All done.

 Hello all.

Well Christmas is gone and the New Year is well and truly here. We took our decorations down and we now have them stored in separate storage tubs that are neatly labelled and stacked up nicely in the top airing cupboard. We have been meaning to do this for years but we finally bit the bullet and splashed out on the storage tubs. We had a huge clear out of decorations as well and have kept what we actually use, a tree also had to go(we have 3), i only have room for one now and we kept the biggest one and the tiny one is stored under the bed (just incase). We are eating from the freezer and Pantry until next week or maybe the week after as i want to use up any food leftover, only thing we need is milk and bread.

This year i am not making resolutions, but i will just keep on with my own thing, Growing, baking, making and trying to be as frugal as possible. Saying that i have just had to order my Laundry Liquid for the next 6 months..£30 for 4x5 litre tubs it could last longer by a month or so but it is a good liquid and gets the stains out and smells nice. I always buy in bulk if i can and Amazon make that possible for me, i order laundry liquid , fairy liquid ,loo rolls, red sauce, brown sauce, sugar, noodles and rice in bulk. I have had to re-arrange my big Pantry to accommodate it all but that is the point of my big Pantry to have all these items stored and ready to use. I also buy Panty Pads and liners, roll on and deodorant in bulk. I hate running out of these things. We do an Aldi shop every 4 months and i stock up on tinned goods and replenish my Big Pantry, which will be next month or so. I have 2 drawers in my upright freezer that i like to keep topped up with meats . I often buy it when its on offer and separate it up and freeze. I have 2 drawers full of veggies and another full of pancakes ,waffles and crumpets. it must be a "me thing" as i like to have plenty in so if the weather or finances turn bad then we have resources to fall back on and this day and age you never know what is around the corner.

We have already had a birthday to celebrate this year and i have 4 next month and an Anniversary. So its birthday cards and celebration cards in bulk as well. I did get a bargain on wrapping paper for next Christmas and also birthday paper so that is all put away ready for use. I stick to a small budget for gifts but try to get something they will like or need. And talking of gifts i will start my gift stash in the next few months ready for, you guessed it ,Christmas 2025.

Hubby and i have plans for the house and garden but that will depend on finances and time plus hubby has a Skin Cancer check up next week so fingers crossed for him please. 

I do hope that everyone is keeping as warm as they can at the moment. I did have a chuckle when the government advised older people to stay home and keep the heating on..my mind was thinking yep if they can afford it poor sods.  Our routine to keep warm is having the heating on three times a day..hour in the morning an hour in the afternoon and then again in the evenings, sometimes its longer, like for the last few days it has been 2 hours. We keep all doors shut and closed up as soon as it starts to get dark, we have draught excluders and door curtains, warm socks and slippers too.

I have downloaded the Vinted, Shein and Temu apps on my phone and had  a gander, wow the prices are really good and i know you get what you pay for but i have to say what i did order was surprisingly good. I like nice things but they come at a high price and to be honest i don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it so i think maybe these apps could be the way to go, i will let you know how they go for me.

So that's enough rambling from me for one day. I really hope that you are all well and keeping a swarm as you can.

Love FTM🌼