Recovering from October Overspend

We went over the food budget massively in October.  The overspend was £57.99 👀 but I think it was because we actually had a 5 week month to cope with, so was, perhaps, forgivable. We were also fighting covid infections and eating whatever we could manage at the time.  In order to claw a little back and ensure we don't make the same mistake this month, we did a small physical shop today.....

This little lot actually provides 10 portions (ie 5 days worth of meals) as we don't mind eating the same meal 2 days running:

Quorn mince £2.50 £1.50 will make 4 portions of cottage pie,  

Some of the veg (head of broccolli, 2 carrots, 1 leek, 1 homegrown onion and some sliced potatoes) will make 4 portions of veggie hotpot with cheese topping (I already have cheese & stock)

Pizza with extra veg on top will make 2 portions,

In addition, the remaining leek and some more potatoes will provide 2 portions of soup for lunch.

The shopping came to £17.44.  The two things crossed off were a gift bag and a half price Christmas gift, both of which came out of discretionary spending.  Meals for the other 2 days will come out of the freezer.  I have a portion of beef stew for Graham, fish fingers and some Quorn escalopes which we both like, as well as some tinned goods like beans, salmon and chickpeas and salad stuff.

Drat...I forgot to photograph the water. I bought a pack of 12 x 500ml bottles of water @ £2.00 which I save for when we do actually venture out. I still have a cough and often need a drink when we are out of the house.  It's much cheaper to carry a bottle of chilled water with me than to buy one from a shop. The plastic bottles are recycled or sometimes used at the allotment on top of the canes as eye protection.

I found a couple of rashers of bacon in the freezer so tonight's meal will be essentially a breakfast! Bacon, eggs, baked beans (left over from yesterday) grilled tomato and toast.  Yummy!

Has anyone else overspent on food this month?

Angie x

So What Changed?......The Back Story....

 Until September this year, Graham was working at B & Q in the gardening/plants/seasonal section.  He was working 12 hours per week over 2 days ie every Saturday and Sunday, as he has done for the last 14 years.  This gave us our discretionary spending.  When a new store manager started he decreed that everyone had to work on checkout. Graham explained that it was on record that his spinal problem meant that standing at the checkout for hours would be difficult. What did the manager do?  He put him permanently on self scan checkouts which involved standing watching the customers scan their own purchases, watching for problems and challenging potential shoplifters 😟  Graham stuck it out for a few weekends but was in so much pain at the end of each day that he decided enough was enough and handed in his notice.

This has necessitated a major review of our finances. Luckily, we had just reached our savings goal which has taken the pressure off in a big way.

Frugal Re-jigs:

1) I've managed to fix our energy prices for a year with British Gas and this fix also gives us half price electricity on Sundays between 11am and 4pm when I can plan to do washing, tumble drying, dishwashing etc

2) I cancelled a couple of Direct Debits for things we can do without 

3) Graham haggled with BT for a cheaper broadband deal knocking £7 per month off the new 2 Yr contract 

4) Meal planning has taken centre stage again along with a stock check of food cupboards

I now have a clearer idea of how much we will have left after bills have been paid at the beginning of the month, and can re-set our discretionary spending. This will have to cover the cost of running the main car as well as any 'entertainment' expenditure. 

Every bit of 'entertainment' expenditure, right down to cups of tea and car parking charges, is being written in a book which Gray calls 'Mum's secret book' despite the fact that it's A4 size and hard to hide! 😂🤣😂

More in my next post... 

Angie x

A Pensioner Revived!

 A year ago I stopped blogging on Small Treasures.  There were a number of reasons, but family health issues, financial stresses and world affairs were deciding factors in my decision.  I simply had to step back and huddle in a metaphorical corner until I could cope once more.  It has been a tough year but I'm feeling more in control of my mental health now.  Graham and I are both recovering from our first bout of Covid too.  It hit Gray harder than me but we're gradually regaining our strength.

I don't want this new blog to be a pity party though.  I want it to be uplifting, friendly and encouraging!

The Positives:

Our Grandchildren are now 20 and 17 and both in fulltime jobs;  the 20 year old in retail and the 17 year old is an apprentice welder.  They are doing well (apart from the 17 year old setting his trousers on fire at work! but that's another story!)

The main thing is that they are both decent human beings....

Although finances for us are tight, especially with losing the Winter Fuel Allowance this winter, we can still afford to put the heating on when it gets cold at night and we can eat well on our pensions (the old Basic State pension 😟) if I'm frugal when shopping and food planning.

Over the last 3 years since moving to the bungalow, we have scrimped, sold things and saved to put enough money aside for a whole years worth of bills money.  If anything happens to either of us now we will have a minimum of a year to decide what to do ie move or stay put, depending on how much the rent increases in that time.  It's a huge relief to have that safety net....

The Plan:

On 1st November I reached the ripe old age of 75 and I want to stop hibernating and get a bit of fun before I get too old to enjoy it.  I know we can't take holidays any more but I would like more days out which are low cost/free.

May I share them with you?

Angie x