It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me

_Dolly_Rocker_

Oh I am freezing today!

Had a lovely meal out last night with my mum and some friends. Was at a lovely local hotel, so beautiful all decorates so lots of nice pictures taken. 

The meal was lovely but we ended up chatting for hour and I didn't get home till nearly 11pm, so late for me!

Also back to back meetings in work today from 9am so had to be out with the dogs around 7:30am so my day is all off kilter, hate that. 

Plan for today is to tidy up between meetings and walking my 2 so my house looks presentable. 

It is currently far from it. 

enthusiasticsaver

I think it is a good idea to start a new diary with some new savings goals if it helps you stay on track.  Anything which keeps you focused is to be encouraged. 

Glad you had a nice meal out and a good chat with your mum and friends.  These social outings are great.  I go out monthly for lunch at a different restaurant with friends and really look forward to them.  It has not helped my bank balance though and I have started to not go for desserts each time to avoid an expanding waistline. 

Decluttering is a good idea.  I have decided this year to really cut back on buying stuff so been very selective about what I do buy.  I also have a one in one out policy now.  So books, which are my Achilles heel are passed off to charity shops, second hand bookstores or friends as new ones come in. I also have used the library more and my kindle and borrow box. 

Hope it gets warmer up there.  Here in the South West it is quite pleasant although we have had rain today. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

I really need to adopt the 1 in and 1 out policy. 

I'm going to focus on only buying to replace and only what I need. 

I'm a sucker for a BOGOF or a stupid deal that I don't actually need so need to get out of that really bad habit which I've had forever!

I've got lots of things to use up;

• Toiletries
• Candles
• Cleaning products
• Stationary
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Bags

The list is very long. I'm a bit of a hoarder and I shop to make myself feel better but it's really only a temporary fix. 

Want to me a bit of a minimalist so it's going to be a big change in mindset for me but I will get there eventually.  

Blackcats

@foxgloves - has shared on her diary the brilliant concept of shopping from home.  If I want a nice candle I probably don't need to buy one because I can "shop" from my existing candle stash.  I've just started using a beautiful candle that I got for Christmas last year which means I can walk away from the candle I really "needed" at the garden centre.  Same with notebooks - how many notebooks can I possibly need?

over on the old style board we are enjoying a very MSE advent using things we already own which give us joy without expense.  Come and join us - it's good fun and very uplifting.

enthusiasticsaver

Greats idea from @Blackcats and if I had hoarding tendencies I would definitely use some of those. 

When I get presents or indulge (rarely) in shopping I keep the new item relatively near the one I am currently using to remind me I already have a replacement.  I have a cupboard for candles so I can see at a glance how many I have and a drawer for stationery and make a point of checking these before shopping.  If the drawer or the cupboard is full and I won't be using anything from there imminently I give some of them to charity shops or friends. 

I find that I do like a tidy uncluttered house though and it keeps me calmer and takes me less time to clean it so that alone is the incentive to not overbuy as well as the fact I don't want to unnecessarily spend. It is rewarding. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

@Blackcats - Defo gonna join in on that. 

@enthusiasticsaver - This is what I am aiming for. Clean, calm, decluttered. Feel like it will really help me feel more settled and calm. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Today I am going to work on the house, aim to get the place all spick and span before I get to bed tonight. 

Right now I am sitting watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Had the dogs out and had some breakfast and need to head out at 11am to walk a wee yorkie. 

I'll take B&L back out for their lunch time walk then tackle the housework one room at a time!

_Dolly_Rocker_

Kitchen To Do
Clear countertops
Remove all non kitchen items
Throw out all rubbish
Wash, dry and put away dishes
Do laundry
Clean hob
Wash countertops
Wash cupboard doors
Hoover
Wash floors

_Dolly_Rocker_

So did manage to get the kitchen all cleaned but forgot to log back in so haven't posted in a bit. 

Just about to head out to do my lunch time dog walks, will meet my Sister and we will do a walk together which will be nice. 

Need to nip to the shops after that. Hopefully only be about an hour but last wee bits to get in for Christmas. 

_Dolly_Rocker_

Managed to get the last bits I needed today, just need to get it wrapped and organised but that will have to be done tomorrow night. 

Sister and her kids want to go to the Christmas Village that's opened up this year in Glasgow so we're gonna head up there tomorrow when I finish work for a few hours. 

After that Mum will be staying with me, she might end up here till the New Year - we shall see!