MF at last! Now for the £300,000 'Mansion' Fund.

MatyMoo

Can't remember how old Earthlet is But I don't think he is at the walking stage yet.

How about introducing him to some ducks or cows on a family walk? A trip to the local swimming pool to get him used to it. A musical hour with pots, pans, wooden spoons, tupperware box with pasta in it.

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

At this time of year it is lovely to visit country parks and kick through the leaves. If you have a little bit of spending money you could finish up with a pint in the pub.....

earthgirl

Thanks for the suggestions!

Swimming is quite expensive here, and its a bit of a faff to get to a pool. I think we might go for a family walk along the river in town to feed the ducks, follwed by a free drink with a voucher at the p and p bar. Hopefully the weather will be nice!

I might try to get a few of the freebies with papers coming up this weekend - I am never lucky though!

I am really sorted at work at the moment, so I can really concentrate on my family and home this weekend.

I have got to (or want to..)
- do a weekly shop and return one item -budget £25
- shop and scan
- hm food all weekend
- free family activities
- clean house (it has stayed really tidy all this week, I think my organising for busy mums has done the trick)
- declutter back bedroom and ebay some items.

I have made and started to fill out a family planner each week with who is collecting the baby, what we all eat, whats to record on tv, when my tutoings are etc, and it has really helped.

I have also cancelled a tutoring this week because it would have meant not seeing the baby until almost 7 at night, and I am going to do the same next week. I am really wanting to make small changes to get more balance in my life.

I also want to start doing a yoga dvd at home. Can anyone suggest anything - has anyone tried family yoga that the little one could do (eventually) as well?

I also need to do some cardio activities, a couple per week and eat more fruit, and drink more water. I will probably have to spend a little bit of money and time on these activities, unless I can be creative!

Kittikins

Hi Earthgirl, I don't know of a 'family' type yoga DVD, but the Yoga Bugs DVD is fabulous for children. HTH

Lixi_2

Hi Earthgirl

I can't recommend a family yoga dvd, but just thought I would say I have recently started doing yoga again (classes before and at lunchtime in work - subsidised by work as well which is a bonus) and am loving it. It makes you feel really good. Around my part of the world they run mum and baby yoga classes and I am definitely going to look into those in due course!

earthgirl

Thanks lixi and kittikins.

In true money saving style I have recorded a yoga session from my sky planner. Hopefully it will be ok, and then I can start practising.


I ad such a lovely weekend, I got loads done, and spent ages with the family. It was a really relaxing weekend. I must try and get everything done so that I can enjoy that time with my family.

I did quite a big (for me) walk along the river at the weekend, and went for our free drinks - it was great! Nothing spent on going out. However, I spent £44 on food shopping (some of it I hope to get back on complaining as it wasn't very nice) So that will probably get my bill down to £37, but still way more than normal. I am going to have a real focus on keeping our bills down now.

Of to catch up on some diaries, and then I will do a bit more work!

sparklystar_2

Hi earthgirl, have been reading your diary and am so impressed with how little you spend on shopping. i try to get ours in at under £350 a month which feels like a challenge. I used to spent £500-£600 a month pre light bulb moment - ekk:eek: I'm feeling spurred on spend less next week - got it in for £62 on sat (but forgot dog food and washing liquid) will try and beat this next week.
sparkly star x

earthgirl

Thats great sparkly star - Its amazing how much you don't even realise you are wasting/ don't really need. I have too keep myself in check around the supermarket, and always have a pre till check through to see if I can put anything back after sneaking it past myself if you know what I mean!!

Just done some banking, and will update totals for November / december. Lately I have been deciding at the beginning of the month how much I want to save and transferring it then and there to savings and just sticking to it!
This month I have decided to save £2500 minimum - I hope to add to this with tutoring money, but things always go a bit quieter around Christmas with all the parties and things!

On strike today, which I really believe in, and I want to make it a really useful day. There isn't a march near me, so I am just going to have a useful day as best I can. I am seeing 3 private clients and am also going to do every job that I have put off lately.

I have bought the shred dvd (for free using shop and scan vouchers) as I have heard people mention it on here, and I will try to get some form of exercise in today. I really feel like I have piled on the pounds, but I haven't when I have weighed myself. I'd like to lose a stone though asap!

earthgirl

The shed dvd has arrived and I completed it this morning. I don't think I can do it every morning in the week, but I can definately do every other day, and both days at the weekend. I feel better for doing something already!

OH have been falling out about keeping the house tidy, he doesn't agree with washable nappies, and things are a bit miserable at home today to be honest. I will just have to get my head down and get on with things. Its not nice to argue as my weekends are so precious to me. Men!



OH damaged my car during the week, and didn't tell me and I ended up with a flat tyre on the way to work with the baby in the car. Thank goodness martin put the rac deal in the email as I would have been stuck without it! Anyway oh got they tyre fixed free of charge.

Anyway arguing has totally deflated any enthusiasm I actually had for tidying and cleaning! I must do it though, no fairy godmother is going to come and wave her magic wand.


I sound so negative!! Right I must try to see the positive. If I can get a few jobs done, I know I will feel a lot better.

1. Clean nappy bins
2. Clean bathroom
3. tidy laundry
4. declutter upstairs
5. get ebay pile ready

6. Cook what was supposed to be a romantic meal for oh and I. Oh Well, maybe by then I will feel more romantic!

wantabetterlife

Oh earthgirl i am sorry to hear work is that bad at the minute...the feeling of being under scrutiny must be awful. Do you think your boss is doing this incase there are redundancies and she is trying to make it look like you arent cutting the mustard...she/he sounds like a nasty peice of work. I have to say i had no idea that this type of politics went on in schools. I really hope it improves for you and that the xmas holidays provide a well needed rest. xo