New Leaf, New Day, New Ways

Triggles

Alrighty. I am now a single mum, with 2 young children. I am currently not working - mainly due to my 3yo's preschool schedule and my 6yo being disabled, which makes finding childcare for him practically impossible (and practically impossible to afford!!). They also go to two separate schools (3yo is almost 4 and starts reception in the autumn, while 6yo goes to a specialised school) which can make schools runs tricky.

So money is going to be tight. And I'm going to need to learn how to make every penny count. I've been here on MSE for quite some time and have employed quite a few of the suggestions on here. I will admit that I sometimes scrimp in some areas to allow more spending in another. For example, we have a cable tv/phone/internet package - which I know some people feel is a huge no-no when money is tight. However... DS1 is unable to cope with cinemas, crowded or loud public places/events, and unable to participate in many activities that another child his age may enjoy. So making sure our rear garden is safe and has things for him to enjoy is priority as well as allowing him to have access to programmes that he specifically enjoys, which means cable tv. It's a small price to pay, in my opinion. So I'll happily scrimp in other areas to cover this cost. He also loves loads of different game apps, which we find online and download to our tablet. These games are good for exercising his memory, his fine motor skills, and teaching him patience and turn taking. Again - small price to pay.

I also pay a small fee for my bank account (£9 per month). But... that fee covers RAC cover (homestart and breakdown), extra insurance on electrical items over £50, specific insurance for my mobile and my cards (including passport and such). My RAC coverage cost just over £9 per month anyway, so might as well have the same coverage through my bank for RAC plus the extra insurance coverages. I'm not out any money, really, so it just makes sense to me. But I know some are very negative about fees for bank accounts - generally so am I, unless it's to my benefit. :rotfl:

Anyway, there are priorities afoot here.
- major clean of the house and stocktake. I do not want to be wasting money buying things (cleaning stuff, shampoo, etc) that we already have. So a full inventory and clean out is first order of things.
- examine budget and see what can be trimmed.
- start watching electric/gas usage, as I'm going to prepay meter in a month and I want to have my costs trimmed as much as possible. This is going to be a challenge for me, as I sit here freezing and contemplating putting on the heater.
- start a notebook for organisation for both Christmas and winter prep (separate sections so they don't get mixed up). I am determined to have a low cost (free if possible) Christmas and I want to be well prepped for winter to keep costs down as much as possible. I'll be prowling the competition and freebie boards as I've been fairly lucky with them in the past.
- build up a small emergency fund in case of... well, in case of an emergency. I class that as a major appliance breaking down or something like that.

I'm sure there are more things I need to look at, but that's what's coming to mind right off the top.

My realisation today? That our condenser dryer is going to need to be used less to keep electric costs down. So today I've put the clothing on the big fold out racks we have, and then when almost dry, I popped them into the dryer to finish them off. I suppose 10 minutes running is loads cheaper than 30+ minutes running, right? I'll mostly save that for sheets and towels, as they often feel a bit stiff after drying on the racks.

Onwards and upwards.....

MrsPBikerChick

Wow Triggles, that's impressive! Here was me feeling pleased with myself for making a money saving spreadsheet. I take my hat off to you

Just a thought regarding your DS1, one of our local cinemas (either odeon or cine wold, not sure which) does autism friendly screenings with lights up, quieter sound, limited audience size, etc. You don't say if he is autistic/aspergers but you mentioned crowds and noise being an issue for him so maybe one of those screening might work for him? One of my colleagues whose son is autistic says they're pretty good.

Also, if you explain the situation to your cable provider might they be able to offer some sort of discount as a goodwill gesture towards helping him? It's often surprising what companies will do to help those with disabilities if you just ask. If your current provider won't do it it might be worth enquiring whether any of the others will and switching (or using as a bargaining chip with the current one).

You probably already know this, but when I had prepay meters in my previous flat I found it much easier to budget if I paid the same each week/month so I ended up well in credit over the summer ready for the fuel-heavy winter.

Good luck with the comping!

Triggles

MrsP - I wouldn't have a clue how to do a spreadsheet, so you're miles ahead of me in that regard!! I've got to take the time to figure it out as I'd love to put all my budget stuff into a spreadsheet. Is it very hard to learn?

I hadn't even gotten as far as thinking about how much money to put on the electric/gas meter, but that sounds like a brilliant idea. I've never used a utility meter before, so I'm paranoid about running out - putting that bit extra on to build up a credit will also alleviate that fear (as long as I'm still careful not to waste it!).

I had heard of those screenings for children with autism, but they don't do them locally. The closest one is about an hour away, and the trip combined with a new setting would pretty much push him over the edge. I may ask at our local cinema if they would consider trying it to see if there is local interest - never hurts to ask. And yes, he has ASD, as well as a number of other things. He also sometimes needs his wheelchair when he is unable to walk or cope - generally in busy crowded places or when there is a lot of walking or standing involved.

I suppose I could speak to our cable provider, but to be honest, I'm really not willing to change to another provider. I don't mind paying the going rate - it's nice for me to have the entertainment in the evenings as well. It's relatively cheap when you compare it to the cost of going out one night a week over the course of a month. And it's a fixed cost, which makes it easy to budget.

My big purchase recently was a trampoline to put up in our rear garden. It'll be good for both DCs, and it was on sale (which never hurts!!). Now I'm just waiting for a day with decent weather, as a friend has said she'll come over and we can put it up. I've been wanting to get a trampoline for ages, as the OT said it would be great for DS, but other things had to take priority for awhile. Another "cheap entertainment" item that I'm hoping will last for years to come.

For the sake of clarity, I'm going to refer to my 6yo as DS1 and 3yo as DS2. My estranged husband and I have an older DS and older DD, however, as they are adults with their own partners and children, I really don't feel it's my place to comment too much on their lives. I may occasionally mention them, but I'd like to think if they were blogging that it'd be about them, and not really discuss me at all. So it's a bit of a "respect their privacy" thing.

My grandson will be here today - he's 7yo and in the ensuing chaos of a 3 boys, ages 7, 6, and 3, I doubt I'll get a whole lot of cleaning done. :rotfl: I snuck in last night to the DCs rooms and put away all their clothing while they were sleeping. I hate seeing clean clothing (or dirty for that matter) piling up waiting to be taken care of. I may take a bit of time here and there to do some of the "notes" - such as the Christmas/winter prep. I'll just make a list of all winter prep that I can think of, and then slowly work my way through it over the summer. That winter prep thread on OS is a godsend!!

Off to do a little tidying up and get the breakfast dishes done before DGS gets here. (and a much needed cup of coffee!!)

*Robin*

Hello Triggles, :hello:

Happy shiny new diary!

Triggles you seem to be such a wonderfully organised person, I can't help wondering why you are choosing to have an electric meter fitted, especially as you have a DS with disabilities? ..What happens if you run out of credit and the power goes off unexpectedly while DS1 is watching his favourite TV prog - wouldn't that really upset him?
Plus of course, it is much more expensive to buy electric through a coin meter - as you're talking of budgeting for it anyway, why not keep the money in an a/c [or pot] specifically for paying the bill, then you can benefit from the cheaper prices (and a bit of interest if your 'pot' is a savings a/c)?

It's also [I believe] quite expensive to have the meter removed, should you decide later that you'd rather not 'waste' funds on paying more than strictly necessary for your power..

Just a thought.

Triggles

Robin - first and foremost, because I want something to keep me accountable for the huge expense (and waste) of gas/electric in the house. I know myself well enough to know that without this, I will not stop and think before using the clothes dryer and the heater and letting things run (lights, etc) that should be turned off. I know technically that meters are more expensive per unit than credit, but that's not always the bottom line. Every person I know that has a meter has a much lower bill for gas/electric than I do - with similar sized homes, so it's not a matter of flats vs my semidetached. The few I know that don't have meters (that I've discussed it with), have large bills for this, like mine. It will also force me to budget better. There will be no choice. I need that kick up the bum, really I do. And I'm going to build up credit as suggested by MrsP, plus I can top up on the internet. I don't need to go to a shop to top up - if I did, then I definitely wouldn't be doing it. So I'm less worried about running out. As I get paid weekly, I plan on putting a specific amount in the meter every Monday, without fail right off the top, so running out will hopefully not be even a concern at that point.

When we moved into this property initially years ago, it actually had a meter installed from previous tenants, and it was no problem at all to switch it over. There's also a big bill left over from the winter that I can pay smaller amounts on each week, rather than coughing up a huge amount over a couple months. EH is supposed to be helping with that bill, but in all honesty he will probably pay it little by little, as he needs to pay agreed child maintenance as well, so this means I'm not completely short over the next few months trying to pay off that bill by myself. I don't want to get into debt over fuel, and I recognise that this is a weak point for me.

On that subject, I need to look at weak points in my moneysaving. Definitely gas/electric usage. And groceries - I spend too much sometimes, but now it's just myself and the 2 children, I'm hoping to really pull that back, while still having good healthy food.

EH and I had a number of debts together, and while they're in his name, I intend to do what I can to assist in paying those back as well. I know some would say legally I could ignore it as my name isn't on it, but I'm not happy with that. Things are amicable and I'd like to keep it that way. He's happy to split the bills leftover that are in my name, and I'm happy to split the debts that are in his that I've contributed to. We've agreed to take an adult approach as much as humanly possible and do what's best for the DCs and try to remain friends. I suspect shafting him on bills would not go over well (and I would feel horrible as well).

Triggles

Another day and quite a bit done. More cleaning around the house, some reorganising. I was looking to purchase some storage containers, but then with a little careful regrouping of things, I found I could make do with what I had. Money saved. :j

I think the first focus of DIY around the house is going to have to be fresh paint. I'd like to replace the flooring in a couple rooms, but it'd be foolish to do that prior to painting the walls. So - walls first.

I've managed to drastically reduce the amount of time the clothes dryer is running by hanging up clothing on the racks and then finishing them off in the dryer. Yes, I'm still using the dryer a little bit - but there are a few benefits. First, the DCs have eczema and if the clothing is scratchy, their skin gets irritated - so prefer a dryer softness. Second, it saves me a fair bit of time ironing. And that is always a good thing!

Grocery trip today - spent a little more than I intended, however, I had to stock up on some foods for school lunches for next week, which we were pretty much out of. And a couple other incidentals as well.

Now just going to relax a bit this evening.

Triggles

Today I have a new "odd job" for me to do for MS. I am searching the house for anything that is plugged in, on regularly, that simply doesn't need to be. I suspect there are quite a few things, as I can think of a good 3-4 things right off the top of my head. This is the beginning of a month long effort to cut my electric usage as low as possible. I will also be using the remoska more, cooking extra when I do use the oven, so that it's used less overall, using the slow cooker, turning off lights (DCs are dreadful about leaving lights on all over the house), and continuing to use the dryer less. I've already been heating up one kettle of hot water for tea in the morning, then putting the rest of the hot water in a thermos to use throughout the day, rather than reheating water in the kettle over and over.

Triggles

I got the upstairs done regarding extra things plugged in. Nothing in the DCs rooms. But in my room, I had a printer plugged in (on an extension that was turned on), although the printer was on standby. I rarely use the printer, so that's all now off and unplugged. It's hardly going to kill me to lean over and plug it in on the rare occasion that I use it. And on the opposite side of the room, same for a phone charger. Also unplugged.

Some of the downstairs done included a camera charger, another phone charger, and a laptop. Again - convenient to have them all plugged in and ready to go, but necessary? Not really. And how much energy do they pull that way? Not sure, but since they're unplugged, it's zero now. :cool:

The DCs have actually managed to get through the morning with the living room light off. I keep pointing out to them that sunlight through the window is often enough light without having to turn on a light during the day. Here's hoping they take it to heart!

Meal planning is next on the menu. :rotfl: Tomorrow I will be making some shepherd's pie, enough for tea, but also some for the freezer. The goal is to get about a week's worth of meals in the freezer for quick and easy meals. Since I just reorganised the freezer the other day, I have a good idea what's in there, so I know what there is to work with.

As far as cleaning is concerned, the next hit will be in the bathroom. Everything needs to be cleaned - tub, sink, toilet, floor. And it desperately needs to be reorganised. I went through the medicine cabinet yesterday, so any out of date meds are in a bag (way up where the DCs can't reach them!) and will be taken to the chemist tomorrow to dispose of.

I love getting organised.. even if it takes awhile.

Triggles

Grocery bills are a big weakness - I'm going to join the grocery challenge thread, although not sure how I'll do this first month.

First month with just myself and DCs, I'd like to think I can keep costs down. We'll see, I guess.

Things I need to keep in mind:
- basics, basics, basics - Sainsburys (generally) lowest cost options. Some of them are really good for a really good price. The huge exception is tinned tuna - quite pricey. Asda's smart price used to be a better deal, but that one is creeping up in price as well. We picked up some from a local wholesaler store recently at a much better price, so will probably continue to buy it there from now on. DS1 is a huge fan of tuna - and has loads of food issues, so tuna is used frequently here, with no option to just stop buying it.

- it's not a bargain if it's not used. Stocking up on sale items we'll use within the "use by" date is good, overstocking will end up in waste. Sometimes it's easy to forget that in the glow of a good price.

- implement a "one week a month" bid to empty or clean out the freezer, to make sure stock is used. This will basically mean we've got one week a month where the grocery bill should be practically nothing.

- menu plan ahead of shopping and bring a list. That, along with "never grocery shop while you're hungry" is pretty much right at the top. :rotfl:

Goal - keep grocery shopping under £200 for the month. Then hopefully next month I can trim it further.

*Robin*

Hi Triggles, :hello:

Ok am convinced; a meter works for you - well done on finding so many things to switch off!

Good luck with your grocery challenge this month.

Triggles

Robin - thanks

According to those on MSE, boiling water or brown vinegar are two things that work well for eradicating weeds. I'm happy to give them a try. I'll try the boiling water first and see how it does. That seems to be the cheapest.

Birthdays coming up in July - horrendously busy month of July for family/friends having birthdays. I need to start planning NOW for cards/gifts, so that it's all ready to go on time and so that I can look around for bargains.