The black sheep returns...

mizmir

Good first day with parents. Went to a free heritage centre (fab) and even got to park free as my father is a blue badge holder! Then parents bought lunch and took us out for dinner - tried to contribute but they weren't having any of it - think they have cottoned on to things being a bit tight here. For once not going to argue.

Had notification that the first relocation money has been actioned so hopefully will have that in our account in a couple of days - will be able to clear one card, and pay off a chunk of another - though we'll have to hold on to a little to make sure we don't go over our o/d limit before pay day.

Hoping tomorrow to meet up with someone from one of the local dog rescues here who may be able to suggest a venue I could use for dog training in the area. That'd be a big step forward.

hypno06

Glad you're back on the diaries board Hurrah for relocation money coming through and being put to good use!

Good luck with the venue today!

mizmir

Just paid £1350 and cleared one card from the relocation money. Cheque going to another one to knock £1K off that balance. Rest of relocation money off the o/d to make sure we stay well below the limit before pay day next week. Good feeling. :j :j

Picked up 3 possible leads for venues for dog training today - might also be people I can work with in the area which is great. Will get on to them next week when the parents have gone.

elantan

Hey Miz,

lovely to see you have a new shiny diary, great news on the relocation pay out every little bit helps, how on earth do you get the food bill so low? thats my current moan on my diary lol

mizmir

hi El

Food bill isn't low enough yet. £60 was for the week (though will certainly last longer and included some staples). But it doesn't include dog food so is way too high to go on - would like to get down to £40 a week + dog food (which is about £18 a week). Am going back through the old style book at the moment and am using up things where possible - for instance we have masses of toiletries so shouldn't need those for ages. Meal planning again which is helping a lot - and I have found a wonderful fruit and veg shop where I got a huge bagful of stuff for about a tenner - same would've cost twice that at the supermarket. Let me know if you find any good tips.

Aesop

mizmir, do you use the updated printable coupon thread?

there are sometimes links for cheap/free/money off coupons for dog food, treats ,etc

not just that sometimes the coupons mean stuff is free. or you make a little profit with the coupon that comes off your shop.

Do you have a local butcher? make friends. They will give you chicken carcasses for free or cheap and you can make chicken stock from these.

They will give you meat a bit cheaper when you make friends and can help, if you say working on a budget, and want x meat but need to make it stretch or low price.

Have you tried visiting supermarkets at reduction time? If you have a freezer, you can freeze milk, butter, etc and use at a later date.

mizmir

Thanks for this Aesop - haven't been to the coupons thread will do that. Am cultivating the butcher - hoping to get some meaty bones (like carcasses) which I will give to the dogs (can feed raw meaty bones fine if can get a supply). Need to find out when our local supermarket reduces stuff - is a 24 hour asda - is there a particular time?

hypno06

Hi Miz - even the butchery departments at the supermarkets may well let you have stuff cheap, whether bones for the dogs, or odds and ends for cooking - our local Morrisons was a lifesaver for me at times with their bacon offcuts and salmon trimmings - excellent for pasta dishes etc

Aesop

mizmir wrote: »

Thanks for this Aesop - haven't been to the coupons thread will do that. Am cultivating the butcher - hoping to get some meaty bones (like carcasses) which I will give to the dogs (can feed raw meaty bones fine if can get a supply). Need to find out when our local supermarket reduces stuff - is a 24 hour asda - is there a particular time?

most usually reduce around 6-8pm, as that is when our supermarkets close.

Do you have any staff that you are friendly with at Asda? Ones you say hello to and have small talk with? Ask them what time stuff is reduced and they should be able to tell you.

the other thing is are there any allotments near you? or do you know anyone with an allotment?

If so, make friends with the allotment holders and if they have excess of stuff they may give it to you for free, or for a small charge. At least it will be organic, no pesticides, etc.

Aesop

this is part of the printable coupon thread has links about vouchers for doggie