5 years MFW - Lets get cracking...

nattypants

George Clarke is top telly architect totty.

I don't know how to do a link the way GG does so......http://georgeclarke.com/

HelenDaveKids

Yes yum. I do recognise him now see piccy.

Have taking DD1 christmas shopping, shes nearly as mse as me. She brought loads, some really expensive looking gifts for all her friends, did all her family gifts and all for under £25. She bought Sex in the city perfume £3, twilight gift set £3 in B and M, little pocket hot water bottles £2 (i think) nice mugs £1 in HB, then slim line calenders 2 for £1 in card factory, manicure set £1 mini torch £2 in wilkoa, as well as other bits and bobs. Obviously did a few bits as well, set of photo frames (blue) £2.50, book about the queens life to celebrate the jubilee £2, from HB.

Bought sofabed for DD2 (birthday) from Ikea. Fetched it, popped in trolley £95, then had a quick look in bargain corner (cant help self) saw exact same - ex display - £65. Swift return of box. Even already made up -- Result.

Pay day monday!!!! Cant tell you how desperate we are...

Cheques are written ready (still last of money left in bank from cashing in policy 1 of endowment) so will be hitting max allowed of £1500 ... very cheaty though, as thats not through MSE'ing. Still adding up my MFW money, grand total for month tbc, which feels more like my MFW efforts (through cost saving / selling etc)

ammonite

Sounds like a good day of shopping! Enjoy payday! We were desperate too this month! Really need to watch the pennies in December and January!

HelenDaveKids

Ammonite - are you having trouble sleeping!! Bless you!

Have done my money moving ready (with transfer dates of 28th) and already realised that theres not much money in the current account not accounted for. Oh well, its the run up to christmas so a little overspend can be justified. Its hard to get a compromise between what the kids want to what we can realistically afford.

Last night did some more wrapping. Now only have about 2 or so more presents to get. DD2 wants some roller skates, bidding on some on ebay so fingers crossed, then need to buy DD3 1 more to make equal. EVERYONE else is done. Had 20 rolls of wrapping paper (dont worry - loads left) in sales last Jan (cost £2 the lot) plus have a big carrier bag full of cards that bought in sales too (need loads as kids all send to their mates as well)

Had some lovely wild mushroom soup for dinner (large fresh carton reduced to 50p - did me and DH) kids had batch cooked pasta as they hate mushrooms.
For tea its batch cooked lasagne.

Did manage NSD, went to Zumba in morning but gym member so free.
Need to pay for swimming reenrolment this week.

My Op pot money from MSE'ing this month (including ebay etc) is £261. Not as good as last month but still pleased.
Also have £36 left in my grocery spend (going from payday to payday rather than calender month) would have been more but a few extra bits slipped into trolley for christmas presents and decided to count. I have put that onto next months as have got a lot of extra food to buy, including christmas dinner and tea for 9 but possibly 11, 3 brothers and families coming up 1 day so tea for potentially 21 ish (depending if nieces bringing OH's) and then friends for tea one night. Not sure £36 extra will do it! Not sure that will cover the wine!

Hell1

Hi HelenDaveKids:wave:

Just catching up on your diary, - I am in awe of you, so organised for christmas already. I have to admit I have not bought even one gift yet. Aaargh! Must be more organised next year.

You are doing really well on your MF journey, congratulations!

hell

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Maybe we're all hanging out for pay day this month because we've all been Christmas shopping early!

HelenDaveKids

I am normally much better, i am normally wrapped by mid October. I spend all year grabbing bargains but as money has been tighter, I have been less spendy. Also kids tend to develop a list of exactly what they want, so need to accomodate that.

I always have the week before christmas off as well, as dont have annual leave over festive 2 weeks and it allows a more festive feel. Can give the house an extra clean, go to school plays, last minutes bits and pieces and christmas presents deliveries etc

DD3 saw something she wanted in town yesterday when she went christmas shopping with my mum. So have asked her to get it for me, so hopefully thats her sorted.

HelenDaveKids

Quite a lovely week planned (although v busy), as quite of bit of time owing still being taken so hours at work quite small, so long day today but my day job followed by a twilight in my other job so 9-10pm , then tuesday DD2 birthday, also going with BF to another old student friends house for lunch then family tea out and no music lessons as have moved them to Thurs so we can have birthday tea , wednesday short shift then swimming (need to reenrol ) Thurs short shift followed by parents evening for DD1 and 2 then music lessons but no zumba as wont be able to fit in, Friday day off, going to a new factory shop weve found out about with job share:) (also work BF) then spa night centre parcs with BF for her 40th, sleeping over so wine can be consumed:), saturday DD2 sleepover party:eek:. Sunday need to nip DD1 to her all day music practice for 9.30 (40 min each way) then fetch her back at 4pm, should have sleepy grumpy children returned to their homes then relax..... mmm sounds a bit crazy when I write it down!

ammonite

Wow! Sounds like a busy week! Enjoy it!

HelenDaveKids

I do like busy, also not good in house alone, easily distracted!

are you sleeping better?