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

MillQueen

@Chocolatefund, being snuggly is so nice, an electric blanket is a good idea, I am going to collect some warm things as they come up in the middle aisle at Aldi and Lidl, I want thermal socks and an oodie. I have got one of the heated gilets that I keep at work and would definitely recommend that - it's lovely.

@Dakota_Rose, I know, I instantly feel happier and more relaxed when I hold a hot water bottle! I like the idea of a reward in the pipeline. I think I might have a day out if I get through the next couple of weeks, or maybe plan a day trip or a night away. Something to look forward to amongst all the grey.

MillQueen

Made a wasted journey in to work today as I thought I had to attend a F2F event, then it turned out to be a typo and it was actually this afternoon. However this afternoon I am already leading something online and couldn't have attended anyway. They have let me come home to do the online meeting in peace, as it involves people from all over the place and is a bit delicate to get it right and keep relations. Rushing around at least means I can't spend anything. I have had some yellow sticker toast and a couple of out-of-date yoghurts for lunch (these last for ages!) and topped up my emotional support water bottle.

No more spends, but tonight I need to sort some work lunches for tomorrow and Friday.

ArtyJ931

Inspired by your yellow stickering I picked up some asparagus for £1, a cream of potato and leek soup in a carton type thing (Covent garden?) for £1 and some broccoli for 55p. Also picked up a couple of pork pies for the dogs for 40p 🙌🙌 not quite up to your haul but I was pleased and the dogs will be thrilled!

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82175952#Comment_82175952

That's a nice 3 quid spend. I think the trick is little and often, like getting a few bits to supplement what you have already in the house every now and then, to avoid a bigger shop. I always look for staples like milk and eggs, veg, and anything I can base a meal around. I haven't bought full price bread in ages. Even if I only save £1 a week on reduced priced bread and milk, it's £50 spread over the year.

I am determined to make it to pay day without doing a shop. I would allow myself a few yellow sticker things or TGTG if I get desperate or bored, but I should be able to live in comfort for now. I am still holding out on the heating and using my hot water bottle, but the house is very cold.

ArtyJ931

yes not too bad - there were eggs but I have loads. I make my own bread - works out about 60p a loaf

MillQueen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176238#Comment_82176238

Have you got a breadmaker or are you freestyling it?

I've bought a salad at work today, which went against my plans but I don't feel too bad about it. I am going to have a half day of working remotely tomorrow and I am looking forward to this. Normally I prefer to be in work, as I really love my job, but I am incresingly relieved to not be there, as I am disengaging from it.

I have not yet found the way to return to happiness and positivity. The best thing now is hanging out at home in my nice house with a hot water bottle and this is my plan for tonight… just like every night 😂❤️

ArtyJ931

I am skilled at nothing. I have a bread maker 😂 bought second hand for about £20 5 or 6 years ago.

MillQueen

@ArtyJ931, that's really good value on the breadmaker, I might have to get into that at some stage. I feel weird about getting a second hand one though. Might have a look on marketplace.

I did a yellow sticker shop, as I needed something to work with until pay day and was in need of fruit. Scraping by with just the last remnants in the kitchen tends to be quite depressing, so this should give a bit of inspiration. I spent about £12 and I got raspberries, roast potatoes, mushrooms, peaches, cheddar slices, 2 packs of tofu, 2 pots of mango kefir, falafels, double gloucester slices with chives, 2 nutella doughnuts, golden syrup oats, a large kefir drink, 2 bottles of berry flavour Huel, and 1 litre milk.

I had already taken out a rice and bean microwave meal from the freezer, so I will have that for tomorrow's tea and some fruit and Huel during the day. The roast potatoes should be nice for a couple of weekday lunches with maybe crispy teriyaki tofu and stir fried peppers from the freezer (random combination I know). I will also do caramelised sweet potatoes with the falafel at some point, maybe a mushroom pasta bake.I am finding it therapeutic just being at home doing house things, as I am super tired and feel like I've been beaten up from work. It's nice just doing the dishes 😊.

Hope you're all ok, gaining wealth and losing stress etc. Have you all put the heating on yet?

foxgloves

Our CH was switched on during the 2nd week of October, but it hasn't been coming on much at all. Our thermostat is set at 18.5° from 5.50am till 9.30pm on a weekday & a little later on weekends & at just 12° overnight. It's dropped a little colder today because of the wind but even so, it has only triggered the radiators to come on about 3 times.

ArtyJ931

Jaysus. Mine is 20 degrees in the day and 18.5-19 overnight 😂

@MillQueen it had never been used and was still in the cellophane and box!