SAHM to 2 boys Money Diary

SAHMto2boys

Pinky - yes the pizzas were really easy to make but I did do the dough in the breadmaker. Once that had finished we shaped the dough into flat shapes, brushed with oil and left for 15 mins, then topped with some tomato based sauce (i cheated and brought an asda one but 60p and have frozen half for next time so 15p per pizza) and then topped. Oven baked for 10 mins and done! DS loved it too making what he wanted. Still be cheap if you brought the pre-made bases from the supermarket if you don't want to do your own dough.

Jo - I used to always dye my own hair but been going regularly for the last year. My hair was really dry and terrible to manage and I looked a right state so I'm really keen to keep up going to try and look (and feel!) half-decent! Plus, as I'm sure you'll know, being pregnant and having kids does really strange things to your hair - lots of mine has fallen out:o


Been lurking the past few days as not really had much to say on the DFW front. Nearly all this months direct debits have come out and the child benefits gone in today but have transferred it out to its seperate account and put the money into the credit card fund for DS shoes.

Have done a bit of spending this weekend and have all my receipts ready to sort and record - job for tonight I think. Haven't brought anything unbudgetted for though so should be okay. We ate something out on Sunday and then yesterday (we took DS into the nearest big city for a ride on the tram little ones love such simple things) we ate in John Lewis:eek: Yikes that was expensive but lovely and its come out of the monthly spending fund and we had a cheaper weekend compared to normal so its fine.

Been out on a playdate most of the day at our friends house so no spends there and just brought the needed milk from Asda on the way home not the normal £10+ spend on nothing.

Need to go out later or tomorrow for teats for the baby's bottles but Boots have an offer on. Sure this is TMI for most but have decided to stop breastfeeding after six months so need to start and factor the cost of formula in the budget somewhere.

Thats all I really have to report at the minute, must have a good think about raising so extra cash this month from somewhere;)

SAHMto2boys

Hello my poor, negectled diary!

Just popping in to say I'm still here. Not doing bad on the DFW front, have been very tempted on a few occasions but have managed to resist spending.

Really trying to keep to my budget - a bit of a stupid thing to say but it makes life so much easier. Dealing in cash is easier too.

Right, DH and I are finally sitting down after a hetic day of playing, shopping, swimming lessons, making baby food for freezer, mowing and tidying in the garden. So brew and some chocolate and BGT final, need a AF week here. Will come back and do a proper post later or tomorrow.

SAHMto2boys

I'm back. Given up on the BGT final as its actually quite boring so will just flick back later to see the winner.

Right, I really need to get motivated and make some money. But am a bit stumped as to how - I've Ebayed most things but have got about 10 items to go on, done a car boot with everything I want gone and sold some crappy old gold. Apart from picking up a part time job I can't really think of anyway to make some more dosh. Help???!!!

We've been and looked at furniture today for our miving room and actually brought nothing. We saw somethings we really liked but after having a chat in the shop, we realised that we are better sticking with what we have for a while the boys are young. I don't want to be worrying that they haven't used a coaster . We realised that we were thinking of just spending money we don't need to. We did spend £100 in Dunlem Mills on two lovely floor lamps, storage boxes, things for the downstairs loo and a few other bits. The change that £100 spent has made is lovely and made me feel as happy as spending £1000 on new furniture.

Went to a shopping mall on Friday to find DS some smart trousers and didn't spend anything else apart from lunch. Even tried some clothes on and put them back as I don't need them and again, its spending money I don't need to. Did this with quite a few things so really do think my whole thought process is starting to change.

Trying to be frugal with the food shopping and the money we spend on food out. We had a BBQ tonight and it cost about £4 to feed the 3 of us and came home for lunch today instead of going in a cafe. Have whizzed up 2 huge batches of lentil bake and a chicken casserole for the baby, made a beef pasta dish on Friday for him so a couple more things and he should be set up for the month. I cook most things from scratch and healthy stuff will try and get him on the same food as us some nights too. The tins of formula at £7.24 are really going to eat into my budget though, will see how many I'm going to need a month.

Making a proper budget has really changed things this month, knowing what I have to spend on what instead of just drawing out of the account as and when I want has made a huge difference already. Just need to keep it up.

Right, think thats everything for now, will try and keep up with posting on this diary as it really has been helping and I don't want things to slip - brownies honor :Dxx

Jo_R_2

I know where you're coming from re: the furniture. We've moved from a teeny tiny two-up, two-down to a three-bed semi-deatched and whereas we didn't have much room for furniture previously, we seem to have a distinct lack of storage and an awful lot of, well, space LOL!

Being honest we can't afford super-quality, matching furniture but even when I do look at stuff we could do with, I think the same - will it just get ruined by the kids, is it worth it or shall we just wait til they're a bit older to get some half-decent stuff? I too don't want to be worrying all the time.

We did the same as you earlier and went to Dunelm and spent a few pounds on a couple of bits. I go with brightening up the place with a few lamps, vases, twinkly lights and the like:) Doesn't cost too much and you can really make the place look different as you like. You sound very pleased with your purchases and like you thought out what you needed and didn't need.

cha97michelle

We still have a bit of a lack of storage, or is that too much stuff? Been here 6 years now, and i think our needs for storage have expanded stupidly in that time.

Just had another declutter and have got a lot more stuff to get rid of. I was really pleased with DS1 as he pointed out quite a few toys he could live without.

Work wise, have you thought about Mystery shopping? It is not earth shattering amounts, but i am using it as a way of getting things i want for myself or could use for presents. I am picking up a couple a month. I did a chemist and got some toothpaste, a pet shop and got some bits for the cats, and a music shop and got 2 DVDS for presents. I won't get rich at the rate i am doing it but it is ok for DH to watch the kids for 30 minutes or so while i do it. Some you can even take the kids with you.

Pinky15

Same here we have a fairly roomy house - but seem to be lacking still on the storage front - I think def too much stuff!:D
I think I might try the pizza making thanks!:)

SAHMto2boys

Jo - how funny, we could have been in the same Dunlem! Ours had 20% off everything so there were some great bargains, one floor lamp was £30 and it very french chateau style and one huge ratten type tube thing was down to £45. Same things would have been £100+ in Next or somewhere - fab shop!

Michelle - have thought about MS but I'm really shy about talking to people sometimes so I don't think I'd be able to do it, think I'd be a nervous wreck by the time I got in there:o.

Storage is always a nightmare. This is a new build house and actually really good for cupboards and walk-ins which I think is a rare thing but the are big spaces so we've had to put shelving in them to make them work and then boxes for stuff. We have a double garage that was packed with junk but have slowly sorted it all. Plus DS has a playroom and I love boxes for in there - we just have ones for cars, lorries, lego, certain playsets and at the end of the day everything can be scooped up and chucked in the right boxes - simples!!


After thinking long and hard I don't think that extra money making is going to be something I can. I'm about to start an OU course, have two kids and a big house to clean and run so working extra hours isn't going to work. So I need to start and work at where I can reduce costs.

I've been through the bank accounts and adjusted what I can easily and need to get some quotes on Life Insurance to see if I can find that cheaper and also house insurance for when thats due in August. If I can find a company who's cheaper now, I now I'll be less tempted to just renew when the times comes.

Just sat and made a huge to do list for things to be done before the weekend and our 'thing' on Sunday. Yikes. It is HUGE. Hopefully the in laws with have the baby for me on Wednesday so I'll be able to crack on with the cleaning jobs.

Have worked out whats coming from where with the weekend spending - god, a budget makes life so much easier, lets see if I can finish this month with cash still in the accounts:o Need to do a meal plan and shopping list too later for the week. Right, better get everything organised for gymnastics ready for when the baby wakes up.

SAHMto2boys

Good day today. Only spends have been 50p for DS school snack money for the week.

DH got in from work early so while he fed the baby and I cooked tea, I made up huge batches of lentil and carrot broth and corn chowder for the baby. The freezer is now well stocked with stuff for him so that will help on the shooping front. Funny thing is I didn't actually plan to make these or buy anything in but did with all stuff I had in, normally would have made a special shop for bits so think thats a bit furgal for me.

Also got quite a few jobs done including covering all the grass in grub killer in the rain so I didn't have to use my own water to water the product in, the neighbour clearlt thought I was a bit bonkers as I ran around with the water can in the rain.

Have got food shopping to do tomorrow so def not a NSD.

cha97michelle

The things you have to do to save pennies hey? I bet my neighbours think i am bonkers too. They felt really sorry for me last summer when i was outside weeding and pruning at about 9pm. It needed doing and the kids were in bed then. That's how it goes.

Good use of your time and resources today. We had a NSD too, but i know tomorrow won't be as i need to food shop too. I am going to go armed though with my money off coupons and extra points coupons to try and make it worth my while.

Jo_R_2

ROFL @ running round in the rain with the watering can!

Interesting you guys mention about not having a NSD because of grocery shopping. If I spend anything budgeted for I don't count that mentally as a 'spend'; I count a 'spend' as something I hadn't necessarily planned for, so say like a couple of pints of milk if we run out, or a bottle of pop and some snacks for DDs. Funny how the mind works isn't it?