Time to get serious...

charlies_tribe

Thank you. Been having a wonder round the threads to get ideas.
Hoping it has sank in with dh, we even told the kids were were cutting off the sky and cutting the shreddies, cookie crisps, kraves... They eat cheaper cereal when that's all that's left.


Our nearest aldi is about 15/20 mins in car in either direction at moment (been waiting for local one to open) Think we are going to give it a try on Monday. Food seems to be our downfall, my girls are really fussy and wont eat much variety the boys (dh included) eat at least 2 portions each. Think my 10 year old has hit puberty cos I'm fed up of hearing 'but I'm still hungery!'. We have an Iceland opened local so can at least fill the freezer cheaply.


I'm actually excited to watch the figures drop, for the first time in years, I'm not scared of trying to beat it.

tking

My Mum used to fill up my brother with soup as a starter before the main meal so he'd feel fuller. We ate loads of rice and pasta too as it's filling but cheap!

Maybe soup or a hot pudding (apple crumble?) might keep the hunger pangs away for your son and hubby!

kayester

Nice to see you have talked things through with DH and a breath of fresh air that you took my advice and went over to the grocery challenge

charlies_tribe

Morning all.
Dh has spent £3 this morning, He went for bread and came home with 2 packs of biscuits too. I did tell him off but I have just sat and eaten half a packet, oops!


Tking- Thank you. He wont entertain soup, but adding in a pudding might be worth a try, might stop on the snacking (they usually have a yoghurt or fruit after but a full pudding might stop them asking for crisps, cheese, biscuits after. We do go through mountains of pasta and spaghetti though.


Kayester- Thank you. I'm going to give it a go, but as you said, I might need to up my limit a bit. Think I might go for £600 but not include pet foods and diesel I think.


Right, off to update all the other threads I've posted on then I better get on with some cleaning (and searching the internet for a 'Frozen' lunch box for dd as her zip has broken).

charlies_tribe

Evening all. Had a statement for cc1 so updated signature and made min payment on it. DH put some diesel in the car-£30 and I had to send dd to the shop for some white bread (little ones wont eat the wholemeal dh bought). She got 2 loaves and 2 packs of chocolate muffins-£4. Had a cheapish tea though as the kids asked for cheese on toast like daddy had for breakfast.


Got swimming lessons in the morning and then we are off shopping. We had money from family for Christmas for us to do our room. We swapped rooms with the kids years ago and still have lime green and bright red walls (was into ben ten then) bright red carpet and a bright blue blind, so this year we are actually going to use it for us (usually ends up buying shopping).


Will be looking for the best deals for our money though.

charlies_tribe

Took dd swimming this morning and went straight freezer shopping, skipped the decorating shopping with the kids as know it will cost us more and I'm not spending over the vouchers amount.
Spent £45 on the freezer shop, kids are having 'fakeaway' tonight, saving about £20 on a takeaway.
Been trying to sort through the boxes and boxes of things in our bedroom before we start decorating and started putting a 'sell/charity' box together. There is 2 dvd players and a ceiling fan light thing already in there. Found a few gift sets I had for Christmas 2 years ago but had lots them by the time Christmas came. They are now boxed together with the wrapping paper and gift bags so that's a start on this years gifts.
Need to go fetch a few more bits of shopping but will have to go tomorrow as dh is trying to replace the filters on the car (it's now throwing it down!)

charlies_tribe

Arrgghh! Just when I thought DH was listening! He spent £7 on some cans on Saturday night. Sunday we did a mr T shop which came to £39 and another £32 on storage boxes that were desperately needed. Called at the farm for a sack of potatoes and tray of eggs, another £11. Couldn't get any bread and dh offered to go to shop but told him we just had enough for school lunches otherwise he would have some more cans. Fetched 4 loaves this morning. And had to order the girls new lunch boxes as the zips have gone on theirs.


Got a diary and everything is being written down so I can see what actually goes on food, dog food, diesel etc.
At least another week before I will have any updates on the debts so need to keep busy.

StressedSteph

Hi Charlieyates,


How are you doing?. Please come back and let us know how things are. Even if you have had a rubbish few days. Dust yourself off and start again. Don't leave.


xxxxx

charlies_tribe

Thank you for posting StressedSteph.
It's been busy here with parents evenings and things. I was going to update last night but fell asleep on the sofa.


We have been pretty good. I did order internet security on Monday but I'd rather know it was secure. We did slip with the shopping today though. Spent £61. £20 was for 2 memory stick things for the kids homework and will transfer that back from the kids things account. Then dh picked up 4 ready meals at £3 each, 12 pints of milk, 4 loaves of bread and some half price pizzas.


Cancelled the creditexpert yesterday and my phone insurance as I have a few old phones about I can use if needed. That's £15 a month saved (or 180 a year!).


Still lots of things to sort through but things are changing slowly. Gutted I signed up to renew contract for talktalk through the link on here though for the £80 high street voucher, It's not gone through, would have done my I**land shop for the month.

charlies_tribe

Well there isn't much to report here. I'm just trying to get out of cleaning the girls bedroom! Still trying to decide if I can let Brandy go (We saved for ages for that rocking horse 10 years ago and it's still in very good condition for it's age, I think I'm more attatched than the kids but he takes up sooo much room).


New account should be switched over today but still haven't had a pin number, good job I have a bit of cash to last over the weekend when the other closes.


Dh was told yesterday that over 30 people have put in their voluntary redundancy forms, they only want about 20 so fingers crossed he might be safe this time.


Right, suppose I better make a start on the tip...