sj`s diary

Pinky15

Ah sorry to hear about the money worries SJ am sending a hug your way. I know I always say try and stay positive but sometimes thats very hard to do. I still worry about money alot. DH did lots of overtime which we get next week and do you know every penny is accounted for, for bills, shoes, car tax - it is so disappointing that we never actually see the extras he earns and I often feel guilty. I also have a niggly feeling I may be in the overdraft so need to try and sell a few bits on ebay to even up the shortfall.
Have you thought about getting a small allotment? at least this would help on the food side and you could cook and freeze food?
x

savingmummy

I have looked into an allotment but the waiting time is very long and the allotment nearby is a very high risk flood area - most Octobers!
We resort to frozen veg unfortunately - good old Iceland £1 a bags.
I am currently preparing to grow next year and will have potatoes, carrots, salad, tomatoes.

I totally understand what you mean about working extra and not seeing it, it is such a shame and does make you feel guilty.

Well guilt is a HUGE part of my life......Mum and Dad came over today as my neice was coming over for the day and on arriving they brought me a week -2 weeks supply of food!! :eek:
They stayed all day as planned - Supplied lunch for everyone!

The children had hardly any clothes remaining so i resorted to hand washing some in stardrops which did not work out at all! Stains wouldnt shift and the clothes smelt unfresh i was in and out all day trying to dry them (rain on and off!)

They then on their way out said `we are taking your washing`, SO took my 2 big laundry bags of washing, including the lot i done by habd (i said no its fine but was told to shut up)
My mum even called me earlier to ask if i minded having lenor instead of comfort - blimey im happy for anything right now wouldnt dream of being fussy!!
My parents have no income just pensions and YET they help us out when its needed!
It Means they will probably go without their Friday fish and chips and their luxeries on their own food shop on Saturday - i NEVER ask, wouldnt dream of asking for money or for them to buy things for us. My mum kind of guesses i`m in need of help (she sees behind my smiley happy face).
I know i am VERY lucky but the guilt is horrendous!!

Without them i would be lost completely, honestly dont think i can ever repay them for the kindness and love they give us all.

I am one of 4 children and am the only one remaining, i have always been very close to them. My siblings have all moved on and left the nest, failed to return :mad:
As long as there is breath in my body i am here for my parents, i would never dream of leaving them.

savingmummy

OK so everyone is talking about `back to school` LUCKILY our DD dont start until January (good job too as we have nothing!!)
We were going to get it the other weekend but never did and i`m now thinking we may be able to get most really cheap by going when the kids start in September - bound to be reductions to make way for new stock ie, halloween/xmas!

SO i have the list here and will start to have a look around.

School uniform consists of grey trousers/skirt/pinafore dress with a white polo shirt (the kind that has a collar with three buttons) - can get packs of 3 for £5 or less!!
A maroon round neck or button through sweatshirt with the school logo from the School Office.
In summer the girls may wear pink and white check dresses. Sensible black school shoes are worn.
All clothing must be named.
Children wear tee-shirts with the xxxxxxxx logo, maroon shorts and black slip-on plimsoles for PE.

I will keep this post updated as to what i get and for how much.

Pinky15

Good luck on the uniform front M&S have a sale on at the mo and Next have some school items in their sale listings. My lot cost me a fortune this year, when little one goes to school I will have to do more hours to pay for uniforms, shoes, activities and lunches - its a bottomless pit isnt it!!:D

savingmummy

It sure is Pinky!! Never ending!! Will check out M&S and Next
I am quite tempted to start getting things now.

We got just £15 from betterware today - bad week last week and still have 2 big orders that we havent got rid of yet.

I am feeling much better this week, we survived albeit with help from my parents. I am confident about things being better and am going to do all i can to get us out of the dark days

savingmummy

Well this weekend has been a complete sigh of relief - despite DH only getting half his wages!!:mad: (He will be getting it next week apparently due to an error)

We got DD`s school uniform :T
2 x pinafores £4 each
3 x polo shirts £2.75
3 x tights £2
5 x vests £2
2 x pe tops £2
2 x pe shorts £2.50
1 x puffa coat with fleece lining £8
1 x lunch bag/bottle £5

Shoes and plimsoles i will be getting from clarks in January just before she starts so i know they fit well and will last until her feet grow. Feet are important at a young age and i dont want her wearing bad fitted shoes.
School jumper is to be bought from school shop not sure how much but i think it will be around £12 (thats how much her nursery one were anyway)

Just ordered some personalised labels and a gym bag for her PE kit both were in a sale too - saving £10:money:

SO we have the basics for start and can now relax until January.
She stood there trying it on and i couldnt believe how cute she looked!! I nearly cried but pulled myself together
I am really looking forward to her starting school tbh! She just loves being around other children and enjoys learning new things and being involved.

Stocked up on cleaning and laundry supplies.

I am feeling so much more happy, we done our SOA and have worked out our finances.
DH starts getting his monthly pay on 23rd Sept so no more weekly. I think by getting paid monthly he will be more careful and be in control of what he has.
Looking at our SOA if we stick to it we will be fine!!

Pinky15

Ah glad things have picked up - we all have days where its a struggle. I always feel better when SOA is done at least you can breathe knowing the bills are paid and you have some food.:D
We have an extra £70 to pay out for boiler this month which is rubbish - was going to use that for xmas but never mind will have to crack the whip and get DH to do more overtime lol;)
Ps - I sobbed for the 1st week DD started school - showing myself up, I cried once when DS started school, and I will prob sob when my baby starts - I am soooo soft and didnt ever think I would be bothered about them starting. So - take it from me - have some tissues and moral support at home just in case xx

savingmummy

Grrr to your boiler!!
I have not started xmas pressies yet BUT my mum did hers on saturday and got the children some nice things on sale in Tesco.
Barbie white fiat with barbie doll £22.91
Barbie outfits £1.50 each
Wooden train set £10
rempote control thomas (not in sale) £14.99
Keyboard for DS £11
Doll for DS LOL! £3.50
Disney princess teapot with tea set inside £5

She also got them some clothes in Matalan totalling £41

I was emotional when DD started Nursery and remember standing outside not wanting to leave lol! Walking home i was feeling very sad but never cried. I cried when i got home though hahaha. I walked around holding my home phone for most of the day worrying LOL!
I am hoping DH can take a day annual leave so we can take her together for her first day, then i wont feel so bad.

We are going to make a start next week, going to get them one thing each weekend.

savingmummy

Well this is a huge moan and a bit of a task post so be warned you may want to disapear from reading this....

It seems i am now alone in my thoughts and wants.
DH just dont listen to anything i have to say and he has now told me that if i want bedroom furniture i will need to pay!!
NOW fair do`s but where the hell am i supposed to get the money.......

He has no interest in trying to get things for the house and is not even trying to save a little to help! I gave him £40 from my secret savings at the weekend and am unsure whether i will get it back or not!:(
SO i am now faced with hunting for things i can sell, mainly childrens clothing as i have sold everything else!!!

DS can`t start pre school until next September and that is for 2 1/2hrs a day, leaving me with all of 1hr free to do what? work? NO impossible! - If i was to go to work FULLtime i would need to pay for childcare for both DD and DS and going by my original wage i would be left with £80 a month SO imo not worth returning to work!!!

I totally understand that all DH`s wages go on bills and other outgoings for all of us, he does work hard everyday but he must realise i am completely stuck unemployed for now!
I have offered for him to be a SAHD and for me to go to work and he says NO!!:rotfl:
1. my wages are less then his a month
2. He wouldnt cope like i do, he can`t do house and kids LOL!

SO £41.05 saved so far and another £1858.95 to go:rotfl:Oh dear!

Funny i am kind of looking forward to the task of doing this, proving i can do it!!
I got out of debt not working SO i will save the same amount the same way!

savingmummy

Done our worst week at betterware this week £85! I think people are on holiday because a lot of books were not out and when we tried again yesterday still no answer or any books out!

We should get £42 commission this week though which is better then nothing.
We got £46 this week.

I added £3 to my secret savings yesterday. £1 of it i found outside the newsagents and DH gave me £10 which i said i was spending on toiletries
I need £918 now!!