Target

The heading relates to Slimming World.  Yes I reached my target on 10th March 2010 yippee.  I now need new clothes.  But as ever the frugalite I will be doing this over a period of time.

Firstly, after purchasing Gok Wan's book of Work your Wardrobe (never even seen a program that he presents yet tee hee) I did out my wardrobe and threw lots of stuff out (don't bother to send to charity shops now as they seem to turn their noses up and its no good for ebay) and gave the rest to my sisters.  I then found some items with tags on for ebay and one or two still fit!!

In the Next sale last weekend (and no I didnt get a VIP invite) I bought a new work top for £8.00 and a new cardigan for £12.00.  The latter I had considered buying before but decided not to at £25.00.  I have also bought 5 longer length t-shirts from primark and other than an indulgent purchase about 6 weeks ago on a long cardigan from M & S (which although it cost me £35 I got free P & P and wear it all the time with everything).

I know some moneysavers will think I am extravagant but although I want to save money and will buy what I need I will pay more for something I need, that I can wear again and again, and that washes up nice which in my view saves money in the long run I also need to look presentable for my job.  Moreover I need something that fits being 6 ft tall! I mainly buy my clothes from Next, then M & S and of course the supermarkets and last but not least Primark.

In order to make sure I can afford new clothes and I do not splurge I set aside £50 per month for clothes and no I never spend that amount so it goes towards something else.

Changing the subject I know I am not a regular blogger as I never seem to have time but I do log in most days to read those that I am subsrcribed to I will try harder.

Glad January is over

Not that I particulary hate January it just seems to pointless.  People have less money thats a well known fact (I have the same as usual as I am a Money Saver), but its not just that there is nothing special in the shops.  I have over £100 of next vouchers and I cannot seem to spend them.  I did manage to spend my  £10.00 boots voucher yesterday on some Simple moisteriser and Maybelline foundation.  I just about ran out of foundation last November but I managed to get a free sample of olay which I have been eeking out.  Then yesterday I got some for less than £7.00 when my usual is £15.00 which of course I realise is a ridiculous amount.  I know that wearing make-up is not for everyone but I need to looking good in my job and I always feel good about myself when I make the effort. I am not one to plaster it on mind there is nothing worse and I am not an orange girl either.

Still using up all my smellies that I have.  Lots of bath and shower stuff.  I won a prize at Slimming World this month and got some more shower gel and it smells divine. 

Well on to February with its Valentines Day - bought hubby a rather large card for under a pound in the card factory.  No present this year other than we are going to get a take out pizza on the day.  He of course has booked tickets for us to see Phantom of the Opera in March with a stay at one of the Raddisson Hotels which I am looking forward to.

Well back to today have to do a small shop to make sure I stick to the meal plan.  Am really making an effort to keep within budget.

Free films

Sunday I went to see yet another free film.  I go to the cinema more than ever on occasion we pay for the tickets, but  more often than not we have free tickets.  One of the best films I saw was Slumdog Millionaire.  Last Sunday I saw Invictus which starred Morgan Freeman, who is one of my favourite actors, and Matt Damon.  The film was about President Mandela and all the good he did.  Obviously, I was aware of some of the good he did but had no idea of the actual impact he had on South Africa.  The film was so good I now believe Morgan Freeman is Nelson Mandela - a very good film.

The last film we  paid for was Avatar and I must say that was the best film I have ever seen the technology was outstanding.

I wonder what free film I will see next, I cannot wait. 

Over the top?

I am always looking for new ways to save money.  However, I wonder whether I have gone too far this time.  I have started to wear clothes (excluding underwear) more than once, twice and even more than three times.  I recently bought a skirt and have worn that more than three times I mean its not dirty so what's the point in that.  I have noticed with other clothes that washing seems to them no good at all.

How far do others go I wonder?  In my younger days I was the opposite, I could change my clothes two or three times in one day.  Funny how things change I have different priorities these days.

Stretching the pennies

I have had flu for a couple of weeks.  My husband Chris is now suffering.  However, as a result of this illness I have noticed that I have not kept an usual eye on the pennies.  Not just because we have purchased approximately 14 boxes and a ten pack of handie andies but because we have felt so rough we have grabbed a pizza etc as opposed to shopping from scratch.  As a result I went a little over shopping budget although my naughty husband still spends money on groceries even though that is a "bill" that I am supposed to pay.

So now I am feeling a little better last night I went to Asda with my £5.00 off a £50.00 spend coupon and got myself almost a month's shopping.  What I have decided to do is to do a month's menu and buy most of the groceries in advance.  I spent a little over £60.00 but didn't get all that I wanted to get.

I therefore had to get a few items from Sainsburys today and spent just under £10.00 after using my coupon that I got from Slimming World for a free Hartley Jelly and the others were 2 for 80p - bargain when they are abouit 63-67p in Asda.  I buy them because they are half a syn each and with aerosal cream which is effectively syn free they are a guilt free pleasure.

Then I got my breakfast bars Alpen lights choc and orange from the pound shop for 99p  each, they are £1.63 in the supermarket. I eat two a day as a healthy extra on slimming world and I know that there are cheaper breakfasts but its the cheapest breakfast bar I can get on this food optimisation regime.

So it appears that I am on track now for the month so far - although February hasnt started but I got paid last Thursday and get paid four weeks later - yippee for a short month.

Off now to look at some blogs with  MeanQueens first me thinks - I look at her blog daily and others even if I do not blog myself.

Happy New Year

Not blogged lately.  Been so busy with Christmas etc.

Now is the time to think about resolutions.  I think my resolution will be saying "no" more in 2010.  Mainly to spending but also in relation to my job.  I work very hard and I love my work but things are difficult for me and in 2010 I want to say no just a little bit more. In relation to curving my spending, I am already good - I have bought my next year's christmas cards and have enough leftover wrapping paper.  I had thought about not giving cards next year but I think it is nice to give and receive cards.  I have not yet bought my christmas crackers and I may not bother.  The last time I bought some was three years ago and we used the last ones this Chrismas - they were £15.00 reduced to a fiver and had really good presents inside, useful.

I got lots of presents for Christmas mainly vouchers which I will put towards clothes - I buy from Next, mainly due to the fit.  I have spent quite a bit in their online VIP sale before Christmas.  I got 70% of their tall range, bargain.  I also bought a pair of jeans on Boxing day and have since bought a pair of slippers reduced to £4.00.   I know their are cheaper places to buy clothes but Next items always seem to last ages and usually washes well.

I needed a diary even went in to M and S armed with a Voucher that I got from filling in an online insurance quote but they didnt have any left.  I then almost bought one for  50p but changed my mind.  I have now been on to a  moneysaving website and ordered one for FREE.

Finally, I have recently been able to put in £20 worth of petrol for free by way nof voucher.  Now that pleases me.  Although petrol prices are going through the roof this New Year.  I understand that we have too many cars on the road but I do not understand why petrol prices are increasing all the time.  I am lucky that work pay some of my mileage usually when I attend Court Hearings.  That helps!  I only use my car for  work being a recent driver having passed in 2006 so I could do my job.  

Happy New Year Everyone lets hope I lose more weight - 8 pound to go. I will explain more in the New Year but I had lost 2 stone 3 pound between end of July to Mid December then Christmas happened and I put on 4 and a half pound!!

More De-cluttering

I think I am getting the hang of it.  I have thrown out stuff that I have for ages and not used for ages but might use one day tut tut!  My home is looking less cluttered.  Still have a little way to go but I feel refreshed.  I need to do other rooms this coming weekend.

One problem I have is keeping to one room at a time.  I must confess that I get side tracked and this means it may actually be taking me more time than it should.  Oh well upwards and onwards.

Back to work tomorrow - oh well soon be Christmas!!  Oh and I love it!