Lulabelle's MFW Diary

lulabelle1

Signature updated.... plodding on towards the MF goal.....

lulabelle1

OP's made for July and signature updated...

DS2 has started at the new nursery and all seems to be going very well. Cost will reduce further in Sept once he qualifies for the free nursery thingy for 3 year olds - planning to OP with this saving each month.

Don't think I will meet my MF goals for 2012 thanks to the new car purchase... Also, I'm starting to put some money in to an ISA each month and saving some money in a separate savings account.....

Still on track with the 5 year plan though, although I guess now, it's more like a 4.5 year plan!

lulabelle1

Ooops, need to spend some money today.... DS2 needed new trousers as all of his have huge holes in the knees... most of them were Ds1's old ones, so I guess I can stretch to new jeans for him... bought him a few pairs from Mr T's, hopefully they will last a few months. Not so long ago I would have automatically just gone to Next to buy them, so I'm getting better...

DH has taken him in to town to get new shoes now, the old ones are falling to bits and he had some handy downs from Ds1, so again, he deserves a pair of new ones!

lulabelle1

Just bought a truck load of stuff from the Bodyshop via Quidco...... all sale stuff, all of which was either 50% or 75% off - I then got a further 30% off by using the code, plus free delivery and 15% cash back too!

By the time I'd finished I think they were paying me to take the stuff of their hands...

Perfect for stocking up on Christmas/Birthday gifts...

lulabelle1

I've spent sometime this morning catching up on subscribed threads... I haven't spent much time here recently and my spending habits reflect it. The OP's are still happening but I'e been far too slap dash with my money spending and plan on making some serious efforts to tighten the reigns over the next few months.

The meal planning still happens but it tends to be meals that are not on the cheap side. So, I need to have a little think about some meals I can do and freeze them etc etc.

The weather here is still fairly cool/cloudy but I have heard rumours that Summer will finally arrive next week. I shan't hold my breath but its a lovely idea.....

lulabelle1

As always seem to be the way..... When I get in to my MS mindset, I remember all of the things that I need to spend money on:

*New carpets - stairs, landing and bedrooms - I had vowed that they would not be replaced until our cat had gone to cat heaven but they are getting really quite bad now and so I'm going to have to give in and have them replaced. Ideally I should replace all of them as I like to have the same colour throughout, but I may consider just settling for the stairs and landing, so at last the entrance will look nicer.

*Painting - kitchen/family room and hall/stairs/landing - looking really grubby and needs freshening up. I know that we should do this ourselves but we have a chap who charges a reasonable rate and will have it all done in a couple of days. It would take us much longer and mean taking time off work which we can't do as we need to use our holidays for when the children are not at school etc. I'd rather pay somebody a fair price than keep the children in doors for a week whilst we paint.

*Various pieces to repair the shower - intact, pretty much a new shower by all accounts as ours no longer kicks out hot water and is falling apart. Dh will do a good job of sourcing at a good rate.

*School uniform for DS1 - I think we can manage with just trousers. Ordered from M&S with free delivery and 20% discount.

*New school shoes for DS1 - can wait until the end of August...

*Childcare costs for August - much reduced compared to if I didn't have my term time contract, so can't complain too much

*Plan some days out with the children during the school holidays. I need to search around and see if there are any bargains etc and check if I have any tesco vouchers that I can use..... will try and save money wherever I can.

Ok, I've now depressed myself thoroughly at all of the impending costs that i have... looks like this paydays OP will not be made but spent on everything detailed above, GRRRRRRRR

lulabelle1

Rcvd £16.66 from Quidco so have sent it as an OP to the mortgage....

Little bit cloudy and cooler today but living with the eternal hope that Summer will arrive as promised next week.

Morning conf call cancelled - typical after a spent an hour before bed last night preparing for it.

Dinner with a girlfriend tonight..... So need to expect to part with some cash. I don't suppose I can suggest that we take a packed lunch and a bottle of coke with us.

lulabelle1

And now its pouring down again....

lulabelle1

Enjoying the sunshine, seems that Summer is finally here, well this week anyway.

Sadly, Summer weather means BBQ's, which means spending more money. The food shop was £150 yesterday - split between Tesco and Aldi. No idea how people manage to do their shopping for as little as £50. I still have a lot to learn thats for sure.

lulabelle1

Will the mortgage ever be paid? Grrrrr......