Half Way There

wannabee_in_credit

Forgot to update at all yesterday.

Really enjoyed Despicable Me 2 - as did the kids. They want to go and see the Smurfs 2 next week on cheap tickets day which I'm far less excited about. :cool:

All ok at the dentist - no treatment required so only £18 spent there.

Yesterday we drove to the coast and went on a treasure trail around the town. That in itself cost nothing, but we did then go for a carvery dinner. I got dinner and drinks all in for £21.24 for the four of us, as I had a voucher.

When I got home last night (after 8pm), I totalled everything up that I've spent over the past fortnight and it's been quite a lot. Certainly more than I'd planned. I've decided to challenge the kids to come up with something we can do today and tomorrow without spending any money except on travel. We'll see what they come up with.

I have already promised them that we will go fruit picking at some point. Our nearest PYO that's decent and reliable is about an hours drive away so I've bought a treasure trail for the nearest town, and it's near Hadrian's wall too so we'll make a day of it, and obviously fruit picking in itself is not free.

Also debating getting a family National Trust membership. It would cost £72 but then everything would be free. There are a few places here in the North East, and loads in the Lakes. I don't know if it would be worth it in the long run, but as a family we do like to be out and about where we can. I wonder if it would be saving money in the long run, or if it would be something I shouldn't bother with. :huh:

I need to cancel my other dentist appointment today as well. I've found a new dentist as I didn't think an 8 week waiting list was acceptable. :eek:

Igamogam

We had family membership of NT when the children where small - but then we have 3 places on the door step - one that we can see from our house! - and 2 or three others only about 40 mins away, so we made very good use of it especially the events days when there was always something on for the children. Also our friends with children had membership so it was great for impromptu visits with other frazzled parents in the long holidays! We found it invaluable but you will just have to weigh up how much you will use it - is your youngest old enough to pay entrance fee yet? Also we tended to take holidays where there were NT properties etc so used it then - and of course there is the free parking in NT car parks..............great for the Lakes where all the car parks seem to be NT! This is where we first signed up when we were fed up of queuing behind coach loads of tourist at Beatrix Potter House and beat the queue by becoming a member

wannabee_in_credit

Yayayayay! I have managed a nsd here - only my second one of the month.

Have discussed NT membership with hubby - there are quite a few things near to us, and we may well go for it. Hubby is still deciding if he wants to do just a long day in the Lakes on Saturday. I think if we do, then we'll probably join up. There's lots to see and do NT related in the Lakes.

Today we decided to print off a walk from the NT website, and a picnic. And that kept us busy for a few hours for nothing. DS wanted an ice cream, as he always does, but he paid for it himself.

We've spent most of this evening trying to repair hubby's bike. It's only a puncture but both of us are complete novices. So much hilarity to be had. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

wannabee_in_credit

Igamogam, ds turns 5 in September. Apparently they would add him onto family membership free of charge as dd is already old enough to pay.

OrangeFairy

Hi Wannabee,

We had a NT membership which we used to it's fullest for a year.

We don't have one at the moment as we have literally visited everything in the area. Though I am thinking we may do it again next year and visit them all again. It is definitely worth it.

haha - at you both trying to fix the puncture! I would be useless!!:rotfl:

Sounds like you have a lovely day out. We went geocaching along the coast today and spent £5.10 on parking and ice creams so not too bad at all.

wannabee_in_credit

You've not heard the best of the puncture repair yet OF. We finally got it sorted, and the tyre back on the wheel, wheel back on the bike, bike in the kitchen. About 5 minutes later, a large bang and the innertube had exploded! So back to square one.

We didn't make it to the Lakes today. Hubby changed his mind, as he didn't want to spend the money on fuel and food going over there. However, we decided to go for the NT membership anyway. I'm determined that we're going to make the very most of it, and am planning to do stuff with the kids next week as hubby is back to work.

Have also had a spendy day. Needed to do some shopping for the week ahead, which came to £51. Think I've blown the grocery budget for the month. Ah well. And I bought hubby a bunch of flowers as it's his mum's anniversary today.

Planning a nsd tomorrow. We'll see how that pans out. One thing is for sure though, I must take ds out and about because he's got too much energy for a day indoors doing nothing much.

Car is going into the garage next week for essential maintenance which is going to cost me about £200. Perks of owning an older car I suppose. I knew it was coming up, but it's a chunk of cash to find on top of school holiday entertainment.

wannabee_in_credit

Well well, I've been allowed back online.
I don't know what I did that was so offensive, but I haven't been able to log on for 3 days. I contacted the mse team but never heard anything back. Anyway - here I am. Don't know what happened and doubt I'll ever find out but I hope it doesn't happen again.

So, Sunday was a nsd. Me and DS got a haircut, but it ended up being free as I had so many stamps on my loyalty card. Bargain as it's normally £40. We went for a little walk locally. DS is turning into a bit of a pain in the backside - proper little spoilt brat mode. He seems to need constant entertainment, and if he's not getting his own way then he's having a tantrum. And I'm getting fed up of it.

Monday, I did some tutoring for a friend's daughter in exchange for him taking my two to the cinema and for lunch. Another nsd.

Yesterday I took the kids to get their school shoes and to the cinema (cheap ticket day on a Tuesday). Had a nightmare getting DD's shoes fitted - she's got such narrow feet that Clarks had nothing in to fit her. She's ended up with Hush Puppies for school. Thankfully they were the same price - but I've never not been able to get her a pair in Clarks. Weird. I don't have the luxury of skinny feet for sure.

Today we're going for another nsd. The car is going into the garage tomorrow for essential maintenance and £200 is a load of money for me to find. So now that the NT membership is here we're going to make the most of it. We've cleaned the kitchen cupboards out, I've done 2 loads of washing and now we're watching a DVD. After that we're going for a picnic and a NT visit. So fingers crossed.

I'm actually embarrassed at how much food we've thrown away from the cupboards. So I've done an inventory, the same as I've done with the freezer. We need to make sure that we're using stuff up, not just piling more on top.

Should have maybe saved that job for tomorrow though as we're going to be in the house all day without a car and the weather isn't looking great. Still, we have plenty of baking stuff so maybe a cake day is approaching.

wannabee_in_credit

Ouch. :eek: Car needed more work than we thought. It was in the garage until half five last night and ended up costing £250 :eek:. But hopefully that will be it maintenance wise in the short term. However, that has left me very short for the rest of the month so good job all stores have been inventoried, and we're eating out of cupboards and freezer until I say otherwise.

As I suspected, yesterday was hell with the kids stuck in the house all day - particularly the younger one who is bored all of the time. DD's friend came over and stayed the night, which has eased up the pressure a little on me. I'll be dropping her off at home later this evening.

Hoping for a nsd today. I was going to take the 3 of them fruit picking but all of the farms anywhere even close to us have no fruit at the moment - hoping we'll get lucky in a couple of weeks. I went to the butcher to collect mine and my sisters orders (but they were paid for yesterday when I ordered), and took ds to buy a bow and arrow from the pound shop (his cash). It's a lovely day so I was really hoping that we'd get out but it's already 1pm and they are showing no signs of wanting to be anywhere.

So, limited budget for the last fortnight of the hols means that the 3 of us will be making maximum use of our NT membership during the week. For those of you in the know - it's the first game of the football season tomorrow, and DH and DS are very excited. I'm pleased that they have the season tickets because I would not be able to find the cash for them to go.

Doing my shopping online this week as that usually saves quite a bit of money. Still never ceases to amaze me though how expensive it is to eat well and healthily.

Right - I've booted the kids out into the garden and I'm off for a read and a catch up.;)

OrangeFairy

Hi Wannabee - boo to the car repairs being higher than you thought :mad:

We are having a day of not doing too much today. DD1 is out with friends and DD2 has a friend over so they both feel entertained at no cost to myself!

I am a little short until payday this month too! x

brizzledfw

Hope you enjoy the NT membership..think you will get a lot out of it but remember lots of the houses are closed in winter..from end of Oct onwards...so you get the grounds etc of course but my advice would be to concentrate on using it whilst everything is open.I like to be able to visit the buildings too..especially if its raining...the kids are usually fascinated. Kitchens are always our favourites!!