The 300k debt-free diary!!!

pandapaws

Thanks elantan, doing this is certainly helping me keep focused (even if I'm boring the pants off everyone else:p ) and if you find it inspirational at all then that's a double bonus and incentive to keep going - thank you!!!

I considered the 'real' nappies first time round, but it was just so much easier to get the disposeables. I know they're terrible for the environment and everything, but I struggled so much to keep up with everyhing then, and it was just the most sensible option. Given that I'll be working this time and have a 3yr old as well, I'm not too sure that I'll find it much easier, although I did mention it to my husband (who looked at me as though I had 2 heads!) and we'll maybe give it a try. We also used wet cotton wool for the first fortnight last time because we knew diddly-squat about babies and that was what the midwife had told us. Then I discovered baby wipes and couldn't believe how much easier it was, so again I'll probably succumb to the easy life option this time too! But maybe I can do a bit of both and cut costs/environment damage a little bit, at the times when it's less of a hassle.

DAILY CLICKS...
Working 12hr shift today, and planning to spend most of the time getting a daily click system going. Read about it last night and though it has to be worth a go, especially since DH and I both spend so much time sat on our backsides doing nowt at work. Any referrals to any of the sites (I'm already reg'd with Quidco, topcashback, GP and maybe a few others that I've forgotton) are more than welcome, as I'll be joining them anyway and someone might as well benefit from it! I don't know the rules about referrals, but feel free to PM me if that's the proper way to do it rather than posting here.

hypno06

Morning Pandapaws! One thing that you could do if you are likely to use wipes/nappies etc is to bung one item in the trolley each time you go shopping, and spread the cost a bit now whilst building up a stock. Only buy if they are on BOGOF or similar, or if you have a voucher etc, that way you are still minimising your cost.

hope you have a good day x

pandapaws

Thanks hypno, you too!

I think that might be a good idea. We still buy wipes at the moment for our partially toilet-trained 2.5yr old, and still in the nappy-loop as he wears them at night, so will keep an eye out. Sent away for some free samples yesterday from links on the freebie board - every little helps!!! Just don't want to buy too much new-baby stuff, in case it is sort of unlucky, and it's still (probably!) very early days. Scan tomorrow, should feel a bit better after that!

pandapaws

Went to the outlet at Castleford yesterday - DH has a friend who moved abroad and back for a week, so the 2 of them went skiing (about £20) and we all went to Chiquitos for lunch (another £16). While they went skiing, I had 2 hours in the retail outlet, shopping.

I was good in a lot of ways - saw loads of things that I'd have liked but didn't get, but bought the following:

2x tops in Monsoon for £4 each (not too bad, huge savings and both quite maternity friendly)
1 gorgeous corset top for sis-in-law Xmas - perfect for her, and reduced to £4 from £60!
1 dress for myself, £30. Didn't really need it, but couldn't resist. It is stretchy and should last years and years, but still felt naughty. DH said it was gorgeous and I could have it as a pregnancy gift to myself - oh, how we justify things!!!
1 x bra M&S (£8, and much needed so pleased with bargain price)
1x teddy reduced to £2.50 M&S from £12 - baby gift for friend we're seeing next week so good bargain!
1 pack juicy sweeties M&S £1.09 - not good, but they're so tasty!
1x book for sis-in-law Xmas 99p
1x woden puzzle for DS - reduced to 49p for slight damage
1x notebook 99p to keep track of finances!

So a lot of good stuff found, but generally a poor day for debt-clearing.

Got the scan today (local hospital pulled through in the end, so I didn't have to pay for the private one - £100+ saved, another way to justify yesterday!). Really excited - just want a date!!!:j

Lucy1982_2

I've just read through your thread and wanted to say congratulations on the baby and well done on the shopping!! :T

I'm with Hypno and have had to stop going (unless to Primark) have you had a look on the freebie's board for nappy deals? I know when a friend was pregnant we all sent away for free nappies for her. Only one per household, but she managed to get about 10 of us to send away for them

Love the christmas bargins, I think I might have to have a very self restrained look at some point.

Keep up the good work

pandapaws

Thanks Lucy! I found a link on the Freebies board for free trials of nappies, and asked for 12 samples, maybe pushing my luck but will see what we get through the post and then maybe send off for parents, in-laws, neighbours...!

If you're going bargain hunting, I'd definitely give M&S a look at the moment - great bargains! Lets just hope nobody tries to return anything to be told it cost 50p!!!

Lucy1982_2

Will Do!

Have yuo joined Pigsback? you can earn point for doing some clicks (shows adverts and some are worth 10 point) you can earn vouchers and I know they do a £10 boots one. That might help a little bit.

chocaholic110

Hi, don't know how I missed this thread before, but I've found it now!

I'm a fellow pregnant DFW and just wanted to say good luck for your scan today! Did you know there is also a thread in the moneysavng and families board that is a pregnancy thread? It's quite interesting and people often post freebie ideas etc.

pandapaws

Lucy1982 wrote: »

Will Do!

Have yuo joined Pigsback? you can earn point for doing some clicks (shows adverts and some are worth 10 point) you can earn vouchers and I know they do a £10 boots one. That might help a little bit.

I joined pigsback last week, but couldn't find the link to the pages for the clicks, although to be honest was in a hurry and didn't look too hard! Will have a proper look when I'm at work this evening - thanks!

Lucy1982_2

The points show beneath the advert. In a little purple banner (click on it and then click home) and the points will be added.

I don't know you have a tesco near you, but somewhere on there is a link for tesco clothing, all you need to do is sign up for their news letter and then will send you £25 (I have 2 different email addresses registered and it seemed to work with both so have £50 is clothing vouchers on their way to me!)

Have fun