Kolakube is bBack on the MFW bandwagon!

LauraWxx

KolaKube wrote: »

Hmm... upon further inspection of the MrT website I see the next exchange starts on Thursday... Will sit on the vouchers until then at least to see whats included

Edit: it would seem baby and toddler isn't included anyway!

Have you been able to see what is included somewhere??! I too am waiting to see what is in the exchange...hopefully some good departments I can utilise for xmas pressies!!

KolaKube

LauraWxx wrote: »

Have you been able to see what is included somewhere??! I too am waiting to see what is in the exchange...hopefully some good departments I can utilise for xmas pressies!!

Yep if you log into your clubcard account and click 'my latest statement' and scroll down theres a general department list (no specifics just yet though!).

Upon further thought, the dolce gusto machine is out anyway. The pods are ridiculous at nearly £4 for 8! Plus I don't see any decaff which I'm planning to stick to for pregnancy / breastfeeding.

Back to the drawing board! x

KolaKube

So, last night I had a little freak out about going back to work after maternity next Dec... (long way off!). I had had some work friends over and could feel myself getting stressed just talking about it. I won't say exactly what I do but needless to say its a stressful job with round the clock on-call shifts / weekends etc. Pays well though!

I had been thinking of looking for a new job / career change whilst off on maternity - easier said than done in the current economic climate though.

Problem is, if I don't go back then I have to pay back all the maternity money over the level of SMP.

I'm due to get full pay 8 weeks, half pay plus SMP 18 weeks, then SMP only for 13 weeks.

The other arrangement would be 90% of full pay for 6 weeks, then SMP up to 39 weeks.

Big difference, and at a time when we're wiping out our savings to buy a place / will need to do it up, furniture etc :eek:

I'm tempted to try to save up the difference so I can decide closer to the time whether to go back or not, rather than feel pressured because of money. Would mean a big difference to our income though!

Will have to sit down and calculate how much would need setting aside each individual month... this could get complicated!

x

KolaKube

Had a lovely afternoon with an old school friend at her (parents) amazing house out in the country... truly beautiful surroundings and great company. Was handy for her as she doesn't have a car at the moment and saved me the cost of coffee / lunch out. I did have to drive for about 30 mins to find the place (only took about 15 on the way back lol!) but my little car is light on petrol so not too worried about hitting my 'one tank to last the month' target. Gorgeous autumny country drive to get there small pleasures!

Wasn't awfully bothered about cooking / eating this evening so I've just fried up some leftover spuds in garlic oil for a quick snack... mmmm being MSE is tasty lol. My long suffering OH will get to pick his own dinner for once :rotfl:

SIL came last night to collect her Ikea item and handed over the £9, so OH can have that for a little guilt free 'walking around' money over the next few days

£85 moved to the general spending account as I will use the MrT clubcard vouchers for groceries throughout the month (they double up on frozen I note, so there should be more than enough!) and also try to squeeze my birthday present from OH out of them too (I need some new make-up, and cosmetics are included in the double up too) to save a little money.

Would love to end this tight month in the black we've been quite comfortable for a couple of years really, but had a few years when we first got together when money was very tight indeed - feels a little strange to be back in that position but I'm glad it's because of positive things (buying a house!) rather than because we're overspending etc.

Have a good evening everyone

x

KolaKube

Hello all!

Hope everyone had a lovely halloween!

I went up on the bus to visit OH at work for lunch / a bit of window shopping and we had a lovely time, but did spend a reasonable amount! Bus ticket was £9 for a return and is apparently normally £12 but they were doing a 'halloween deal' randomly which I was not expecting lol.

We had a treat lunch at wagamama, which we both love, and then OH went back to work whilst I browsed around the shops. Couldn't resist a starbucks pumpkin latte and pumpkin cake slice seeing as it was halloween. Got my own birthday presents from OH (a new book from the works, bottle of perfume which was half price in boots (yay!), and some new makeup which I actually needed for once.) Used the boots points to buy some moisturiser and nail varnish remover which I was also out of lol.

In better spending news, today I have done a full grocery shop and filled the cupboards and freezer for the grand total of £1.68 with MrT vouchers (the exchange starts today!). Also bought a frozen turkey to contribute to xmas lunch at mums with vouchers, which I've tucked away up in her freezer. Had £30 worth of vouchers left and I note they quadruple on pizza express, so I've exchanged £10 to book OH and I in for a nice romantic meal as we've a night to spend in Belfast coming up soon so that'll be a lovely treat. :j That leaves £20 of vouchers which I have no doubt will be used up by the end of the month on bits and pieces. I think OH may want to double them up on some new clothes which would be good as he needs a few more jumpers etc for winter

We have an 'indian ready meal for 2' which was reduced in MrT to £3 for dinner, yum yum.

Not planning to do much for the rest of the day, OH is a bit sick today and it's horrible drizzly weather. I think SIL is coming round later for a visit but other than that I think we're being general antisocial today... will bring out the crochet and tudors season 3 methinks

Have a good day all xx

quintwins

I use my tesco vouchers for a hi-life card (2 acually we buy in inlaws theres then they usually pay for a couple of our meals out) we love eating out so 2 for 1 is really good for us, in belfast we usually use ours in tony roma's (yum ribs) tgi fridays or gormet burger, but there all single use, but for pizza hut/pizza express you can use it as many times as you like, it's bogof on a starter, main and desert so we can easily do 2 starters, 2 large pizza and 2 puddings for the kids to share (ice cream factory isn't included) for the 5 of us. There £10 of points for a years memebership (of this year they started £5 for a year memebership to the app) it's so worth it.

I've ordered my 2 and also have £8 of vouchers left, so will save the £3 and double up the £5 to fill my freezer

KolaKube

quintwins wrote: »

I use my tesco vouchers for a hi-life card (2 acually we buy in inlaws theres then they usually pay for a couple of our meals out) we love eating out so 2 for 1 is really good for us, in belfast we usually use ours in tony roma's (yum ribs) tgi fridays or gormet burger, but there all single use, but for pizza hut/pizza express you can use it as many times as you like, it's bogof on a starter, main and desert so we can easily do 2 starters, 2 large pizza and 2 puddings for the kids to share (ice cream factory isn't included) for the 5 of us. There £10 of points for a years memebership (of this year they started £5 for a year memebership to the app) it's so worth it.

I've ordered my 2 and also have £8 of vouchers left, so will save the £3 and double up the £5 to fill my freezer

That's also a good idea quintwins! We save up our points all year so isn't it lovely to be able to throw in a few rewards / treats I would definitely double up the £5 on frozen as they have quite a few bits and pieces on offer at the moment so £10 will go a good way!

I think you should treat yourself with the £3 personally! Not very MSE of me but everyone deserves a little treat

quintwins

KolaKube wrote: »

That's also a good idea quintwins! We save up our points all year so isn't it lovely to be able to throw in a few rewards / treats I would definitely double up the £5 on frozen as they have quite a few bits and pieces on offer at the moment so £10 will go a good way!

I think you should treat yourself with the £3 personally! Not very MSE of me but everyone deserves a little treat

I already treated myself to a 2 for 1 diningcard

i already have my shopping list done (i have a £5 off £20 soend and a £4 off £30 spend to use aswell so making the most of it)

for my £5 doubled up i'll get

1 bag of sweetcorn
2 bags of mixed veg
2 bags of wedges
3 bags of chips
2 boxes of fish
2 bags of sausage rolls
bag of chicken burgers

Far from healthy but lots of free food and nice quick dinners.It's ok we won't eat it all in a week we rarely buy branded items and it's really good what so little money can buy you.


Oh and theres 2 blocks of golden cow butter on my shopping list now thats def a treat!!!

KolaKube

quintwins wrote: »

Oh and theres 2 blocks of golden cow butter on my shopping list now thats def a treat!!!

I LOVE BUTTER!

Lol. That's a good shopping list for a tenner, I'm impressed xx

KolaKube

Got the call this afternoon to say our offer has been accepted! Mortgage formally applied for with NW, and we've appointed a solicitor. I'm hoping it all goes smoothly / to plan lol!

Had to pay the £99 fee today though, so that's our spending money built up wiped out so far lol. Back to the drawing board!

:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

Kola xx