I've always admired people who review their previous month in great detail. Sue from Suffolk is a prime example. I can never remember what I've done or spent in so much detail, with the result that I often feel I have achieved nothing! Therefore I'm taking a leaf out of her book and writing things down. Every free thing we get, every bag decluttered, or taken to a charity shop, every bargain day or evening out event, ALL will be written down for posterity. I've persuaded Graham that he needs to log every penny spent on the allotment so that we can decide if its worth keeping on, as well as money spent on the garden this year. I haven't a clue how to use a spreadsheet so it will be pencil and paper only.
January was almost a non-event due to bad weather so I'm starting afresh with February.
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Tuesday is coffee morning at the village library. From 10.30am to noon there is free tea, coffee and biscuits so we use Tuesday to return any books and to browse for new to me authors and gardening books for Gray. Unfortunately, its becoming very popular and noisier each time we go 🤐 Today there was a group of 6 or 7 women having a jolly good chat at the table next to us so we couldn't read in peace. They didn't appear to be choosing books either. A shame they weren't allowed to use the small room next to the library area....
Anyway, a free coffee and a shortbread biscuit each was very welcome 😊 and my reservation had come in. Tom Hindle's 5th book. I read a couple of chapters in the library and it's looking good 👍
We have the first meeting of the year at the Horticultural Guild tonight. The weather is foul; close to freezing 🥶 and sleety, but we will attend to support the group. The speaker is talking about Cyclamen and Hepaticas. It will cost £3 each including coffee, a biscuit and a raffle ticket, so a bargain night out 😉
Like Sue, I'm trying to keep a monthly reckoning this year, and like you I'm not a spreadsheet user (I had to for work, ugh) and I'm finding it a headache! Part of the problem is that I buy nearly everything on my credit card, and the bill runs from around 23rd of the month to 23rd of next month! Aargh!
ReplyDeleteOoh, that makes it difficult with dates doesn't it Kirsten. Our bills always increase in March (not January) so that's the time I re-do the account book and create a new budget. A few more weeks and I'll be panicking again!
DeleteIf we are tracking our food spend which we sometimes do, I print out a A4 calendar for the month, there is always enough space to jot down the amounts, I find the image online, leave it somewhere hubby can see it, it works in this house. It might be worth looking on youtube for excel spreadsheets as they keep so much information in one place.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the printed calendar each month, Marlene, but not sure I would know how to work a spreadsheet. Thank you for the tip :)
DeleteMonthly summaries are nice, but, unless one keeps track of everything, it is hard to go back and remember what one did! Your library sounds like a lovely place to be. Enjoy your evening out at the Horitcultural Guild.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless :)
DeleteI hope you are well x
I should keep a track of my spending, maybe make a start next month. The trouble is I can never resist buying books for me and granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the better weather to get out in the garden again.
I've got a few more books if you would like them, just let me know. Take care. Xx
Sounds as if you have a plan for the month. Your days and evenings out sound just lovely.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.