A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

tryingtodobetter

Kidcat - That story did make me chuckle

Just finished an online shop with Mr T as they sent me a £15 off £75 voucher code. They've got 54 wash Persil small and mighty for £5, as this is they only one we can use because of DH's skin I grabbed a few of these. The 2 oldest DS's have their birthday party next weekend so I ordered the food for that too. The party is coming in under budget at £80, this is for all the food, the venue and the party favours for 14 children :T I am really pleased with this.

Car MOT and Tax coming up at the end of this month so I am not looking forward to that. Everything seems to come in the first 2 months of the year in our house. We have 4 birthdays, car tax, insurance and MOT and the gas appliance cover. Oh well I suppose it gets it out of the way.

Off to clean my DG's (Dear Gran) house in a bit as she is no longer able to do everything herself and I don't like the idea of her struggling.

Hope everyone has a lovely day

kidcat

Westcoastscot - can you sell your surplus supplies on ebay? I buy my crafty stuff from ebay all the time so there is a market for it certainly.

Byatt

Wow, you have all been busy this morning; I've just got up!

Just going to have breakfast and then will read through.

The Case of the Bubble Wrap Noises has reached a new level. I heard the noise as I was downstairs, I'd left the hall/bedroom door opened. It's definitely not draft/wind related...when I went to bed, I looked up...some of the bubble wrap is missing :eek: there was just the edge of a bit that had been pulled through.

edit: is SoftStuff (Australia) still around? I haven't seen her post here in a while.

One of my New Yearish resolutions is to watch less tv and listen to more radio. I kind of have the tv on as background noise really, so want to stop that. Anyway, small but steady steps. I'm going to listen to a play on Radio 4 now. (via laptop).

I'm also going to a meditaion class on Tuesday. First session is free.

paidinchickens

GQ DH and I have the same conversation regarding the TV programmes.

We have a friends who are a couple with similar aged children. Some of our circumstances are similar and the income of both our households are pretty much the same.

In their house they blow all their money on gadgets, posh grub and treating the kids every weekend with more stuff they don't need. The husband is one of those that does nothing at all at the weekend as he believes he has worked all week so the weekend and holidays are his time off. The wife is so fed up with the state of things she just lives for the next shopping trip and buys things to cheer herself up. The heating in their house blazes all day even if there is no one in the house :eek:

In our house we don't go without but we will get things as cheaply as possible, haggle, research etc and only then buy. We only buy things we need and the kids only get gifts for birthdays, Christmas and if they have got good grades at school or done something out of the ordinary to deserve it. Our heating is set for 18 deg and only for the times needed, we spent a lot of time chasing draughts and insulating the home better. We are always in our scruffs as we are usually up to something or other.

We have said they should have done a TV programme on our two families as having the same income but different lifestyle choices really do make a difference.

It is not only the income that makes a difference but both people in a relationship working together is half the battle. DH and I both want to get things sorted and work together to get things done and save money. They battle with "well if he does/dosn't do it why should I do it/not do it" and "he's had this so I'm having that"

The wife moans she has no clothes and I have wardrobes full of good stuff, yes this is true but my clothes are from jumbles (20p) or charity shops (varies) but she turns her nose up at the thought.

They laugh about us being tight but then tell us their woes as they are in debt.

Oh I am waffling yet again but I would definitely watch a programme along those lines

PIC x

Kimsmum

Afternoon everyone,

Ginnyknit, hope your OH recovery is quick.

Taurus Hope things are getting better for you.

Byatt I was thinking the same as you about Softstuff she has not been on since a few days after xmas.

Kidcat, I did smile about your stamp story, my nephew son is the same as yours and he said if we cant see or hear him we know hes up to something and hes 14.

Well I have been decluttering for the last couple of days, and its making a difference to our home . So I have decided at least one hour a day until it all gone. Found lots of craft stuff so have put that in to a few containers that I had emptied so they are all in one place. Also have bought a crochet hook and going to teach myself via you tube, I can knit but never learned to crochet.

hope everyone has a good day:)

westcoastscot

Ginnyknit glad to hear OH is home and hungry - always a good sign.

Kidcat yes I think I will - especially stuff that I don't think I would use personally, but purchased to make items to sell. Managed to get out between showers and chat to the chucks and tidy up the garden a bit - I had hoped to move my fruit bushes to a dedicated bed in January before they start to grow - at the mo they're all in among flower beds, and I lose a fair bit of fruit to the birds. Haven't minded in the past but need all the food I can get now. I've covered the intended bed with polythene - hoping it will dry out enough to work even if it doesn't stop raining.

The chucks had cleared a bit by the shed which is bigger than it appeared - was thinking of a lean-to greenhouse but with the recent high winds think i'll opt for one of those with a green plastic cover - I can pack the cover away over the worst of the weather then - really wanting it to get a head start in the spring as we have a really short growing season here, May to September at best.

Right, off to start some bread and then work on a list of items I can make for pressies this year.

Meant to say Ginny, you mentioned somewhere an easy shawl pattern that was working up fast - care to share??????

WCS

Carissa

Afternoon everyone! Hope you are having a lovely day.

Made a lovely roast for dinner today and had every intention of keeping the leftovers. Unfortunately DD (aged 14) tripped over her own feet and launched her plate all over the lounge!

Thankfully there was plenty left for another plateful (minus carrots) but nothing left for the fridge, and now I have a huge gravy stain on the carpet

I have a good friend who often thinks I'm a bit nuts because I buy clothes etc from CS and eBay, and spend time looking for the best deals I can get. Oh, and I take full advantage of whoopsie food! She is a little embarrassed by me and she wouldn't dream of doing such a thing.

Our families are the same size (3 kids) but her income is almost double that of ours. And she and her OH sure can spend! They always have the latest gadgets, newest appliances and best clothes. Their home was repossessed 5 years ago and they still haven't learned their lesson as they now have bailiffs chasing them for debts they've racked up since then.

In contrast, we live on much less, eat well, are warm and well dressed, and most of all, my DH and I can can sleep easy at night. Even though it is a struggle at times, we are sensible and won't buy what we don't need and can't afford.

We don't do holidays unless they are the £9.50 ones, and even that is once every few years, OH has an old but reliable and cheap to run car (I don't drive), and 2 months ago we were lucky enough to be able to buy our first home - we only bought it because the mortgage was half of what we were paying in rent and we got it for an absolute bargain!

It hasn't been easy and we would never have managed to do that without being very careful with our money - and now that I have discovered this wonderful world I hope we 'll be able to start treating ourselves occasionally and build up a decent nest-egg.

I fear for my friend and her family, they have already lost their home and were in temporary accommodation until a year ago when they finally got a council house, but she is already talking of leaving there as the debt-collectors have started knocking on her door again.

I try to give her advice on how to cut her spending down (no golf for her OH, only go to the hairdresser every 3 months instead of every fortnight etc) but she looks at me as though I have grown another head! Hopefully one day she'll wake up, and when she does I'll point her right in this direction!

LavenderBees

Byatt wrote: »

The Case of the Bubble Wrap Noises has reached a new level. I heard the noise as I was downstairs, I'd left the hall/bedroom door opened. It's definitely not draft/wind related...when I went to bed, I looked up...some of the bubble wrap is missing :eek: there was just the edge of a bit that had been pulled through.

I'm also going to a meditaion class on Tuesday. First session is free.

Scary! If you suspect that something (rats/mice?) may be building a nest in your loft, perhaps contact your local council. My council will come out free of charge to anyone if the "nuisance" is in the house. If it's outside (which it has been for me the last 2 winters in my tiny front garden), we property owners have to deal with it privately - my lovely "rat man" charged £50, but kept on at the problem until it was completely resolved. I felt sorry for the rats - poisoning any animal doesn't sit easily with me (now men....I could be easily persuaded ) - but you can't have them so close (or indeed inside) your home.

I like the idea of meditation - to me it was the best part of my yoga class. I'd struggle not to fall asleep though...:rotfl:

gailey_2

Afternoon guys

Hope everyones ok.

Not great in gailey household.

Try not to laugh -im a prisioner in my own home!

Why you may ask.

hubby had fag in porch yesterday evening as usual hes not allowed to smoke in house, wish he give up but another story.

The outer porch upvc door is stuck wont open!
we have tried from inside and out
by going round back gate
but can lock back patio doors from outside
also garden gate only opens from outside not in
cant get buggy and kids out the back and secure the house if we went out.

hubbys gone to work via the back.

we looked at on call list
rang emergancy locksmith on letting agents list.
no answer left message.
agents were of course shut!
anyway hubby got hold of locksmith today.

he was temporary xmas locksmith not normal one
hes says he can come but we would have to pay £80 of our own money and clain it back from andrews we dont have £80:mad:
so now hubbys changed his work shift tommorow.
hes doing a late thangoodness rainbows does not start until next week as thats reason hes normally does monday early shift as picks daughter up.

So hes doing school run.
9am i ring agents
between 9.30-11 landlord suppost to be coming over to fix fire thats been broken nearly 4weeks!

contract up for renewal march.
going to ask for 2years knowing landlord say no as wont be able to up rent.so he will say a year and agents will charge us another £72 admin charge again.

heard rents on increase again as landlords get best returns but we stuck we cant move i anticipate another rent rise.
But I know we could have worse landlords so guess we will stick with it.

Pondered this morning why my girls

cant stop arguing
always want same flipping toy
always make a mess when playing
nothing occuypies their attention for long its lime attention toy defecit disorder so many toys yet they bored.

They both whiney and driving me and baby slightly potty.

hubbys of course in wok all day.

i was up early hours as baby woouldent stop crying and wouldent sleep so fed him fromage frais as 3am. hes 9months now and livly and into everything even crawling a little.

Last night intended to have lovley bath with my xmas lush bathbomb but hubby couldent control the girls they came up saw the pink water and wanted in so bathtime for 3 so not relaxing but at least they clean:rotfl:

Hubby so stressed out and living in work right now.
Getting fed up think he worked least 60hours last week only gets paid for 40. friday he had to do long day which meant couldent get eldest to her friday class so thourght she woould have to miss it.
But a mum at school offered her a lift so was nice im having her daughter back to tea next week in return and taking them both to class as shes working I aslo shoiwed my gratitude with 6chic iced fairy cakes.

when hubbys home hes tired, stressed and grumpy.
let him lie in until midday yesterday.
when hes home hes either on work email, phoning or texting.
he had tooth out thursday so hes still in pain over that.
he dide clean kicthen floor yesterday and i decluttered clkeaned downstairs but will need doing again tonight. as kids so messy.

got to clean bathroom and sort out the bedrooms again seems neverending at times.

I am being mental and trying to plan 2012
daughter has 5birthday invites lastv week which means 5pressies and cards:eek: least £20.

I need to book her party somewhere cheap but she wants a swimming party luckily several leisure centres here chosing one bit further out hopefully in hope be cheap as different county.

Due to having 3kids and the older 2 knowing what they like and want
just had very stressful xmas

I have decided to write lists for each child what they want or would like

feb-eldest is 6-wrote a list
now looking on ebay an have nearly new sale to vist end of month
will look on netmums
will look in sales

the idea is will get what she wants 2nd hand good condition or cheapest price. that way she get more for less and at 6be none the wiser.
also doing an xmas list for her too.

baby boy is 1 in april so looking for boy toys as I have mostly girls so watching a few things on ebay hoping to get him lots for about £30

My toddler is 3 in september so least bit spread out

doing xmas lists for all 3
going to buyt 1 toy a week from ebay
then stash at mil or in loft
then by december 2012 im not so stressed.

with adults the aim this year is to make as many pressies as possible

for birthday and for xmas.

ist aunts birthday in october want to get her something special as its her 60th but unsure what?

hubbys august -he needs new clothes
wants a video camera so going to save and check out sales
new printer-which would work out moneysavbing with money off coupons.

want to make stockings this year
some decs
blankets for kids bed.

so idea is get back into sewing
learn how to knit
make blanlets for kids bed.
may try other crafts too

get into mass brewing
better at preserves
better at baking.

Clothes going to try buy nothing brand new so just

ebay
nearly new sales
carboots
charity shops

think its do-able.

the home looking locally to do up house shabby chic and get all storage we desperatly need,.

Hoping all these efforts combined mean 2012 a good year for us that im less stressed about money and family has all they need.

Got few reductions in spar yesterday

also few good deals in lidls
got 72weetabix.

noticed bread flour on offer at 59p.
normal flour 55p same as value flour.

I cant belive value fromage frais gone up 6p to 50p in tesco as thats the cheapest will watch what others do probab;y fic their value lines the same.

Maybe I should dstart yogurt production is it hard?|
anyone tried?

wen to farmshop for look around, kids love feeding the piggies but going back next week to get

reduced pies for freezer
phesant as like dit xmas day and surprising amount of meat considering looked a like a sparrow:rotfl:

seville oranges this year I will try marmalade just need to find recipe where it goes in micro

have jars and labels at the ready:D

ginnyknit

Oh Gailey don't the most frustrating things happen, sounds like my house. We have no back exit from the garden and once got trapped in house by 2 huge dogs that were mating in the front garden - very nasty male dog - we were stuck in for hours! Have to laugh now but at the time it was awful as the kids were due home from school.

WCS I only wrote down the basics for the shawl as the printer doesnt like me :rotfl: so will try and translate them into a readable pattern asap.