So it Begins - The Accountability

sams247

I have done a lot of travelling this weekend, so although I haven't really spent anything extra on food, I've certainly spent more on fuel for the car. But that's about my only extra expense this weekend. Food wise I packed lunches for each day, and on one occasion, I also packed a tea. I made use of cool bags and ice packs to keep everything as cold and fresh as I could. The only disaster I had was that the coleslaw in one pot leaked but it just made the cool bag a bit messy and no great disaster.

I had budgeted for ice creams for the family, but somebody else bought those so happy days.

I pay my electric bill monthly as it fluctuates and this seems to suit me. This months bill was slightly lower than I expected, which was nice, so I had £6 left over from what I'd put aside. I put that into my emergency savings pot.

To my mind, my fridge is now looking empty, even though I know there is food on every shelf. The temptation to go shopping just for a few bits is nagging me.

My father-in-law was addicted to gambling, he would celebrate winning £50 even if he had spent £300 to get it. I tell myself it is know where  as intense, but my fear of having not enough food even though I can clearly see I do have enough food, sometimes it seems to parallel that addiction. It is a constant working progress.

Today I had muesli with Greek yoghurt, pineapple, pear, mixed nuts, and honey for breakfast. Lunch is some teriyaki ‘chicken’ leftover from the weekend, with the rest of the salad, and some mini cheesy hashbrowns. Tea will be teriyaki ‘chicken’, salad and coleslaw wraps with a side dish of tomatoes and cucumber, a bowl of sweetcorn, and some kettle chips.

sams247

Deciding whether I can afford to have a holiday this year. I have been searching around for deals and, I confess, I have found a few that look interesting. But as soon as I get to the total owed, I can't help but think I could put that money to better use in my emergency fund. And then I think to do my debt free plan I know this is going to take me a long time, and if I don't actually live my life or enjoy my life or get free from work stress now and again, I'm not sure it will seem worth it. So then I think maybe I can have some really nice days out. After all, isn't that just what a holiday is, a whole series of days out. But then when I factor in the toing and froing petrol wise, I get to thinking oh I might as well stay there then. And we are back to paying for accommodation, and then we are back to is it worth it. And that's exactly where I'm at.

Food wise, today I will run out of Greek yoghurt, coleslaw, and salad. This is okay as I have a budget for these things. This is not okay as it means I will go back to a food shop and some invisible person will throw lots of extra items into my basket. I shall endeavour to try not to pick up too much extra.

Breakfast today was fried eggs on toasted crumpets (you just have to try it!), Lunch is ‘chicken’ and (the last of) salad and coleslaw wraps, tea tonight I have defrosted half of the toad in the hole that I cooked last week, and I will have this with mini roast potatoes and vegetables.

InDebtEnby

Make a list before you go and stick to it. Don't go down the aisles if you don't need to. Giving yourself a time limit might help, I accidentally do this by leaving it til 9.30 to go to supermarkets that close at 10.

InDebtEnby

A little bit more extreme, but I used to use a wheelchair which means that your eyes are butt height, meaning all of the marketing literally goes over your head since it is designed to be at eye level.

peb

Is it worth getting a food delivery? I know it will.cost In the delivery but you wouldn't be tempted by stra things.

sams247

@InDebtEnby Yes, thats a good plan. I actually took that advice and arrived at Aldi with the list. I bought two items not on the list, but they were reduced and I will use them so I consider that a win :). I hadnt considered the advertising angle…… and that clearly marketing is discrimitory! (cant even spell). I am getting pretty good at buying own brand etc., but do stray now and again. I am fine with own brand baked beans, butter, tinned stuff etc., even cheese…but put me in front of a tray of eggs and I am as fussy as anything. Got to be great quality and as eco as it comes.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052756#Comment_82052756

Thats true……. I have tried Gousto in the past and actually enjoyed it. Hmmmm.

sams247

I calculated all my debts today, and I decided I would add in my the amount I owe on a very old university credit debt that I've been slowly whittling away out. This was for an overpayment received. I fought it for awhile but to no avail. So that bumped up my amount owed a little. So with all my payments this month, drastically reduced as I'm trying to build up savings, I am a mere £13 lower than my original starting point. But at least every single thing I owe to everybody is calculated for now.

Savings wise I had planned to put away £100, that has been reduced to £50 as I had a dental bill that I had to pay. So £50 to my emergency savings fund, and £10 to what I'm calling hair and glasses fund.

Today, for breakfast I had scrambled egg and beans, for lunch I had a jacket potato with cheese and tea will be tortellini with a mushroom and garlic sauce.

Lolina

I enjoy reading about your meals, they always sound so tasty! I think you're doing really well, keep going! 🙌

sams247

Today was a day off kinda day. I met with family. We chilled. We walked. We chatted. All good.

No debt talk or action.

For you @Lolina …. Breakfast was crumpets with peanut butter on, topped with banana slices and drizzled with honey. Lunch was 'meatballs' in a cream sauce with thin fries and peas (just like they do in Ikea) and tea was 'chicken' cooked with veggies and sliced spring onions, served with rice. And I was bought a whippy ice cream with a flake in on our walk so a goood day 😎

Lolina

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056720#Comment_82056720

Thank you for the update, my mouth is watering haha! Just wondering about the 'meatballs' and 'chicken' in quotes - are you vegetarian and referring to meat alternatives? I am also so always on the lookout for good veggie options!