We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

HappyNow

Just checking in to say hello Alice . I know what you mean about the guilt of spending (past and present) but I am making a conscious effort not to feel that way. We can't change the past, but we ARE changing the future . I think we should actually be pretty proud of ourselves!

Sorry to hear April is going to be tight. It's the same here too - I've loved not paying council tax. I see from your sig that your car loan ends next March, so hopefully that means future Aprils will be easier! x

Alice_in_Poorland

Pinot and HappyNow I know you are both right, and thank for some great words of wisdom. Whats done is done but I am trying to put thing right.

Pinot - thanks for the tip about the A1di cereal, I'll give it another go. The kids eat quite a lot of cereal.......they are always (claiming to be) hungry and my answer is have some fruit or a bowl of cereal!!!

HappyNow - lets brace ourselves for April . What a great note about the car loan, hadn't looked at it like that, not wanting to wish the months away but.............:)

xx

turfy6

Hi Alice re the cereal mine seem to like the lidl weetabix and cornflakes, then as a treat I buy whatever is on offer in the main supermarket they dont feel so hard done by then! lol :rotfl:

Alice_in_Poorland

Thanks turfy, I have to confess I've never been to L1dl, there isn't one close to us . It's strange how they eat Sburys own cereal but not A1di. Will have to try them again.

I went to A1di today, spent £42.35 only to come home to find my OH has got a voucher for A1di - £5 off £35 spend. Should be OK as it's valid until saturday 7th April. As the kids are at home for the next 2 weeks we are bound to need more supplies by next weekend.

My DS2 has 'enquired' if he can have a season pass for the local theme park, the pass is £60 and covers unlimited visits March to November, at £36 each visit without a pass it would soon pay for itself. My OH things its a good idea but £60 is a lot of money (quick note OH has offered to bike to work as he doesn't have to give a lift to his mate anymore, that will save a few pennies:)). Will have a think, I have got plenty of stuff for ebay/car boot to raise some extra cash but we are having the boiler fixed next week at a cost of £55 (out of emergency fund).

It comes down to not wanting the kids to lose out, it's not their fault we are in this mess and to be fair apart from their sports clubs they never ask for much else. They buy clothes/trainers/computer games etc with their own bday/xmas money. Will have a look at the finances/budget .

Looking forward to not having to do packed lunches for the next 2 weeks :j and a couple of lie-ins :j . xx

brizzledfw

HI Alice

Just to say my 2 love Special K with red bits..you probably know the one I mean and altho the AL?I equivalent is, according to them, not quite as nice it all seems to get eaten without complaint..so I now keep on buying the AL?i stuff!!

The other really cheap brekkie is porridge. Although I love the little packets brand (I think they mill it more finely) we dont buy that anymore and instead buy huge sacks of oats. Its great stuff. In fact OH has it cold as a museli type base.

I also know what you mean re the emotional merry go round..I think we probably all do it to a greater or lesser extent but don't be too hard on yourself. There are always contributory factors to any situation!

Brizzle

Alice_in_Poorland

Brizzle I have porridge oats in the morning and I love the little packets too..........but don't have them now either .

We have resisted putting the heating on today, everybodys got extra layers on....bit different to last weekend!!!

We have decided to go with the theme park pass for DS2. As long as he goes at least 3 times it will pay for itself (if you get what I mean). If he goes on a football course during the holidays they cost £15 per day so the pass seems value for money. The one condition is that he will take a packed lunch and drinks from home.

Have done the house from top to bottom today so feeling very pleased with myself. The sun came out this afternoon so managed to get some washing dry to add to the ironing pile. xx

brizzledfw

Think the condition of packed lunch and drink is a good one..just make sure he does the night before in case he oversleeps..it's so tempting not to bother to make sarnies when you're racing out the door!

You sound like the weather is making you feel positive..that's good. It does me, too. Let's hope the sun continues!

mummytogirls

Hi Alice,

The £60 season ticket isnt bad considering the price of 1 visit! Im glad youve decided and the condition is a good one. Im sure he will make good use of it. Could one of the others use it or does it have a picture on?

Feels a bit warmer here today xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Thank you brizzle and mummy, DS2 knows money is tight (without burdening him or DS1 with the details) so I know he'll make full use of it. Unfortunately it will have his picture on so only he can use it.

Confession time - I ate an easter egg yesterday :eek: anyway moving on............I did have a NSD and today should be a NSD too.

Better get on.xx

ragstoricheswannabe

We shop at ald! and i never buy branded ceareal, always ald!'s, ds1 only noticed coz of the pictures on the front but now doesnt have a problem with them. I agree the speacial k one isnt as good as the branded one, but with lots of fruit and nuts and pouring yog on you can almost disguise its not the real thing.