Friday 31 May 2019

May Finances, the Ins, Outs and the Frugal Bits

The "In's" in May were the usual things. My spouses pension from Suffolk County Council, repayments of money loaned, small bits of interest.

+ Car Boot takings of £94.50p - Very Pleased with that.

There were all the normal "outs"......  Food for me (rather a lot this month - I've gone crazy for fresh fruit!) and the cat, direct debits for phones and charity.
Diesel for the car.....rather a lot this month as I've been in and out all month.
Other things that needed paying were car Breakdown Renewal and I made a new will with a donation to the local hospice instead of paying the solicitor. Plus a birthday gift for Eldest.

Having a holiday early in the month wasn't frugal but that didn't matter! Lot's of "outs" on holiday for visits and meals (some meals better than others!)
I also bought myself a new duvet, mine was looking rather ugh and had lost all its duvet-fluffyness. I had been struggling to change the King-Size on my own for more than a year so bought a double and new covers too, much easier to manage.
For the garden I bought the Olive trees and more compost, some more lettuce plants and spring onion plants and a small Bay tree.
Replaced the house phone which had become unreliable. It's not used much so I just got the cheapest possible from Argos.
I was so pleased with the Asda jeggings bought last month that I got another pair ready for autumn and winter and some leggings and a couple of new vest tops because I couldn't find any in charity shops.
My spend at the Suffolk show was kept to a minimum, just donations for coffees at the church tent and a cake with a free coffee at the East Anglian tent + one card from the art show.

Frugal bits
  • Did a big store-cupboard + weekly shop at Morrisons to use a 4,000 Morrisons More points voucher
  • Used a Morrisons 5p off a litre of fuel to fill up the car
  • From the garden.........chives, rhubarb, and the Little Gem lettuce plants, bought from a car boot in early May have grown big enough to use- 10p each lettuce.
  • More bargains for the grandchildren, dolls cot, doll for Willow, another doll for Florence, clothes, books
  • Another flip top Kilner bottle ready for Christmas hampers - 20p from the only non-chain charity shop in Stowmarket which is closing down - sadly.
  • And then another one from a car-boot for 50p
  • And another bigger one also 50p
  • 2 Big flower pots from car boots one for 50p and one for £2.
  • Won two bottles of wine for £1 draw ticket
  • First strawberries at the end of the month
From the plants that came with the T&M offer earlier this year

  • Flowers from the garden and WI for the house
  • A whole Bank holiday weekend "entertainment" for £11.60 
  • Free coffees at The Suffolk Show with vouchers

Still clearing unwanted "stuff" out of the house. Apart from all the things sold at the car boot. I also got rid of........
an old plastic linen bin to Household waste centre,
roller blind left here by previous owner, ditto
2 old Pyrex roasting dishes ditto
old duvets, ditto
old pillowcases to textile recycling.
few items of now too big clothes to charity shop
jelly mould into next car boot sale box (I'll do another sale and include some workshop stuff later this summer)
mouli grater ditto
some children's books ditto
some storage jars ditto



Last month somebody asked me how I remember all these things - I don't! I just add them to the page in drafts whenever I think of something. It's more of a record for me to keep and probably totally boring for everyone else - but it fills a blog post!

Back Tomorrow
Sue






24 comments:

  1. What a fantastic month all round - well done!
    xx

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  2. Glad to see you spending a bit.

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    Replies
    1. I keep finding nice clothes in Morrisons in Diss! We must meet there for a cuppa again.

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    2. Funny I should read that now, I am about to go down there for a sandwich and a coffee and buy my papers! I was thinking of emailing you next week when the schools have gone back and life returns to normal. I will do.

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  3. I don't find this sort of post from you at all boring. It makes me aware of the financial ins and outs of my own life. And, you write the post so well.

    I have started writing down everything I spend since the beginning of this year. It all goes into a pretty little diary I keep in a draw below the bread board. I've meant to do it in the past. Gosh, I'm getting quite a shock reading back. It should aid in knowing where savings could be made and where the odd treat is 'necessary'.

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  4. I don't find your financials at all boring.
    Often an item you mention sends me off on a clearing spree or something frugal you've done challenges me.
    I hope that you intended to lose the weight you've lost.(clothes to charity shop).
    The double duvet sounds a good idea. They are unwieldy things to wrestle with!
    Sue

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    Replies
    1. I haven't lost any weight- sadly still overweight - but the swimming has toned me up a bit plus I had some old clothes that I was still wearing from about 18 years ago when I was 3 stone heavier! About time they went out of the house.

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  5. I don't find them boring either and I have just learned something about textile recycling. It's quite long-winded so I won't go into.

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  6. I think you've done rather well. A good balance of frugality while having some treats and things to enjoy.

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  7. I love doing a monthly round up, and like you I start my post early to add things. It keeps everything into focus, as you know I also record all my spending on my crafts and garden.

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  8. It always feels satisfying to have a few bargains during the month. I have just been working on my financial monthly tally - not looking good so far, when I get busy there is little time to concentrate on watching the purse strings - hopefully this will just be a blip and June will be better. It is the fuel that gets us having to go up to North Yorkshire a lot to see mum (about 90miles one way). So no I don't find yours boring.

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    Replies
    1. Added up my food spending and was horrified - too many"treats" and lots of fresh fruit - which I don't mind spending on but it all adds up

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  9. Not boring at all. I am keen to be more frugal and recycle more. Some great ideas. Car boot sales are great for stuff for kiddies.

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  10. I like these posts. I'm not so good at them so reading other peoples help keeps me on track - hope that makes sense! I need to do more decluttering. Every little bit helps. I am going to get rid of 30 books in June (at least). That's a tough one for me, but I am slowly going through them!

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  11. Actually it's positive and inspiring.

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  12. I think the monthly tally is quite interesting and your method of adding things to your draft blog post very smart. For decades, my in-laws have kept a daily log of every single cent(pence) they spend. It is an ingrain habit for them even though they are quite comfortable. They remember growing up in the Depression and war years.

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  13. I love reading your monthly 'summing up' Sue and i am sure it is very satisfying for you to read it too.

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  14. Your monthly financial report often gives me a kick up the proverbial.x

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  15. I can totally identify with the ease with which a double duvet can be changed and the difficulty with a king size! It's so much easier to change the one on the spare bed than the one on mine. I don't understand it as its only a few more inches and you wouldn't think it would be so different.

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  16. A holiday is necessary every so often.

    The strawberries look great. Wish mine were as nice.

    God bless.

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  17. I really enjoy reading your end of month reviews. Some of the things listed prompt me into action, so think of it as a little tutorial, haha. I'm sure other readers find ideas to recoup some money or just not spend so much, even if it's not your intention, so please keep them going :)

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  18. These posts are not boring at all, it's nice to read how you keep yourself accountable, and I bet it gives others some good ideas.

    Your first strawberries look good, we are still at the flowering stage with ours, no fruits yet.

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