A family of five

lynneee

So yesterday I checked the meter readings and submitted them online. We are using a little too much electric so the mission this week is to stop wasting electric. It's just too easy to use the tumble dryer instead of the airer and radiators and I'm going to try and use the dishwasher less and ensure it's completely full before it goes on. The kids are already sick of hearing me say turn the light off! (all the Christmas lights don't help though!)
Just done a yellow sticker raid at booths and got some bits and pieces cheap ad my free coffee! and the freezer is beginning to look a little emptier. I am determined to use up food we already have before doing a big Christmas food shop - got 11 coming for Christmas day!
Managed to payoff £210 off the credit card so good progress there.
It's looking good for a sensible December!

lynneee

So another busy week! School discos and nursery fairs are the theme for this week but it's lots of fun helping out and worth it when we raise lots of money for school and nursery.
I went shopping to M0rrisons on Thursday to take advantage of their bonus points offer so got all the Christmas chocs, booze and some food for the big day.
Went present shopping today and got what I needed without breaking the bank although having some savings for Christmas is a first and has really helped me to be sensible. All that I've bought so far is wrapped, which never happens this early in December!
So just cards to write and a few presents for the kids (as they are the only ones I've bought nothing for yet!) and I'm just about there.
I definitely feel more in control of everything this year so I'm happy that we won't overspend. In the past I have been known to grab a last minute present and paying too much just to ensure I have something, which is not sensible.
Long may it continue this way!

lynneee

A spend few days getting sorted for Christmas! But I have bought almost everything now for the best prices! I've tried to shop on the high street rather than online, although I had to do a few bits but at least remembered to use t0pcashback so a little bit of a gain back. I'm also trying to not buy too much plastic stuff. My draughter has requested lots of 'green' items such as metal straws, bamboo toothbrush, decent drink bottle washable make up wipes and Im hoping for a tea strainer so I can use loose leaf. We have been cutting back on single use plastic a lot in the kitchen, less bags, cling film etc especially when making up our daily lunches. We have lots of small plastic tubs to put everything in now so this will be cheaper in the long run too, as well as reducing plastic waste. We use bar soap now and are going investigate shampoo bars in the new year.
Food shopping is being kept to a minimum as I'm using up the yellow sticker Ed meat from the freezer and the last of the veg from the garden.
I feel I am making decent progress but I wish I could pay off more debt quicker! I'm a little impatient but I know I need to take things steady.

lynneee

Forgot to say that I'm also on a mission to be tighter on the gas and electric usage at the moment. The kids are aware they need to turn off the lights when they leave the room and we are all using slightly less brightness on our mobiles so that they don't need charging for quite as long. The heating has been on about an hour less each day so that should help hugely. We have blankets to snuggle up with in the evenings on the sofa and also have used hot water bottles if really chilly! The kids are loving this! (for now!!). I have saved one load in the dishwasher so far since the weekend just by stacking it better and if I'm washing pans in the sink I will now wash other bits and pieces too to get the most from a bowl of hot water! Hopefully this will show a good result when I next do a meter read in January.

lynneee

Done loads today! Christmas shopping this morning (last bits, think I'm done!) Then had to rescue my car from the pub after a lovely afternoon out with the girls yesterday, not very thrifty but good for the soul!
This afternoon I have made enough pasta salad for lunch every day for me, cooked some sausage rolls for the kids lunches and we had a YS gammon joint for tea with plenty left over for husband's sandwiches for lunches so very organised. Also baked cookies and some apple crumbles, 3 for the freezer and 1 has been eaten. Yum! The apples were free from my dad's allotment and I already had flour and sugar in the cupboard. The cookies used up the last of the oats so happy with that.
Hoping for a spend free day tomorrow. Will be dropping off presents and cards to people tomorrow evening so that will be lovely. I'm ready for an early night!

swfcfan

Lovely to see your progress and love reading your diary! Keep up the good work!

lynneee

Thank you swfcfan!

lynneee

Brrrr, it's so cold! It's wet windy and horrid here, although not as windy as earlier so seems to be improving. As the temperature fell so low last night I decided to keep the heating on low all day so it was a steady temperature, despite not being here. I'm finding that if the thermostat shows lower than 14 when we all get home, it takes all night to get up to 19. Tonight after it being on low all day it was 16.5 when I got in so it warmed up much quicker. I wonder which is more cost effective? I'm sure there must be a thread on here, will have a look soon.
A busy day at school, all the little ones are so excited and tired! Almost time to break up thankfully.
A NS day which is good! Tea was from the freezer, and we all took lunch to work/school. DD made profiteroles in cookery today so a lovely pudding at tea time!
Not much else to report!