We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

I have purchased from Not On The High Street for unique gifts.

We had a christening of a little boy when he was a few months old and we got this book - https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/wonderbly/product/a-magical-personalised-book-like-no-other
They also personalise the picture of the boy to the right skin tone and hair colour.

Hi EE, just missed this post yesterday. That's a fab idea, thank you. They do have some very nice things on that website.;)

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

brizzledfw wrote: »

Sorry it!!!8217;s been a speedy time Alice, but it!!!8217;s the way it rolls sometimes. Family stuff will always come up, especially with DL. Basically the main thing is that it!!!8217;s all heading in the right direction.

It is turning cold. I also cranked up the heating.. I am starting to also set aside money for a boiler replacement. Ours is 16 years old. Doing OK, serviced every year but even so....

Hi brizzle, feel your pain with the boiler, it's up there on the list of things that need replacing in our house too.

Just got to keep plodding.:)

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

My son went to Uni Sep 16 and I was worried about how he would cope, fortunately he is a saver rather than a spender, and he has done quite well really.

He doesn't get the full maintenance loan due to our incomes and although what he gets covers his accommodation and a small amount towards his food it is paid 3 times throughout the Uni year and the first 2 instalments didn't cover his accommodation for that term.
DS works in the summer holidays when he is back from Uni and if he is back in time he does Easter and Xmas as well so these wages are what covered the rest of his accommodation costs and his spending money.

This year has been tougher than last as he did not work at Xmas so I have had to pay his Xmas money in to his account and he is using this to live on.
DS knows he can ask us for money when he wants it but so far he hasn't, all my family have also offered him money if he needs it but he hasn't asked them yet either.

So in a long winded way I would say that if they can have some money to start with before their student finance comes in then at least you know the accommodation is covered for the term.

Hi EE, sounds like your DS has got his head screwed on. I wish our DS was a saver.:( It's all the little spends that add up, fast food, cinema, etc etc. He could live at home and commute to Uni, but the commute is quite cost. Something else to stress about!

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Spendless wrote: »

We are going to pay DS accommodation for him, or at least for the first year, till he finds his feet . He gets the min due to our income (plus DH's company car), and his Uni does offer 3 payment options, in full, over 3 instalments or over 7 months, which must be a help to some in the situation you describe EE. Without us helping out, I doubt he could go. I'm hearing the story time and time again from my friends and family that they've told their child/ren they can only go to a local Uni and commute from home as they can't afford to top up the maintenance loan.

Hi Spendless, our DS could commute but I think it will be costly. I know we've heard stories like that too. Shame it's not in a years time where financially we'll be in a better place.....I hope.

I'm already stressing about the amount of money he will owe once he's finished.:(
Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Yesterday I took a gamble and did peg out.......Spendless did you too? I was pleasantly surprised how much the clothes did actually dry. Popped it all on the heated airer and put it on overnight. All dry this morning, just got a mountain of ironing to do now!

We did go to the out of town shopping centre. DS spent his voucher, and we got him some new swimming stuff (trunks and towel). Also got DL a few bits, desperately needed so you know.

Also picked up breakfast bowls, 50p each from a major supermarket.....bargain.:T. Also picked up rolls for bacon butties when we got back.

Today was a NSD, number 6. Sorted bus money etc yesterday.

OH still doing the 365 day jar. I'm doing 5p and 20p jars, any bronze coins go into a piggy bank.

Hope everyone has a good week.
Xx

Spendless

No, I left the laundry to DH, who TDs everything! I wanted the rest of the house tidied so didn't have time to argue about pegging out!

I'm not worrying about debt that is from student loans as that is more of a psychological barrier. It's no different to telling graduates that they'd pay a different rate of tax for 30 years when they earn above £x. Credit cards, overdrafts and loans from other places are different matter.

Alice_in_Poorland

Spendless wrote: »

No, I left the laundry to DH, who TDs everything! I wanted the rest of the house tidied so didn't have time to argue about pegging out!

I'm not worrying about debt that is from student loans as that is more of a psychological barrier. It's no different to telling graduates that they'd pay a different rate of tax for 30 years when they earn above £x. Credit cards, overdrafts and loans from other places are different matter.

Hi Spendless, I wish I could leave the laundry to my OH.....I mean I could but I couldn't bear the palarva.:rotfl:

Yeah true about other forms of debt once they finish uni.

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

What a few days. .

The battery needed replacing on my car yesterday, after I broke down and had to call the AA.
Cost £70 and t OH has had to spend £220 on his teeth, and has been a right pain over the last two days. He can be so unsupportive and selfish at times. Anyway we won't dwell on him and his ways.

Tomorrow I must pay bills, including childcare and school trip payment.

Today was actually a NSD, number 1.:j:)

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

I must say it looks lovely, crisp and peaceful out in the back garden. OH is put the front clearing the road, the kids are doing their bedrooms. Washing machine is on. Only going to do two loads today. Really don't want loads of washing hanging around the house. Two loads just fits nicely on the airer, will put airer on overnight and it will all be dry.

Yesterday was also a NSD, number 2. I did pay the debt bills but still haven't paid childcare and school trip. (A NSD for me is when I don't actually buy anything such as food, petrol, social activities, that sort of thing).

Two of our EE direct debits and a DVLA direct debit haven't been taken from the account. I've spoken to the bank and they think it's to do with only February only having 28 days. Strange because the other DVLA direct debit was taken........and there was money in the account I double checked.:)

i feel on edge today, and I think it's to do with food shopping.....I know strange! We have just opened the last milk, we have bread, but the fridge is looking empty, we have a few oranges left but no fresh veg except a few potatoes. Now this is when I go into panic mode. We certainly wouldn't starve if we were cut off for the next few weeks or even months, but I just can't get my head around the fact that we do not need to fill the cupboards and fridge to the brim. Yes packed lunches would be difficult....and a little different if I didn't go shopping but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I'll do my usual food plan around what we have and then see what we need. I'll give the fridge a clean too.

The other thing that is stressing me is that we don't pay the council tax this month. So in theory we have an extra £155 spare. I'm going to transfer that money into the emergency fund/holiday fund. We would really love to see DS graduate but it's going to take a lot of £155's:eek:

Right that's enough whinging and moaning for one post. Off to sort the fridge, do meal plan and update spending diary now the majority of DDs have gone out of the account.

Just one other thing....my hair...I've been trying different cheaper shampoos, conditioners and serums but they have made my hair terribly dry and brittle. So I think I'm going to buy my favourite brands next time. It will be about £10-£12 for just the shampoo and conditioner but I think it's worth it.:o

Right I'm off to do some jobs so I stop moaning.:).

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

We ventured out this morning, armed with a shopping list. Split over @ldi and sburys. Total spend £98:eek:. But that did include Mother's Day cards (more expensive from supermarket but I'd forgot to get them when I went to the card shop, and we would of had to pay to park so balances it out a bit), Mother's Day presents, water filters (which were half price), store cupboard stuff and other non foodie items - shoe insoles and toiletries. Also had to get coffee and washing up liquid. So when I break it down it is still a lot but all accounted for.:)

i took cash out to pay for kids bus, OHs squash game, £10 birthday gift. Unfortunately I will need to get petrol about Tuesday. Should of got it from supermarket yesterday.

Really need to get some stuff listed on fleabay but really want to just chill on the sofa.:rotfl:

Xx