WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

cathybird

Yep safe and warm, though have to venture out to Tesco a bit later. Not looking forward to it - no letup in the strong winds.

Sorry to hear you are feeling rough, WantToBeSE - rest up - hope you feel better soon.

JoJoC

Oh that's just delightful! Germs all round? Rubbish. Glad you're able to relax and at least your kids are old enough to occupy themselves. There's nothing worse than being ill and still having to be mummy. We all had a bug when my little one was about six months- horrendous sickness and diarrhea all round and it was the worst.

I do have a diary, but not an online one like here. I just mean a spending diary, so nothing exciting!

Went to the shop to get bread this morning and when I came back, noticed that husband had loads of change in his coin tray so that's another £4 in the £ tin and he probably won't even notice!

Husband got back last night and it was lovely to see him- out son hasn't left him alone since and I swear the only word he's said all week has been 'daddy'. It's really sweet. Glad to be back to normal because the last week has been hard work! Haha

Fingers crossed we'll both meet our targets this month

JoJoC

Cathy- the weather is a bit scary just now isn't it? Fingers crossed it passes soon.

WantToBeSE

Hi All, me again!

So, I have been working out my money for next week. I will be paid from all of my private clients, plus the agency and also get my Tax Credits. This week is always the 1 week in every month that I am able to save the biggest amount of money.
I have also reduced my grocery bill for that week by £20. Its still at £80 for the week, but not too bad I don't think.
So I SHOULD (if I am good!) be able to put away £200 next week. That's only if all of my clients pay me on time though..1 of them in particular is always a bit late paying!

Thinking about my March target already. Maybe I'll aim for another £500 for March. April will be a write off for savings as we have my younger sons 10th birthday (laptop or iPad, depending on how much I can save) and also our trip to Longleat.

My sons school has an iPad for him at school. Due to his DCD, he gets to type some of his work instead of writing it. They have said that his work has significantly improved now that he is allowed to type, so I am really interested in getting him an iPad for home too. Maybe a reconditioned one though as it'll work out cheaper. I need to start looking for them now really, to get an idea of how much I will have to spend.

JoJoC

Well, if you can put £200 away next week then in the final week, you'd only need £21.72 to hit your target for February! That would be awesome!

April will probably be a bit of a write off for us too- it's MIL's birthday on 8th, mine on 9th then my sister's on 29th. Annoying! March is free though, no birthdays or big expenditures so we can keep the savings train moving.

That's great that the iPad is helping your son! It's amazing what technology can do- can you imagine if this was 50 years ago? You should be able to get a reconditioned one at a reasonable price. I'd say to make sure that you get at least a 1 year warranty with it so that you know that it's covered if anything goes faulty with it.

I've had my iPad for 3 years and it's fab! Never had a problem with it and I completely love it.

Once my son is up from his nap, I think we'll go out for a walk and visit my mil. The rain has stopped so as long as we're wrapped up, it will be nice to get the fresh air.

MissOptimistic

Hi Everyone
Sorry your not well WTBSE, there are a lot of people feeling under the weather at the moment, roll on Spring! My savings plans seem destined to be scuppered. Our bottom fence blew down just before Xmas and is going to cost £500 to replace, I was ok putting it on ice whilst I got some cash in the emergency fund, but now our side fence has also come down and we have a public footpath at the side of our house so we feel really exposed - bloody weather :mad:
Ipads are great aren't they? My DD (7) was so lucky to win an Ipad mini in a competition run by our local library, over 900 kids went into the draw and she won - we were so chuffed!
I did have a diary on the mortgage free board, but I neglected it about a year ago
I also have to nip out to tesco too later, wish I could stay here in the warm but the cupboards are bare!

JoJoC

MissO- that's rubbish that you're savings are going to take a hit it'll be worth it to stay safe though!

Ours might also take a hit in the summer as we're toying with going on a cheap local holiday so I think sometimes we just need to do things that aren't great for the savings balance but are great in other ways.

We've just been out a walk which was lovely and refreshing. My one-year-old was walking really well (we've got a back pack for him that doubles as reins) and he was loving the freedom. He's out for the count now after all the fresh air!

Having a quiet night in tonight, some dinner and watch a movie with husband.

How are you feeling WTBSE?

WantToBeSE

Oh no, MO, that sounds like a PITA! There have been loads of places around here with destroyed fences and all sorts of damage, its a nightmare isn't it. How did the trip to Tesco go? I don't envy you, my hatred on food shopping is well documented

Glad to see everyone rates the iPad. Looked at the apple online shop and reconditioned ones were about £209, so not too bad.

Nice that you enjoyed your walk, Jo. Its actually been sunny and not windy here today! Not sure where this storm has gone, but it can stay there! Cornwall has had enough now thanks!

Feeling rougher by the minute..bleugh Havent really moved from the sofa today. Have devoured a whole packet of chocolate hobnobs and about 7 cups of tea I swear that tea solves EVERY crisis in the whole world. Seriously, I mean it! Twinings Everyday Tea should be available on prescription
Still having the shivers and sweats (sorry, tmi!) and my legs feel like lead. Urgh...I had better be healthy again soon, I cant afford to take any time off from work!

WantToBeSE

Good morning All

I am feeling slightly more human today. I fell asleep just after mt lasy post last night, woke up briefly at 11pm to realise my kids were still up playing computers, got them to bed and then went back to sleep until 7am today. So almost 12 hours sleep! I think I needed it as the fever was awful!

I paid of my CC today. I always pay off in full, so that was £40, and I still have £35 left from my food shop this week. I don't have a hope in hells chance of saving any of that though, its half term and the kids will eat me out of house and home I'm sure! So I need to get some healthy snacks in for the week, I don't want the kids eating junk when I am at work.

I am working 9-1 Mon-Thurs and 10-1 on Friday. Luckily, the days of very expensive childcare are behind me and I am able to leave the kids at home. The only downside to this is that I often get home to find the kids have eaten everything in sight! Especially the teenager, he is awful for it! So healthy snacks it is! The kids will love me!

To do today:

-Clean and tidy my 9 yr olds room (with his help)
-Visit Morrisons to find brown rice. Aldi doesn't do it and its £1.79 for a tiny bag in Tesco!
-Baths
-Wash bedding.

I would actually like to just veg out and do nothing, but not possible I'm afraid.

Have a good day everyone!

cathybird

Morning WantToBeSE! Glad to hear you're feeling better. I would like to veg out too but have to go to work (quite shortly, in fact), if it's any comfort