It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

sammy_kaye18

Just popping in to report that my Benjie is fine and just seems to have an exceptionally large ulcer in the join between cheek and gum but the dentist said there is no infection or nasties there. Thank god! its fekking huge though for such a small mouth!

Have sat and looked at all my debts last night though and realised its more than what I thought - doh! hopefully it will come down soon though once I've gotten repayments etc sorted and I know what I'm entitled to now little miss has arrived. Cant do !!!!!! all or arrange anything until I know the funds are there.

Have decided I'm going to set myself a monthly food budget of £140. So that's two fortnightly shops of £70 and that's to include toiletries and nappies (although will use seperate £30 to get 4 boxes of baby formula as breast milk has dried up - not surprised, so I know she's fed). That £70 will have to do me (all meals) , boyfriend (packed lunches and all 3 meals on weekends), Ben (all meals and snacks), Josh (evening meal, supper, lunch and breakfast), a JRT (dried food) and 2 terrapins. Will start this challenge as of the first of September - hhhmmm.....should I start a new thread for it?


Had a nice surprise today too and managed to get 8 pairs of trainer socks in poundland for when ben goes back to school. so far all i should need to buy now is new school trousers and a winter coat as hes outgrown all of his but think my dad is hinting to contribute here so might see if I can get a coat out of him instead.

narabanekeater - I'm considering putting Ben on school dinners but at £1.90 a time here its expensive and they never seem to cook enough of what they say is on the menu - half the kids don't even get a full meal here! shocking. Figured I might see if I can get Ben a flask and see if he will have soup etc in his lunch box but otherwise what I did last year was as I left for school - say 5 minutes before hand I would pop his dinner in the oven on a low temperature or pre make something and have it dished up ready in the microwave to be nuked so when he got in he could have something warm straight away. Although here they can choose what days they want a hot meal and I know Friday is there ............+chips day so might put him in for that and on roast dinner day if he wants to but that's still £3.80 a week!

kezlou - thank you very much! she is almost 5 weeks now and getting big - already weighing 10lb 14ozs! snoring as i type though!

taplady - ah ive missed you all. fingers crossed my good luck will come in the form of a lottery win!

narabanekeater

Sammy- they wont allow hot/walm warm food in school due to health and saftey
What do you feed your JRT? my pests sorry pups are on James Wellbeloved. I always stock up at [EMAIL="Pets@home.co.uk"]Pets@home.co.uk[/EMAIL] when its BOFOF making it about £3.60p a bag which lasts up to 3 weeks
Also have you checked your nappy economics? what sizes and brands are you using? DS had to be changed as soon as he did a wee cause his meds made his wee so acidic so we used on a good day 10 nappies and he could only use Pampers or Huggies. I got them down to about 6-7p a nappy in the end even for the large ones. Lets me know if you want a hand with that. DS just wears one at night now. He didnt get on with washables whih is a shame (appologies if im teaching you to suck eggs by the way I just remember what it was like having 2 in nappies and sticking to budgets)
Rememeber Boots arent always cheap but 'Advantage Card' is your friend

kidcat

Wow, I miss a day and the thread is pages on again, sending hugs and prayers to cricket as your dad is poorly.

Sammy its lovely to hear that you are all ok and settling after your new arrival. I know its really easy to say but its really important you dont worry about others too much and take time to rest, I know from experience what happens if you dont. As for nappies I only used Tesco own brand with my youngest and they were far and away the cheapest and best value I had found.

sammy_kaye18

narabanekeater wrote: »

Sammy- they wont allow hot/walm warm food in school due to health and saftey
What do you feed your JRT? my pests sorry pups are on James Wellbeloved. I always stock up at [EMAIL="Pets@home.co.uk"]Pets@home.co.uk[/EMAIL] when its BOFOF making it about £3.60p a bag which lasts up to 3 weeks
Also have you checked your nappy economics? what sizes and brands are you using? DS had to be changed as soon as he did a wee cause his meds made his wee so acidic so we used on a good day 10 nappies and he could only use Pampers or Huggies. I got them down to about 6-7p a nappy in the end even for the large ones. Lets me know if you want a hand with that. DS just wears one at night now. He didnt get on with washables whih is a shame (appologies if im teaching you to suck eggs by the way I just remember what it was like having 2 in nappies and sticking to budgets)
Rememeber Boots arent always cheap but 'Advantage Card' is your friend

She is in size 3 at the minute but will be in them for a fair while yet. Yeah am going to be taking advantage of clubcard points and advantage points i think. Looked around in coop - where i get discount and baby milk is £7.60 so should be £6.84 a tub IF i get discount on it - will have to check I think first so I'll get that there.

Bruno - our JRT is on tinned food at the minute because he is on medication for chronic licking (his front legs are suffering so he is lamp shaded at the minute and most unamused!). Thinking I might put him back on the pets at home dried food because they thought it was allergies to begin with - its £10 for a big 15kg bag which will easily do him the month. So will see if I can rope mother in law in to a trip over there at some point or see if boyfriend needs anythgin at halfords next door.

Nappies will be in either shop to be honest - in fairness it will all help me for Christmas as I want to get saving for that now as I get the feeling it will be slightly more expensive from now on with two growing boys and an extra to buy for. Was looking today for bits for holly and found a few bits in wilkinsons that look nice. Think I might get a stamps book there and put a few quid aside on it each pay day - that way it can pay for a few presents and Christmas decorations nearer the time - must remember to store it in a safe place though so i can find it again!

sammy_kaye18

kidcat wrote: »

Sammy its lovely to hear that you are all ok and settling after your new arrival. I know its really easy to say but its really important you dont worry about others too much and take time to rest, I know from experience what happens if you dont. As for nappies I only used Tesco own brand with my youngest and they were far and away the cheapest and best value I had found.

Yes really starting to feel the stress and strain now. Have had a stress headache for the last 2 days that just will not go and eyes look like I'm wearing red eye liner through tiredness. Not a very good look for a 26 year old. Feel about 50. Still cant fault little one as she is a star although wish she didn't squeak so loud in her sleep - crumbs! between her and her father snoring its no wonder I'm tired - although head rehit the pillow at 5.15am this morning and I didn't even notice boyfriend had gotten up and left for work until I got up at 7am to find Ben sat watching TV in the living room! Think some me time is definitely needed.

I used Tesco own brand with Ben when he got to about 6 months old but wasn't too sure how good they were for newborns. Might try a pack next time and see how they go with her and then if need be I'll stock up and store them underneath her cotbed. There is a deal at the minute on tesco size 3 brand nappies that is 3 for £8 and its gets you 192 nappies as she is just slightly too light fro the size 4 value ones. She is 10lb 14ozs as of Thursday last week.

gailey_2

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Just popping in to report that my Benjie is fine and just seems to have an exceptionally large ulcer in the join between cheek and gum but the dentist said there is no infection or nasties there. Thank god! its fekking huge though for such a small mouth!

Have sat and looked at all my debts last night though and realised its more than what I thought - doh! hopefully it will come down soon though once I've gotten repayments etc sorted and I know what I'm entitled to now little miss has arrived. Cant do !!!!!! all or arrange anything until I know the funds are there.

Have decided I'm going to set myself a monthly food budget of £140. So that's two fortnightly shops of £70 and that's to include toiletries and nappies (although will use seperate £30 to get 4 boxes of baby formula as breast milk has dried up - not surprised, so I know she's fed). That £70 will have to do me (all meals) , boyfriend (packed lunches and all 3 meals on weekends), Ben (all meals and snacks), Josh (evening meal, supper, lunch and breakfast), a JRT (dried food) and 2 terrapins. Will start this challenge as of the first of September - hhhmmm.....should I start a new thread for it?


Had a nice surprise today too and managed to get 8 pairs of trainer socks in poundland for when ben goes back to school. so far all i should need to buy now is new school trousers and a winter coat as hes outgrown all of his but think my dad is hinting to contribute here so might see if I can get a coat out of him instead.

narabanekeater - I'm considering putting Ben on school dinners but at £1.90 a time here its expensive and they never seem to cook enough of what they say is on the menu - half the kids don't even get a full meal here! shocking. Figured I might see if I can get Ben a flask and see if he will have soup etc in his lunch box but otherwise what I did last year was as I left for school - say 5 minutes before hand I would pop his dinner in the oven on a low temperature or pre make something and have it dished up ready in the microwave to be nuked so when he got in he could have something warm straight away. Although here they can choose what days they want a hot meal and I know Friday is there ............+chips day so might put him in for that and on roast dinner day if he wants to but that's still £3.80 a week!

kezlou - thank you very much! she is almost 5 weeks now and getting big - already weighing 10lb 14ozs! snoring as i type though!

taplady - ah ive missed you all. fingers crossed my good luck will come in the form of a lottery win!

Is it just the 2kids you got?as£140seems very lowfor everything including household,toilietries,formula and nappies.
I have me,hubby, 4year due to start school sept and nearly 1year old was breastfed, recentlystarted bluetop cowsmilk so more money.
We use cloth nappies that saves some.

But even with shopping around which we do,buying reduced, eating less meat,buying value/own brand, cooking from scratch,foraging we cant get under 200quid.

Clothes wise i get2nd hand, carboots,supermarket and sales.

Mine needs new schoolshoes has to be startright as wide feet,costof kids winter coats seem mad.

Schooldinners 8quid a week here and she wants them dont want her to be different.

Toys tend to be 2nd hand/sale bargains.

Definatly find kids dont have to be pricey.
Never brought baby food always made it.
Try and do kids simple homecooked cheapmeals,had pasta for lunch.

Hubby takes packedl unch 5days a week and we between 200and 300although trying to lower it down.

elisamoose

'I'm considering putting Ben on school dinners but at £1.90 a time here its expensive and they never seem to cook enough of what they say is on the menu - half the kids don't even get a full meal here! shocking.' quote

Have you spoken to the school about the meals ? Is the kitchen contracted out or managed by the school?

I work in a primary school and our head has just taken back the kitchen into school control.Was previously local council catering services.
This means school can have more control over menus , spending etc and things have really improved.
Worth talking to the Head or any parent governors.

Lindy_-_Loo

school lunches are £2.00 a day here, DS1 goes into year 1 in september and hes having packed lunch again. He doesnt always eat it all, but he and his brother are really fussy eaters and £10 a week on school lunches that I doubt he would eat is a waste and we dont have it spare. got DS2 school shoes in Netto last week, they have dora and ben 10 ones for £8 a pair. Only go to size 12 and DS1 is a 12.5 (hes just turned 5!) so were going shoppin for his tomorow. Also going to try Tj's and Sport direct for 4 in 1 coats for them, got them in mothercare last year but DS1 has grown so much it doesnt fit.

Going to have to put it on the credit card - didnt save enugh for the school holiday plans we had and I forgot the barclay loan came out yesterday so although I though we were sorted we werent. Child Tax Credit goes in next tuesday but OH off this week and I dont want to do shoe and coat shopping on my own with them.

In terms of nappies we always use tesco branded nappies. they are much cheaper than Pampers etc and work as well as them.

Its pouring with rain here so just been to library after check up at docs, DS2 rash hasnt gone on feet off his hand foot and mouth, doc said he not reinfected he thinks he may have burst a couple of blood vessels in his feet bouncing around so much! His hands still show signs but not as bad.

Spent £5 in priamrk, today got the boys 4 new tops in sale, 2 for DS1 for now as this week he has donated 3 tops to his brother as he has out grown them or the dryer had shrunk them. got 2 winter tops for DS2 as DS1 has onlt handed a few down!

narabanekeater

Sammy if your ever going shopping in Wilkos and are going to be spending £20+ in one go, go to customer services and buy £19 of saving stamps and attatch them to a savings card. That card will them give you £1 free making a 5% discount. Infact it works in quite a few shops that offer saving stamps. I know its not a massive amount but every little helps.
When Holly is 6 months you can move her onto 'follow on milk' if you so wish. I know SMA do one. This you can get clubcard and advantage card points on but the milk shes on now its illegal for retailers to offer incentives on. So the saving stamp way would be the only way I can think of to help you on that one. The SMA follow on is always on offer somewhere. I could bore you with the story of me and my mate in Boots at one one Boot's Christmas nights. Theres others with loads of toys and myself and my friend with baby wipes, milk and nappies getting all the points
Ive just spent a couple of mins looking at size 3 nappies for you. Tescos one are 3 packs for £8 at the moment making 8p a nappy. If you have any blue clubcard tokens that come through the post then you can double up on baby bits at the moment making them even cheaper.
Sainsburys often do 1/3 off nappies and 1/2 price on wipes so it may be worth putting a bit aside and stocking up then. Id better stop boaring you all now with my 'baby' moneysaving. I may end up being banned from the thread LOL

kidcat

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Yes really starting to feel the stress and strain now. Have had a stress headache for the last 2 days that just will not go and eyes look like I'm wearing red eye liner through tiredness. Not a very good look for a 26 year old. Feel about 50. Still cant fault little one as she is a star although wish she didn't squeak so loud in her sleep - crumbs! between her and her father snoring its no wonder I'm tired - although head rehit the pillow at 5.15am this morning and I didn't even notice boyfriend had gotten up and left for work until I got up at 7am to find Ben sat watching TV in the living room! Think some me time is definitely needed.

I used Tesco own brand with Ben when he got to about 6 months old but wasn't too sure how good they were for newborns. Might try a pack next time and see how they go with her and then if need be I'll stock up and store them underneath her cotbed. There is a deal at the minute on tesco size 3 brand nappies that is 3 for £8 and its gets you 192 nappies as she is just slightly too light fro the size 4 value ones. She is 10lb 14ozs as of Thursday last week.

My youngest was incredibly small when she was born although she weighed almost six pounds, she needed premature nappies for the first few months and Tesco were the only ones nearby that sold premature nappies hence how we started using them. There were always regular offers on them too so I could stock up.

As for the dreaded Christmas, I have filled an Asda savings card and am now trying to find ways to put money together for Lidl and Aldi ready for Christmas too.

DD15 gets GCSE results next week and has had a really bad summer hardly seen her friends as they have doen stuff without her. So have said she can have a small party for those that have kept in touch, so now to organise a party for next week!!!

Mum retires soon so got her works retirement do to plan for too, means new outfits for kids as well (dad is insisting), I have nothing suitable either, and DD birthday shortly after, not to mention DH birthday in two weeks. Its gonna be an expensive few months.

Thankfully all school uniform bought just got shoes to do this week, planning trip to outlet village for all but youngest who starts school for first time in Sept, dad has promised her Lelli Kellis!!! to make up for not being able to have pink shoes - she never wears any shoes that are not pink.

Am exhausted today after a family day out with my parents in Blackpool yesterday, finalised by a trip to casualty with youngest as she fell and bumped head - two hours and minor concussion later we arrived home. Never again I cry, as today I can hardly move and my head feels like someone has stomped all over it in haevy boots amd I am not going to mention the sunburn!!