Pumpkins, Presents and Proper budgeting!

Well yesterday turned out to be a bit of a shut-in day as Ivy came down with a stonking cold and was too miserable to take anywhere, even knit and knatter, so the wool for my jumper shall have to wait another week. It was a nice day all the same, playing and cuddling with a couple of little naps, when I rushed outside to plant seeds in the sunshine.
My pumpkins are in their pots and on the windowsill - I am trying giants this year which I've not grown before and am very excited. I am going to buy a wooden greenhouse but will wait until Will is back home as I need a bit of moral support to spend so much money at once!

I have also been trying to work out our finances in the dribs and drabs of free time I have. Will is considering a career change in the next couple of years and it is likely that that will put us in a different financial position, so I need to work out exactly how much we need to live, and how much more than that we currently spend. I have decided for the mean time to track everything that we spend and divide that into essentials and non-essentials to see what we can cut out. For fun I will also write down everything that I almost bought and its value - at the end of the month I can add that up and see how much I 'saved' with a little self-restraint. Anything that we can save will help us with the transition, especially if Will re-trains.

A month or so ago I also started up little pots of money for the month but haven't used them properly - the idea is that at the start of the month I put the allotted budget into each pot and we exclusively use that cash. Anything that is leftover can go into saving (I need a fourth pot!). Loose change goes into the bus fare pot for me to get out and about.

I had wonderful surprise this morning - There was a knock on the door and I opened it to see Pam bearing a wonderful quilt that she made for Ivy to use in the garden. It feels almost too beautiful to take outdoors, but Pam says we are promised warm and sunny weather this weekend so it will definitely be making an appearance. I am feeling  very blessed to have made such a thoughtful and generous friend in our new home. Ivy is chuffed!

Now, I think it is time for Ivy's nap as she is trying to climb me right now. There is very little housework to do today so I think I shall save it for the afternoon and go and spend a little time in my sunny garden. Hwyl!