a bit disappointing tbh. I will have a look at other recipes for it. I did make a delicious potato topped butter chicken, so will definitely be making that again.

I was going to go to sports practice but the van wash showing an error message for the battery, so I didn't risk driving 40 mins away on a Sunday on case it broke down. But I went shopping today and it was fine, so I'm hoping it was just from the cold and I don't have to pay for a new battery.

I think I'll be over budget this month as I bought 2 sodastream gas bottles and a 6 pack of syrup. Oh well, I won't have to buy any for a while.

InDebtEnby

I've had no more error messages on the van so I think it was just the cold weather causing problems. I put more of the flooring in the van but need a couple more tiles to finish it off so will wait until payday.

I've paid a little bit off the credit card, but as it has 0% interest I am not paying it off in full. I have the money in a savings account which is earning 5% so it makes sense to keep it there.

I might change my spending account to the new chase that I opened to get a savings account as I can get 1% cashback on fuel and groceries.

I've managed to get a few more NSDs this week and done a good chunk of embroidery and made a 2026 bingo card. It has a good variety of money, experience and silliness.

Rhyddid2026

Oooo what's the bingo card?

InDebtEnby

I did it last year after seeing it on tiktok. It's instead of a new year's resolution, you put down things you want to do throughout the year, they can be monthly things or one offs. I did it with my ex and we were trying to see who could complete a line first. 

Things on my card include learning to juggle, trying a new recipe each month and traveling to Europe in my campervan. They are achievable but challenging, and it's nice to see what I've done over the year.

Rhyddid2026

That sounds fab!!

InDebtEnby

I managed 12/16 last year!