Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

newgirly

I bought a few bags of food on the way back from holiday today and the kids have hoovered up most of it. I really need to think about making lots of stuff for them to snack on so they don't bankrupt us this summer. Its tricky when they prefer a staple diet of chocolate wherever possible though and not my cooking.

Anyway, the finances are too complicated for me tonight as I'm tired but I am keen to achieve something this summer break even if its not paying off large amounts of money.

So I thought I'd do a "6 things in 6 weeks challenge"

1). Lose 12 pounds in weight
2). Go for at least one big day out a week
3). Stick to a food budget of £80 pw max (more than usual but they are at home)
4). Clear at least 1 bin bag a week of toot from the house
5).
6).

Need inspiration for the last two :rotfl:

pink_poppy

No ideas for 5) & 6) ~ I'm distinctly lacking in inspiration & motivation at the moment

My penny's worth re. making snacks is to make twink's hobnobs & cover them in a thin coating of chocolate to tempt the chocoholics in your family

Told you I was lacking in inspiration!! :rotfl:

newgirly

Hi pink poppy, twinks and chocolate sound divine :drool:but how do I stop myself eating them all? I usually eat half a batch in a day when they are not covered in chocolate.:D

The twins have been a nightmare today, they are now 13 and probably more of a pain than they were as toddlers! They have had xboxes and mobiles confiscated already and its the first whole day they have had at home this holiday. I am going for a zero tolerance policy to start with and have been a bit shouty today,but I honestly am not going to let them be horrid to each other for 6 weeks. They will get on if it kills me :rotfl:

I have spent about 7 hours doing work for dh today at home ( when not referring ) so have not touched the Mount Everest of ironing in the conservatory waiting for me.

Still not sure about the last two challenges in the six week challenge, they should be Xmas related (sorry , I know its way too early for some ) but once I've been away In the summer it feels like time to start the Xmas preparations.

nattypants

I think I remember before that you were making presents for Christmas Newgirly? Perhaps you could relate this to one of your final two challenges;

Maybe... nicely wrapped handmade truffles, or blackberry gin, or a preserve...or you could join skint spice, muddywhitechicken and myself in our adventures to learn how to crochet (check out Attic24 blog for inspiration).

Sorry to butt in, as I know I rarely post on your diary - however I do read your thread all the time

newgirly

It's lovely to have you pop in nattypants the Xmas makes were supposed to be one a month but I have only managed 2 1/2 items so far this year, one scarf and one and a half sock monkeys

Will check out the blog you suggested, its supposed to be much quicker than knitting isn't it?
Truffles are a no go until about Xmas eve as I can't be trusted not to scoff them all, but preserving might be a good idea. Thinking about it my mum has one of those posh jam makers I could pinch for a while. That a for that

nattypants

If you do go down the preserving route, maybe start having a wee look out for nice containers, ribbon, labels etc. I always think that nice packaging works wonders

I hope you like the Attic24 blog (I always look at the other blogs on her list - loads of inspiration!!)

Alchemilla

What about flapjacks with a drizzle of chocolate?
Or give in and order up big from AF?

CathT

Oh I need to think about :xmassmile (couldn't bring myself to write the word!) I've usually made a start by now but since having no spare bedroom anymore have nowhere to store anything!

I may go for crafty stuff but they will be bought items as I have zero creativity!

How are the loft plans coming along Newgirly?

newgirly

Hi cath, loft is due to start a in a couple of weeks (although they have said that every few weeks for a while now) hopefully soon though.

Alchemilla , af mighty be worth a look but its so easy to get carried away

Today I crossed a few items off the list:

House cleaned (not kids rooms that's their job )
All ironing done
About 15 litres of laundry gloop made
Mini makeover comprising :
Roots done with a poundland hairdye
Nails painted
Fake tan applied (gift from friend)

I have not been out of the house since Monday when we came back from holiday, on the plus side though its been nsd's since then. Tomorrow the boys have a friend over and I am going for a pub lunch with a friend while her little ones are at football club.

Now everything is getting sorted after the break away I will start my Xmas list :eek: I really want to keep it to an ultra minimum ( by my overspending standards ) first job is to finish the sock monkey I started in February.

greent

Hi new girly!

I'm planning (although whether I actually get around to it is another matter) on some fruit vodkas (and maybe brandy) for Xmas - I shall do a blackberry one cos the berries are free lol. I'd do sloe gin, because loads grow along the canal path by us according to my neighbours but I don't know how to recognise them for sure!!!

I also start thinking about Xmas after the school hols - it's the next big thing on the list after they go back (although DH's birthday is in Oct - and DD is 16!! 2 weeks before Xmas - argh!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek: Thankfully she only seems to want a sleepover (for 10!!!) and associated food and dvds - including a homemade cake) x