She who never saves a penny will never have many

choogirl

Good afternoon

Hi Mummy, unfortunately I can't take credit for the idea of an allowance, I'm borrowing it from something I read on the families board.

Its so cold today,we're not planning on going out, will find a film on Lovef*lm and snuggle up on the sofa with my snuggie, hotwater bottle and cat! He likes my snuggie and always sits on my knee when I'm using it.

I've been really good this week and made my lunches to take to work, I was getting lazy before christmas and buying them on the way into work. Its too easy to pop into M&S and buy sandwich, crisps and chocolate £3.50 a day soon adds up so thats been knocked on the head. I'm been inventive with sandwich fillings and really enjoying the combinations.

Tol*na surveys are driving me mad at the moment, I was 3000 points away from payout but when I looked on my account in December I had had 8000 points deducted due to some of the points been 16 months old, I've had another look this morning and they're going to deduct another 7000 at the end of January. I'm just going to cut my losses with them and close my account, they take ages to find a survey, take ages to update the points, take ages to payout and then have the cheek to take points away.

I had a spendy yesterday I grocery shopped at Mr S and then bought a few bits for ski-ing that the kids needed.

Today is a lazy day, the bed has been stripped and all the uniforms are ironed ready for tomorrow. The house is in good order and its an easy tea of pie, mash, cauliflower cheese, carrots and homemade rice pudding :j

Pennys challenge is £8.75 due to a petrol voucher, £6 off a shop at Mr S and a brand match voucher from Mr S.

NSD in January are 6 :j

Hope everyone has a lovely day xxx

choogirl

Just adding £160 to Pennys challenge, work have paid me for the extra work done over Christmas. Unfortunately its already been spent on winter clothes and uniform for the children.

pennywisepoundstupid

Whoop, whoop excellent news regarding payment:j

choogirl

Good afternoon

I have neglected my diary again but we have been away on holiday (ski-ing) so I think I may be excused. The holiday was amazing, I love the mountains and they look so beautiful covered in snow. We were really good and didn't overspend whilst away although food at the airport hotel and pre-departure went a bit over budget we didn't do too badly. I was also very MSE and took a huge selection of snack bars, chocolate bars and crisps and gave them to DS and DD every morning for their mid-morning snack during their ski lessons. Everything costs a premium up in the mountains so this saved a few euros. I really didn't want to come home, I could get into the habit of someone serving breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner every day but sadly all good things have to end.

I've lost four pounds of weight so far so have another 9 pounds to go and I'll be happy with my weight again.

Not much else is happening, I'm just reconciling the budget at the moment hence the distraction of been on here, nearly done though and its not too bad.

Plans for the weekend are

Ironing
Try and get out somewhere for a walk (weather permitting)

Hope everyone is ok, I'll catch up on diaries this weekend xxx

pennywisepoundstupid

Good to see you back, glad you had a fantastic holiday.

mummytogirls

Ooohhhh the skiing sounds fab Choo, so glad you had a fab time and still on with the moneysaving :money: xx

choogirl

Good afternoon

Hi Mummy and Pennywise, thanks for dropping by x

Day off today and what am I doing? Blitzing my bedroom cupboards and drawers. I am sick of wearing the same stuff all the time so I'm having a good root through everything and getting rid of "grannified stuff" I've got £40 of survey vouchers and a £20 gift card for Mons**n from christmas so I can go and treat myself to some new bits for the spring when I can muster up the energy and time to go and look. I couldn't have had vouchers sat there pre-LBM they would have been spent instantly but now I like to save them until I see something I really want.

The kids break up for half term today and I'm only working 2 days next week so I need to think of some cost effective outings for them although DS will probably want to see his friends or play on the xbox.

Its quite a nice day today but I've kept the heating on as the house soon gets cold and once I get cold I find it hard to warm up again!

No real plans for the weekend, I need to get all the washed ski stuff packed away again until next year I really want to go back but its just not possible with having a big summer holiday booked.

I've got some stuff to go on ebay so I'll do that tomorrow morning and then some ironing again!

I need to go and get some lunch, I've now lost five pounds so just another ten to go until I reach my target. I'm really missing cooking and baking though, I love all the family sitting down to a lovely dinner but its not quite the same at the moment.

Hope everyone has a lovely day xx

Polly_Wolly_Doodle

Well done on the weight loss Choo, that's great progress:j

Shame about the skiing but it'll make next year's trip a huge treat.
Do your kids board as well as ski?

choogirl

Good morning

Polly, thanks. The children just ski at the moment, DS fancies trying boarding at some point but apparantly its nothing like ski-ing technique and you end up been a total beginner which puts him off. I fancy it for the comfy, warm looking boots :rotfl:

So on to today, man its cold so I've left the heating on again!
All the ironing has been done for the week so I've been at abit of a loose end this morning so I've given the house a quick tidy and caught up on surveys.
I haven't done much housework this week due to the school holidays so I'll have to catch up next week.

I've updated my 2013 £2013 challenge, its a combination of price brand matching from Mr S, survey vouchers and a dividend cheque.

I've just had a few items ended on ebay so I'll update the total once I've received the money. This money is going towards buying DS and DD some new summer clothes.

Just a small list this weekend

Blitz our bedroom - DH helping as I can't face doing it myself
List more ebay items
Package up sold ebay items
Meal plan and write a shopping list
Make sure the kids are ready for back to school
Reconcile finances
Sort out my car insurance
Catch up on some diaries

Better go and get some lunch
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend xxx

pennywisepoundstupid

Hi choo, sounds like you have a busy day planned.

It really is cold at the minute, i'm trying hard to keep the CH off and the wood burner roaring, but its difficult to keep upstairs warm, woke up twice last night cold, going to bed in joggers and socks tonight.