There's definitely no New Year resolutions here, yes there are plans, but they pretty much are the same as they have always been.
Take part in Veganuary, reassess my eating habits at the end of the month. Spend as little money as possible to try and survive until the pension kicks in, so basically all the same old, same old that makes life easy, bearable and with a bit of a challenge.
When I was getting the grand and great-grandchildren's Christmas and birthday money out of my savings account I withdrew some extra cash for myself. So I have a budget of £50 a month for the first four months of this year. I have the usual couple of pounds worth of Nectar points that I will make use of in Sainsbury's, and a really useful £15 worth of M&S vouchers.
I also have £100 worth of Riverford Organic Veg Box vouchers that I won in a competition last year via the Vegetarian Society. So I should be eating pretty well.
I will be tipping any money that I have in my bag or pockets into my little emergency stash, which I have built up over the last couple of months from little sales on Facebook Marketplace. There's not a huge amount but it will all help, and of course there's my little 'change box' for when things get really tight.
So now it's time to do the start of the year financial housekeeping and check the bank balances, start a new page for monitoring things in my diary and pay off the credit card for the year. Then we have a blank slate and a fresh start, it's a good feeling isn't it.
Sue xx
Happy New Year let’s hope we all have a good one. Heather
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope it's a great one for us all. xx
DeleteIt's always such a good feeling to start fresh. Here's wishing you a wonderful new year, Sue. I pray the Lord blesses you in many ways this year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too Debbie, thank you for all your lovely comments. xx
DeleteThe Riverford vouchers will be useful for Veganuary. I looked up the ingredients in Heinz vegan mayonnaise and think I will try it as Norrie has developed an egg intolerance so it may suit him better. Very cold here today and prospect of snow. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIf you use soy milk it's ever so easy to make your own vegan mayo. 1 part soy milk to 3, or more depending on how thick you want it, parts light oil, a splash of apple cider vinegar (or other vinegar/lemon juice) and an optional dollop of dijon. Wizz it with an immersion blender until it blends and thickens. I never had the patience to make proper mayo, but this is a doddle. I make it in small batches and it lasts at least a week in the fridge.
DeleteCatriona: I hope Norrie is okay with the vegan mayo, it's a good alternative for him. Egg intolerances can very quickly turn into allergies, so it makes sense for you to switch. I am allergic to duck and goose eggs and know only too well the awful stomach cramps you get as the intolerance develops.
DeleteJane: Thanks for the recipe, I had seen it before somewhere but I couldn't remember where. I'll probably give it a go when I finish the bottle of vegan mayo I have just opened. I use soy milk as my preference these days so that is really handy.
DeleteI picked up the recipe from here https://simpleveganblog.com/vegan-mayonnaise/ It doesn't have the Dijon mustard in it, but I like the extra flavour that brings . It mentions having the soy milk at room temperature. I've made it that way and with having it straight from the fridge and both ways have been foolproof so far.
DeleteThanks Jane. 🙂
DeleteHappy new year. You're certainly going to have a busy/interesting 2026 with all your plans for the bungalow.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't any particular aims for the year except for getting fitter and not fatter. There will certainly be more vegan/veggie meals with plenty of variety.
Happy New Year to you too Jane. It feels really strange that both last year and this year we are starting it with bungalow renovations (last year it was Mum's bungalow). It feels really good, and the right time to go back to my vegan/plant-based roots.
DeleteIs not often we feel a blank slate and a fresh start is it? I know you will make a huge success of 2026 and so I send you every best wish Sue to you and Alan.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I hope 2026 is a good year for you too. Fresh starts are full of so much potential, it's invigorating.
DeleteHappy New Year to you and Alan. It will be an exciting time moving to your new bungalow. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn from Canada
Thank you so much Marilyn and a very Happy New Year to you too. Who knows we may be in the bungalow for this time next year, but we are not pushing it. I would be more than happy for one more year and Christmas in my tiny home.
DeleteI do love a blank page for the beginning of a new year.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's a wonderful feeling isn't it. So much potential, blank pages are brilliant. :-)
DeleteHave a great year ahead!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and I hope it's the same for you. xx
DeleteWish you all the best in 2026!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless. xx
DeleteYes,
ReplyDeleteit's definitely a nice feeling to start over with the Sophia of previous years!
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year to you too, I hope it's a good one. xx
DeleteHappy New Year! Well done on winning those vouchers, you will be eating well! xxx
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I've eaten the vegetables in the fridge I will be putting in my first order. It's exciting, it is a wonderful prize. :-)
Delete