5 years MFW - Lets get cracking...

HelenDaveKids

Yes, you could come round for batch cooked lasagne. I might even let you have one of my none SP tea bags.... Although its now official wine oclock

HelenDaveKids

Thanks PD. Will do. Would really like to get my last bit before my birthday but at least have a big chunk of it.

Wish my DH would do some batch cooking!!

HelenDaveKids

Well completed all my surveys, no ad points left to do, done my diary rounding and 2 glasses of wine.

Just checked on washer as thought put stuff on rads b4 bed (day off tomoz, working sunday so need quick school clothes turnaround) and the thing has done nothing! its old (came with the house) but will not get replaced till it dies. It can play up all it likes!

HelenDaveKids

2 parcels posted and diesel bought. Also needed milk but local shop its a £1 so bought 2 rather than do a shop. If I'd left it, DH would have gone to co-op tomoz and paid much more plus any other carp shoved in basket so although made a NSD did prevent a bigger one whilst at work!
School clothes ready so no late night ironing needed tomoz. Pasta defrosting for my din as feel a bit mardy if dont get something warm to eat at least once a day.

Now have nearly £150 in my amazon account with yet another £5 survey money on its way... just need amazon to suddenly drop its kindle hd fire price...

Have less than £100 grocery money leftt till end of Jan but last night decided that I think Im too hard on self (violins please....) , as if we have a meal out (read KFC) I take it from my grocery money as its "food" plus the kids squid cards (school dinners) and even considered taking in account breakfast club money (as is food however purely used as a way to start work earlier so can get back in time to pick back up since they stopped the school bus). Also we rarely go out (read birthdays / anniversaries) so tend to drink wine fri/sat night which again is from budget, so...... perhaps really i'm spending £2.50??? and therefore doing an absolute awesome job????? Also started dipping into Jans money on december early pay day therefore paid for christmas / NY extra food / drink... yes I know Im really pushing it now. Basically Ive overspent, guilty as charged!

skint_spice

I think you are being harsh - especially if they happen each month. I have DS dinner money in budget and takeaway would come out of entertainment budget, so you probably only have spent 2'6:D

HelenDaveKids

Havent got an entertainment budget which on reflection is worth thinking about, as although we dont really go out, we do have days out as well as increased food costs for birthday parties and friends over for meals.
Not sure whether need to just keep grocery budget at £500 but when underspend carry forward for tougher months... ones with birthdays (lots of extra children needing feeding) and christmas.

I still think squid money is food and therefore should be counted.
Breakfast club is in essence childcare??

I think perhaps need to address alcohol spends by perhaps drinking less? Nahhhhhh!!
No seriously adding up does give it more consideration.

skint_spice

Well if you had an entertainment budget then alcohol could go in there.... just saying... I sometimes use this budget for extra petrol if we go somewhere for the day, or to buy a dvd.
Yes, breakfast club is childcare, if DS went he'd eat brekie at home first then eat more there - that's what he did at nursery for a slim boy he puts a hell of a lot away....

HelenDaveKids

Thank SS.
It is really difficult sometimes to decide whats reasonable to spend. Feel like every shop Ive been "good" yet clearly overspending and try to be honest when writing stuff down. Stocked up on soup and beans last week as on offer but basics seem to run low if not careful.

Had long chat with BF last week about the benefits of MF against living life with 3 kids who will essentially be leaving home / coming to that age by the time MF and is it worth scrimping in these important years... My gut feeling is a mid way point as if we dont we cant help with uni fees etc. Plus dont want them to think that money is available easily, that we work towards our goals.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi, no idea if this will help, but following SS guidance, and I do it the same way too, how about rejigging your budget to have entertainment/leisure, school stuff etc. Then maybe your grocery spend will be cleaner? Not quite the right word but I hope you understand. Maybe you don't overspend at all, you just include far more in your grocery spend.

I started up a bulk shop a/c and put some money in every month to save for bargain shopping, but I don't include that in my grocery spend.

It's difficult to strike a balance. I try to grab as many free movie tickets as possible and then there's always someone to go - me/DH, DD/DS, or one of the kids with a friend. This leaves the entertainment pot for other stuff.

It's a fine balance to get us where we want to be yet still enjoying the time with the kids etc.

Good luck, Tilly x

pavlovs_dog

or alternatively increase your grocery budget so it is enough to realistically cover breakfast club and meals out, so you don't feel bad about overspends that aren't really overspends.

With the cost of food going the way it is, I'd be inclined to keep it separate myself, but you need to do whatever works for you.