Not Quite So Low Spend October 2024

Buoyed by my relative success at keeping my spending low in September, I decided to continue in the low spend vein during October.

The start of the month coincided with my recovering from a chesty cold and so a visit to Home Bargains was in order to stock up on medications, i.e. cough linctus, lozenges, paracetamol, vitamins, plus other essentials that I use regularly, such as my favourite mouthwash, dettol, a few snacks and laundry products. I did throw a few extras in, some hair claw clips and some french manicure false nails, but these cost just 99p each. I also bought some chocolates for the Xmas tree and an Xmas gift for OH too. It all added up to a £42 spend. Fortunately, it's usually only a once a month visit.

My Pay As You Go gym membership needed renewing this month too, which cost a one off payment of £44.80, so I took care of that at the beginning of the month.

I got a little extra in my pay packet this month, as I'd worked quite a lot in September. This came in very useful, as we had a trip to Spain/France on the ferry booked and I needed to buy some euros to take on the trip.  I spent around £185 whilst on holiday, mainly on gifts for OH and LB for Xmas/birthday. I bought very little for myself, save for a few bits from Emmaus. I didn't really need or want anything. Besides, it was my birthday whilst we were away, so OH bought me a few bits for that and some new perfume when we got home, as it was cheaper to buy here than in France.

After returning from holiday, my spending did increase. I've been buying small bits and pieces for Xmas all through the month, and placed a £26 Approved Food order, so it definitely wasn't an ultra low spend month. I made a few charity shop visits this month too, buying a few bits for myself, OH and LB and in addition bought myself a sweater from Tesco and some inexpensive boots from Primark (for work) this month. I also treated us to one new set of towels for the bathroom. (A second set I bought at the beginning of November)

LB also furnished me with her Xmas wish list towards the end of the month, so I bought a couple of things from that this month and I gave a birthday gift of £30 this month too.

I was way too optimistic about my spending in October, after doing so well in September. I didn't spend all of the money in my account, I let some carry over into November and then at the end of November I will probably transfer some money to savings, depending on whatever is left. My total spend was, however,  £400 more than the previous month, so a bit of a fail on the low spend front. 

I can't see November being much better, but who knows. I'll keep you posted.

Another Busy Week W/E - 2nd November 2024

This week started with a trip to the Car Boot sale on Sunday morning, as OH wasn't cycling again. It was one of the last boot sales of the year, as they stop in two weeks time, so it was nice to catch a late one. I had a good wander around the stalls. I didn't buy a lot. A couple of vinyl records for LB, some food on the fruit stall including this lovely box of large satsumas for £4. 

I easily spend £2 or £3 per week on satsumas or clementines and this has so far lasted two weeks and will probably stretch to a third. I also bought some other food from a couple of stalls and a couple of other small items. Nothing very exciting, but I always enjoy a trip out and a mooch.

We then stopped off in Hertford on the way home for lunch in a cafe and a walk around the town. I had a lovely brie and cranberry toasty, a favourite combination.

This week wasn't supposed to be that busy, but I was given a couple of extra shifts at the last minute due to some unforeseen situation, so I ended up working more than I thought. Work has been fairly busy. You can tell that we're getting closer to Xmas and that Christmas shopping has started in earnest, which is good for business at least and means that shifts pass quickly.

I had a relatively quick shopping trip on Monday, as I was due at work for 4pm, so I had to get back and get ready. I did pick up a few bits for Xmas whilst out, not many though.

I was then working Monday through Thursday evenings, so I took it easy during the daytimes, just going to the gym a couple of times and then spending the rest of the time at home.

I finally got LB's Xmas list, which was particularly light this year, I think she needs money more than stuff at the moment, which is all good. A bit of this week has been spent ordering some of the things from her list.

I had a day off on Friday which I was ready for. I managed to do a bit more sewing, making the sofa cushion for the shed sofa. It's not perfect, but will look fine when in situ. It was good just to get a bit more of it done.

I then spent the rest of the afternoon watching Netflix and working on my hexi quilt, always a favourite past time when decompressing from work. I watched an interesting documentary about Martha Stewart and then a cheesy film. Got to be done sometimes.

I got some bad news on Friday, namely that I'd been given a fine when driving to work one night last week. I wasn't a happy bunny, but I'd momentarily stopped on a yellow box to let a van cross into a street and got caught on camera doing so. It is becoming more and more difficult to drive in London without getting tickets. It feels like an extra form of taxation.

On Saturday, I was due at work for 3pm, but I went into work a bit early, mainly because I wanted to do a bit of Xmas shopping, on double discount weekend for staff, which I didn't want to miss out on. There were a couple of things that I wanted to buy for LB and a couple of other bits for the house. I didn't find everything I wanted, but I'll try another store on Monday.

I got paid on Thursday this week and received some holiday pay, so I decided to treat us to a couple of sets of new towels, as some of ours are getting past their best. Here's a picture of the sets I bought:

(I love the William Morris design.  One thing I don't mind buying for the house are good quality towels (bathroom or kitchen) and bedding. Well worth the investment)

Work was okay on Saturday night, it passed quite quickly and I got to leave a bit early which was a good end to an unremarkable but busy week.