I'm a newbie and this is my Statement of Affairs

McKneff

Look into freesat, rather than free view, lots more channels on freesat.

rising_from_the_ashes

loving-my-baxters wrote: »

Pet food - The dog is intolerant to wheat and as most foods are cereal based I have problems finding one that doesn't make him ill. He must be fed a rice based diet (which tends to be the premium brands JWB/Royal Canin etc).... if anyone knows of a cheaper rice based food please let me know. Also added in here was the 3 monthly worming treatment he has. I have never treated him for fleas/he has never had one - quite pleased they don't seem to like him. He does have a booster jab yearly, but I tend to cut back somewhere else to cover this one off so didn't include it.

Ahhhh I wondered as my old dog was wheat intolerant and I really struggled to find a decent food at a reasonable price. I did use PAH Wainwrights brand which is excellent but the price kept creeping up and they stopped doing offers (used to get BOGOF a lot when it first came out) and was up to £33.50 / 15kg bag when I stopped using it (ETA probably still cheaper than the JWB)

I switched to Skinners Duck & Rice - totally wheat & all gluten free, as well as diary free & hypoallergenic.

It's classed as a working dog food so is VAT free :j which helps a bit but anyone can buy it.

RRP is £23 / 15kg bag but you can pick up much cheaper online with a bit of hunting around - I got 2 x 15kg bags for £38 delivered the last time:D

If you do try it - stick to the Duck & Rice, Turkey & Rice or Salmon & Rice only as these are the only ones in the range that are wheat free etc.

http://www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk/products/field---trial-products/duck---rice/

You can get in smaller bags (but obviously more expensive) if you want to try it and, as with any change of food, introduce very gradually, using more of the current food / less of the new food and then gradually increasing until you're onto the new food. HTH:D

loving-my-baxters

McKneff wrote: »

Look into freesat, rather than free view, lots more channels on freesat.

Never heard of free sat until today - thanks I will look into

loving-my-baxters

Coco114 wrote: »

Just read through - well done on having enough to cover everything & save a little !
I am not going to comment on any of your expenses or spending as I am in no position to comment really
But (& you knew there would be one) you could defiantly cut down on the make up etc. This used to be a spend for me as well. But, haven't bought anything other than basic stuff for 6 months and it's fine - with the odd treat you really won't notice I promise.
:j




Very best of luck to you.

Thanks - took a long time to get here let me tell you - the only reason I can put money aside is because I am soooooo used to it (this money used to go debt payments and when those ended I decided to put the money away as I would just spend it on junk).

I take on board what you are saying about beauty costs - I buy from Boots at present as I am constantly saving Advantage points to cover presents etc, perhaps this is rather a false economy and I' be better off shopping around!

loving-my-baxters

tallyhoh wrote: »

what do you classify as cleaning products? seems an extremely large amount

In this catagory I count the following:

Bleach
Toilet Cleaner
CIF
Polish
Washing up liquid
Toilet roll (ok not cleaning but I bunged it in here)
Wooden Floor cleaning cloths
Floor cleaner
Carpet power and foam (I have a dog so am obsessed with the house not smelling of him)
Jays Fluid (The dog spends 3-4 hours each weekday in a large kennel and I clean this every couple of weeks.
Also count little things like weed killer in here

tallyhoh

loving-my-baxters wrote: »

In this catagory I count the following:

Bleach
Toilet Cleaner
CIF
Polish
Washing up liquid
Toilet roll (ok not cleaning but I bunged it in here)
Wooden Floor cleaning cloths
Floor cleaner
Carpet power and foam (I have a dog so am obsessed with the house not smelling of him)
Jays Fluid (The dog spends 3-4 hours each weekday in a large kennel and I clean this every couple of weeks.
Also count little things like weed killer in here

Wow, too much cleaning products is not healthy for dogs or humans.
Wooden floor cleaner is available from poundland, diluted it lasts about 6 months. Furniture should be polished about every 6 months or you get a nasty build up.
I would also consider & research the other products you use in case they are harmful to your pets. One of my dogs developed a nasty rash on her tummy which was traced to shake & vac.:eek:
I have a garden & allotment & avoid weed killer like the devil.

I sound like one of those really green people but Im not, I just think you should consider the stuff you buy.

Oh, & dont get me started on aerosols & air freshners:D

glasgowsaver2011

Contact the CSA they will ensure that you get money regularly from your ex.

also 100 a month seems awfully low unless he is on very low income

loving-my-baxters

tallyhoh wrote: »

Wow, too much cleaning products is not healthy for dogs or humans.
Wooden floor cleaner is available from poundland, diluted it lasts about 6 months. Furniture should be polished about every 6 months or you get a nasty build up.
I would also consider & research the other products you use in case they are harmful to your pets. One of my dogs developed a nasty rash on her tummy which was traced to shake & vac.:eek:
I have a garden & allotment & avoid weed killer like the devil.

I sound like one of those really green people but Im not, I just think you should consider the stuff you buy.

Oh, & dont get me started on aerosols & air freshners:D

I will bear all this in mind and get searching - many thanks

loving-my-baxters

glasgowsaver2011 wrote: »

Contact the CSA they will ensure that you get money regularly from your ex.

also 100 a month seems awfully low unless he is on very low income

Hi, thanks for posting

The ex is on a fairly low income - although has just moved in with a new girlfriend so potentially only has half the usual bills to pay!

We split a fair few years ago (daughter is now 9 and was 1 when it happened) and I have always tried to remain amicable.

The problems arised because I work... his mother takes/fetches our daugher from work twice a week, she is a registered childminder and I have never paid her, (my mother doing the other 3) and he stipulated from the start that the cost to his mother of doing this meant she could not take on another paying child therefore that was my maintenance.

After a year or so (bear in mind some of the debts i was left to pay were joint) ex decided he could afford 50.00 per month contribution, raised to 100.00 in the last 6 months. As stated it does not always materialise.

Once my daughter hits high school age (ie is able to walk herself from home/back and not in need of his mothers babysitting) I fully intend to make a CSA claim.... he pays me in cash when he does pay so I guess he would find it difficult to prove paying a penny - chances are I will not be that mean however and will disclose his actual payments made to them!

loving-my-baxters

OMG I spent 49.00 on two make up items from Benefit - Yes I cracked and yes I feel c***.

Off to Lidel tomorrow to do the weekly shop (it is a 5 mile drive but I am hoping the price savings will make it worth it) and have set a budget of 40.00 - really hope it comes in lower but considering I currently spend: 210 Food/40 Cleaning/50 Drinks I think that 40 for the lot would be good going.


Keeping my fingers crossed.