Making that budget stretch.

End of semester one is fast approaching and while that means it's almost time to go home for Christmas and enjoy a warm house and some proper food. End of the semester also brings some hefty expenses, Christmas presents and journeys home. At this time of year the bank balance can be getting a bit low for us students so when TransPennine Express got in touch and asked me to share this fun little info graphic of ways to make your money go further I couldn't really say no.

I have to say, I totally agree with getting a rail card! It's totally worth it if you travel a lot and will pay for itself in no time. One thing I didn't know is that the Co-op does student discount! How amazing is that?! If only there was one nearby. I also had no idea about google opinion rewards, I might give it a go, if I do I will let you know.

Keep it Scrimpy,
Laura

BEDN- Reflections

So we've finally come to the end of November and I can finally stop feeling guilty about not posting everyday. To be honest I've not done well in posting everyday but then again I don't really care.

I've learnt a lot about my blog and blogging style this month. I've experimented it topics that I would never cover usually and for those that I missed I have the titles saved and I'm keen to try them in the future. So really I haven't failed at this, I've learnt a lot, and I'll be making some tweaks In the future.

That's quite the success really.

Keep it Scrimpy,
Laura. 

BEDN- Buy nothing day.

Was this supposed to a challenge? If so I failed miserably!

Now I know some people really disagree with Black Friday and last year I wasn't really bothered but this year I'm stuck 1000 miles away from home, in the middle of the countryside. There aren't that many opportunities for Christmas shopping here. To make it worse, we don't get home until the 23rd of December and if anyone thinks I'm trudging round a shopping center that close to Christmas they have another thing coming! So this year I have been partaking in some bargain grabbing.

BEDN- Friday night out.

I've not being doing well with this blog every day thing have I? Oh well, I've just enjoyed blogging more this month. Anyway, Firday was mine and Richard's Anniversary, he's put up with me for a whole 2 years bless him! We've had to put celebrating on hold for a few days but we are now in Vienna making up for it.

We did however escape the farm for a few hours to visit our favourite cafe for cocktails and ice cream! 

I'm afraid this is about as wild as our Friday nights get here, I had one alcoholic cocktail and one none alcoholic and Richard didn't drink at all (there's a zero tolerance on drink driving here). I would definitely choose this kind of night out to a night in a club any day. 

What's your idea of a good night out?

Keep it Scrimpy,
Laura. 

Just a woman.

Someone said to me today 'you're just a woman Laura'. I laughed it off at the time but it's been playing on my mind all day.

BEDN- Dear Jane and Chris

Today's prompt is Video. Well some of you may not know that since arriving here in the Czech Republic I've been giving vlogging a go and I have to say I've been really enjoying it!

BEDN- World kindness day

So after a few days off in back! I was being kind to myself and having a break (see what I did there?)

It's always nice to do something for someone you love so here is my top three.

Run them a bath (be sure to include bath-time snacks)

BEDN- FamIly

Ah, where would we be without family eh? We fight like cat and dog but we wouldn't be the same without them.

My parents are pretty awesome really, they've both always supported me in everything I've wanted to do in life, as long as what I'm doing makes me happy, then they are happy. My dad came to see me last month for a few days and I got to show him around the farm.

Mother when she came to visit Bangor

My dad here in the Czech Republic

BEDN- Self-care Sunday

Self-care is something that I've seen popping up more and more as of late. But honestly, it's not something I'm that good at. I spend my days off worrying about the horses or when I'm at home I find myself pointlessly stressing about tiny things and at uni a was just terrible for pushing myself too far and making myself ill. So I'm making a promise to myself now, with all of you here to hold me accountable.

 I'm important and I need to look after myself. 

Sometimes it's okay to spend a morning in bed (or whole day)

I will do more spontaneous things that make me smile more, like riding a merry go round in London 

I love my friends, seeing them all graduate was amazing. They make me happy so I will make more time for them.
Cuppa anyone?

Finally, animals, dogs especially make me smile. There are no shortage of animals here on the farm but back home I like to steal Tash's dogs. I will be visiting at Christmas!

How do you take the time to look after yourself?

Keep it Scrimpy,
Laura.

BEDN- Unusual hobbies- Planning

This post has taken a lot of pondering, my hobbies aren't exactly unusual, I read, blog, eat, ride horses and dabble in crafts, it's not exactly wing walking. I do however own a Filofax and I've been a member of the U.K. Planner Addicts Facebook group for the past year.

I think planning is one of those things people either get or don't. Loads of people have a diary every year but a planner to me is different. It's more about organising more than just your schedule. There are several sections that I have in my planner.

Making my planner really reflect me is what I love about planning