My English Castle's Personal Finance Blog

Yesterday's spending =0!
I taught all morning, came home for lunch, and then went for the faculty wine evening. Plenty of good food and plenty of wine, so I spent nothing.

Today was a bit different: I spent 6GBP on two candles and a travel mug for coffee. I hadn't planned on eating lunch at school, but had a 2:30 meeting, and I hadn't packed a lunch. I bought a roasted vegetable salad, but got a free coffee for 2.36GBP. I needed a connector cable for my laptop, and the computer store sold me something for (eeek!) 50GBP. I about freaked out. I went back to school, conferred with more people, and returned it, bought a different one on ebay for under 4GBP. Phewww.

More meetings then off to the grocery store. For 28 GBP I bought easy things to prep. That's important as I have limited kitchen space and not a lot of pots and pans or time. I need no-fuss healthy meals that I can make when I come home late after a full day of teaching and field trips. And I need fast and easy packable lunches. Here's what I got to add to my veggies and fruit at home. Coffee, new potatoes, breaded cod, hamburger patties, meatballs, mustard, milk, beetroot for salad,6 large rolls for sandwiches, two packages tortellini, ketchup, two packages of biscuits (cookies) for class treats, tomatoes, spinach, onions, lettuce, 6 pack of crisps, ham for lunches. I think I have more than enough for the week--especially since I have butter, oil, eggs, and fruit and some veggies and oatmeal. With all my cords, candles, and the mug, I'm at 39GBP. That should be 11 GBP left for lunch in Bath on Friday. Hoping for a no-spend tomorrow!

I've been in London just over a week now;mostly things have gone very well. A student lost her passport and other minor calamities too, but all is well and I've been in the classroom for a week. DH and DD came over for his dad's birthday and left yesterday. It's been a bit of a whirlwind. They stayed in five places in six nights, and the hotel stays and meals out have added up as has the transportation.

They flew Aer Lingus to London via Dublin while I flew with students. We ended up in a London hotel the first night as my flat had tenants, then we were off to his hometown for the birthday. The coach fares were half the price of the train fares, but the ferry was pricey. And DH has a habit of treating his whole family to meals as a gesture of his affection, which I would not, but I figure that's not my business. His dad has moved to a care facility, so we thought we could stay at his house, but because the family was there from all corners of Europe, we stayed in a hotel two nights, had the party and various celebrations, then I returned to London while they stayed with DH's brother.

They came back to London midweek, and we toured Parliament with the students, had various meals with friends, and went to the George, a pub in Southwark because we'd read a book (Shakespeare's Local) on it over the summer, and I'd had fun times with colleagues before at the same pub. So, although we ate in a couple of nights, it's gotten bit expensive. This leads to my budget decisions. I'm trying to sort out how much an ordinary weekly expenditure would be for me. Meals out are very expensive as there's that nasty 20% VAT, so I've bought food for breakfasts and some lunch supplies, and have leftovers. We had a lovely proper tea at the British Museum with students, and I ended up taking mini quiches and some scones home--all of which are in my freezer now. So I'm thinking with most meals in, I can probably get by with 50 GBP a week. Although I can hear Scotish Girl laughing at my indulgent budget, I' hoping to fit theatre tickets and all meals out of that.

I have a few more things to buy: another pillow, a wall poster, computer cable, and some sofa pillows, The flat is lovely, but it's all black and white, and I need some color. It's eleven more weeks after all! This week has a day trip to Bath which is paid for, but I'll need to buy lunch that day. And it's too busy for the theatre this week, so if I can find some nice cheap seats either at Leicester Square or day tickets at the National, I'll spring for that next week.

I've also had to buy a phone as our UK old phone is pretty knackered and we find we need two. In previous years the university and our partners here have lent us phones, but that's not happened. I spent 65 GBP (about 90$) on a cheap pay as you go smart phone. It has some frugal apps, so I'll be trying those, especially the special offers on free coffee and 1 pd Monday lunches. Today I came home for lunch after classes, but am headed out tonight for faculty wine evening--my favorite night at a fancy wine bar with free nibbles for dinner. It looks like a no-spend day in London. How's that for a good start? I'll post photos on Thursday when things settle down. Happy February to all of you!

I'm packed, weighed, and almost ready to roll.

There are a few things that need to be done around here, but I'm going out to breakfast with my university gals, then will come home and tackle it.

I'm so happy to have a housesitter, and the dog will love her.

Lots to do with my online class, but much of that can wait until Sunday/Monday.

Breathing deeply and ready for the adventure.

I was in a bit of a panic yesterday worrying about getting everything done. I spent hours yesterday working on my new London class, and have worked it all out: syllabus, calendar, PowerPoints. It's ready! And two evenings of solid grading got me caught up on my Winterim class, so I feel much better. I'm halfway packed and have made a huge stack for DD and DH. I even made a big pot of veggie soup from fridge odds and ends.

Today I made a huge list and have been working it all day. And yesterday's mail brought something lovely: $350 for a survey I did in November about a new textbook. Honestly, I'd forgotten it.

It's pretty darn cold here, and I think I'm developing a slight case of cabin fever. Luckily I have a lunch date tomorrow.

It's 10 days until we leave for London, so I'm in big countdown mode. Lots of things to eat up, lots of things to get done.

We've got a dog sitter lined up, I've hauled the suitcase up from the basement, and I'm going to officially start packing tomorrow.

I've been talking with a colleague about my willingness to take on extra work. The university situation is tenuous, and she's just had a class cut, cutting her income by 25% for spring. I mutter and curse the extra work, but I think she's right, it's fear motivated. So I'm hooked on work, hooked on saving money where possible, and realize it will probably always be this way. I will be happy when this Winterim class is done, Only eight days left of it and 8,000 papers.

In happier news, my MN friends are joining me in France at the end of February. My students go on a rather raucous bus tour of Scotland, and we're headed back to Nice. We got a triple room, a great rate at the hotel, and free breakfast (at 17Euros) for booking online. I'm flying British Air, and I actually am using my Avios points, so the flight from Heathrow cost under $100. I want to do some more traveling too, but will hold off on that until I get the semester sorted out.

It's so cold here. Ugh.

I forgot how much work teaching on line is. It's always anxiety-provoking for me because it seems like it's never done. Everything takes twice as long to prep as in a traditional face-to-face, but I'm officially going to quit whining and keep grading.

My prospective dogsitter came over today to meet the dog. She's a trusted, much- liked former student, and she'll stay here with the dog while DD and DH are in the UK with me. Everything seems good on that front.

I've decluttered a bit in the past few days and (hooray) sold two books--one through my FB lists and the other on Amazon. They're the first sales of the year for a big $14. I've also started some London tasks like calling my bank and Credit card companies with travel alerts.

Lots to do!

My online Winterim class began today with everyone except three or four logging in and starting to work. I'll wait another day before I remind them again. I've also begun my UK packing pile. I have a two dept meetings tomorrow, several errands, and a dentist appointment. And I'm incredibly grumbly. I'd much rather read all day, and maybe eat some deli lunch.

My goal for the rest of the evening is to find my lost motivation. It must be here somewhere.

I've spent about half the day working on house stuff--donate bags, listing some books on Amazon, laundry, cooking, etc. and the other half on school prep as that online class begins tomorrow. I'm hoping it won't take more than 3-4 hours a day with the grading averaged in, but we'll see how it goes.

Lots of administrative stuff around here--bills due, rebates to be mailed, papers sorted through but DD and DH are both back to regular schedules tomorrow, so I'm hoping to have a productive day. I'm also a bit antsy and could use a few hours out of the house.

I've finally ordered the blinds for my office, something I've been meaning to do for months, and my almost discarded old camera seems to be working again. Lots of odds and ends--obviously! But that's the way it always is on my term breaks. Things get put off and then picked up again finally.

The Force was finally with us today as we reshuffled our NY's plans to see the new Star Wars today. Why the reshuffle? The inane Ipic theatre wouldn't let anyone under 21 (even with parent) into a film after 7 last night, and our tickets were for 7:10. While we were a bit disappointed, we came home and played our new board games--and ended up saving over $20 on today's tickets.

I haven't worked out 2016 goals as I haven't quite accomplished all of 2015's leftovers. So we'll likely see some repeats.

As for now we're really enjoying the NY concert from Vienna and looking forward to Sherlock.

Happy New Year to my SA friends!

I'm just happy as can be with these days off between semesters. I still have a load of prep to do for Monday's class, but I feel like I've accomplished so much in a few days.

I've scheduled the replacement of our 20+ year-old water heater, paid the property taxes, successfully used up all our flex spending, returned items to four stores and sent back another package. I'm catching up on household chores too. We all have flu shots.

Today I sold three books and took a bag of donations to the women's shelter collection. In something that makes me happier than it should, I called loft.com about exchanging some pants I'd purchased as they didn't have a tall in my size when I'd ordered the original pair, but now they do. I'd had them in my online cart for days--but they were $30 more expensive than my original pair, and I really didn't want to either miss them or spend that much. The loft.com folks gave me the cheaper price, and I'm tickled. I think I have all the clothes I need for London.

We're out to the movies tomorrow night for our usual NY Eve movie, casual dinner, and puzzle/game night. I only wish I had an additional week with such time and productivity.

I'm almost done grading! Well, almost almost done. I finished my adjunct grading last night and half of my regular grades have been submitted. I've spent a fair amount of time deflecting pleading e-mails and 'shocked" realizations that assignments they forgot to turn in months ago were too late to submit. So--another push tonight and I may move the bar from almost almost to almost. I'll certainly be done tomorrow.

On a minor financial front, I've sold a load of my daughter's things on a local FB list: a total of three jackets, a Christmas skirt, a Christmas dress, and best of all--the Barbie Dream House. It's not so much the $50 or so, but more the physical and psychic space this stuff occupies. And it's just lovely to sell it to someone very excited to have it.

In between, I've ordered and wrapped about half the Christmas stuff, evacuated the contents of the guest room closet where many treasures are stuffed, and hope to get them all in their place by Tuesday.

There's still plenty on my list, but I'll review that tomorrow. Back to the grading.

I have been scrambling hard at work, and there's plenty to do around here. But after a lovely class session earmarked as "Drop In and Work on Your Projects" complete with some jazz playing in the background, I walked to the car amidst a gorgeous light snowfall. It was really lovely and made me determined to find many more such moments in the coming weeks.

I again spent nothing today. We had a simple supper of CSA vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches with ham and pineapple on them. It was delicious--I'm definitely doing the ham and pineapple grill again.

Our daughter and I went to the ortho for an initial consult today. Are all the orthos now so freakily upbeat and happy? We had to shake hands with a dozen people there, look at all the jazzy colors for her braces, and watch a very strange film on the ortho practice with bad rock and roll soundtrack. I guess it's better than the dread I felt going as a teen, but I thought it was way over the top. The price? About what I had planned, but still unpleasant.

I've been trying to balance minimal household chores, cooking, and family time with the mountain of grading that is staring at me. Despite some frustrations, it's going pretty well.

We spent some time over the holiday discussing whether we could afford French camp for DD again this year. Those numbers and our weakening water heater has brought on another round of belt tightening. Oh, and there's the plane tickets to the UK for my father-in law's 90th. I've reset the frugal daily spending, making an impromptu dinner at home after Saturday's post-holiday driving, parked in the free zone enabling a long walk to class today, and brought my own coffee. If I can make that work for the next few weeks, we'll call the water heater fund started. Maybe Swagbucks can kick in $100.

It's all about the balance.

This is the time of the semester that I despair of ever getting everything done. I spent a chunk of yesterday on personal chores including buying a winter jacket for DD, getting Thanksgiving groceries and wine, and listing some outgrown clothes for sale--and I paid for that time later. After dinner I started in on my massive mountain of grading and graded steadily until 2am with only Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear for company.

But I'm now three-quarters done with the grading and assignment creation, made soup, lasagna rolls, and cookies. I could really use three days at home, but DD has a cold and we've skipped out annual tree lighting visit, so I may get more done tonight.

It's been a spendy week between jackets, wine, and various fill-in spending. Better get back to it to avoid another Longmire-filled wee hour binge.

I've spent an hour this morning catching up and getting ahead on some needed shopping. I had stopped in Kohl's on the way home Wednesday, but abandoned my purchases mid-shop as I could feel I was buying too much, was too tired, and not very focused.

But armed with several coupon codes, the Swagbucks portal, and good night's sleep, I bought curtains for the office, pj pants for DH, and new valances for DD's room. I made much better choices, found office valances on line they didn't have in the store, and saved a lot of money. Kohl's kind of makes me crazy and it's much better online.

I now have several things for Christmas purchased and ideas for many more. I also bought a dress for myself from Loft. My work clothes are tired, and I actually wore a dress the other day to teach--and got a ton of compliments on it. I need a few new things.

Any one have recommendations on the best (control top) black tights? I used to buy Donna Karan tights, but I'll bet there are better cheaper ones out there.

It's a beautiful morning here after all the rain and gloom of the past few days, so it's hard to believe it's November. I have to admit, I love November. The fall cooking is fun; my classes seem to have settled down, and Christmas crazy hasn't started yet.

I'm having a rare moment of feeling caught up --which probably means I've forgotten something--but I feel like doing some planning. Maybe I'll start with menu planning, then go on to allocating some money to different pots. We put off our bathroom remodeling when DH's job was shaky, but things have settled down a great deal, and I think I'm ready to get a couple more bids and get started.

I've really been enjoying the World Series. Usually I consider watching sports not the best use of my time, but I can easily write assignments and grade them on the laptop with baseball on, and I'm almost caught up on laundry. Now the horrible choice of the Series tonight or the Packer game.

I feel like I've been playing catch up for more than a week. Usually Friday is a solid work day for me, both at home and with school work. But last Friday I had a mammogram and my daughter had the day off, so I didn't get much done. I was planning on a lot done today, but Tuesday I got the call I needed a follow-up mammogram scheduled for today. Everything turned out fine, but instead of the 90 minutes they told me to plan for, it took over three hours with the ultrasounds and consultation. Of course I was exhausted afterwards and didn't really kick into gear until after 5.

Thankful for my good health insurance and that I still had money left in my flex account for the co-pay.

My DH's new contracting agency is paying him weekly, but he does not get any PTO, even holidays. His hourly rate is higher, so we should still come out ahead, but it's time we take a closer look at our budget again. But that may wait for yet another Friday.

And a chilly Friday it is. I've been cooking up a storm today--making coleslaw, chili, and baking pumpkin bread before turning to the broccoli and cauliflower cheese tonight. We have SO many CSA veggies that need to be cooked up, it was about time. But yesterday was the last weekly CSA box for the year. We switch to every other week until they end at Thanksgiving.

Overall, I've loved it. It's made me try tons of new vegetables like celeriac and kohlrabi, and we certainly eat everything they've sent. Special bonuses have been the honey and maple syrup. As an added incentive to do it again next year, I've just discovered my health insurance offers $200 back on a CSA membership, and as we paid $600, that's a great deal.

I think I've been cooking to avoid grading papers, so I'd better get back to it! Happy weekends to you all!

Nothing like being stuck at home to curtail spending. I felt good enough yesterday to make some vegetable soup, and my DH spent hours trying to figure out why his car wouldn't start. After all his fussing yesterday, I called AAA this morning, they jumped it at no cost.

I've also managed to photograph and sell a couple items on FB, Add $11 to my totals.

DD is off to a family camp this weekend with some friends. That'll give everybody a chance to catch up on sleep and relax a bit more. It's $100 but includes five meals and lots of activities. And more fun for her than schlumping around the house with sick mom and harried dad.

And mostly quiet because I can hardly talk. Did I say it here? I have pneumonia; I was diagnosed at Urgent Care a week ago and have been home over since. I've significantly improved, have found someone to take my adjunct class, and have been running my university classes from the recliner. After five days of fever and chills, I'm glad to be on the mend. But I can tell the doctor is right, I'm at less than 50 % lung capacity.

So, I'm doing what I can from here. I've read capstone projects, graded papers, folded laundry, read, watched Netflix, and counseled students via e-mail. My London numbers are not strong, but I think we'll make it.

DH is doing his best but he'll never make it as a caring professional. We had good news on his job; right in the midst of this, his contracting agency dumped him, but he's landed a new agency that might even be better for us cash wise. I'm going to try to roast some veggies, but the least little thing gets me pretty winded.

If you like Scandi crime dramas and can put up with subtitles, I recommend Diche on Netflix. I like those stories.

I did get hit for the $8 for parking with my SA rep yesterday. But I got a free lunch at the SA fair and we had a very busy day. Our Study Abroad Fair runs from 9-2, but we got there around 8:30 and didn't have a minute to breathe or talk virtually the whole time.

I'm pleased to see so many students interested; one of our virtues is that our program fees are pretty inexpensive--just a bit more than a semester's tuition and housing here here on campus. Of course they spend a lot in London, but compared to some of the semester programs, we're cheap.

After I came home, DH and I headed to the Fall Orientation for DD's last year of middle school. She's had a really good year so far, and is over the moon that she's in the highest vocab group--which consists of three kids.

I'm still cleaning up after the office remodel, and I will definitely get it done this weekend. It's really a paper morass--teaching materials for every class I've ever taught, office supplies, personal letters, bills--you name it, I've got 12. But slowly and surely I'm getting there.

My reward for getting it done will be to finally list the small mountain of stuff I want to sell. If it doesn't sell quickly, out it goes.

After paying for parking yesterday, I had lunch with an old friend I haven't seen in over 20 years today. And I bought lunch for both of us. And then I went to the grocery store--but I did use lots of coupons on double coupon day. And since we had lunch at Milwaukee's gorgeous art museum, I renewed my membership. And I got a new watch battery. Someone please come lock my purse.


Tomorrow I need to pick up my Study Abroad rep for our annual SA Fair. Which may mean (ugh) paying for parking again. But maybe I can drop her off? Or let her pay? But I do get a free lunch?!

After a mixed weekend of fun and work, today certainly started out soggy. I parked in the underground garage at the university though it's so darn expensive--but it was tipping down. That and coffee added up to $10. Not the best start for the week, but it had to be done.

I did deposit a $20 rebate in the bank, and also cashed $25 out of Swagbucks to deposit in Paypal--with the $1.50 discount.

Hoping for a good and cheaper week ahead.

My check for my capstone project reads was due August 1, but sometimes they're a month behind. Yet when it didn't show up yesterday, I contacted them. They've changed job responsibilities and the BIG boss was supposed to submit the read list. But he didn't and said he'd do it this month. Really? No apology for being two months behind on these? It's $750 and these are tight months. I've already submitted the next term's list and said I'd like to be paid for them both as soon as possible--which I know will be October 1. But man it irritates me that there was NO apology.

In more significant news, I met my first two classes today. My favorite moment was a very cranky young man who didn't appear on my class list, and who got even crankier when I told him after class I'd need to check on his enrollments. He insisted on showing me his schedule on his phone which indeed had him in my classroom at the right time---but TOMORROW--not today. He brightened up a bit when I told him he didn't have to show up tomorrow morning since he sat through the opening day once already. I signed an add form for a very personable young man who wrote a very persuasive e-mail and did all the right things to get in. Then I later got a follow-up thank you e-mail from him. Somebody raised that kid right.

We'll see how they shake out--it's very early to tell.

September is always bittersweet for me--goodbye summer, hello schedule. But DD was up and out the door on time this morning-although no sign of the school bus. The first couple weeks are always iffy with the bus.

And I'm at the university today copying, then home to try to create some order. I do plan on a stop at Home Depot for more spray paint and a tack cloth, but not much more.

And the paycheck countdown begins! I should get some cash from my capstone reads today, but another month before a real paycheck.

I'm hoping for a leaner month!

We've finished painting the office walls--two coats and while I may've chosen a darker shade of gray in hindsight, I think it will look really nice when the trim gets painted white and the desk goes in.

I've been using a rickety old computer desk for 16+ years, and I will NOT be sad to see it go. I'll advertise it as free, but will be happy to donate it to Goodwill. I still have one bin of books to shelve, and I hope they all fit since I'm down a large bookcase. I really wanted a lighter feel in there, but could possibly be swayed into using a black folding shorter bookcase we have in the basement if push come to shove.

I wanted to spray my file cabinets today but it poured all day, so they can wait for the morning. And I bought a vintage kitchen metal cart (love!) on a local FB list for $35 which will be sprayed the same turquoise and serve as my printer cart. It feels like it's all coming together though it's still a huge mess. But I'm finally excited about it.

Two of the books from my stash sold today on Amazon--one for $20 and the other for $5, so I'll add that to my totals.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning my daughter's room. Man, what a morass. But two big bags from her room and an old sleeping bag went to the charity shop already. I'm going to try to sell some shoes and other stuff I unearthed. We also bought her a new comforter--backordered--but a shout out to the lovely manager at Blood Bath and Beyond--he wangled us a great deal and it will arrive in a week.

And that was three more bags of books to the library and two went to Half Price. I agree--they're bad prices, but I had to go across the street to Target. For those that went to HPB, I made a very paltry $10. And the library was very happy. But the $10 paid for lunch (with coupon) for me and DD. And too gradually I'm getting my office much clearer.


Tonight's work is to sort through files to condense them before I paint the file cabinets tomorrow.

I've got four (!) bags of books from my office makeover. I'm sure three of them are useless to anywhere except the Goodwill or library donation pile, but one has some more current stuff--albeit worthless on Amazon. So I'm debating the wisdom of a 15-minute drive to Half Price Books. I think I'll put it on my "maybe" list for the day while donations will be on the "definite" list.

My DH's tuition is due early next week. I hate paying $1500 for his class, but we're committed to his history degree. I just wish August had a bit more squoosh room. But always doing better than my university friends who are super super broke. I'll get a small check on September 1 from my adjunct work, but nothing from my primary employer until October 1. I finished up a textbook study for a publisher the other night which promises $125. I hope it comes soon!

And I bought a new carry-on bag last night at ebags. I've been looking for a wheeled bag that fits the new carry-on requirements and has a laptop compartment, and this Delsey fits the bill on all of those. It wasn't as cheap as I'd like, but I've had good experiences with my other Delsey luggage, and made Swagbucks rebates, ebags rebates, and will get some cash back. One of my biggest travel headaches of the past few years has been inadequate and nonwheeled carry-ons. So I'm excited. August cash flow be d---d.

Four more days of August, but an afternoon full of booooooooring meetings loom.

I'm cleaning the office getting ready for the carpet install. Some solid dejunking has happened with 14 books to the library, two bags of old electronics to Best Buy recycling, three books sold on FB and another book sold on Amazon trade-in. I also took a big bag to Goodwill today. There's lots more to do, but my fabulous husband has pulled up the carpet and pad and cleaned off the floor in there. We probably have at least one or two more big bags or books to donate or sell.

No real other news. I played trivia today with some colleagues, spent $3 and got a tee shirt. We treated ourselves to dinner out after the big cleaning mess. But no more meals out for three weeks.

I've been feeling very off-track lately. It seems like I'm not getting much done and am behind in housework and self care too. The house needs a solid pick-up, and I find a very full fridge and freezer hard to deal with. I think I officially have August-itis.

Causes? Uncertainty about DH's job (always and again), impending semester with lots to do, August-afflicted child who sleeps too late and hates the heat, travel hangover, delays in bathroom remodel bids, massive canning days that put off everything else, horrible edits and capstone projects that frustrate me, too many social obligations. I feel stuck.

Plan? Tomorrow (heat and aforementioned social obligation today) must be devoted to catching up. I may have to build in a reward to the child for helping me. Maybe even build in a reward for myself.

It's time to get financially back on track too. Back-to-school shopping was expensive as child now requires adult sizes. Yesterday I spent (ouch)$250 on jeans, pants, and shoes for her. The only upside now is if she outgrows those three pairs of shoes, I can wear them.

Tomorrow demands a list. Getting on that today. Wish me luck to get unstuck.