May The Force Be With YOU!

stoplurking

Hi all just checking in to say a massive well done to everyone for keeping to the challenge and paying off major debts, esp Kat and that blessed bike loan. it's been the bane of that girl's life and now it is gone! So, our great Leader is setting an excellent example as ever.

The month is dragging by, from the debt-paying point of view, as I won't be making major inroads in my figures till July. I'm not in the challenge for May but still sticking to my budgets, have had several spendy episodes this month which were exepcted and budgeted for, and i really enjoyed them. I still have money in all the pots to see me through to pay day, still 10 days away. Will keep on reading and cheering you all on from the sidelines, so keep on with all your good work.

Matt, sorry to hear your sad news, fingers crossed things will improve.

bmma

hi spend day for me today,making home made green cleaning stuff -will have to batch cook and bake with storecupboard and freezer ingredients-hope to still come within budget.

NinjaSavingKat

Ooooh Bmma whatcha baking/making/cooking...? I am attempting another loaf of breadmaker bread..

Jonesy88

NinjaSavingKat wrote: »

the big "C"...it's only 218 days, 1 hours, 34 minutes and counting....

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I plan on spending £200 on christmas and NO MORE, so technically if i saved £1 a day... but then i like going shopping in November before it gets too busy and mental. Hmmm. How many days is it til 1st Nov?

NinjaSavingKat

193 days... £200 is good. Saving for it is better! Ooooh maybe something for June's challenge... My immediate family are getting a £10 note each....lol!

Bouncyminky

Another spend free day today (just counted that's nine now - nearly double figures!). Walked a bit further to avoid park and ride prices and saved me some time too. Blimming well need to be good considering the hash I've made of the budgets to date this month.

Curry tonight - using up lots of bits in the fridge. We are introducing DD to bubble and squeak on Wednesday as we deliberately made sure we had lots of leftovers from the roast yesterday! Yum.

Just planning the half term. I will only be in work for two days. We plan to keep DS in nursery for two days - he loves it there and we only have to pay anyway - this will ensure that we all get a little break from him - bless. So beach one day if the weather holds, cheap ice skating morning, toboganning (woo hoo) and plenty of films at home (maybe with sweets - ohh!). Also considering her doing extra lessons of swimming each morning to perfect her breast stroke and tire her out if we can convince her! It's the only regular activity she does at the moment. I'm considering what else she can do next year - brownies? choir? instrument? drama? karate? too much choice and being sensible unless they are mega cheap or free through school we will only be looking at one.

I must give a big hats off to my mum - how did she manage it with two of us in a low paid job - we got to go on foreign school trips (I got to go to Spain, France and Russia, my brother went to France) as well as multiple activities. I remember her being careful with food and clothes were from charity shops - but still amazing stuff! :):) A true inspiration and shows you can be very happy and not spoil kids (although I felt a bit spoilt still). I remember her finding the school slip about the Russia trip and her asking why I hadn't told her - I said it was a lot of money. She said well if you want to go you can. Bless her. :A:A:A:A:A:A

Mrs_Toast

Evening everyone,

I've spent quite a lot over the last few days which isn't good and I'm over budget on petrol and food :mad:

£40 - deposit for DS's birthday party which is 3 weeks after baby arrives.
£15 - birthday lunch with sister and brother.
£20 - petrol
£11 - new dressing gown as mine wasn't covering the bump :rotfl:
£6 - new outfit for baby to come home in which is the only 'new' thing I will buy.

I also spent a £3.20 on cakes for after lunch today and drink at the play barn. I desperately need to put more petrol in the car but have to wait until Friday so I can drive to Nottingham to see my Gran. I've looked at the budget and can afford £35 for the trip over including petrol so may leave £5 for lunch or snacks.

NSK, I've already started saving for xmas which is very unusual for me. I'm putting away between £10 and £15 a month so should have around £110 which is plenty. The problem I'm having with is budgeting/saving for birthdays.

Bouncyminky, I haven't actually planned for this half term yet. I have done so far this year though and it normally works out under budget. Like you say though, it all depends on the weather.

I will have a LSD tomorrow as have craft club (50p-£1) and then Wednesday & Thursday should be SFDs :T.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

Just checking in. I appear to have got DS2s cold so feeling a bit grotty. Lots of foodie discussion around here. I shop fortnightly and it all seems to have gone a bit pear shaped because two fortnightly shops dont always fit into a calendar month - if that makes any sense at all. I need to rethink how I do this because this month it hasnt worked out.

Kat, I have sympathy. I have just had my temporary crown replaced with the permanent one and its still a bit sensitive. Glad its over and done with though.

Bouncyminky, I am planning half term too. I was hoping to take the kids for a very cheap camping trip but its freezing here at the moment. Oh and kids activities. I am spending hours at the moment taking my youngest to play cricket - its quite an expensive sport too but I get a lot of his kit second hand from ebay, then sell it back on ebay when he has finished with it!

Siouxsie, I am lucky to have my Mums Kenwood Chef which is about 30 years old and still going strong! It does make life a bit easier but isnt essential. If I was getting a second hand one I would look for a Kenwood, they are worth the money.

Right, better get my son to bed then an early night myself I think.

NinjaSavingKat

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Siouxsie, I am lucky to have my Mums Kenwood Chef which is about 30 years old and still going strong! It does make life a bit easier but isnt essential. If I was getting a second hand one I would look for a Kenwood, they are worth the money.

My Mum's Kenwood is still going strong after 30 years.. Tempted to invest myself at some debt free point!

bmma

Hi NSK leek, potato and onion pie, lentil burgers, soup (not sure what recipe yet,) scones , oh and savoury rice., with onions ( peppers bought from charity shop 10p each!) I have a breadmaker, but although the bread has been edible- it has come out a different shape every time!