Settling in for the long haul

Dakota_Rose

After a stagnant week or so, I have been able to add a little extra to my EF today. £10 plant sale was sent over and then noticed my car pot had gone up by £2.76 (interest had been added) so swiftly swept that over too.
£788.26/£1000 😊

Dakota_Rose

and another £12 contributed from Mr D who is a committed subscriber to the ‘happy wife, happy life’ club 😂.
£800/£1000

Dakota_Rose

I have ticked another half term ‘to do’ off my list: clear bedroom drawers and cupboards. I have filled a bag for the charity shop and listed 6 items for sale in the process. I have decluttered a good amount of items this holiday and that always feels good doesn’t it.

A message from Prolific today has forewarned me of a follow up survey coming my way on Sunday. I must remember to log in for that as it is £9 for 30-mins work. I will then have over £10 in my account to send over to the EF before the month is out. I will also be in the fortunate position of having petrol money left over at the end of the month. This isn’t typical as I budget fairly accurately but the week off work has definitely helped. Now I have the nice decision to make as to whether it should go straight to the EF too or diverted to the car maintenance pot which is only sitting at £50.

Dakota_Rose

Another £2 sent to the EF today and my half term read is finished. It was a novel by Ruth Jones and one I had picked up in a book swap. It was on track to be a 7/10 (a middling score - I don’t persevere with anything less than a 7) but the ending pulled it up to an 8. It was an easy, fairly predictable read but the ending tied it all together nicely and did have an ‘ooh’ moment when the penny dropped.

Books of 2026

1.You Are Here (easy read) 9/10

2. The Seven Murders of Evelyn Hardcastle (time-travelling murder mystery) 9.5/10

3. Love Untold (ending made a middling read worthwhile) 8/10

Ended the week with a takeaway tea. Pretty rare occurrence in our house but I had saved my personal spends to treat us all for half term. I’d told Mr D earlier in the week as it’s his favourite pizza place, and he requested we save it for tonight. All thoroughly enjoyed it and were restrained enough to save some for tomorrow’s dinner too.

sunshineli

well done on the EF progress 😊 every little helps. I read one Ruth Jones book (can’t remember its name now) and I really enjoyed it. I must try some of the others. You Are Here is also on my list!

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893129#Comment_81893129

Thanks for stopping by 😊 I’ve also picked up a second of hers so will give it a go but may have a break in between the two and try something different.

LzzyIsGod

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891090#Comment_81891090

Aha! This is how I got my dh on board when we started (well i started for both of us he just didnt know it at the time!) . I call it Leading By Example, the yoofs call it "Positively Influencing"

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893460#Comment_81893460

Love this 😂

Baileys_Babe

@Dakota_Rose said:

I will also be in the fortunate position of having petrol money left over at the end of the month. This isn’t typical as I budget fairly accurately but the week off work has definitely helped. Now I have the nice decision to make as to whether it should go straight to the EF too or diverted to the car maintenance pot which is only sitting at £50.

I would send the unused petrol money to the car pot to give it a boost.

Whatever you decide well done in spending less than the budget 👏

Dakota_Rose

Thanks @Baileys_Babe I think I agree with you - it seems the logical place for it to go doesn’t it. I have a few household items to pick up today that I may cover first as our groceries budget is down to the wire. Should still have a few ££ to scoop over though 😊