Where there's muck there's brass

RubySewSew

Makes me laugh that whilst writing that I am studiously ignoring a raging row in the next room!

RubySewSew

Had a laaaaazy day. Moped around most of the morning. Took DS1 to Tesco so he could get some halloween bits. Felt rubbish that couldn't afford a pumpkin but then decided we'd make lanterns instead and we can actually take those trick or treating with us. There's a lantern walk Saturday night to so double bubble. Went on to secondhand store to llok for box to decoupage for my Mum's birthday but no luck. Did however find traditional fold out sewing box for £6 and a lovely little gatefold wooden table for the boys room for a tenner . Gonna paint it and decoupage it up so it looks fabulous.

Spend £16.

Had awful headache when got back so took some migraine tablets and went to bed for an hour. Made kids emergency tea and then packed them off to their Dad's. I'm feeling rubbish - bowel sluggish, skin horrible and feeling distinctly unglam. Realised that there is no fruit or veg in the house and have been eating terribly. Unfortunately that means kids have to. So decided that budget or not we need some fresh fruit - can't believe how expensive basics have become! £30! For some fruit, bread, milk, butter, sugar and flour. Spent another £20 on pj bottoms for DS2 who has shot up out of his last ones and a lightbulb for the hallway as it has been weeks without and getting more and more of an issue. The halogen light is funny in there though - was gonna paint the hallway white but reckon a dusky rose pink would be nicer.

Bought some budget flowers to. £1 for a massive bunch of lilies and 75p for 5 pink roses. Prettied up my front room. Now I need to have a manic clean and tidy. My super OCD friend is coming to stay the tonight tomorrow with her little ones. She makes it down about once every 5 years! She only lives in London! Anyway, want the house to feel cosy (it certainly won't be warm!). So gonna have a spiv. Imelda May blaring out on the stereo, reduced counter mushroom risotto heating in oven, sparkling water in glass - let's clean like it's the 1950's!!

House today - glam tomorrow

Eager_Elephant

Well you certainly can't say you have not done much this half term :rotfl:

I think at the weekend you need to write a Ta-Da list - it will make you so much more positive about what you have achieved this week.

I know you don't mind about your bed but I do mind :rotfl: and I worry for you. Could you do someting else to earn some money and keep it to one side for a bed?

The kinsgize mattress could be sold on gumtree or ebay to make some pennies.

Although fruit is expensive you need to have it - it just makes you feel so much better inside and out.

Hope you have fun with your friend this weekend :T

RubySewSew

I think that is a great idea Eager re the bed but before I do that I have to sort the car out (ouch - mot, tax and fixing the thing underneath that is hanging off ), my mum's birthday and my sister's 30th birthday. And that's just November!

I am going to ask work to regrade me so I move up a position. I don't know if they will but at least I will have a clearer idea of what I am worth to them. I am also only working part time. I don't think it would be a good idea for me to increase my hours at the moment but it is an option.

And you're right, fruit and veg is an essential. It's the fuel that will give your body the output you deserve. You can't really get by without it. I do always look at cheaper ways to do it. I'm planning to do weekly online shopping from Monday onwards. That way I can manage my spending more effectively.

I have the budget open in front of me and I am staring and staring at it, trying to commit it to memory. It is shocking. Because my outgoings are so massive. Because my incoming is not insignificant but is still not enough. because there is nothing I can do to reduce anything because I am already cut back to essentials. And they are priced as low as it is possible to price. Because it doesn't take into account things like Christmas presents for my children, shoes for my feet, the cost of exercising. Before you panic, there is a budget for clothes but it is £55 for all 4 of us and most of that goes on the kids due to the fact we all have so little and they just keep growing! I need a new swimsuit and because of my bust size I need a specialist one which will cost £65. Can't go swimming with my kids (who get in for free) until then. How do you prioritise when everything is a priority?

I'm not down about it, I'm matter of fact. and hopefully this will all fuel the fire so that the courts will see how bad things are. What I wonder though, is that there must be people worse off than me - how do they manage?

The only way to get through the next few months is to put my bank account card in a drawer and ensure that I cannot/will not/must not/do not spend a penny because there is simply no room for any unbudgeted or unexpected costs. And get cracking on trying to earn some extra pennies to keep all the extra expenses ticking over...

looking forward to tomorrow x

RubySewSew

I'm trawling through Cheery Daff's diary at the moment which is really inspiring! Hence the absence. And school starts again tomorrow.

Anyway, quick question - need tried and tested recipes for leftover roast dinner. Mostly potatoes and veg...

Eager_Elephant

I keep meaning to read Cheery Daff's diary but as it is so long I can't find the time at the moment.

Leftovers I usually serve up with sausages as it is or bubble and squeak with baked beans - sorry not very adventurous!!!

satchmo1

Leftover veg and roasties can go into the freezer, they reheat well. It could be worth doing a few extra roasties each time to freeze for later?

RubySewSew

I don't have a microwave - do you just reheat in the oven? Can I reheat from frozen in an emergency tea kind of a way?

Have just got back from trick or treating - exhausted! Kids off the wall!

Eager - I found it the Cheery's diary the other day and I've been treating myself with it! Every time I sit down with a cup of tea I sneak a couple of pages. That and I'll do a quick clean and blast for 15 minutes and then 15 minutes on the diary. It's been really motivating and Cheery reminds me of myself if I didn't have kids! And it helps me to know that we find the same things difficult and I have 3 children on top of that! It's like a glimpse into another a version of myself.

It's given me some ideas which I will be telling you about soon

RubySewSew

Working from home today as DS1 ill and feeling like a nap. Must resist!

RubySewSew

Oooh, just caught DS1 watching The Inbetweeners. I've talked to him previously about it being inappropriate for his age (10) so he's gone behind my back. Grrrrr! Gonna have to check through history on laptop now which has been removed.

Hold on - on phone to my dad...