'SAHM to 2 boys' shambles attempt to reduce the mortgage

cha97michelle

I saved shoes for DS2 too, but have the same problem in that DS2 has one size wider feet, and he is also nearly the same size. DS2 is in an 11 and DS1 in a 12. Big feet indeed. I am just glad to recoup some money. I even put on a really scuffed old pair of wellies for 1p and someone bought them for 27p. Better than going in the bin which is what i was going to do. Nowadays our shoes go in the recycle bin at clarks for charity.

SAHMto2boys

Bless them they have got big feet!! My DS1 is only in a 9 and very narrow whereas DS2 is 3 years younger and already in a 6 and very wide. DS1 feet don't seem to grow very quick but he's very tall and skinny so I'm sure it'll even out, the last few pairs have come straight off his feet and into the recycle bin in the shop. DS1 is ready for another fitting so I might take the old shoes into the charity shop or put them in the bin in the shop while we're there. Surprised mine haven't got huge feet though as I'm a 6 or 7 and DH is a 12!

Froggy-G

I feel like a giant, I have size 15 feet!! :eek:

gallygirl

Froggy-G wrote: »

I feel like a giant, I have size 15 feet!! :eek:

You know what they say about big feet Froggy :eek:










Big socks :whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle:

SAHMto2boys

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:;)

Didn't manage to post on Friday as DS2 was poorly with a bad cough and cold so I was shattered from getting up 10+ times with him but I achieved
1. Went to a friends for lunch and playdate instead of going to expensive play centre (but I did spend £5 on some new house flowers for her)
2. Went into town and collected DS1 free prescription and avoided buying anything I didn't need (ie £10 in Primark just because I was there so a big one for me!!)
3. Used vouchers and offers and brought £20 worth of No7 to finish mums Christmas gift for £6
4. Picked up one of my free hair colours to save for later date

Did slip by having a take-away chippy for tea as were both shattered from dealing with a poorly DS2 and a nightmare playdate.

Then I had a naughty weekend! Went out with my 'WAG' friends on Saturday night so spent on a meal and drinks and had a good night but I can't handle 3am finishes anymore! I was so tired yesterday, DH was a complete star and took the kids out but I feel guilty about losing a day. Oh well, whats done is done.

So good points from weekend and today:
1. Brought a needed gift from ELC but used there 3 for 2 meaning boys little easter gifts are sorted cheaper (don't do eggs)
2. SC on and washing drying outside

Feeling ok today, have done a good deed and given one of the Dads from pre-school a lift up to the other school instead of him dragging his elder child along the street. The sun is shining so think I'll take DS's for a bike ride/pram push later to the free nature reserve. Right better brave checking the bank :eek:

SAHMto2boys

Not much to report on the MFW front these last few days. Not really doing that saving or earning money, just stopping spending as much which I suppose helps. We've had two gorgeous days of warmish weather and blue skies so have been out in the fresh air both days and washing dried outside. Monday we went to a local nature reserve - free! - for a bike ride and yesterday to a country park which has a lovely, huge lake to walk around, a ruined Abbey and lots of forest walks to enjoy. Met a friend there for lunch but the cafe is cheapish meaning I spent £6 for a nice few hours out - a good day! When the weather turns nicer we'll go back to taking picnics there.

Read something very interesting lately about helping others and good deeds (about how it all helps return good things to you and how it make you and others feel) so helped two people yesterday at the park (one a mother whose baby caught a full hot coffee cup in the cafe and spilled it onto her highchair, it was packed and only my friend and I helped the poor woman - thankfully the baby was unhurt) and gave 'Dad from school' a lift again today....ooof the weight of my halo.

DH and I have decided to cut out drinking as much as possible which will save a fair bit of cash - a couple of bottles of wine shared a week really adds up so hoping this month I'll come under budget on our 'spending' money.

Been looking at lots of lovely blogs lately about vintage styles and crafting so after reading all them I'm itching to go through the charity shops. Feel like the house needs a bit of freshening up, maybe move a few bits and pieces around I think and see if I can pick any cheap items up. So today is going to be house cleaning and charity shop hunting while LO's enjoy grandparents company, tomorrow I'll catch up with study.

Right, it in an effort to inspire myself to do more things either MFW or otherwise a list.....

1. DS1 scooter broke so DH said we'll buy a new one at the weekend (£30!!) and scoffed at me saying I would contact ELC first to see what they could do about it. New scooter was delivered by 24 hour courier yesterday free of charge with an apology...DH ate his words
2. £65 requested from Ebay after fees and postage paid on all items - going to OP pot when cleared
3. £8 saved so far this week on not drinking
4. Not really MF but decluttered a huge pile of old Tpo Gear, Prima and House Beautiful mags we have on subscriptions for Christmas gifts to MIL who then passes them onto her friend and they then go through their family
5. Brought kids some new clothes from M&S sale they need for summer, excellent savings there. Plus baby clothes gift for my BF's new baby at half price.
6. Picked up a couple more bits from M&S sale for the kids - socks, thermal vests for DS1 when he starts school.
7. Brought MIL Christmas gifts of No7 £2 for £15 worth of stuff and a gorgeous faux fur Per Una wrap £19.50 down to £5 - all to come from gift budget.
8. Returned a pair of £10 trousers I brought for DS1 - M&S sale ones nicer for £5

WILL be back later to report more.....

cha97michelle

You sound so like me trying to help others. I do get a nice little glow myself from it, although watch out as some will really take the lend if you do it to freely.

That sounds awful about the poor little one with the hot drink. I bet the mum was really glad you helped. You almost go into shock when it is your own little one and seem unable to do much.

ELC were good giving you a new scooter. Saying that, they make enough don't they. Won't have cost them that much to do.

You are also being saintly giving up the wine. We buy a box from costco and it last 2-3 weeks. That £14 will be one of the last things i give up. We don't do anything else. :eek:

SAHMto2boys

Hi Michelle

I was really shocked at how easily ELC replaced the scooter, one email explaining and a new one was dispatched immediately - the amount of stuff I've binned when its broke instead of contacting places! Like you say the amount they make must be huge but I was impressed at the customer service.

Can't give up the wine totally I'm afarid, we've off to Centre Parcs soon so will be wanting a glass or two at night to chill when the kids are in bed. Not drunk since Saturday night now and I normally only manage 2 or 3 nights off it before I fancy a glass - DH is out tomorrow night so I won't drink then either. It just seems to help my mood so much when I'm not having a glass the night before...I find I'm not a shouty mummy when we're doing the dash to school. :o


Chazza shop shopping was good! I went into five and they were all packed - a sign of the times I think. One had a fabulous lady in her sixties, looking at her and her DH you'd think she was dripping in money and was buying clothes for the South of France. She was so pleased to find two very lavish, 'cruise-style' tops for £6.75 and had to think if she could afford it. Sad really but just shows appearances aren't everything. I brought some treats! A footstool that I will re-cover and re-work for £2.75, two brand new cushions for £1 each that will be ideal to recover for to add to our bed cushion collection, two books I wanted (Ben Elton and One Day) for £1 each and a lovely plant pot thingy that looks nice on the dining room windowsill with a candle in. And DH didn't even laugh at me for buying stuff the bl00dy snob he is. I normally just put the stuff out or away what I've picked up and he doesn't ask where its from.

Had a good clean downstairs and mix about and have a few ideas of bits of want to pick up so a good day! Off to watch Alan Partridge and scoff cheese and crackers with DH

SAHMto2boys

MFW list

1. Picked up a free water saving kit from Mr S this morning, installed flush bag in downstairs loo to save water
2. Requested 2 more online for free
3. Sorted out a courier for large EBay item to be re-listed
4. Done some online banking and moved some cash around
5. Emptied my purse of small change into sealed pot (its nearly full!)

Was hoping for a NSD but had to go to Mr S for some milk, ended up stocking up on meat on offer to re-fill freezer. Right, work time although all I want to do in lie on the sofa with the dogs and read my book.

SAHMto2boys

Waiting for the BOE base rate to be announced.....

whoop whoop 0.5% again meaning 1.5% for us - hurrah!




(sorry if its not good for you though xx)