We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

Today was NSD2 lol

Tomorrow will get some cash out and pay childcare, lottery and we need some fresh bits. OH wants/needs his haircut tomorrow on his way home too.

Will keep plodding...xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Have just realised OH didn't pay for swimming lessons yesterday. He mentioned it to me but still forgot to pay, even had to walk past the woman collecting the money! Doh. Will have to pay next week.

Tonight called into sburys, spent £17 but got some real bargains on some bread and steak........haven't had steak for ages, should of been £6.75 reduced to £2.50. Me and OH will have that for Saturday nights tea.:)

Also took £30 cash, paid this weeks childcare, we will pay our works lottery tomorrow.

OH has been changing the odd £1 coin for 20ps and 5ps in his works tea/coffee money, don't miss the odd £1 here and there, must update these pots (don't add up the 5ps going to count them up when the jar is full).

Still need to buy a 21st birthday gift and we are meant to going for a family meal.....not sure our funds can stretch this far in the first few weeks of the month.:o

Xx

brizzledfw

Know what you mean..it feels a long month already! And I had kind of forgotten about the Easter holidays..may need to pay for some help.. Or ask MIL to do a bit more :think: or get OH to take them into work..they love that and think it's a real treat

Well done on the YS bargains. Altho I love getting my shopping online it does mean you miss out on the real bargains. Which reminds me, I may check out Aldi and Lidl next week and see what they have. Rarely go but they are so popular on these forums there must be something in it.

gillst_2

brizzledfw, I would definitely try Aldi and Lidl if you get the chance. We have been using them the past month or so and are pleasantly surprised. The fruit and veg is so much cheaper and the stuff we have bought has been of decent quality. Also try out their meat - the loin chops are lovely and also the frozen chicken breasts are great value. The thing we found about shopping in either of these, is that the products are restricted and we are not tempted to buy items not on our list. Worth a go anyway.

EstherH

Hi Alice,

Over the last couple of weeks I have read through your diary from start to finish. Well done on all you have achieved so far. Sorry you are having problems with OH. You are doing great holding it all together. Just one suggestion on the money saving, have you looked at the old style boards? The grocery challenge and recipes are very good. I'm sorry if you have already said, I can't remember all that I have read.
Keep up the good work. You will get there. You have done amazingly so far.

Esther x

Alice_in_Poorland

brizzle, I used to order groceries online too but agree you do miss put on the 'bargains' and you do have to get yourself really organised.

I agree with gillst that @ldi and l1dl are worth a go. Although we have struggled with freshness of the fruit and veg, it's ok if we are going to eat/use it within 3-4days.

Thank you Esther, you deserve a medal reading all my ramblings.:)
I did have a look at the old style boards when we first started our debt free journey but have been a bit 'lazy' recently. Really must get back into it, think we've slipped into a bit of a rut.....thank you for the prompt.:)

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

A spendy few days, OH had his hair cut yesterday, spent £27 in @ldi, £30 in sburys, £25 petrol, £8 in £shop, £22 on 21st bday present, £6 in card shop (picked up 7 cards for £1 bargain ).

Had our AA renewal, £89 for me and OH:eek: need to sort that out, no way can we afford that.

Seriously considering changing to a water meter, everybody would have to do their bit though.

Need to pay for family meal next week too and extra child care, might need to request the money from e0n.:(

We had our 'bargain' steak tonight, OH went to run an errand, took DS3 with him whilst I started the tea, He came back 2 hours later, I was not a happy bunny. Haven't caused a scene...just not worth it. Anyway me and DS2 had a lovely meal together.:o

Pegged out 3 loads of washing this morning:), went to sports club......didn't spend a penny. Went shopping, came back and did all the housework that leaves me free tomorrow.:D

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Had a sleepless night last night..not good. Have done the meter readings and tried to call e0n but they are closed today. I'm panicking for some bizarre reason.

Apart from petrol, childminder, DS bus money, works lottery, food (will only need fresh bits) we need money for the following -
Spending money for school trip
Money for family meal
Swimming lessons
DDs due for mobiles

Could be dipping into the £2 and 20p pots.

Rain holding off here so going to sneak another load of washing on the line.:rotfl:

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Have had a busy few days, a family member has been taken poorly so been on hand to help out.

OH's hours have been reduced, he will lose about £35-£40 per week, that on top of the extra childcare we are having to pay because they changed the times he starts and finishes means we are going to have to stick to the budget...without fail.

I am going to speak to the tax credit people about the extra childcare, doubt it will make any difference though.:(

Received a letter from B/card about the loan we have with them, they are going to accept the monthly payment for the next 12 months and no added interest.

Hopefully will have a quieter night tonight so [STRIKE]we[/STRIKE] I can sort the budget out. Still need money for -
1 - DS2 school shoes have worn out, rubber bit on the sole (OK whilst the weather is dry!)
2 - DS3 needs school shoes and trainers (has been wearing trainers to school now they are worn out too)
3 - Spending money for school trip
4 - Money for family meal - next weekend
5 - Swimming lessons - OH should pay tonight
6 - Get 'fan' fixed on 'other car' - need to book
7 - Extra money for childcare during holidays, need to see if I can book a few days off which will help.

We do have the money from E0n coming in, OH requested it yesterday so that will help.

xx

pennywisepoundstupid

So sorry to hear your OH's hours have been reduced and that you have extra child care to pay for, fingers crossed you geta bit of help from Tax credits.

Take care.x.