WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Good Evening All How come the weekend always goes by so quickly? Never mind though!

Hantsman- its really a case of trial and error in regards to quantities when first starting to meal plan and using up leftovers. I guess the main thing to remember is that the freezer is your best friend! Use it as much as possible, freezing any extra that you wont eat before it spoils.
There are loads of things that you can freeze; milk, bread, potatoes (I chop mine up and freeze them for roasties), cheese, the list is endless

Have you found the 'Save with Jamie' book useful? I got the 'A Girl Called Jack' one and am loving it! I have made about 6 meals from it so far and they have all been lovely!

I am all set for the week ahead at work- clothes and cloths all ready, I just have to make sure I make a 'packed lunch' for the kids each day before I go to work, or they'll eat everything in sight before I get home!

I hope everyone's Sunday has been very relaxing? I am off to bed shortly.

WantToBeSE

Oh I just want put this here, as I will forget it else:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/working-holidays/

I saw an article in the DM about the National Trust working holidays so had a little look on their website. Not sure its something I can do with kids, but worth a look anyway for maybe a weekend when they are at their dads house

JoJoC

Hi there, how are you all?

Savings have totally fallen apart this week and it's only going to get worse as husbands case needs a new exhaust on too of other car costs that we're anticipated. I haven't worked out actual numbers yet but it isn't going to be pretty!

I told my boss today that I will take on the three month secondment into her role so now we just need to iron our dates and money. Should be a few months of extra cash- fingers crossed.

Got my shopping done yesterday and meals planned, although I went to sainsburys as we needed some branded things and ended up buying a new jacket and jumper for the little man. He does need next size clothes so just trying to do it bit by bit. Spent £73 and that was including a £14 jacket, £8 jumper and £4.50 tshirt so £46.50 on groceries.

Feeling really disheartened that we're having to spend some of our savings. I know it's better than getting into debt (I've told you that often enough WTBSE!!) but it just seems to make the house dream slip further away every time.

I'm sure I'll feel better about it once I work out the numbers and recapture my positivity.

Sorry for the downer- hopefully someone will have something cheery to add!!

tattycath

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Oh I just want put this here, as I will forget it else:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/working-holidays/

I saw an article in the DM about the National Trust working holidays so had a little look on their website. Not sure its something I can do with kids, but worth a look anyway for maybe a weekend when they are at their dads house

Thanks for the link. I didn't know they did holidays! It looks like they do family holidays too so you should be able to take the kids! :dance:

tattycath

JoJoC wrote: »

Hi there, how are you all?

Savings have totally fallen apart this week and it's only going to get worse as husbands case needs a new exhaust on too of other car costs that we're anticipated. I haven't worked out actual numbers yet but it isn't going to be pretty!

I told my boss today that I will take on the three month secondment into her role so now we just need to iron our dates and money. Should be a few months of extra cash- fingers crossed.

Got my shopping done yesterday and meals planned, although I went to sainsburys as we needed some branded things and ended up buying a new jacket and jumper for the little man. He does need next size clothes so just trying to do it bit by bit. Spent £73 and that was including a £14 jacket, £8 jumper and £4.50 tshirt so £46.50 on groceries.

Feeling really disheartened that we're having to spend some of our savings. I know it's better than getting into debt (I've told you that often enough WTBSE!!) but it just seems to make the house dream slip further away every time.

I'm sure I'll feel better about it once I work out the numbers and recapture my positivity.

Sorry for the downer- hopefully someone will have something cheery to add!!

Well done for taking the plunge and going for the secondment! :T
It is disheartening when you have to dip into savings, but I'm just grateful I have savings-a year ago I would be saying, I wish I had savings I could dip into! :rotfl:
Have you got any stuff (clothes the littles ones have grown out of? Etc) that you could sell on the bay of e? Just to boost your savings or offset against your expenses? It doesn't have to be clothes-anything really! Lol

Hantsman

Go JoJoC! Well done on taking the secondment, you have to let us know how it goes.

WantToBeSE I would say Jamie's book is good but I think he relies on kitchen equipment that not everyone would have in a normal sized, normally budgeted kitchen so a bit of cooking know-how to work round this is sometimes needed. I've heard of the Girl called Jack book, I read her blog last year and it was inspiring (and quite poignant and times).

I've been making a huge pot of something on Sundays and setting out portions for the week and freezing some. Then I cook double the sweet potatoes/ veg I need each night and take the rest into work. It works well because I can look forward to something tasty (usually a spicy bolognaise sauce with pork and beef) for lunch rather than something unhealthy and expensive from the cafe.

Anyway I hope you are all well, think I’ve developed hay fever for the first time and it's miserable, but i wont bore you all about that. have a great day

WantToBeSE

Morning! Another day, another dollar!

Jo- I totally understand your frustration about having to use some money to pay for things like the car etc. However, the advice that you gave me when I had to do the same is the best advice that I can give you- At least you have some savings to use. Without those savings, this may have gotten you into debt. It sucks though, I know.
Well done for going for the secondment, keep us posted on how it is going
Tatty Caths idea of selling some unwanted old clothes etc on eBay is a great idea. I made a few hundred pounds when I did it a year or so ago. I have another basket full to get on there at the moment too.

Tatty- how are you feeling now? Re the NT working holidays- there are no family holidays on there at the moment, but i'll keep an eye out. I need to read into it a bit more, as I think they do normal holidays too but haven't had chance to have a good look

Hantsman- I have found the same -re the kitchen appliances- with most of Jamies books. I have his Ministry of Food book and its the best cook book I have ever owned. All of the recipes in it are ones that I make often and are all lovely. I do have to use less chilli than he mentions though, as he obviously likes his food very spicy compared to us!! The thing I like about the 'A Girl Called Jack' book is that it doesn't use much equipment apart from a handheld blender (£8 from Morrisons) to make soups.

Right, that's enough from me, I need to get off to work. Roll on Friday!!

tattycath

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Morning! Another day, another dollar!

Jo- I totally understand your frustration about having to use some money to pay for things like the car etc. However, the advice that you gave me when I had to do the same is the best advice that I can give you- At least you have some savings to use. Without those savings, this may have gotten you into debt. It sucks though, I know.
Well done for going for the secondment, keep us posted on how it is going
Tatty Caths idea of selling some unwanted old clothes etc on eBay is a great idea. I made a few hundred pounds when I did it a year or so ago. I have another basket full to get on there at the moment too.

Tatty- how are you feeling now? Re the NT working holidays- there are no family holidays on there at the moment, but i'll keep an eye out. I need to read into it a bit more, as I think they do normal holidays too but haven't had chance to have a good look

Hantsman- I have found the same -re the kitchen appliances- with most of Jamies books. I have his Ministry of Food book and its the best cook book I have ever owned. All of the recipes in it are ones that I make often and are all lovely. I do have to use less chilli than he mentions though, as he obviously likes his food very spicy compared to us!! The thing I like about the 'A Girl Called Jack' book is that it doesn't use much equipment apart from a handheld blender (£8 from Morrisons) to make soups.

Right, that's enough from me, I need to get off to work. Roll on Friday!!

I feel fine now thanks WTBSE.
I obviously didn't look into NT holidays enough let's hope some family holidays come up soon.
I've got the book-a girl called jack. My friend gave me some money when I left work and I bought the book with that. I have quite a few cook books to be honest.
Have a good day at work.

WantToBeSE

Afternoon All!

Yesterday I bought a 'Pot of Dreams' from Tesco for £5. I got home and put my loose change into it. I think it was about £4 I put in. It is now sitting on my mantelpiece and I will add to it every week (a min of £2 a week) and I am going to open it at the start of the summer holidays I have no idea how much they hold, but I hope it'll be a good amount.

Work is all done for the day, so I am just about to sit down and write out next weeks budget. Only 3 days until we go to Longleat! Woo-Hoo!

tattycath

I've just checked my coin saver-I have £40 in there so far! :dance:
I hope you have a great time at Longleat!