Happy New Year to all the lovely frugaleers. I was very sick the week before Christmas (it started with a vomiting bug and then turned into a chest infection). Luckily I had all of my presents bought by then and the Christmas tree was already up, but I had to drag myself to a supermarket on the 23rd and get a grocery shop in (DD had come down with it by then and was in no fit state to come with me). Obviously it was too late to book a grocery delivery. I usually have guests to stay on St. Stephen's Day (26th) but I had to cancel them because the house wasn't visitor ready and I didn't have the energy to go cleaning bathrooms and changing beds etc. I'm a lot better now but I'm still quite tired overall and have been falling asleep every evening watching TV. That could be the wine though
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Nothing exciting planned for tonight. I'll curl up on the sofa and watch the usual end of year shows. DD is heading out with her friends which means I get to stay sober and collect her at the end of the night.
Tomorrow we're meeting up with my Dad, my sister, her partner and a few family friends and we're going for a Chinese meal in a restaurant.
I need to ring the hairdresser and book an appointment for the next few days. I had an appointment booked for the 17th but I had to cancel and at this stage my hair looks very straggly and grey.
A bit of a mixed bag in terms of frugality. I saved money on food because I was too ill to eat. And I saved money on a few nights out because I was too ill to go out. But I also lost money on a concert because I'd bought a ticket and then couldn't go. And I had to pay for a GP visit so I could get a cert. for work.
My Dad gave me an M&S voucher for Christmas so I took myself off to M&S the other day and bought a jumper and cardi which were reduced in the sale. The jumper is purple and the cardi is black and white striped. Badly needed some jumpers/cardis.
The weather's been pretty awful since Christmas. We've had lots of rain. I'd normally try to fit in a winter walk but you wouldn't feel inclined to go walking anywhere. It's been raining cats and dogs since I got up. January is going to be a depressing month. I'm not looking forward to taking down the tree and lights etc.
I haven't booked a foreign holiday for 2023 because I'm saving for DD's college fees in 2023 and I couldn't possibly pay for a holiday as well as paying the mortgage, bills etc. There's a limit to how far one salary can stretch. But I've booked a weekend in a nice hotel in Dublin for December 2023. I've a whole year to save for it and a whole year to anticipate it. The hotel is expensive but I don't have to pay for flights and I only need spending money for two days instead of 7/14 days.
DD had a big birthday this year and got a lot of birthday money so she's hoping to go to England for a few days with her friends this summer - and maybe take the Eurostar to Paris for a day.
Well, that's all my news. Hope you have a nice evening whether you go out or stay in. And I hope 2023 is a good year for everyone and that things improve financially for us all.