Pinky's Happy ever after diary! 2010

Pinky15

HI everyone! Not posted for a few days. To be honest not a lot going on really on the money saving front as I really havent got any to save lol. Have sold a few more bits on ebay which will help keep us out of the overdraft and have picked up some more hours work starting Oct so I will redo my budget then. It will also mean I can afford a few extra bits for the kids over xmas and we can save a little for a unit I have seen in Ikea for the bedroom - has lots of storage so will be great. Struggling with the food budget which seems to be out of control at the moment again. I really cant get motviated to cook anything as I have no idea what I am doing - the kids are really fussy too. I have got a monthly meal planner which I worked on last night and will have a crack at finishing tonight am really hoping it will help! Other than that not much else happening - hope everyone is well xx

Pinky15

Hi everyone - sorry not posted in a bit things have been a bit hectic!
No much changed on the old money front apart from lack of it as usual:rotfl:! Have laminated a meal planner which I am going to use effectively after pay day - no more scratting round the freezer panicking. Have a chicken casserole in slow cooker and tea planned for tomorrow night - we just seem to run out of stuff all the time!
Am going to sit down and have a look at budget tomorrow with DH as I like to involve him - and look at Oct budget. I also am going to set up DDebits for the credit card just so we dont ever miss a payment. DH has some overtime in but we are going to top up savings over next couplr of months especially once I have a few more hours. Then we will start on the debt trail from Jan again - it just means really a little safety net for us incase of any more unexpected expenses. Sold a couple of bits on ebay - have decided now tho that any money I make I am going to leave in my paypal account and keep towards a week away next week. Hope everyone is well x

katieclampet

Hi pinky

pleased all is going well.You sound very organised. I am trying to get myself a bit more organised, I have been very busy with work commitments and need to get back on the "meal planner bandwagon"!!! I really hate it when I come in and have to decide what to have for tea. So I am going to get meal planning.

I have been following the preparing for winter thread, and have made a list "to do" and "to buy". It seems to have been a short summer, and by all accounts it will be another hard winter.

Well now I have throughly depressed you (and myself) I am off to bed!!:)

katiex

Jo_R_2

Some good planning going on. I always wish OH would be more involved with money stuff. He is interested and does come up with suggestions which is v. good, it's more that I'd either like him to be just as involved or happy for me to take the reins so to speak, rather than involved sometimes but not fussed others. So I know what I'm doing.

The idea of topping up the savings is a good one IMO - having that safety net there for 'just in case' is a real comfort I find.

Pinky15

Jo - I try and involve him just so he understands where the money is going etc - however am not sure how much he exactly listens lol.
Food planner & shopping list done, budget done for month and for next month. 6 items on ebay, still awaiting payment for 1 item.
DH is making tea tonight a lovely mince dish in slow cooker. I am going to have a look for some recipe ideas on the old style thread.
This week am going to have a quiet week, not too much on, will sort money out over the weekend after payday and make sure all bills are paid. :Dx

Pinky15

Well been a few days and things are quiet. Pay day today and all money sorted/transferred. We are really going to try and work some extra hours this month as we need to save for oil and a couple of xmas pressies so only a little towards savings next month. I am aiming to get my savings back to £3000 at the very least just as a safety net any more then great. I will then pick up the payments on the credits cards. We are paying above the minimum anyway so not too worried about it.
Food shopping and planner done and in place and I have a chicken casserole bubbling away in the slow cooker as we speak, Veg and potatos free from nice neighbours who have an allotment.
Spent £10 on chicken breasts but have rewrapped into 2's and frozen the ones I didnt need to use. I love my slow cooker but going to look for some different recipes on the cooking thread to try:).
Did a huge load of ironing today and can almost see the bottom of the washing basket. Had to use tumble drier tho as it keeps raining and I darent hang anything out.
Have listed 8 items on ebay - lots of watchers but no bids as yet.
I also must tomorrow go through my present and card stockpile as we have a few birthday and friends babies due so will check I have everything I need.
On sat going to get kids help me clean toys outside and get some put away before it starts getting frosty and then may go conker picking/hunting which they love.
Other than that things ticking over well - hope everyone is ok

katieclampet

Hi pinky

you sound very organised as usual! I have got quite a frew xmas pressies bought as well. We have loads of family birthdays in dec (especially kids) so I try and stock up in good time. It is so hard, especially with xmas just a few days away.

still, I am budgeting v carefully this month (october) to try and pay for all those pressies!!

katiex

Jo_R_2

*gasps* ironing *trembles* We don't do that in our house!

You sound as organised as ever - not envious, honest;):D One day I will be vaguely organised!

Pinky15

Hey Jo - I think you are very organise especially as your little ones are younger than mine and you have one of the way! Don't knock your mini-lists lol:rotfl:.
Well sold another item on ebay yesterday which takes holiday savings to £20 and have helped my mum with a few things she said she would give me £10 which will go in the pot sooo only another £770 to go - but DH working a lot of overtime in Jan so going to put half the money towards the hols and try and save a little each month.
Have 6 items ending on ebay tonight so am keeping my fingers crossed they sell.
Not much else to report really, a quiet day by all accounts and planning a low/nil spend day tomorrow - fingers crossed x

smarties84

Hi Pinky, have been readin your whole diary over the weekend and your doing a splendid job hun. I have now subsribed.x