Turning Straw into Gold: Creating Long Term Security & A Solid Home

MillQueen

Having a no spend day today, as I'm at work until late. I have brought lunch and some overnight oats, and will be drinking free water. I have just sent £47.25 to my student loan for a round number at the end of the month, then I put £20 into the EF and £10 into a little account I have for repairs. I am trying to get my overdraft paid off this month, so it's not too much extra I'm giving, just a bit to feel I did something.

leftatthetrafficlights

I'm having a no spend day too 😁 I'm cleaning the house at the moment (on a well deserved break right now) and will eat whatever I find in the fridge when I get hungry - fluids will be water, herbal teas and possibly some fizzy water with lemon.

I need to check my budgets later and make sure I know where I am 😉

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82166017#Comment_82166017

That all sounds organised and determined. I think just staying home and doing things around the house is very good for avoiding temptations. Someone at work was describing a weekend away they have been on and all the spending they did and I just couldn't imagine doing that now. I don't know how people still have so much disposable income that they can throw it around with such freedom. I am finding I am really turned off by excessive spending now.

MillQueen

It's been a really awful week at work and I've wasted a bit of money on buying food and drinks from shops and I haven't cooked all. Probably no more than £30, but still money I could have saved or used for debts. I am back on it today, having a yellow sticker bombay potato bowl with some yellow sticker cheese and chive toast now. Aside from the food and filling the car with petrol, I don't think I have bought anything at all during the week though as I have been so busy working. Today I have been to pick up my new glasses and I bought two books from the charity shop for £1 each. Didn't really need any books, but they are nice to have and there's a shelf I'm gradually filling up - I find a book shelf really comforting to have.

I have got stuff to do, but I am going to have a nap now with my hot water bottle.

Dakota_Rose

Sorry to hear it’s been a tough week. Have you got any time off to look forward to any time in the near future?

MillQueen

@Dakota_Rose, I am going to ask if I'll be able to take a few weeks off in January, as I have a project ending around that time. The length tends to depend on how fast I'm being thrown into something else.

Had a money saving saturday evening with some reduced biscuits and chocolate mousse. Need to cook some proper food tomorrow, so I can get back into the habit of making work lunches. It only takes a couple of days for me to revert to living like I'm feral, eating handfuls of grated cheese for meals 🙄.

MillQueen

Had a couple of yellow sticker seeded protein bagels for a low cost breakfast (25p) and a cup of victoria sponge tea. I have a list of work tasks to get through, as well as the usual weekend re-set of bins, laundry, dishes. I have set myself a goal that I am only allowed to do either work or kitchen activities this morning, no daydreaming, timewasting, or scrolling, as they are neither relaxing nor productive, and I could easily waste half a day that way and then feel worse. If I really need to do something other than the necessary focus tasks, I am allowed to read something on Brrowbox (unlikely as I have little conecntration today) or walk on my treadmill (unlikely as I can't be be bothered), so it's more likely the tasks get done.

MillQueen

I am now visiting a friend at 5pm, which puts more of a time limit on the things I need to get done today (could be a good thing to increase motivation). I have also got a TGTG to collect between 3pm and 4pm. Hoping to avoid having to do a proper grocery shop between now and when I get paid, so if I need another TGTG I could get one next wekend too, or I could get some yellow sticker bits. To be honest, if I get creative, i have got enough stuff I'll probably be ok. I have got loads of potatoes, so maybe a few potato based meals (not the soup again, it solidified and I had to throw it away 🤣).

MillQueen

The bins and recycling are done, and the potatoes are in the oven, so that means I don't have to cook for work until Wednesday. The laundry is done, and the kitchen is mostly now sorted. I have spent £10 on TGTG, which I need to pick up later. I have a couple of yellow sticker things to use up, which are 2 packs of cherry tomatoes, an avocado and 6 eggs. So I am going to do a fritata with the eggs and tomatoes (and sweetcorn, with either peas or greenbeans, whatever is in the freezer). Having the avocado on the last bagel now for lunch and a couple of yellow sticker apples sliced up to have with a cup of mint tea.

I always feel much better when I do a house and food reset and drink some water.

ArtyJ931

When I want to have a really cheap and no stress week I buy 4 mccains frozen jacket potatoes on offer (because they are always nice), some tins of beans and cheese and make up a big lentil/beany pasta. That’s a week of meals for 1 sorted for under £10 and all take less than 10 mins to make