The 'I'm less money-idiot more money-savvy' Diary

Kantankrus_Mare

I know what you mean about motivation.

Do a class and you cant stop half way through without looking like a wimp.

I was going to suggest looking on youtube? There are a few fitness things on there you could do at home but again its motivation.

Would your daughter be interested in joining you running?

judi24

I could have a go at home - a friend gave me a wiifit to try too - but I really would like to go to something outside the home. I guess in a years time this wont be an issue - once she goes to secondary school I would probably leave her for an hour. It will soon come and I'm sure I will be wishing she was a baby again!!! I did try running while she cycled last year so I might do that once it gets a bit lighter at night!

vasseur

My DD is 10 too (nearly 11) and I am so close to leaving her while I go out for a bike ride but 2 hours is just too long at the moment. I will leave her while i pop out to the shops (no longer than half hour) but she usually likes to come with me. She needs to get used to being on her own because come September she starts secondary school and will have to walk home at least once a week and be there alone until I get back at about 5.30.

Do you get a lunch hour at work? I go running during mine (only a couple of miles) but I aim for 3 a week. It keeps me sane!

Or, how about you both ride your bikes? I far prefer cycling to running and it's so good for toning you up. If I could get my dd out on her bike more it would be brilliant but she rarely wants to come with me....I think it's the thought of doing 30 miles that puts her off.....I love my bike I do

judi24

Thanks Vasseur - my daughter would die if I said lets go for a 30 mile bike ride (although I might die too if I tried it as I'm that unfit!!!) I do like cycling but will need to wait until it gets a bit lighter in the evening. I am not a good runner (not any kind of runner at the moment!) so would not like to try it a lunchtime but I am veering towards the running club as I don't even think I would be out for an hour to start - I have also found a Zumba class on a Monday that might work in between Cubs drop offs and pick ups and could do swimming with DD3 on a Thurs when my DS Is at cadets - there are ways round it if I really want to exercise - just need to be a little more creative I guess!

Busy_Mee

Hi Judi
I was going to suggest running - I have just started as part of my lose a stone challenge. I was advised to find a circular route of about 3 miles and start by running/walking and gradually building up until you can run it all. I started on Saturday and it nearly killed me,but I did it again last night and it felt a lot easier although I ache in places I didn't know could ache today. It only takes 40 minutes, you might find it easier and safer to run with a buddy - I have been running with my daughter who is 21 and much fitter and faster than her old Mum

judi24

Busy me I have always wanted to be able to run - but never mastered it. I did get to the point I could do 5 k on a treadmill but just can't get far without getting to the point where I can't breath in about 100 yrds! I have been told about a running club set up by a mum who wanted to break her post natal depression cycle and they seem to be really good at motivating people so I might try that - I have enquired and they have beginners run tomorrow - but it would mean leaving DD3 for about 40 mins with my DS who is 12 - I guess I need to try it and see how I feel!


I bottled out of the first actual class of the fitclub thing as I had a look at the company online and decided they were going to start the hard sell fairly soon and it really put me off! I did however walk the dog for 30 mins at a fairly fast pace so at least I did something!!!


Money saving wise its another NSD making is 2 so far this month (well it's a start!) but it shouldn't be really as I forgot to pick up milk on my way home so we are milkless for tonight and tomorrow morning! I'm sure we'll survive (thankfully I drink black tea and coffee so I'm alright Jack!:D)

But I will need to get it tomorrow - tomorrow will also be the first of the Spam related meal for the kids!!! Spam, egg, beans and HM oven chips!!! they love it! I will have jacket potato with salad I think!

On a completely different subject - I am having a bit of an argument with myself about holidays - every year for the last 5 or 6 years I have done the £9.50 sun thing at Easter but this year I can't decide if I should or not! Theoretically its under £40 for a 4 day break but I usually upgrade so I can get heating (one year we had ice in the inside of the caravan!:eek:) and then there is a park supplement and electricity costs so usually it ends up around £100 so still not too bad for a 4 day break in the holidays! Then there is spending money - the kids want to do activities and trips and arcades etc etc and it soon adds up. This year we have already got a trip planned in January for my cousins wedding and DD3 is going to London in Feb. DS is in cadets and I think they have a spring camp so he could go to that which wouldn't cost too much I'm sure. DD3 also goes to a residential with school in May and we would like to go to a story telling festival in July which is quite expensive.


I could afford the Easter holiday but I wondered if I would be better not doing it and waiting until the summer hols and trying a camping trip (I would need roof bars for the roof box but apart from that have all the equipment). The cost of site fees somewhere decent for a week would be about £200 so slightly more than the Easter holiday but might be at a better time (if we get any decent weather) and break up the summer a bit. I guess I just feel like I am giving up a bargain not doing the sun holiday!!! - I love having something to look forward to even if it is 4 nights in a freezing caravan!!! :eek: or a tent in the lovely British summer time!!! :rotfl:

girlsmum

Hi Judi, i had a glance over your previous post we are in similar situations, single working mums with a mortgage and debts i have paid over half mine off in the past year and will clear my last £4k this year.

My current challenge this month is to see if i can eat between now and pay day (26th Jan) without shopping (except fresh fruit/veg,milk,cheese )...i am shocking as i shop with my eyes. My freezer has so many odds and sods in it we are going to be eating some weird concoctions this month.

We can do it Judi

Amandax

beanielou

Why dont you say to kids that if they want to go on said hollibob that if they want to go on said activities they will have to contribute.They have from now to Easter to save

Busy_Mee

Hi Judi

I think I would go for the summer holiday in the tent - you look to have lots planned in the first half of the year and it would give you something to look forward to in the long summer break ( might be a bit warmer too - you could ask your Mum to put a word in for you !) it would give you a bit longer to save, maybe start a savings jar towards it. My Dad always used to save his copper for the kids to take on holiday for the slots and they loved counting it and spending it. I am not sure what slots take these days though...probably not copper

tellmeitsfriday

Hello hello Love the happy positive new thread.... it even feels more positive just reading it! Good name too - just saying like!!

Anyway, following you as you kill off this debt and cheering you along

Where's Ampersand though - it's not quite the same without her scariness xx