what's in your pocket?

I was recently contacted by MoneySupermarket about their "what's in your pocket?" campaign. They set up secret cameras in a dry cleaners, and told customers that they'd found £20 in their pocket while going to clean their clothes - see people's reactions here!

Along this theme, they are asking people what they would do if they had an extra £20. It really got me thinking, and after a lot of brainstorming I decided I wanted to spend the majority of it on the people who make my life a happy place to be. This is what I did...

• BOUGHT A TRAIN TICKET TO VISIT MY BEST FRIEND •

He doesn't live far from me, but we always seem to be finding rubbish excuses to not visit - I'm skint, I have no time, something came up, blah blah blah. I thought I'd use £5.60 to hop on the train and see his lovely face. He cooked dinner, and we stayed up until the early hours talking, and I was woken up by a cat standing on me. Perfect.

• BOUGHT SOME SUPPLIES FROM A LOCAL CRAFT SHOP, MADE CARDS FOR PEOPLE I LOVE AND POSTED THEM •

Since moving back to Bristol, most of my loved ones are pretty far away. I took this opportunity to buy some card (£1.95) and make some "thank you", "hello" and "missing you" cards for some of the amazing humans in my life. 

Two of them are for my grannies, who admittedly I don't see enough, one is for my beautiful niece who I miss stupid amounts, and the other two are for people who support me unconditionally and make me feel strong enough to do anything. It cost me £2 to post four cards, and the other will be hand-delivered.

• TREATED MYSELF TO LUNCH •

Living on a very tight budget, I don't have much spare cash. The initial plan was to go out and treat myself to whatever I wanted on the menu, but old habits kicked in and I bought the cheapest thing. With a couple of drinks as well it came to £6. I made up for it later on though..

• BAKING CAKES FOR MY HOUSEMATES •

I already had the other ingredients in the cupboard, so all I needed to buy was some fresh eggs (60p for two) and some chocolate buttons to decorate them! (40p) I also had a little visitor at the window while I baked, and he coodinated with my apron rather nicely.

• BOUGHT FRESH FLOWERS TO BRIGHTEN UP THE HOUSE •

I left the cakes out with a little "EAT ME!" sign next to the fresh daffodils that I bought from my local green grocer. I hardly ever buy flowers because I think they're too expensive, but these were £1 for two bunches!  Fresh flowers are a lovely way to cheer up a room and welcome spring in.

• TREATED MYSELF (again) TO A HOT CHOCOLATE •

I achieved something big this week (for me anyway.. more on that another day) and I don't think I've given myself enough credit for it.. so I indulged in a hot chocolate for £1.90. I put all those little marshmallows in the cup and they went all gooey. Plus, can we just take a moment to appreciate how amazing this coffee table is?!

The spare change left over is still in my pocket, but I'm waiting to pass a busker or a street performer who makes me smile. Little things that make your days sparkle deserve some shiny coins.

I couldn't leave without sharing this photo of my friendly neighbour-cat! Teeheeee!