Chanie fabulously looks after her pennies...

chanie

penny last year, we did nuggets and chips for the party, so will do the same this year too. The hall has cooking facilities, but we'll cook the food at home as its literally around the corner and means less cleaning in the hall.

Today was a less frugal day. I ordered DS some prescription goggles - he has a high prescription, so he can't get away with regular goggles. Plus he needed new school shoes, which OH said he'd pay for.

In addition we need the following
PE trainers for DS
DS trainers for home.
DD also needs new shoes
DS needs prescription sunglasses
New tyre for my car
DD school uniform for reception (when we find out what school she has gotten into)

I always wander why I can't seem to get my overdraft down, but there is always something we need to pay for.

Kitten868

Kids always need something and it's impossible to always know what and budget and plan. I think you do really well as for selling, you compromise a lot for this lifestyle - you don't have to compromise every thing.
It's a real bug bear of mine when you actually fork out for something and it's rubbish. Poor you. All this planning for days out will definitely rub off on to the kids when they grow up xxxx

chanie

Kitten868 wrote: »

It's a real bug bear of mine when you actually fork out for something and it's rubbish.

I agree. I hate paying for poor quality as I feel like I've wasted money, but I'm happy to pay for items that will last.

chanie

My good intentions have come to nothing. I'm already at the top of my overdraft and I've only just been paid. At the moment, it feels like we are haemorrhaging money.

Luckily, I should be okay until next pay day, as I don't have any other spends and OH can get whatever else we need. Things should have gotten easier since DD got her 15 hours of nursery, but it doesn't feel like it. I really need to think harder about what I'm going wrong.

chanie

a frugal day

Today was a pleasingly frugal day. We took the children to the park as DS had some homework for school. We took drinks, so didn't spend anything.

I made lasagne for dinner - we found some mince in the freezer, otherwise we would have bought some.

I also had a couple of make-do and mend successes. I managed to fix both the salad drawer in the fridge and a panel in our kitchen, using my craft glue gun. I had previously tried superglue, which didn't seem to work, so they have been left in a state of disrepair for at least a year. It's amazing how good it has made me feel to repair things rather than paying out.

I tried my hand at baking today and made Irish soda bread. I really dislike recipes which use lots of ingredients, so I was pleased when I came across this one and it was really easy. I made my own buttermilk, so it was made using ingredients we had at home.

pennywisepoundstupid

Sounds like my sort of day chanie. Well done on fixing bits and pieces I love make doing and mending.


Take care.x.

chanie

a frugal birthday party

It's DS birthday soon and I think I've done reasonably well in terms of keeping costs down:

Hall - it belongs to a local charity and is cheap to hire. It also means we aren't restricted on numbers.

Decorations - I saved a few bits and pieces (banners, tablecloths) from last year, which I can reuse.

Food and drink - will get chicken nuggets and chips etc from iceland. I find children don't tend to eat much at parties anyway. A relative gave me some sweet treats she had from Xmas, so I hid them away for the party.

Party bags - that was a poundshop raid, as always.

Entertainment - will be a bouncy castle if the weather holds out.

Siebrie

chanie wrote: »

a frugal day

Today was a pleasingly frugal day. We took the children to the park as DS had some homework for school. We took drinks, so didn't spend anything.

I made lasagne for dinner - we found some mince in the freezer, otherwise we would have bought some.

I also had a couple of make-do and mend successes. I managed to fix both the salad drawer in the fridge and a panel in our kitchen, using my craft glue gun. I had previously tried superglue, which didn't seem to work, so they have been left in a state of disrepair for at least a year. It's amazing how good it has made me feel to repair things rather than paying out.

I tried my hand at baking today and made Irish soda bread. I really dislike recipes which use lots of ingredients, so I was pleased when I came across this one and it was really easy. I made my own buttermilk, so it was made using ingredients we had at home.

You do very well with all the fixing and mending.
What kind of drinks did you take to the park? Individual cartons or a thermos with tap water and some cups? Your kids are still young, you can still train them to be happy with basic things and have the flavoured stuff for parties. For instance, the crisps you mentioned earlier, that the mice got into, is not really healthy, but the fresh popcorn is. My girls eat it freshly popped, without any flavouring, and really enjoy it.
Good luck with your journey to debt freedom and sound sleeps!

chanie

Siebrie wrote: »

You do very well with all the fixing and mending.
What kind of drinks did you take to the park? Individual cartons or a thermos with tap water and some cups? Your kids are still young, you can still train them to be happy with basic things and have the flavoured stuff for parties. For instance, the crisps you mentioned earlier, that the mice got into, is not really healthy, but the fresh popcorn is. My girls eat it freshly popped, without any flavouring, and really enjoy it.
Good luck with your journey to debt freedom and sound sleeps!

We took water bottles with a bit of squash to the pArk. I've tried them with popcorn, but it ends up going to waste.

a frugal day
I managed three frugal activities yesterday:

1. I needed to go to town, so I parked the car in a residential area and walked in, saving £3.50.

2. DS has to wear something red, white and blue to school one day, in celebration of The Queens birthday. I found t-shirt with the Union flag on for £1.50. I was expecting to spend £5. Saving £3.50

3. Dd had a birthday party to go to. I had a present stashed away, which I had bought in the sales for £5, so that saved me £5.

pennywisepoundstupid

Hi chanie.

Well done on the savings, its amazing how Much you can save by being a little bit frugal.

Hope you have a good week.x