Settling in for the long haul

jwil

Well done to DS. I agree, as long as they get what they need that's all that matters.

Dakota_Rose

Happy Friday all.

I’ve been doing well with keeping the MSE faith. Most of my time the past week has been spent on organising items for decluttering and taking to a car boot sale at the weekend. Anything (slightly) more valuable, I’ve listed for sale online to give us an extra chance to get a better price for it. This has paid off as we now have just over £90 in the tin once payments clear.

I had a mysterious no sleep hour last night. There was no rhyme or reason for it this time; I just couldn’t sleep. I’ve felt unwell with my pending period this week but it hasn’t started and so I’ve had no relief from the awful build up that seems to be getting worse by the month. I get tension headaches and cramps and this past week has been really uncomfortable. Saying that, I had a burst of motivation after tea last night and took the dog for her favourite long walk, and followed this up with a peppermint tea and another 30 minute walk on my walking pad. This should have been the recipe for a good night’s sleep.

Today needs to be a productive one. We have Mum to visit and will take all her boot sale stuff away with us to sort and pack in the car. Eldest will be staying for a sleepover tonight. Then we have our food shop to do (4-day cycle still working really well) and we’ve been invited to our friend’s for dinner. Now, to try and sort this headache out 🥴.

Baileys_Babe

Brilliant news about your eldest's results. My DD also did better than predicted, not headline results, but she did put a lot of effort in and did her best.

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110055#Comment_82110055

Fab news - I’m sure you’re sharing my feeling of relief today 😊.

Cherryfudge

Very well done to your DS!

DancingInTheRain

Well done to your DS 🎉

Dakota_Rose

Yesterday was tough as the lingering headache/migraine plagued most of it. I did however manage to do everything on the agenda with a two-hour sleep squeezed in. The best relief came from ibuprofen in the end so I must remember that if it continues to rumble on today.

I’ve slept well and have woken to a very quiet house. It was a late night for the children as we had a drive home from our friend’s house where we’d been for dinner, and we didn’t leave there until after 8.30. We all had a nice time though and the food was delicious.

Today’s main job is to sort and price all of the boot sale stuff. Mum’s taken up way more than half the space in the car - in fact the whole boot, which in MrD’s car is big. I’m not sure how I’m going to fit the two stall tables in, let alone my own items to sell 🙈. Last year, I was so sickened by the sheer amount of c**p we had, that I swore I would cut down on our spending - it was overconsumption to the max. Here we are just one year later with another car full to the brim with stuff. Now to reason this out, I am actually taking some repeat items that were too good to bin from last year, I’ve delved into boxes in the garage that I didn’t get to last year and … most of it is Mum’s 😂.

I’ll also aim to get more steps in today. Being out with friend meant I didn’t get on the walking pad last night. It has been used almost daily since we bought it and I can feel the benefit already as I’m able to walk for longer at a higher speed without being so uncomfortable. The real test for me is whether I use it as often when I go back to work.

Dakota_Rose

So, the car is filled to the brim with items to sell at tomorrow’s car boot sale. I really hope we sell a good wodge of it so that I don’t need to re-attempt the car jenga that Mr D has managed this afternoon. Wish us luck!

I’ve also sold an item on Vinted for £10 which has been listed for months and months. And a message has come through from a buyer who should be collecting some LEGO sets tomorrow, which would bring in another £50. Fingers crossed!

Last night’s enormous dinner had Mr D up most of the night with reflux and feeling generally unwell. He slept almost upright and has felt the effects of it today (as have we all🥴). The upside to this has been that the food budget has stretched an extra day - our roast chicken dinner has been shifted to tomorrow and we’ve had a make do and mend dinner instead.

We paid a visit to a local shop that sells a bit of everything with a very varied shopping list. We managed to get most of what we went for and I was pleased to find some lovely gifts at a great reduced price to pop away for Christmas. £15 spent from the gifts pot, but would’ve cost 5 times that for the same items online. Three sets of posh full-size aromatherapy hand wash/cream duo sets in wooden trays, and a beautiful glass jar with bath foam in from the same posh shop. I also chose a lovely set of Mason Cash measuring spoons for a friend of the family who enjoys baking for £1.99! Handily found half price scientific calculators too which is our remaining item on the back to school shopping list. Needless to say, at £3.99 one of those made it into the basket.

Wishing everyone a lovely Saturday night and Sunday ahead.

ellenvan

Good luck with the car boot.

Bring lots of change and carrier bags if you have them.

Can't wait to hear how much you have made.

Try and resist buying temptation of other sellers.

jwil

Good luck with the car boot!