30 small steps

cookie9 · 12 July 2015 at 8:49AM

Well menu planning is still going ok although did have family stay this weekend at late notice so some changes. Fortunately this time I went shopping without DH so managed to keep within budget although it does mean a few store cupboard meals this week.

Slowly building up emergency savings again which is good as childcare likely to increase in September. I need to sort out a new valuation as we should have added value with the loft conversion. House prices are also rising in the area so hope to get a better LTV so can get a good deal when fixed period ends in December. Hopefully OP made by that time will help also. It would be wonderful to make a large OP but at the moment slow and steady will have to do.

Summer wardrobe sorted as not as bad as I thought I really just need to get some new shorts. This does go to show how decluttering can help reduce spending as I was convinced I needed quite a few new things. Once I actually checked what I had hanging at the back of the wardrobe and in my box of summer clothes I was really surprised. How could I forget about the nice French Connection maxi dress I got 2 years ago for a wedding? I also found I have beach cover up for every day of the week. Unfortunately I tend to have the mind set that if I am going on holiday I must need new clothes. No More! Money saved can go towards Op and some nice family meals out.

Grandparents have treated wee man to some new clothes so expense for him kept to a minimum. Thank heavens for grandparents!

cookie9 · 18 July 2015 at 9:50PM

Good result for decluttering summer wardrobe as Dh comment on how good I looked in a "new" t-shirt which has been at the back of my wardrobe for the past three years. This week is going to be a sorting out week. Wee man is in nursery so I am going to sort his room out and do some decorating. I also need to hire RugDoctor to clean the living room carpet. Both DH and we man have spilt drinks although Dh the worst as it was red wine!

I called bank to organise survey but they had me on hold for ages so had to hang up. Hopefully I will have better luck this week. At least I am on holiday and can wait whilst on hold. Still no large OPs just the regular one of £203. Oh well small steps indeed.

cookie9 · 20 July 2015 at 9:42PM

Not a very MSE day but worth it. Hired a rug doctor cleaner to clean living room carpet especially after dh spilt red wine on it. Tiring work but carpet looking so much better now. Painted wee man's room and treat him to a new Spiderman duvet so have a very happy little boy tonight. Decluttered his room so one bag to charity and two to rubbish. Still some jigsaws to sort but too tired tonight. At least I feel I have made a good start on things. Dh out so dinner was fairly MSE as made pancakes with mushroom sauce then strawberries for desert.
It has been so hot my coriander has gone into flower but hopefully I can use the seeds in time. Mint is doing well so might make watermelon, mint and feta salad this week. Failing which there is always Pimms!

cookie9 · 4 August 2015 at 3:46PM

A good boost today as have recovered a lost account. Once interest added now £900 better off. I have also telephoned my bank to see how much a new survey would cost. I am hoping they might do a book valuation which wouldn't cost anything to bring me down to the magic 60% LTV.

Meal planning is going ok. I am trying out a couple of new recipes as I am bored of the same meals. I also want to have us eat very healthily for a while. As I am on holiday I can try out some new shops. On the MSE side of things as I am on holiday I have the little cookie with me instead of at nursery. This does mean I am spending a little more of outings but much, much cheaper than the nursery fees. We are having lots of fun too.

MumofIowans · 4 August 2015 at 8:52PM

I've just had a wee read of your diary Cookie9 and you are doing a great job. Just think of all those overpayments that would have been frittered if you weren't putting them on your mortgage!

Couple of tips that I have picked up... You can freeze bananas! I really hate overripe bananas but I can buy them in bulk cheaply from Costc0 so I just peel and chop them leftovers and then freeze. They defrost quickly for mashing for banana bread or pancakes, or can be thrown straight into smoothies.

Also - coriander 'bolts' really quickly in warm weather so the plant itself never lasts long, in my experience. But good call on collecting the seeds!!

Glad you are having fun with your wee man. I look forward to spending time with mine when I'm not working.

cookie9 · 9 August 2015 at 7:53AM

Thanks for the tips MumofIowans. Will try freezing the bananas.

Had friends staying with us and had dinner out on Friday which was planned but also dinner out last night too. It was good fun and not too expensive. I have quite a few things in the freezer so should be able to keep costs down this week. We also managed pick some blackberries on our family walk and my neighbour has said I can have some of her apples. Apple and blackberry muffins planned!

Waiting for call back from bank re valuation. They certainly aren't in a rush to save me money!

I have been waiting for tomatoes to turn red but just read that when it is too hot they don't go red so I am going to pick some of the orange ones and try them. If they are good then I pick the basil for a tasty homegrown tomato salad. Done. It was lovely and my rocket has had a growth spurt so had some of that too.

sarahevie1 · 9 August 2015 at 10:44PM

Hope you are having good holidays. Really well done on the plants, herbs I'm a reception teacher and people always expect me to be really green fingered but absolutely not. Great free past time

cookie9 · 6 September 2015 at 3:47PM

I would love to say I am on track to make a big OP but once again it will just be my standard amount. Carefully budgeting means that we have not had to put anything on our credit cards over the holidays so that is a really good start. This weekend I need to take meter readings to get a good idea of how much we have actually spent and set my direct debit accordingly.

With Christmas approaching quickly I have a few things already in my Christmas box. Our garden centre had a lot of things on sale recently so got some games and jigsaws for the children I buy for. We collected a lot of pine cones on holiday so I plan to make cinnamon pine cones before Christmas with the wee man.

I finally got around to sorting out my tax rebate form so hopefully I will get £100 in the near future. I can't see much scope for earning more money but I will do some extra hours in October for work which will give me a boost in November.

cookie9 · 19 September 2015 at 4:57PM

Peace perfect peace. Taking a moment to catch up with my diary whilst wee man sleeps. Turning into an expensive month with water bill to be paid and now my car needing more work as electrics re playing up. I even managed to get holes in a jacket so now need a new one for work. At least am sticking fairly well to the no new clothes rule with the exception of work clothes. I may be able to get the jacket as an early birthday present if I am lucky. Of course I am completely failing on the new clothes rule with the wee man. He does seem to wear out his trousers quite quickly and of course is a growing boy. I am making a Christmas list of clothes needed for him as he is still too young to be disappointed by getting clothes instead of toys.
On the plus side at least the freezer is pretty well stocked as are the cupboards so could have a "freezer" week later this month. I am waiting with baited breath to see if get a pay rise this month. If I do then it will go straight into OP. Every little helps!
Planning nice walk in the park and pizza care of coupons. Hope everyone is making the most of their weekend too.

mortgage_girl · 20 September 2015 at 8:42AM

Just stopping by to say well done on your journey so far - you're doing brilliantly.

Enjoy your weekend.

MGx

30 small steps

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