Sorting through my rubbish

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All


I hope you have a great Bank Holiday weekend.


I've had quite a quiet one, it was just DD and I at home for most of the time so we have been eating 'odd n sods' from the freezer. I had intended to have a baking session as well but that didn't happen.


I spent most of the weekend decluttering and cleaning again, sorted out various cupboards, crockery, tins, plastics etc etc. Two big bags of stuff for the charity shop, loads of recycling put out and a bin liner of rubbish! Pulled out the lounge furniture and hovered and steamed everything.


Also had time to thoroughly hoover out my little run-around and touch-up the scrap that DS1 caused many moons ago, it's been bugging me ever since and I have JUST got around to doing something about it!


A dear friend popped round for a visit yesterday, going through a break-up so we had a bottle of wine to drown her sorrows! Didn't do an awful lot after that as DD insisted I snuggle up on the sofa with her to watch The Voyage of the Dawntreader.


I am trying to simplify our lives in the process of decluttering. As my friend put it we are 'stuff junkies', I am desperately trying to part with things that we don't need/use/enjoy. I am also trying to take more care of myself, vitamins, rest, exercise and beauty treatments, but all on a budget!!


We bought new bikes last year and intend to make good use of them this year so I have bought us padded cycling shorts from [EMAIL="Sp@rts"]Sp@rts[/EMAIL] Direct as they are reduced to about £5 a pair and should make the whole experience more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable!! Hopefully we will work up to some reasonably long rides and therefore cheap days out (and weightloss!)


So I am really pleased with the No7 Hot cloth cleanser I got, lovely to use and my skin looks and feels good. I have also read good reviews for the [EMAIL="Sup@rdrug"]Sup@rdrug[/EMAIL] version which is on offer at the moment, less than half price at £2.99 for 150ml (including the cloth which is usually £2 on it's own), free postage if you spend over £10 so I have ordered 4, I should have a clean face for many months to come!!! So pleased I resisted the temptation to order the Liz £arle one!!


Not much else to report, spent £40 on groceries at the weekend, needed cereal etc but that's not too bad for 4 of us plus the dog! DH working late again tonight so will cook us a curry and do the ironing while waiting for him to come home.


Take care


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All


Hope you are all enjoying the weather, got my washing out on the line drying, a simple pleasure but it does make me happy (does THAT make me sad??!!).


Had a fairly quiet and MSE weekend. Was a dear friends birthday and she needed spoiling so gave her a huge Sanctuary set from the present stash and we went out on Saturday night, only spent about £15 as we drank at hers before hitting the town.


Have been doing some more cleaning and tidying, bagged up some of DDs clothes to pass to a friend (was going to Magpie them but probably not worth the effort). Got loads of stuff for the charity shop.


Food wise we have been very good. Saturday we had Chicken and Chorizo pasta (all from stocks), Sunday did some shopping and got some real bargains from the fish counter so we had mushy pea topped breaded Pollock and chips (45p for 2 fish fillets), Monday was fish pie with bargain salmon, cod and smoked haddock (again all 45p a pack) and yesterday was a very quick quorn chilli and rice (all from stocks), will probably have the rest today in the form of enchiladas.


Working my way through the toiletries stash, skint this month but will start putting £1 in a jar everytime I use up or throw away an item. Was a bit naughty last week, went to visit my sister (tied in with a work appointment so my mileage was paid!) and as I am not in the city very often I did a little retail therapy, visited L'0ccitane (was good only bought 3 soaps!) and got a lovely bag for my holiday in Fat Face reduced to £12, then went to Primarni and got 2 holiday dresses reduced to £1 each and another lovely one for £10 (note to self must add to clothes challenge total).


As from payday I will also be putting away the money from my little lady (£19pw - will probably round up to £20!) towards holiday spending money, £20pm towards Xmas and starting my debt repayments in earnest.


Well that's all from me today


Have a great day


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi folks,


Nothing much to say today, had to have our beloved Black Lab put to sleep yesterday, the house seems empty and very, very quiet without her.


I did have a Girls Night in on Saturday night for Macmillan, was a lovely evening spent on the decking, good food, good drink and great company and we raised £157!


Hope you all had good weekends


321 xxx

pennywisepoundstupid

So sorry to hear about your dog, they become part of the family so quickly.

Sending you hugs.x.

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Thank you PWPS for your kind words, she was a very big part of our lives and sadly missed.


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All


Well today is payday and the first day of my new regime. I am aiming to make an extra payment to credit cards of £400 this month, we will see how that goes!


Had a few extra expenses this month, DH has had a £157 bill for his car (was just replacing a tube that was leaking oil!). I have just gone and paid the vet (total was £450) and have left the insurance claim form with him, finger's crossed they pay out. Note to self - check the payments cease after the claim is processed, that £35pm!


We had a letter from Tax Credits yesterday asking for £1350 overpayment by 24/6!! I rang them and queried it as 1) we have not had a letter 2) we have not had a renewal pack so how do they know what we owe and 3) our payments unexpectedly stopped in April!! It appears that as my husband earned more than expected last year they have stopped our payments and assumed we are no longer eligible, what they have failed to take into account is that I earned about two thirds of my normal income due to sickness. I gave them last years earnings and this years projected and they will be re-processing the claim.


Grocery shopping tonight, need some dried good, cereals etc, butter, milk, bread, just basics mainly. Aim to get it just over the £40 mark to get the last Payday Bonus voucher at Mossies, will get £10 off my shop next week then. Should just need bare essentials for the rest of the month then as cupboards and freezer will be full.


I have been a bit naughty and bought some more hot cloth cleanser, the Ren one which smells divine, but got two for slightly more than the price of one with free delivery. Aiming to use up a load of toiletries this month (will put £1 in the pot for each one), used some of my £1 swartzkopf hair dye last night and am using some after shaving balm to shave my legs as I use body butter after shaving, also got loads of Lush jelly soaps which I don't use so have been using them as bubble bath. Going to go through my stash, see what samples/sachets I have for weekends away/holidays and what needs using up.


So the forecast is for typical Bank Holiday weather so I aim to stay at home, decluttering and cooking to use up bits and pieces that will otherwise not get used (old dried fruit, mixes etc) will see what strange combinations I can come up with.


No other money saving to report, Xmas savings up-to-date, carrying on with £2 saving (slow progress) and will commence saving £15pw of little lady's money towards holiday spends, should be over £300 by the time we go away.


Well that's all folks, have a great long weekend


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Guys


Well it's been a week since I last posted and not a lot has happened! No news re the Pet Insurance claim or the Tax Credits (although we did receive our renewal pack yesterday so I will do that this weekend).


DH has been sorting out the loft space and DD has been attacking her bedroom so there has been a lot of things taken to the charity shop or listed on Facebook. DH is back to work (nights) on Monday so that will be the end of that and also an end to me going home to my dinner being ready and the housework done


Financially I am trying to be good although I am going out tomorrow night for a drink with DS1 before he heads back to base on Sunday. I have joined a couple more threads on here, the main one being 'No more buying unnecessary toiletries' very apt for me!!! I am going to go through my stash one night next week and list what I actually have and what needs to be used up! (will do it when DH is at work so that he doesn't have heart failure!!)


Managed to get the Payday bonus at Mossies so £10 off my shopping this week (and DH bought himself a bottle of JD Honey so my share of the shopping was only £10 in the end and I gave him the fuel voucher (10p off per litre) so he was a happy bunny! Managed to get a family sized Pukka Chicken Pie for 9p last night so had that with JP and salad for dinner when we got home! Cupboards/freezer well stocked so I need to meal plan, good to be back in charge of the meals as DH is great at cooking but will go and buy in ingredients when we have loads to use up in the cupboards!!


Keeping to the clothing budget, don't really need anything, especially if this carp weather keeps up! May have a bit of a splurge in the summer sales and get a few bits for holiday, if we have no summer there should be a few bargains to be had!!


Anyway must dash, will update with meal plan and toiletries stash in due course,


Have a great weekend


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All


Well it's been a week since I posted and not a lot has happened here. Still no news on the Tax Credits or the pet insurance claim.


We are eating well and keeping the shopping to a minimum. Trying for the Payday Bonus again at Mossies, spent £40.19 this week (after using a voucher) and £20 of that was JD Honey for DH's Fathers Day pressie! Had a lovely roast lamb dinner last night, meat from the freezer and used up veggies from the fridge.


I'm quietly pleased with myself as far as the Crazy Clothes Challenge is going, haven't bought anything for about a month and still well within my budget. If this weather keeps up I wont be tempted to buy any summer clothes either! Or maybe I will in the sales ready for our holiday!!!


Had a very quiet and fairly frugal weekend, DH working nights. Did some gardening (potting up the £1 reduced plants DH brought home) and took DD for a Knickerbocker Glory where DS2 works, haven't had one for years, it was yummy!


Saw the consultant again on Tuesday, still not healing so I have to go back in 5 weeks time and if it's not improved they will repeat the prodecure, if that doesn't work I have to have a second opinion before they do the big op!


Nothing else really to say, still aiming for a large debt repayment this month once everything else has gone out. DS1 owes me money for their concert tickets, train and hotel which will go straight off the credit card as will any money from the pet insurance.


Take care all


321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Well another week has rolled by, not sure where this year is going?!


Had a good week, food wise I was given the next voucher for Mossies (week 2) so have not done a big shop, just been buying bread and milk etc from the local convenience store, will do a big shop at the end of this week to get the next voucher and then £10 off next week, plus 10p off per litre petrol voucher. Have been eating out of the stores, not particularly healthily though. DH is cooking tonight so no idea what we're having!


No clothes purchased for a few weeks now, since 8/5 so quite pleased with myself and trying to use up toiletries without buying more (although had a bit of a blip at the weekend - but they were all bargains!!)


I've had the Pet Insurance payment through, £500 claim but only got £211 back, based on the fact that my premiums this year were £35pm I'm not very impressed and would not pay for insurance again, just put the money away each month instead.


Still waiting on the tax credits!


I've been a bit naughty and booked a girly weekend with my sister, to see Culture Club in December, she loved them when we were kids. Only one night away but a nice spa hotel so should be lovely and not too expensive!


I think the car boot sale that I like is starting again at the end of the month so I must get organised for that, contemplating doing a 'everything 50p' week just to clear some stuff, might do one at the beginning, then take the more expensive items for a week or two and if they don't sale do the 50p thing again.


Have a great day everyone.


321 xxx

trixiepix

Tip Toeing across the thread with my tail between my legs.................