The MSE diet - in all senses of the word

Thanks for the blanching tip Rags, that's really helpful.

Have just heard from clients who were expecting to pay a final balance with a credit card (so I wouldn't get the money in my account until possibly Friday or next week) are going to pay via bank transfer, so possibly tomorrow or the next day. Other clients apparently sent me a cheque and another client has just paid for an order with a credit card ... so have enough for paying overdue mortgage payment, credit card payment, a couple of other smaller payments and the next mortgage payment. Whew! Last few weeks have been horrid cash-flow wise, but also trying to form different spending and cash flow habits so this doesn't happen again. Think it's happening, but won't be sure for another month or two.

Have a couple of other possible client commissions that could come in during the coming couple of weeks, so am pleased about those. Went shopping today and spent about £17. I'd allowed for about £20, using mysupermarket to plan the shop, but didn't have falafel (Sainsbury's had it on a 2 4 1 offer) and bought two of the Galia melons instead of one (£1 each) because they smelled so amazing. Also decided to get S'bugs own brand chocolate to smash up into small bits instead of chocolate chips for cookies - saved about £1.50. Found a recipe where I can freeze the dough in bits and only cook what I want, which will suit clients (nice home-made cookies) and hopefully be better for my waistline (if clients leave any, I'm not going to finish off the box on my own).

Looking forward to checking my finances (& spending against budget for May) at the end of the month and seeing how things have progressed over the four weeks. (Have also just realised that signature is wrong - we aren't in October - doh!).

Looking again at my numbers (early morning bank balance checking seems to start this) and things are tight. Not depressed about it, but will have to grit my teeth for at least another two weeks. Clients I met at weekend have chosen someone else, so one less possible bit of income. Have a number of things I can do today that will help money come in (hopefully) in next month. Will do those.

Inspired by another debt diary, put together a ticker on getting debt free. At the moment, no debt gone because I haven't done my figures ... hoping things will look better than they did a few weeks ago. Chose a safe as my icon as that's how I want to feel financially - safe - for a life & old age where I won't go hungry or cold.

Ta Rags, liked the colours ... and the idea of moving SOMETHING along, since my actual bank balance is going to look the same or similar all the time as I get things paid off. Even 1% will be exciting. Realised tonight that this is the first month in ages that I've paid two of my three credit card debt minimum payments ahead of the due date, and am expecting to pay the third on time too.

Onward & upward. Have a meal plan for tomorrow and Friday that it exciting and works around me being out and about (that is, I can take some of it with me & have snacks planned, so there's no extra spending and hopefully no rubbish eating).

Bought a train ticket to visit my sister via the £5 off Great Western offer (love MSE!). Took ages as the Trainline website wasn't behaving, but managed to do it - and ended up being cheaper than Megatrain and with a much faster journey time. Chuffed.