Wishing on an ickle star

I've just updated my signature, MFW2013 and MFiT-T3 with lower targets

Having spent an obscene amount of time over the past few weeks stressing over ££ I have taken action. I've looked at the spreadsheets, our outgoings, income etc etc . . It was looking like my MF quest would have to end but I'm too stubborn to do that so I've made my targets more possible (although still a challenge ). This way I can manage our new life in the shop AND still look forward to the day I cancel the mortgage payments (granted this is going to be a long way in the future!)

So instead of MF by 40 it may be MF by 45 but still better than MF by 51 as it would have been! I also feel if I keep my toe in the MSE pond I will still have the support to keep up the frugal lifestyle (that some family and friends find hilarious!) AND if things start improving I can throw more at the mortgage again!! Every cloud . . . . :rotfl:

Moving on -

• Had my little sister stay for a few days which was lovely and not as expensive as expected (£5 on lunch for us one day)
• Weekly food shop was just under £40 but this included extra food for a birthday tea we'll be having on Tuesday (DD will be 2 :eek:)
• Bought DDs presents using S&S @mazon evouchers saving £45!
• Relisted items on eB@y yesterday of which one had a bid on within a few hours!
• Have found another p/t job to apply for which will enable me to put DD into nursery (she NEEDS the interaction with other kids without me there!) and have a little more for us at the end of the month!

Can't believe August begins next week so plans for this week include end of month sort for both shop and personal accounts. Most importantly though is to spend Tuesday with DD and give her a fab birthday! (Monday afternoon is reserved for baking her cake)

ickle

Lots to update on! So for anyone who is actually reading this I will warn you now

LONG POST ALERT

General money stuff:
I ordered a new secure key as the old one has disappeared!! Found that the bank had kindly opened a savings account for me to put the matured savings into. Although I'd already decided on how to deal with this money (see previous post) thought I'd check in case the interest rate was better on this new account. :rotfl: Shouldn't have wasted my time looking - 0.04% :eek: So it's now sat in my 123 at 3% instead :T

Pcone surveys have offered PP payouts rather than vouchers so I snapped that up quickly and have had my first payout into my account - think I might leave this here to build up and I can use it as a back up for the few Christmas pressies I have left to sort.

New 0% cc applied for as old one is about £100 from its max! The money to pay this off is sat earning interest so will pay it off in full when the 0% ends.

New regular saver has been opened. Not expecting to put the full amount in but every little helps!

Yesterday:
Had a lovely morning walking with DH and DD. We went prepared and came back with 2kg of blackberries. Has a quick check with Mr T to see what that would be to buy - £26!!:eek: So have set some aside for an apple and blackberry crumble this evening and the rest have been frozen to use through the winter!

Today:
SIL took me shopping for my birthday present this morning. We do not have the same opinion when it comes to money and sometimes I feel very guilty when she wants to spend money on me. Today is one of those days!!
A new lingerie store has opened in our shopping centre and she knew I needed new underwear so in we went! This is the type of shop I would normally browse, dream in and follow her around while she spends. So I felt rather out of my depth when she kept saying you need this and what about these?!
Don't get me wrong I'm so grateful for what she has bought me and WOW I love it all but I can't help imagining what I could have got for half that in a different shop!!

I did 'buy' myself a jumper ready for the cold winters nights using a gift card from my birthday and used my B@@ts advantage points on some contact lens solution.

I sometimes wonder if her live for today attitude would make me happier - but I always end up with the same answer! Bargains make me happy and my competitive side loves seeing what I can stretch to on a tight budget!

She would find this site most baffling!!

If you've made it all the way to this - thanks and sorry it's a long one!

ickle

Starting to think I need some new goals. Everything I set myself this year has got a bit awry (another way of saying EPIC FAIL!)

Actually that is probably a bit harsh. We did buy our shop and are now striving to the life we have dreamed of (still many years away but at least DHs work life balance is better!)

So am going to spend this afternoon with my spreadsheets :smileyhea and work out some manageable goals before the end of the year. New budgets are definitely needed!

ickle