would love to be mortgage free!

coldcazzie

Hi Tommelise,

Tommelise wrote: »

But even with your new savings on milk you stil spend 435 each month on food. With planning you should be able to reduce what you spend on food

You are right - the food bill is something I constantly struggle with. I am unsure how I can cut it down further. I already meal plan, we don't really eat out, or eat take away, I've traded down brands where possible, I home cook rather than buying ready meals, I batch cook, I've tried to cut out stuff that we don't "need" and I'm really struggling to cut down further.

I will admit that I could make more effort to grow our own fruit/veg. The kids and I are hoping to do more on that front next year, and they've already given me their list of things they'd like to have a go at growing.

You might also be able to save a little on this post:
Toiletries: £30

Yes, I budget £30 a month but frankly I'm nowhere close to spending that. Next year I plan to halve that number and expect it to be ok.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Caz, not sure if this will help but maybe look at milkman bill over the course of a year vs a week, then compare with supermarket. It maybe worth buying the majority at the supermarket if your other half can take you, then keeping the minimum with the milkman so you still support them? The £ saving may surprise you, I freeze semi skimmed with no detriment to taste.

Maybe try the "we're leaving" approach with Sky and see what happens.

Alarm? No idea what this is but a discount if you pay annually perhaps?

Tilly x

coldcazzie

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi Caz, not sure if this will help but maybe look at milkman bill over the course of a year vs a week, then compare with supermarket. It maybe worth buying the majority at the supermarket if your other half can take you, then keeping the minimum with the milkman so you still support them? The £ saving may surprise you, I freeze semi skimmed with no detriment to taste.

Maybe try the "we're leaving" approach with Sky and see what happens.

Alarm? No idea what this is but a discount if you pay annually perhaps?

Tilly x

Hi Tilly

If manwife got milk from the supermarket he'd have to make several trips, as you can fit even less milk into a rucksack (because he's on the bike) than you'd fit in a trolley. The savings may be negated by the petrol cost.... certainly they would if I made a specific "milk trip" on a different day - 4*£1.48 = £5.92, + £2.20 (what it costs for the kids and I go to and from Morrisons on the Morrisons bus) = £8.12, compared to £8.10 we'd be paying to the milkman for the same quantity of milk. If I could fit that much milk in my trolley on a Monday when I'm in town, along with our weeks fruit, bread and veg then great. It certainly wouldn't be possible on the weeks I go to the butchers, when I have about 10-12kg of meat to cart home, as well as the shopping. You have just given me an idea to explore though - the possibility of the butchers delivering...

Have to say, I love the amount of land that came with this house, but the location sucks. Where we used to live was lovely - supermarket, doctors, dentists, park, swimming pool all 5 minutes walk away. Shame the house was falling apart and making me poorly

Could threaten to leave Sky, but can't threaten to go elsewhere as Virgin/BT TV are not available in our area. Virgin internet is and it's shocking (some local friends have it). Sky phone is cheaper for us than BT.

I can ask the alarm company about an annual payment. Alarm payment covers 24 hour monitoring, maintenance and annual servicing of the alarm system.

coldcazzie

I did also wonder about Tesco's delivery saver offer that they have on currently. £60 for unlimited deliveries in 6 months. It would be worthwhile if all the shopping was done there and delivered at premium times. I'm really not keen on their fresh fruit/veg though, which is why I usually limit my Tesco deliveries to non perishable and get the fresh stuff on a weekly basis from Morrisons.

coldcazzie

coldcazzie wrote: »

You have just given me an idea to explore though - the possibility of the butchers delivering...

I rang the butchers, and they said they have a van that goes out daily between 10 and 2 and should be able to fit me in onto the beginning or end of one of their normal deliveries out to care homes/restaurants etc. And it won't cost me anything extra! I love my butchers!

So, with that in mind I shall very seriously consider the feasibility of buying and storing bulk milk once a week.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Good work... nice when local businesses value local customers and vice versa.

coldcazzie

Yes, they're much nicer than my nearest butcher who couldn't have been less interested in my custom if he tried!

It's really cold today! I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of slippers, 2 tops and I'm about to go and put on a second jumper... meanwhile Giraffe is walking around naked! :eek: :eek: I'm getting colder just looking at her!

I've been inspired to look at fruit trees/bushes. I'd love to have a proper orchard but we're keen to keep things movable for when we eventually sell this house (it's definitely not our forever home!) and so are drawn to the "mini" fruit trees that can live in pots on patios, and grow ~1m tall but produce full sized fruit. I do really like the dual trees as well though - not mini, but two varieties on one tree.

coldcazzie

Just a quick rant, because I know I can be heard here. I get really frustrated with DH when asking for thoughts on how to solve financial shortfalls - his answer to every money related problem or challenge is to put less into savings. I rambled at him about milk etc and he asked if we were having problems with the milk again (we have had issues with the milkman in the past) and I said no, I'm just wondering if we can save a bit by buying milk in the supermarket because we're really struggling at the moment. And he said, well you know what my answer OS going to be. I just walked out of the room.
I feel like shouting at him that if he wants to do the kitchen up without taking out some kind of credit agreement, then we need to save. How does he think we paid for the half of the bathroom we've done so far? By saving. How are we going to pay for the other half? With savings. How did we pay for his bike to be fixed instead of written off earlier on this year? With savings. They aren't optional in my eyes, yet in his they're just a place to put any leftover cash at the end of the month. And if there isnt any then oh well.
Usually I save all my financial stuff up and waffle it at my mum. I've just remembered why. :mad:

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Caz

Fruit trees: only one of my two in one fruit trees is any good - others may have better stories. However the one which is ok is very generous.

Butchers: you are so fortunate to have such a fab butcher and the fact he will deliver is marvellous - he doesn't sell milk does he? I ask because where my mother lives, the butcher does.

Savings: I can't offer any advice just be an ear and sending you a dodgy hug :grouphug:

Tilly x

coldcazzie

Interesting.... I don't know! They have just expanded into the market stall next to them and started doing cooked meats and pies and things, so maybe... I will ask next time I see them.

Interesting regarding the dual trees too. I think we are going to get the mini ones, a kiwi vine, and some strawberries.