We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

OH did call CCCS and yes that bank account had been missed off the list (not sure how!!) but all OK they took the info over the phone and have added it on to the list. Because its within the first 3 months it won't change the amount we have to pay them.Phew!!

Spends today-

* Petrol - £25.00 (my car)
* Food - £11.75 (milk x 5, bread x 4, reduced fruit salad for DS1, reduced sausage rolls for OH, painkillers for me, reduced cookies as a treat for everyone (except me as there was ony 4, but a cookie is the last thing I need at the moment:o)
* Cash - £40 - £35 (for childminder tomorrow)

That leaves me £5 cash, I will give DS2 £2.00 dinner money on Friday (he only stays dinners on a Friday) and pay £1 for my lottery at work this week. I wonder how long £3 will last me??

I am going to A1di tomorrow as I have a voucher for £5 off over £35, got my list ready. xx

Alice_in_Poorland

£3 didn't last very long!! OH needed £2 for as having chips for lunch where he works today......keeping up appearances and all that.

Down to a £1 folks .

xx

suburbanwifey

Alice_in_Poorland wrote: »

£3 didn't last very long!! OH needed £2 for as having chips for lunch where he works today......keeping up appearances and all that.

Down to a £1 folks .

xx

A bag of chips will do him good psychologically. A wee treat that doesn't break the bank. Little treats (affordable one's) are important when cutting back. Too much cutting back and no treats makes life very dull and hard I think. Hope he enjoys his chips.

I read your thread in full a few days ago (took a while! ) and you're a great lady, great to see you taking charge of the situation and doing everything you can to make a better future for you and your family. Challenges that are overcome give us an emotional inner strength that cannot be achieved any other way.

I've added a subscription to follow your story, keep up the good work and a wee treat every now and again (don't forget yourself too, you matter! as well) no harm done x

culpepper

Hi Alice! what an interesting read.
Do you buy the boys bus tickets? When my two were doing 6th form, I used to pay for the bus fares and it was about half the price if I went to the Bus depot shop and bought them monthly.
Keep up the good work!

danetastic

Hi Alice
Have read your diary from the beginning and wot a trying time you've had! Just popped in to say KEEP going and you'll get there Have subscribed to your thread . I know wot you mean re keeping up appearances but then it's no- ones business but yours . Just know that here we are in similar boats ( lake gettin crowded LOL) but eventually we will reach the other side !!!!

PinotGrigio41

Well all I can say is I hope he saved you a chip or two !!:D

Seriously though, everyone needs a treat now and then even if we feel very guilty having done so. Just make sure you get yours soon too !

Totally agree with Danetastic, with the Keeping Up Apprearances. It really is noone elses business but ours, although I do struggle with that one I must admit. For some reason everyone always thinks my life is a total bed of roses, stress free and sparkly !! Oh how wrong they are !!! But...... then again I also wouldnt really want anyone else to know that it isnt quite that simple, not because of embarrasement but really becasue it is nothing whatsoever to do with anyone else ! Just plaster on that big cheesy grin and keep chipping away !!:D

mummytogirls

Hi Alice,

Have you still got possession of the £1!!! Isnt it amazing how money just flys out of your purse, really annoys me!!!

Im glad DH called CCCS and sorted it xx

Alice_in_Poorland

I've still got my £1 :rotfl:

Thank you to all for the lovely words of encouragement.

Pinot - I'm a dab hand at the cheesy grin thing now:). We're the same everybody thinks everything is hunky dory with us.......if only they knew

danetastic & suburbanwifey -thank you, I tend to type as I think so I'm not sure it always make sense, but I do find this diary is helping me to keep on the straight and narrow (with the finances anyway!!)

culpepper - thank you. The bus company stopped the weekly ticket and introducted a pass, which the boys have got which makes the tickets cheaper but they have to buy them daily. It's much better getting the money ready in advance.

Spent £52.10 at A1di yesterday (after my voucher was taken off) but I came home with 6 shopping bags which made me feel like I'd got value for money (if you know what I mean). With the kids on holiday next week not sure how long it will last .

Will have extra payments to childminder for next week but have budgeted for that.

Looks like another sport free weekend due to the weather:(.

Back to work.xx

Alice_in_Poorland

I've still got my £1!!! I've had 4 NSDs so far this month.

Haven't put heating on this morning yet:(. 2 kids still in bed, the youngest on sofa wrapped up in PJs, dressing gown and a blanket. OH has gone into work this morning for a couple of hours overtime. xx

debtfreewannabe321

morning alice so glad you still have a £1 left! Our heating has been on constantly the last few weeks- Thanks to chicken pox invading the house! Hope you have a good half term