Sorting through my rubbish

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Have got the house back to 'normal' now our French visitor has gone. He was an absolute joy and just fitted in with the family, very polite and very good at speaking English so with my school girl French we got along just fine! We are missing him, it is funny how you can get so used to having someone around after only 1 week.

So payday next Thursday and I am skint. Have managed to salt away £150 this month as well as making the extra Nexxt payments but I don't want to dip into that money. Will be living out of the freezers etc until payday. Have loads of stuff in and now the exchange student has gone it doesn't matter if meals are a bit 'strange'. Have booked Asd@ delivery for Thursday ready for the long weekend as we are planning a shared bbq with friends.

Budget for next month is fairly tight but I want to stick to my extra payments and will try and keep food spends down to a minimum.

No progress with conservatory yet, a friend is going to help with the brickwork but we need to put in some drainage first. Hoping that as we are doing the work ourselves and we have an account at the builder's merchants I will be able to spread the cost over a few months. Our friend estimated £150 for bricks so with concrete etc I am hoping about £300 all in! We were going to make a timber wall for the end but that wasn't much cheaper and this way I can look for some kitchen units on ebay and get those fitted to make the utility area.

Quiet weekend planned, need to sort through the loft and find senior school uniform that I put away for DS2 as I don't want to order anything I already have and whilst I'm up there going to look for ebayable items to start 99p and car boot stuff as it is time I started doing those again. DH is going to put some bigger items on the facebook marketplace thingy as it is easier than lugging them to the carboots. Any money made will go towards the conservatory.

Right that's me up-to-date.

Have a great weekend

321

trixiepix

Hey lovely

I've been offline for a spell as have been basking in the sunshine on our hols - only in the uk - but fortunately seemed to choose the 'right' week!!

Finances are still proving to be rubbish and although today is payday i already know i'm going to be overdrawn by the end of the month!!! - i think it's gonna take a month or two to get financially back on the straight and narrow.

Ooooh how exciting about your conservatory, i'd love a conservatory - one of my friend's dad's has his own window/conservatory business but we've not been in touch much over recent years and this morning he mailed me about making a cake for him - this could be my chance!!!! - lol!!! - i know there would be no point expecting my OH to build anything as he is absolutely hopeless with no clue about such things ( as a matter of fact i'm not sure what he's useful for - lol lol :rotfl:)

Anyhoo - my budget this month has to be mega strict:eek: - it has to be said i much prefer spending than scrimping - i think that's my problem, what is they say - champagne lifestyle with beer money, well mines more champagne lifestyle with tap water money ( mind you even the blinking water costs me a fortune with the water meter!!!):cool:

Hope you attic raiding went well and you found the uniform and ebay stuff - i'm gonna be doing the same for ebay bits - i think it may just be me but it feels as though i'm paying way more in listing fees and paypal charges than ever before, i know i've been listing quite a lot of stuff over the 99p free option but there are times it feels as though a huge chunk of profit has to be spent on fees!!!! ( moan moan moan ) - i think the hike in postal rates arent' gonna do us sellers many favours either ( continues to moan moan moan :rotfl:)

Anyway hun, good luck with the conservatory, hope your DH is doing ok and hope your budgeting stays on track:D

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Trixie

Glad you had a good holiday, what fabulous weather:T, it usually rains when we have our week camping!!

I'm definately with you on the spending/scrimping thing although I must admit I get more of a buzz out of buying a real bargain than blowing money on something expensive!! Think I should be a 'lady that lunches' really, need a millionaire to keep me in shoes and handbags!!:rotfl:

Didn't actually make it as far as the attic in the end, helped DH clear a lot of 'rubbish' from the garden and take it to the recycling centre. Also listed some of the kids larger toys on the local Facebook site and have made over £100 already and no listing fees!! I wonder if you have something similar in your area, better than ebay as there are no listing or paypal fees and you get paid in cash! People list allsorts on there, clothes , toys, furniture etc, a bit like freecycle but you get paid for the items:T:T Got loads of washing done, we are on a hill and there was quite a strong breeze but it was hot so the rotary line was like a giant tumble dryer and everything dried in no time (I am sad, getting excited about that!).

OH is feeling up to starting work on the conservatory now, has ordered the bits he needs to put in extra drainage first so hopefully will start that this weekend (although we have been invited to 3 bbqs so will have to work around that!).

Budgeting is ok, payday tomorrow, tax situation still not sorted but should get a refund next month along with 24 hours overtime so that will be nice! Have placed my usual order with ASD@, £80 arriving tomorrow. Checked bank statement and have kept to the fuel and food budgets this month. Have 2 x 18th birthdays this month so need to allow for those, presents and parties, both family so have to go.

DH and I have started diets as of Sunday, I have lost 5 pounds already, not sure how as haven't felt hungry at all and have been drinking loads of water. We both have apps on our phones to monitor what we eat etc and it really makes you aware of all the little extras like the odd biscuit/cake. I am hoping it will help DH with his recovery after his hip op due in August if he loses some weight. It is really difficult for him to exercise as he is in so much discomfort but he is trying to walk to and from work and got the exercise bike down from the loft but is unable to do much on that, thinking a cross trainer might be better for him.

Take care, will check back soon

321

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

And another week has flown by.....

Conservatory work suspended following a trip to MIU after OH had a disagreement with the Angle Grinder!! Now back on track and I have had all of the bricks delivered this week. The estimate of £150 for the bricks was WAYYY out, so have revised my total build costs to £500.

Asd@ delivery was a complete fiasco this month......
The lorry broke down but I didn't know about it til 15 mins after my delivery slot:mad:. CS promised to phone the next morning to arrange delivery to fit in with my double shift on Friday, no phone call. I passed (or actually nearly crashed into) the van speeding through our narrow congested street as I was going to my evening shift. The order was £10 short of items:( BUT they had doubled up my frozen and chilled items and included some that I didn't order so I was up about £40 in the end!! :j Will take that as compensation for the hassle and lack of communication!

Diet going ok, still only lost 5lbs BUT following the 3 bbqs at the weekend with plenty of POimms and GnTs I am surprised I haven't put it all back on so pretty happy about that. DH has bought a cross trainer from a friend of a friend for £50 (was £300) and is really pleased with it, he is doing a session on it everyday. I've tried it but it's not really my thing.

Have just gone through my budget as I am skint already and it is 3 weeks til payday:eek::eek:. Have had to help out the joint account and had an unplanned trip to IKEA (was very reserved - only spent £40, could have spents 1000s!!) so that's nearly £150 I hadn't budgeted for!. Just as well we have loads of extra food from ASD@!!

Right off to do some work, back soon

321

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All

Had a good weekend.

DHs friend came and helped him with the drainage and prep work for the conservatory so all systems go now. Am keeping an eye on [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL] for kitchen cabinets for the utility end.

Had a good cooking session, using ingredients we already had, sausage baps for the workers for breakfast, slimming world quiche and salad for lunch, homemade pizzas for dinner, chocolate and banana cakes and marmite bites. Quiche and pizza leftovers for lunchboxes today made the return to school much smoother this morning!! Did succomb to a take away kebab on Saturday night though but only myself DH and DD so didn't break the bank and we went halves. Making a chicken, spinach and ricotta lasagne tonight and spag bol in the slow cooker for Tuesday and Wednesday as I am doing double shifts both of those days. Short staffed at the moment so I am doing lots of extra hours here and there so need to be organised at home!

Need to buy some milk, bread, apples and ham today, this is the first shopping since the ASD@ delivery so pretty pleased with that.

Have written in my diary that each Sunday I am to list 10 items on [EMAIL="Eb@y"]Eb@y[/EMAIL], even if they only sell for 99p each I should build up a nice amount towards Xmas and the house improvements. My only problem is that DH used to post everything for me whilst he was at work, I will have to run the gauntlet of our local post office myself now.

Off to do some work, back soon

321

trixiepix

Hey lovely,

I soooooooooo know what you mean about the week flying by - half term went in a flash - weather was pretty rubbish but we managed to busy ourselves without huge expense! - quite a few more bits have been dropped onto the cc as the money just isn't in the account this month, but will set up a £100 per month DD at the end of this month to chip away at it!!

I've now reached the end of my very expensive 6 weeks, DD1 had her birthday at the weekend and that 's the last of the extra expenses for this month (besides Fathers day & our wedding anniversary - anniversary will just be a card and possibly take out and Fathers day gift from the kids has already been sorted, so just father in law's gift (my lovely dad sadly is no longer with us), which will be a token gesture.

Your asda shopping seemed like a complete adventure:rotfl:, at least you were £40 up, so there was at least one positive!!
ooh and well done on the weight loss :T - i love SW quiche - and i just love quark, it tastes like 'naughty' full fat soft cheese but without the 'naughty'!

Back at work today (for a rest!!! lol!!) - food shopping this evening (boo!!!) which has to be very frugal!! and have to do monthly finances ahead of next month so i have a clear idea of where we're at. DH's pay rise starts at the end of this month and his overtime has been ok, so hopefully that will makes things look a little brighter:D

Time to start ebaying again as i haven't listed anything since the week before we went away, and i'm taking a break from my 'baking empire (lol)' - the last few months it feels as though i haven't stopped and have more than a full time job with my 'day' job and the home baking too, so i'm taking a couple of months off - customers have been notified and i'll miss the extra money but the profit margins are getting less and less due to increase in ingredients/gas etc and my time is more valuable for other things like my family!!!

Hope your conservatory is coming along nicely ( sooooooooooooooo jealous!!) it will be such a fantastic addition to your home xx

I think i'm gonna do the same with the list 10 ebay things note in ur diary - sometimes with ebay i feel as it's a bit of an uphill struggle to get going as my expectations are that i should be listing loads which in turn means i can't motivate myself to start but by having the midset of only needing to list an achievable amount should be less daunting to get going!

Well hun - i'm hoping to be around more now as in theory all the uber busyness should be coming to an end (i should only be super busy now :rotfl:) - have a fun day xx

trixiepix

Ooh, did my food shopping last night and timed it well for the 'reduced' stuff - bought 8 tubs of organic light cream cheese for 9p each instead of £1.35, 3 pots of tomato pasta sauce for 19p instead of £1.59, 2 'posh' range quichey type tarts 59p instead of £3.49, couple of pork pies for DH 9p each and some coleslaw for 10p - bargain!!!

Feel a bit more financially focused today - still have no more money than i had yesterday but feeling a tad more upbeat - long may it last!!!!

How r u doing lovely?:D

trixiepix

I should have added it's all in the freezer now, awaiting some culinary inspiration :rotfl:

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Trixie,

I'm good thanks.

Well done you for the bargains today, I love it when I get a good haul!! Did quite well yesterday, only popped in for bread, milk, ham and apples but picked up loads of reduced sandwich meats, houmous, a couple of ready meals and some lush puds that were about £3 originally (all about 29p a pack). Hmmmm culinary inspiration with your goodies, stir the cream cheese into tinned tomatoes, herbs and some garlic - makes a lovely pasta sauce; add some diced chicken, make a roux sauce with spinach in and layer it with pasta sheets for a Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach lasagne. Cheese cakes are another good way to use up the cheese, can also be used in quiches or as a topping on pizza (I make a yummy Spinach and ricotta pizza).

Working double shifts today and tomorrow so left spag bol int the slow cooker for the masses, should last them both days, I have brought in one of the ready meals and houmous to eat with rice cakes - trying to keep to the diet!!

I think you're doing the right thing taking a break from the baking, like you say the extra money is nice but think of the extra time you will have with the family and for ebaying!!!!! I know that when I do extra shifts at work I have to conscious of making time for the kids and also ensuring that things are organised at home other wise my extra income gets spent on takeaways etc!

Well done for getting through that expensive spell, sometimes it really feels like the world is against you doesn't it. I have been looking at my budget for the next couple of months and whilst I will have earnt about £250 extra each month in overtime I know that the car needs moting and taxing and DS1 leaves college at the end of the month so my income will take a hit. Trying to be as frugal as possible cos I need to pay for DS2s French Rugby Exchange (£150 by end of August), DDs swimming lessons (£25) and Girls Brigade (£15) as well as lots of birthdays!

Right on with my work, chat soon

321

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

:jOhhh, just updated my signature and my Loan is under £7k now yeah!!!:j

I should really add my NEXXT account and the 2 tiny credit cards to my sig but I think I am in denial about them. Will try and pluck up the courage as it will help me to see those being paid off!!