Dear reader,
My first day off in 9 days. I have just got up. I slept 11 hours and didn't wake up once which is unusual for me.
Didn't have such a great food day yesterday. I had got over tired and over hungry as I hadn't been prepared.
I want to use these precious 2 days off to finish off Christmas shopping and then I want to sit down with a hot drink in front of the fire and do our budgets for the next year.
I'm thinking of a household bills account. Not the monthly bills as these are accounted for but the sneaky blighters that you forget. The chimney sweep, the boiler service that sort of thing.
My car has cost over £2,000 this year to have things done to it. (I know what I would have liked to have done to it! ) The trouble was, It would have cost me much more for another comparable car for the £2,000 it cost and once it was done it should be fine for many more years. One of the expensive jobs was replacing the cam belt which all cars need at about 80k or the engine just breaks.
Yes, that is the extent of my mechanical expertise-"breaks."
So of course there would be a car account.
My other budget accounts are being decided, I was thinking of gifts for birthdays, Christmas. There are not that many people to buy for but its still money to find.
The final one would be emergency account for, well emergencies.
I am still in awe of some other bloggers and how little they spend on food a week.
How much is right? I know we all have different tastes but I would love to know what you think is a sensible amount. Two people, no kids, no pets? We eat meat and lots of fresh fruit and veg.
What do you reckon?
Don't forget, weigh in Wednesday coming up and my giveaway on the same day.
X
Monday, 16 December 2013
Saturday, 14 December 2013
Giveaway rules-you don't have to blog.
Dear reader,
Just to confirm, you don't have to write your own blog to enter my giveaway but you do have to follow my blog. I just meant, if you have a blog I like to follow my followers if you know what I mean. For this giveaway you have to be on the weight loss list too. Add your name, very gentle, very supportive.
Yesterday morning I had my best run ever. I can do about 2.5 minutes now and the distances of landmarks I am running between is getting longer. Like from the lamppost to Johns house or from the shop to home. I love shop to home as its downhill.
My legs are hurting today along the side of the shin bone. I also did my crunches and dips and was all done by the time Big man got up. I had left the house with him gently snoring.
I don't think he can actually believe I am running, he is impressed.
When I say "running" what I actually do is jog, very slowly, in a pair of old track suit bottoms and a hoodie. I feel like I have run a marathon and a minute feels like a mile. I look a right sight, puffing and panting and that's while I'm walking!
I am working over the weekend so will have done 8 days in a row. Can't wait for my two days off next week. I feel like I need it.
I don't like my work at the moment. I work for a big organisation who I don't feel value their staff at all. I'd love to do something else but the money is good and it's pretty secure.
My preparations for my frugal year next year are ongoing. I'm going to work all the money out on my days off so I know exactly how much we need to save per month. I absolutely cannot have this feeling of not being prepared for bills again.
I was surprised the other day. We were £126 in credit with our electricity bill. We were going to let it run a little longer over the winter but they refunded us straight into our bank account without us asking. Weird!
I was watching tv last night and I really, really fancied something to nibble. You know like peanuts or crisps. Both of which we do have in the house. I resisted so am feeling pleased with myself today.
I am getting ready for our weigh in Wednesday next week. To actually publish my weight will help me I think.
Have a great weekend. Don't spend too much at the shops!
X
Just to confirm, you don't have to write your own blog to enter my giveaway but you do have to follow my blog. I just meant, if you have a blog I like to follow my followers if you know what I mean. For this giveaway you have to be on the weight loss list too. Add your name, very gentle, very supportive.
Yesterday morning I had my best run ever. I can do about 2.5 minutes now and the distances of landmarks I am running between is getting longer. Like from the lamppost to Johns house or from the shop to home. I love shop to home as its downhill.
My legs are hurting today along the side of the shin bone. I also did my crunches and dips and was all done by the time Big man got up. I had left the house with him gently snoring.
I don't think he can actually believe I am running, he is impressed.
When I say "running" what I actually do is jog, very slowly, in a pair of old track suit bottoms and a hoodie. I feel like I have run a marathon and a minute feels like a mile. I look a right sight, puffing and panting and that's while I'm walking!
I am working over the weekend so will have done 8 days in a row. Can't wait for my two days off next week. I feel like I need it.
I don't like my work at the moment. I work for a big organisation who I don't feel value their staff at all. I'd love to do something else but the money is good and it's pretty secure.
My preparations for my frugal year next year are ongoing. I'm going to work all the money out on my days off so I know exactly how much we need to save per month. I absolutely cannot have this feeling of not being prepared for bills again.
I was surprised the other day. We were £126 in credit with our electricity bill. We were going to let it run a little longer over the winter but they refunded us straight into our bank account without us asking. Weird!
I was watching tv last night and I really, really fancied something to nibble. You know like peanuts or crisps. Both of which we do have in the house. I resisted so am feeling pleased with myself today.
I am getting ready for our weigh in Wednesday next week. To actually publish my weight will help me I think.
Have a great weekend. Don't spend too much at the shops!
X
Friday, 13 December 2013
Preparing for my most frugal year ever
Dear reader,
Early morning here. Was laying in bed thinking about how crap I was at running and was worrying that I am so unfit that I couldn't sleep and got up at 0600.
So now am unfit and tired!
Will do my run this morning as soon as it gets light and then it will be out of the way.
Am catching up on some blogs and everyone seems to be well prepared for Christmas.
We have had a huge cut down this year on presents. I have been know to go a bit mad and it's all too much especially when we are trying to pay off debts.
Big Man said to me last night that we just won't know ourselves when we are debt free.
We will be making 2014 THE YEAR when we pay off our debt or most of it anyway.
The most important thing I have learned from all your blogs, the tips we share and other forums is planning ahead. I know what's coming be it car insurance, tax, Christmas, house insurance, chimney sweep time. Therefore there is no excuse to not be prepared. I will make sure next year that I have all the money saved and stashed so its there. I can't stand having to scrabble around and get into more debt paying for things. I got seriously caught out this year with a huge repair bill for my car.
I will start by saving the council tax that we don't have to pay in February and March. That can be stashed away towards the insurances we pay.
Back to now and Christmas. We haven't any decorations save a twig tree with lights on it. We won't have any visitors as we go to my mums for Christmas. No children come here and as we are mostly at work we don't have anyone round for drinks. We sound like a right old pair of bah humbugs.
The shops were packed yesterday when I ventured out at lunch time. The card factory had queues out of the door but their prices are very good. 89p for lovely, large cards that would be at least £2.50 elsewhere.
I hope your plans are coming together and you are not too stressed.
Have a great day and weekend
X
Early morning here. Was laying in bed thinking about how crap I was at running and was worrying that I am so unfit that I couldn't sleep and got up at 0600.
So now am unfit and tired!
Will do my run this morning as soon as it gets light and then it will be out of the way.
Am catching up on some blogs and everyone seems to be well prepared for Christmas.
We have had a huge cut down this year on presents. I have been know to go a bit mad and it's all too much especially when we are trying to pay off debts.
Big Man said to me last night that we just won't know ourselves when we are debt free.
We will be making 2014 THE YEAR when we pay off our debt or most of it anyway.
The most important thing I have learned from all your blogs, the tips we share and other forums is planning ahead. I know what's coming be it car insurance, tax, Christmas, house insurance, chimney sweep time. Therefore there is no excuse to not be prepared. I will make sure next year that I have all the money saved and stashed so its there. I can't stand having to scrabble around and get into more debt paying for things. I got seriously caught out this year with a huge repair bill for my car.
I will start by saving the council tax that we don't have to pay in February and March. That can be stashed away towards the insurances we pay.
Back to now and Christmas. We haven't any decorations save a twig tree with lights on it. We won't have any visitors as we go to my mums for Christmas. No children come here and as we are mostly at work we don't have anyone round for drinks. We sound like a right old pair of bah humbugs.
The shops were packed yesterday when I ventured out at lunch time. The card factory had queues out of the door but their prices are very good. 89p for lovely, large cards that would be at least £2.50 elsewhere.
I hope your plans are coming together and you are not too stressed.
Have a great day and weekend
X
Thursday, 12 December 2013
GIVEAWAY
Dear reader,
Welcome to new followers and also to everyone who has been brave e ought to add themselves to the weight loss list BEFORE the season of overheating and excess is upon us.
This is the list so far.
Pam-good life in Tydd
You must be in the weight loss list and leave a comment between today and next Wednesday. I will then draw two names out of my kitchen scales and send you a bottle. Which one you get will be luck and I can only post to the UK.
Welcome to new followers and also to everyone who has been brave e ought to add themselves to the weight loss list BEFORE the season of overheating and excess is upon us.
This is the list so far.
Pam-good life in Tydd
Rambler
VC
Katie-Jane
Highlandhearts
Maria
Emma Watts
Miss Piggy Bank
Jan
Helen Mortimer
Donna Scott
Welsh Poppy
Alison B43 (in the New Year)
Treaders
Trudie
Kate
Sue
Simplesligo
Donna
Bets
The silver bunny
I'm going to name our weigh in day as Wednesday so it's easy to remember .
Weigh in Wednesday as suggested by Frugal Queen.
Now you don't have to put your weight unless you want to but it would be really great if people could do a little comment on how they have done, maybe some great meals they cooked and how much weight they have lost.
I will also be doing a giveaway draw on Wednesday as a bit of a reminder.
It will be for one of my favourite products that I use for my weight loss which is Fry Light one calorie a spray oil. I used to use olive oil but its 97 calories a tablespoon.
The people at Fry Light were so impressed we were all trying to start our weight loss before Christmas, they sent me two bottles to give away.
I have a bottle of Sunflower oil and a bottle of olive oil from Fry light to give away.
You have to be a follower of this blog. I will then be able to nose round your blog in return. You do not have to write a blog yourself but if you do I will of course follow you back. X.
You have to be a follower of this blog. I will then be able to nose round your blog in return. You do not have to write a blog yourself but if you do I will of course follow you back. X.
You must be in the weight loss list and leave a comment between today and next Wednesday. I will then draw two names out of my kitchen scales and send you a bottle. Which one you get will be luck and I can only post to the UK.
So get on the list and send me a comment and any good loss stories.
X
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Fit, healthy and glowing-I want some.
Dear reader,
Thank you for all your great comments. I will be replying to you all but am off to work soon and didn't get in until 11 last night. It was work not a knees up!
Frugal Queen did a post answering the question, "Can you be frugal and healthy?"
My main quest is to prepare healthy meals. I'd love to eat just organic meat and eggs but I just can't afford it. I also would like to up our fish intake.
I have been cutting down on the meat or other protein part of our meals and really boosting up the vegetable portions. I have also started eating much more fruit.
When I get to work, I sit at my desk, someone puts the kettle on. There are usually biscuits, a tin of sweets or similar. It's really hard not to indulge when they are there. I always start snacking when I get to work. THAT WAS THEN!
I have started taking a banana and an apple to work as well as my usual lunch.what I do is make myself eat the fruit. I'm not keen on bananas but I figure if I'm hungry I will eat them. I'm avoiding dried fruit and I know fresh does have some sugars in but it's got to be better that the mince pies!
I still haven't got the scales working yet but I can see my stomach has gone down, a lot. In just a few days. I'm very pleased. I will post my weight ASAP.
I don't know if I told you but Big Man used to be a personal trainer. He is very knowledgable about working out and nutrition. We do have a gym in the garage but its what I call a proper boys gym. It's all weights and boys stuff. None of the girlie stuff that you see the Lycra women in the gym using. No cross trainer, no treadmill, no thigh machine. ( the one that springs your legs wide apart)
But I'm going to use the boys stuff just on light weights.
I'm going to post my excersizes as well, there may be a few photos of me doing them too!
Over the weekend, I did something I hate. I mean really detest. Can't understand how or why people do it but I did.
I started running!
I have a couple of female friends who have done so well running. They were not runners and both were a little overweight.
I have to say, it looks like they have melted. They are fit, healthy and glowing and I want some of that!
Off I went. My trainers, usually only for dog walking were dusted down and off I went.
OMG, I can tell you I ain't no runner! I did a minute of a very slow, sad and wobbly jog. Followed by about 2 minutes recovery walking.
I kept going until I got to a set point and then did it all back home again. It took my 25 mins to get the and back and it's 1.5 miles in total.
I did Saturday and Sunday. Then I had a day off on Monday and did Tuesday which was a bit better. I can run about 1.5 minutes and only need about the same of walking. I did the same route but in 24 minutes. I did tell you it would be little steps.
After I guzzled a glass of water Big Man got me to do a few abdominal crunches. These sound a lot more impressive than what I actually did. I fell to the floor on the front room rug, on my back. Then put my legs up on the sofa, I liked that bit. With knees bent I did little sit ups. Not huge right up ones but just so I could feel it in the tummy.
Then I did some dips, which is sitting on the sofa, lovely, then, lifting your bottom off so it's kind of suspended in the air and pushing yourself up and down with the arms. Good for the bingo wings.
Everyone says if I keep running, I will eventually love it. Not so sure.
My legs are agony, my calves are screaming and my shins aching.
My body must wondering what on earth is going on!
How do my weight loss buddies want to track our progress. Are we just going to have weekly updates with weight loss? Are we going to have a superwoman (or man) of the week?
Have a great day,
X
Thank you for all your great comments. I will be replying to you all but am off to work soon and didn't get in until 11 last night. It was work not a knees up!
Frugal Queen did a post answering the question, "Can you be frugal and healthy?"
My main quest is to prepare healthy meals. I'd love to eat just organic meat and eggs but I just can't afford it. I also would like to up our fish intake.
I have been cutting down on the meat or other protein part of our meals and really boosting up the vegetable portions. I have also started eating much more fruit.
When I get to work, I sit at my desk, someone puts the kettle on. There are usually biscuits, a tin of sweets or similar. It's really hard not to indulge when they are there. I always start snacking when I get to work. THAT WAS THEN!
I have started taking a banana and an apple to work as well as my usual lunch.what I do is make myself eat the fruit. I'm not keen on bananas but I figure if I'm hungry I will eat them. I'm avoiding dried fruit and I know fresh does have some sugars in but it's got to be better that the mince pies!
I still haven't got the scales working yet but I can see my stomach has gone down, a lot. In just a few days. I'm very pleased. I will post my weight ASAP.
I don't know if I told you but Big Man used to be a personal trainer. He is very knowledgable about working out and nutrition. We do have a gym in the garage but its what I call a proper boys gym. It's all weights and boys stuff. None of the girlie stuff that you see the Lycra women in the gym using. No cross trainer, no treadmill, no thigh machine. ( the one that springs your legs wide apart)
But I'm going to use the boys stuff just on light weights.
I'm going to post my excersizes as well, there may be a few photos of me doing them too!
Over the weekend, I did something I hate. I mean really detest. Can't understand how or why people do it but I did.
I started running!
I have a couple of female friends who have done so well running. They were not runners and both were a little overweight.
I have to say, it looks like they have melted. They are fit, healthy and glowing and I want some of that!
Off I went. My trainers, usually only for dog walking were dusted down and off I went.
OMG, I can tell you I ain't no runner! I did a minute of a very slow, sad and wobbly jog. Followed by about 2 minutes recovery walking.
I kept going until I got to a set point and then did it all back home again. It took my 25 mins to get the and back and it's 1.5 miles in total.
I did Saturday and Sunday. Then I had a day off on Monday and did Tuesday which was a bit better. I can run about 1.5 minutes and only need about the same of walking. I did the same route but in 24 minutes. I did tell you it would be little steps.
After I guzzled a glass of water Big Man got me to do a few abdominal crunches. These sound a lot more impressive than what I actually did. I fell to the floor on the front room rug, on my back. Then put my legs up on the sofa, I liked that bit. With knees bent I did little sit ups. Not huge right up ones but just so I could feel it in the tummy.
Then I did some dips, which is sitting on the sofa, lovely, then, lifting your bottom off so it's kind of suspended in the air and pushing yourself up and down with the arms. Good for the bingo wings.
Everyone says if I keep running, I will eventually love it. Not so sure.
My legs are agony, my calves are screaming and my shins aching.
My body must wondering what on earth is going on!
How do my weight loss buddies want to track our progress. Are we just going to have weekly updates with weight loss? Are we going to have a superwoman (or man) of the week?
Have a great day,
X
Monday, 9 December 2013
Can you be healthy and frugal?
When I got to work, the bitches (the skinny ones on the other side of the office in the size eight jeans!) had brought in two types of chocolate cookies, the chewy type, and chocolate brownies followed by a coffee cake. "Oh just help yourself" they chirped, in their skinny jeans, high heels and lip gloss. All sweetness and light- I'm not fooled. I stayed well away. I had a cup of tea and for my treat I had an Alpen light bar. The only cereal bar I have found that isn't laden with fat and calories. Try them, nice flavours. I like cherry bakewell. For lunch I had last nights lamb biryani, an apple and a no fat fruit yogurt. (Lidl) I got a bit hungry about 4pm so I had one of those mug shots. The cheese and pasta one. Low fat and it was nice. Takes a while for the pasta to go soft but filled me up.
Tonight I had a jacket potato, half a tin of baked beans and a tiny bit of cheddar. I would usually have had a so lodge of butter, plenty of salt, loads of grated cheese and a dollop of coleslaw. Now I have to admit it was a bit bland so to add flavour I splashed Worcestershire sauce on it, much better. My concern with food in our shops is that the cheapest foods seem to be unhealthy. The crisps, the biscuits, the cheap bread, chips and pizzas. I think you can get an own brand of digestive biscuits for the same price as one orange. Pizzas can be had for one pound and chips 87p for a huge bag of frozen ones. It takes a lot of organisation to be prepared, to have meals ready and to get something healthy on the table especially if you've been at work all day. Who wants to start chopping, peeling and baking after 8 hours plus travelling? Not me! I read on someone blog although I can't recall who, that they cooked a batch of jacket potatoes then froze them ready to get out, heat in microwave, stuff with something lovely and eat. What a great idea. The jacket spud, a wonderful food for cold winter nights. Full of carbs though. Now what's best? Low carbs, high protein (but could play havoc with arteries), low fat, low calorie or a healthy mix of all food types with low fat in mind? I think that's the one I fancy. I love my pasta, potatoes and pulses and I also enjoy meat and fish. I don't fancy eating high protein and I just don't think you can eat loads of cheese and cream and it be good for you. I am just waiting for Big man to replace my scales batteries and I will post my weight. I'm not shy and I know we are all friends and you won't judge me because you are all lovely. I'm sure the small changes I've made so far will make a difference. I am also going to take measurements of top of arms (bingo wing area) top of thighs (the wobbly bit) waist and hip areas. I think that will be a good way to see myself melting. Some of the challenge list are doing brilliantly, some have lost weight already and some are going to join in the New Year. I already have a giveaway arranged with weight loss cooking in mind. I will do the giveaway on Sunday but you must have joined the weight loss challenge and be on the list to enter. So send me your name and I will add you. We are going to do so well!
My healthy cooked breakfast
Dear reader,
It appears I am most definitely not alone. The responses to weight loss and fitness improvement have been many. I am so pleased that blog land gets us all together.
Yesterday I went to work for 8 hours and I knew I would be busy. I wanted to feel full up and not snack so I decided on a cooked breakfast. A healthy cooked breakfast.
Now I usually would have had bacon with a nice crispy rind, a couple of sausages, a fried egg, mushrooms fried in oil and lots of it because mushrooms suck it up and hey everyone knows the Mediterrenean diet is good with all that olive oil! Isn't it? Perhaps a couple of slices of toast with thick butter and because its a five a day a fried tomato.
All served with a large helping of " I was kidding myself!"
With a few small changes I managed to transform the above fat laden feast into a much leaner version. This is what I had.
Two bacon with all visible fat trimmed of with the kitchen scissors, grilled.
Two poached eggs which are so easy in those little silicone dishes-easy peasy in microwave.
One Linda McCartney sausage-grilled straight from frozen.
One grilled tomato
Mushrooms sprayed with a tiny bit of fry light then grilled.
Two spoons of baked beans.
I went for two eggs because they are such a great food. They are a great filler upper, good source of protein and about 80 calories and egg depending on size. They are so portable too as a hard boiled egg and great value for money. (I only buy free range but should really go organic)
The Linda McCartney sausages are two packs for £3 in Lidl so that's 12 sausages. To be fair they're not actually that sausagey but you feel like you've had a sausage as they get you with the shape and its quite a dense....substance so I find these really fill me up. I can only manage one.
The baked beans are about 100 calories for quarter of a tin and i llike them for the fibre and they are good for protein too.
No bread, no oil. There are a lot of changes in that breakfast but you don't feel deprived and I was full until late afternoon.
For lunch I had a small salad with a bit of plain cottage cheese, a mini baby bel cheese, an apple, a banana and a no fat yogurt.
When I got home I made a lamb byriani again no fat just cooked rice, curry powder, chilli, onion, ginger and some chunks of lamb from a joint I had frozen. I had a dollop of plain yogurt on top and had half a very small pitta bread.
Sorry I had dug in when I took the picture.
It appears I am most definitely not alone. The responses to weight loss and fitness improvement have been many. I am so pleased that blog land gets us all together.
Yesterday I went to work for 8 hours and I knew I would be busy. I wanted to feel full up and not snack so I decided on a cooked breakfast. A healthy cooked breakfast.
Now I usually would have had bacon with a nice crispy rind, a couple of sausages, a fried egg, mushrooms fried in oil and lots of it because mushrooms suck it up and hey everyone knows the Mediterrenean diet is good with all that olive oil! Isn't it? Perhaps a couple of slices of toast with thick butter and because its a five a day a fried tomato.
All served with a large helping of " I was kidding myself!"
With a few small changes I managed to transform the above fat laden feast into a much leaner version. This is what I had.
Two poached eggs which are so easy in those little silicone dishes-easy peasy in microwave.
One Linda McCartney sausage-grilled straight from frozen.
One grilled tomato
Mushrooms sprayed with a tiny bit of fry light then grilled.
Two spoons of baked beans.
I went for two eggs because they are such a great food. They are a great filler upper, good source of protein and about 80 calories and egg depending on size. They are so portable too as a hard boiled egg and great value for money. (I only buy free range but should really go organic)
The Linda McCartney sausages are two packs for £3 in Lidl so that's 12 sausages. To be fair they're not actually that sausagey but you feel like you've had a sausage as they get you with the shape and its quite a dense....substance so I find these really fill me up. I can only manage one.
The baked beans are about 100 calories for quarter of a tin and i llike them for the fibre and they are good for protein too.
No bread, no oil. There are a lot of changes in that breakfast but you don't feel deprived and I was full until late afternoon.
For lunch I had a small salad with a bit of plain cottage cheese, a mini baby bel cheese, an apple, a banana and a no fat yogurt.
When I got home I made a lamb byriani again no fat just cooked rice, curry powder, chilli, onion, ginger and some chunks of lamb from a joint I had frozen. I had a dollop of plain yogurt on top and had half a very small pitta bread.
Sorry I had dug in when I took the picture.
Our list is growing, so far we have
Pam
Rambler
VC
Katie-Jane
Highlandhearts
Maria
Emma Watts
Miss Piggy Bank
Jan
Helen Morimer
I am off for my two weetabix with semi skimmed and sweetener now.
Good luck today, will you be making any healthy changes today or is it all too much before Christmas?
X
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