what more cutbacks can you make to combat increasing gov cuts and price increases !!

fuddle

My children have lived in a household that have had it tight for the last 3-4 years. Ok, we didnt go to the cinema, swimming pool, zoo, sealife centres etc but we did take picnics and the dog out in the great outdoors, they adore crabbing or looking for fossils, flower pressing, shell finding etc. There is a difference in my opinion... My children can find their entertainment, have good imaginations and don't need to be stimulated by all the things money buys

The thing with cutting back is attitude. When you have to be frugal do it with spirit and determination - it's how I got through some of the most awful times.

[Deleted User]

troll35 we have similar outlooks I take care of four of my DGS before and after school and during the holidays.We live a very short drive from the Riverside Park just outside Chatham and when the weather is good its a case of pack all the picnic stuff and cricket bats and balls into the car with a flask and a large bottle of squash and off we go.I have always got a book to read if the boys want to go off on the adventure playground and they know where I am for food drinks etc.We also have a walk along the Riverside path and right out to the furthest point when its really hot (!!!) and there is always a nice breeze blowing to cool you down .My eldest DGS takes his fishing rod and will happily sit there all day .I also have a National Trust card that all the boys are on so we can go to see some stately homes or castles and it doesn't cost anything apart from the picnic.I try in the summer holidays to organise a day out doing something every other day and on the 'home' days we go into the garden and they have their trampoline or if its wet we have cards or board games.I try to work it so we change stuff that we are doing between morning and afternoon that way they don't get fed up too quickly.My youngest DGS loves to bake cakes and biscuits and I have a waffle machine that I paid £6.00 in a charity shop a couple of years ago thats paid for itself over and over I also have a doughnut making machine so we think of different things to fill them with.If we need a DVD our local library has them from 50p upwards for a week (Blockbusters was always too dear) and I do try to keep them entertained and busy without it breaking the bank.Late August is great as we go collecting blackberries for my freezer and if we can find them apples as well.The boys are good lads and know that money is scarce for everyone and Mum and Dad have to watch their money as does Granny :) but they rarely ask for anything and we all seem to rub along together.It having time to listen to what they are saying makes a lot of difference, and as their Granny I do have time in abundance

zippybungle

Re: cheap days out with Kids

On a Saturday morning, you can go and watch a kids film at Cineworld for £1 per person. The films are not 3d, but who cares!

Zippy x

pinkypig

JackieO wrote: »

troll35 we have similar outlooks I take care of four of my DGS before and after school and during the holidays.We live a very short drive from the Riverside Park just outside Chatham and when the weather is good its a case of pack all the picnic stuff and cricket bats and balls into the car with a flask and a large bottle of squash and off we go.I have always got a book to read if the boys want to go off on the adventure playground and they know where I am for food drinks etc.We also have a walk along the Riverside path and right out to the furthest point when its really hot (!!!) and there is always a nice breeze blowing to cool you down .My eldest DGS takes his fishing rod and will happily sit there all day .I also have a National Trust card that all the boys are on so we can go to see some stately homes or castles and it doesn't cost anything apart from the picnic.I try in the summer holidays to organise a day out doing something every other day and on the 'home' days we go into the garden and they have their trampoline or if its wet we have cards or board games.I try to work it so we change stuff that we are doing between morning and afternoon that way they don't get fed up too quickly.My youngest DGS loves to bake cakes and biscuits and I have a waffle machine that I paid £6.00 in a charity shop a couple of years ago thats paid for itself over and over I also have a doughnut making machine so we think of different things to fill them with.If we need a DVD our local library has them from 50p upwards for a week (Blockbusters was always too dear) and I do try to keep them entertained and busy without it breaking the bank.Late August is great as we go collecting blackberries for my freezer and if we can find them apples as well.The boys are good lads and know that money is scarce for everyone and Mum and Dad have to watch their money as does Granny :) but they rarely ask for anything and we all seem to rub along together.It having time to listen to what they are saying makes a lot of difference, and as their Granny I do have time in abundance

What a lovely Granny you are::A
My mum was like you and even though money was tight we had a brilliant childhood and we are still very close and I don't think that is a coincidence. I have tried to give my kids a similar experience and we walk and cycle and bake and build dens and dams and climb trees. My mum proudly told me that a friend of hers showed her an article in the newspaper which stated 50 things every child should do when growing up and was complaining that all her grandkids did was watch T.V. Mum on the other and was able to say that her grandkids had done all of them. I just hope they look back on their childhood as fondly as I do because looking back not only was I not deprived I was clearly cherished.
PPxx

Uniscots97

good_advice wrote: »

I am beginning to think there is far to many shopping channels on freeview. All wanting and tempting us to spend.
I like watching the quilting show on create and craft on Sundays BUT the x4 acrylic templates I would have liked with some freebies supposed to be thrown in the deal came to nearly £60 and £2.99 p&p. Way out of what I would be willing to spend.

Check out Wilkinsons as they keep craft stuff and some of it is Create and Craft, the prices are pretty reasonable in there (I did wonder if its old stock from the channel?). Maybe worth a try?

lindseykim13

I agree with the days out issue-some of our best days out as a family have been the free ones. I will always balance a holiday with free/cheap days in the main and 1 or 2 treats.
Yes we do occasionally go on the more expensive days out but if you want to go to say legoland ect try and organise a few of you to go so you can get group rates which are cheaper.