02-04-25 - March review and April's aims

Written 01-04-25.

I thought I'd get this written today and set to post tomorrow so there will be something out.

These were the aims for March in italics with progress in normal:

1. Resume the daily decluttering
   Hmmm - not really.  I've done some, just not enough.
2. Get to grips with sourdough starter and baking
   Yes - done and sort of dusted.  I have two starters that seem to be pretty robust and I'm trying out recipes.  I'm booked to go on a sourdough day course in June and, basically, it has all been jolly good fun!
3. Learn how to re-stain my coffee table tops - and at least get started.
   Started.  Two of the tables have tops ready for revarnishing and I've hidden some of the superficial marks with varnish pen.
4. Find another knitting or crochet project
   Done.  I've made several pairs of fingerless gloves for the drop off point or, maybe, the food bank but I'm holding on to them until later in the year.  I've started a cardigan and that's going great guns too.

The ongoing aims were:

needs only spending

Er - sort of, not entirely.  This month HAS to be better because of some big amounts that will go out - car insurance, dental treatment, the remainder for a weekend at Potters, the deposit for the Spain holiday next April, new glasses and, possibly, new hearing aids, depending what they say at the check up.

using what I already had

Still doing that.   Yesterday I made a list from one of the bags in the freezer and now have ten meals planned using the contents thereof.  This weeks food shopping should be pretty small, not the usual beginning of new month blowout!  I want to continue that strategy - audit and then create meals.

regular savings

No.  I had money left over but it has just carried forward into April for those big payouts.  That's fine, it's what these particular savings are for.

keeping up with the financial spread sheet

Definitely.  It's really good to know exactly where I am, day by day.

food bank donating

Again, yes, and intend continuing for the remaining months of this year and, all being well, beyond.

decluttering

As the weather improves, I am feeling the call again so this month should see quite a difference.  I hope!  :-)

weed scraping

Of course and ongoing.

So - aims for April:

1.  a substantial amount of decluttering
2.   get the varnish, etc, and do those two coffee table tops - I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about this.
3. be more frugal/economical this month so I can pay all those large bills without digging into savings much more.
4. to be back in my happy weight zone again and continue to eat Mediterranean style to keep myself as fit and well as I can possibly be

I think that will do.  Most of the ongoings have now become habits - things like keeping up to date with finances, food bank donation, knitting, weed scraping, and even frugality and saving, regardless of March and April.

By the end of April, I will be able to see my way forward in savings again, I will have paid for Potters in June, I will have new and improved glasses and reliable hearing aids again, and I will have enjoyed several meals with family and friends - out with Beth and Alex for Mother's Day, to Val's for lunch on my birthday and, the next day, Dave and Anna round for dinner.  Hopefully, also, some sort of birthday jolly with Chris and with Diane.

So there we are - March's review and April's aims.   Back again next month.  xx