The "Pay ALL your debt off by Xmas 2012" challenge - PART 2!!!

[Deleted User]

Thank you all - they are still whining - I have found some bird feed recipe cards so I'm going to do that with them on Wednesday - will have a look at the other websites mentioned as well. They would be happy just to sit in front of the TV all day I'm sure but I want them to be doing things.

camuk81

I know that feeling poohpals. I wish I'd saved more when I had the chance.

Rdchick: Trying looking at the enclosed link re Halifax

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2009/10/how-to-beat-halifaxs-overdraft-chagres

Just got off the phone to the tax office and my tax code is changing. So glad i phone up as they have me as running two company cars! It means a difference of £49.43 a month in tax but I have still underpaid meaning I'm loosing £115.99 a month off my salary. Insert a lot of swearing from me!

Ruthy1604

poohspals wrote: »

Really struggling today peeps and feeling really down about everything. I think its because its half term and the girls have constantly nagged for food all day (because they've been bored rather than hungry) - something we don't seem to have much of. We are also sick of being at home all day but everything seems to cost money. I have booked to go bowling tomorrow as there was a deal on for kids whereby they get 2 games of bowling and food so they are looking forward to that. I'm just going to sit and watch.

Since we don't have any food in my hubby has gone to mozzies to get us a meal for tea - filled me with dread as he has other ideas about what is cheap compared with everyone else. Then I thought I would get a TesKos shop delivered (after making menu plan) so we can see exactly what we are spending rather than just putting extras into the trolley.

Have to find other things to do later in the week - we have a treasure trail that we could do round York but then the kids moan about the cold. Thought we could use a £25 pizza hut gift card I also have ( complained about a previous trip to they sent the gift card thru) and possibly have a mooch round the shops so the kids can spend what is left with xmas money.

I just feel a really cr*p mum today as they are having a rubbish holiday and if we hadn't been so bad with money up to now we could have done allsorts

Ahh I'm sure they don't think you're a carp mum. My two need a day or two at home mooching every holiday - it gives them a chance to play with the stuff they haven't had time for what with school/ homework & all that stuff. Can you dig out some forgotten toys ?

Have you got a cinema near you? Mine runs a kids club each morning - its £2.50 per child & the adult goes free. Its usually an older film todays was Tintin) & so doesn't cost a lot if you take your own snacks.

Ruth x

mumof3plusoh

poohspals wrote: »

Really struggling today peeps and feeling really down about everything. I think its because its half term and the girls have constantly nagged for food all day (because they've been bored rather than hungry) - something we don't seem to have much of. We are also sick of being at home all day but everything seems to cost money. I have booked to go bowling tomorrow as there was a deal on for kids whereby they get 2 games of bowling and food so they are looking forward to that. I'm just going to sit and watch.

Since we don't have any food in my hubby has gone to mozzies to get us a meal for tea - filled me with dread as he has other ideas about what is cheap compared with everyone else. Then I thought I would get a TesKos shop delivered (after making menu plan) so we can see exactly what we are spending rather than just putting extras into the trolley.

Have to find other things to do later in the week - we have a treasure trail that we could do round York but then the kids moan about the cold. Thought we could use a £25 pizza hut gift card I also have ( complained about a previous trip to they sent the gift card thru) and possibly have a mooch round the shops so the kids can spend what is left with xmas money.

I just feel a really cr*p mum today as they are having a rubbish holiday and if we hadn't been so bad with money up to now we could have done allsorts

Oh Poohspals know how you feel. My kids been grazing on rubbish because they are "bored". What about a bit of home baking. Cheap to do and food for kids to eat at the end. Double up on mixtures so that you have more for later in the week. What about the park? Don't know how old yours are but if you go on a walk and collect some bit of nature and make a collage with your finds. Any friends with kids free? If so take some of your bakes with you and have a coffee at theirs or yours.

M£s have a great deal, was still on on Sat. A pie which feeds 4 easily or a stew but that doesn't look enough to feed 1 let alone 2. Creamy mash and bag of ready done veg for £5. To stretch it out I do some rosemary potatoes( cube peeled spuds snip up some rosemary from garden or dried a drizzle of olive oil and bang in the oven for about40-50mins) and a few extra carrots and broccolli. Cheap tea and tastes great.

Keep your chin up and HTH x

vw_campervan_mum

Lots of lovely posts - reminds me that what most young children want is your time and attention I did loads with mine when they were young - | did childminding too so i could be at home with them. I am a teacher now so still get the holidays. We do have a lot of free fun - though cant drag them off for walks in the forest more's the pity as i love walking. Have changed DD curtains now for old plain white ones - hope she likes it all when she gets back

Mrs_Addicted_to_Spending

I know what you mean about having no money to spend on kids for half term as I'm in that situation too. Luckily since I explained to them about paying off credit cards, they are not moaning so much, bless them. I ended up taking my youngest for a walk today just so we could get some exercise - it took me half an hour of persuading to get him out. But then he said he loved chatting to me (while we were out) as we always have lots to say to each other . Sometimes I think the most important thing is having time for them. I'm also trying to invite friends over to occupy them whenever they are free as this just costs drinks and snacks and they seem to play happily for ages when they've got friends around.

DorsetGirl_2

Evening all

My new update is £1,569.78/7873.87 #130

kerri_dfw

I sooo shouldn't be a parent yet, my first thought when reading about how some peoples kids are moaning that there's no fun food was "if that was my kids I'd play them a video of kids in Africa, then see if they moaned after that". Defo agree with the baking, walks, jigsaws, colouring etc. We never had the tv on when we were younger and I don't recall us being bored. We used to bake a lot when we were big enough.

Thanks for the well wishes for today, it felt like I belonged there today was awesome. I left at 6.20am and arrived at 9.25am, but drove at 60mph to save fuel I did also stop off for a toasted teacake at Oxford services and took the time to clear my car out whilst there and wipe down the outside with a baby wipe as it was covered in grit and I can't take it to get washed anytime soon.

catmort

My sister is having her 30th birthday party on Friday at some swanky London club with an expensive menu which I'm going to be forced to eat from PLUS I just found out there is a 'music charge' too. And because so many people are coming she is relegating me to the second table. Her hubby just sent an email saying 'thanks for being understanding', well I'm not! I don't want to go! But I can't really tell her that...especially since it's her 30th! But she's forcing me into spending loads of money! What do you guys think I should do?

kerri_dfw

catmort wrote: »

My sister is having her 30th birthday party on Friday at some swanky London club with an expensive menu which I'm going to be forced to eat from PLUS I just found out there is a 'music charge' too. And because so many people are coming she is relegating me to the second table. Her hubby just sent an email saying 'thanks for being understanding', well I'm not! I don't want to go! But I can't really tell her that...especially since it's her 30th! But she's forcing me into spending loads of money! What do you guys think I should do?

How ruddy rude!!! If my sister, my best friend when everyone else is gone, relegated me to the anything but the top table I'd be incredibly hurt and insulted! Tell her she is insensitive to other peoples circumstances and that you won't be going xx