Motivation Required

autumn2012_2

Bobarella wrote: »

I can't imagine having to start getting a meal at 11pm. No wonder you struggle. Do you work 5 days a week with the same hours?
I think if it were me I'd be looking at batch cooking at the weekend so I knew I had enough made for the whole week. It needn't be arduous if done well. For example you can cook up a load of mince with onions and freeze it. You then have a base for shepards pie,lasagne, spag bol, chilli. 4 different meals from 1 batch cook. You could then ask your OH to do the simple bit of adding the mince to beans,tomato puree etc to make the meal. Then you walk in to dinner.
Alternatively I have never tried it but many people swear by a slow cooker. You load it in the morning and it makes you a stew or whatever for when you return.

Batch cooking sounds good. At the moment Im working 4pm -12pm Friday Saturday 9am - 12am Sunday (15hr shift) including travel so about 30 hours a week. Just started a new job in management so slowly getting upto full time hours again.

Bobarella

So you do 30 hours in 3 days? That is full on. Are there any other options to make life a bit easier?

autumn2012_2

Yes basically but it changes week to week so could be doing 30 over 5 or 30 over 3 or 45 over 4 - perks of a management job on NMW (for now) on a zero hour contract :mad:

Bobarella

Wow that is full on. Can see how that must impact on your whole week trying to plan anything.
I think maybe following some of the programmes others do on here would help some. The flylady thread is good for organisation of the home. The old style thrift section is good for ideas for weekly meal planning, getting the most of your money etc. I think that's where I'd prioritise my efforts. Trying to create a schedule that is very good but flexible for your hours that you can amend each week. Including a morning of batch cooking. If you eat better you'll be so much more organised for the weeks.

autumn2012_2

thegreenone wrote: »

Hi,
I couldn't even contemplate food at midnight! Slow cookers are excellent. Perhaps you could put dinner in the SC in the morning and take a portion of whatever the family are having in a food flask and eat at work? I'm guessing/hoping you get a break at around 8pm. How about asking DH if he would make you pasta/rice salads (on Saturday) for Sundays so it's ready to go.

Hi, A food flask is something I definitely need to invest in! I don't have set break times as it depends when its busy but I normally can take 5 mins around 9ish. Sometimes I can go all day with nothing to eat apart from a snack I grabbed on the way to work which is then why I'm so tired etc.. I have a SC (present) but never used it. I think I will make an effort to use it then that way there is no excuse for takeaway! Debt is such a vicious cycle

thegreenone

A very good idea. Buy a slow cooker and a food flask. I would hope you get a break around 8pm, so you have your dinner from the flask then, if you can't face it at 3.30pm. DH and the children can have theirs when they get in. Would DH make you some pasta or rice salads for you to take on Sundays?


As for Christmas etc. In the first week of January this year, I bought two savings tins (99p) from the Card Factory. I put £5 per week for each of my two boys. I continued that until mid-July and gave DS2 his tin on his birthday. I stopped paying into the other and DS1 will have his on his birthday in October. After DS2's birthday I bought two more tins and I'm now putting in £10 per week each for Christmas. Amounts are entirely up to you of course, but as my boys are in their twenties, they only have money now! This netted them £150 each for birthdays and will be approx. £200 for Christmas and I barely notice it. I can see the money in the tins but need a tin opener to get at it so I don't. Just a thought.

autumn2012_2

thegreenone wrote: »

A very good idea. Buy a slow cooker and a food flask. I would hope you get a break around 8pm, so you have your dinner from the flask then, if you can't face it at 3.30pm. DH and the children can have theirs when they get in. Would DH make you some pasta or rice salads for you to take on Sundays?


As for Christmas etc. In the first week of January this year, I bought two savings tins (99p) from the Card Factory. I put £5 per week for each of my two boys. I continued that until mid-July and gave DS2 his tin on his birthday. I stopped paying into the other and DS1 will have his on his birthday in October. After DS2's birthday I bought two more tins and I'm now putting in £10 per week each for Christmas. Amounts are optional but as my boys are in their twenties, they only have money now! This netted them £150 each for birthdays and will be approx. £200 for Christmas and I barely notice it. I can see the money in the tins but need a tin opener to get at it so I don't. Just a thought.

My husband normally works weekends also so its abit like ships in the night. Im going out as he is coming in or the grandparents watch the kids if an overlap. Due to this we dont have routine or set meal times/days off as these vary week to week. We both work in retail so its as and when.. Christmas is awful as we normally have to work all over the festive season (except christmas day). Things are so hectic at the minute as Im wanting to pay off my debts asap. Once the debts are paid (30 odd months I reckon) then there wont be as much pressure financially so i can maybe look for something that coincides better with family life but for now we just have to make do. My LGs are only 1&2 so Im hoping to debt free by the time they start school so I can then find a new job around school hours. Im terrible for forward planning as this doesnt always go to plan (bitter experience) but I need to forward plan in my head for a sense of direction (if this makes any sense).x

greensalad

elsien wrote: »

Rather than going completely cold turkey, why not budget for an occasional takeaway or meal out as a treat? That way you have something to look forward to without feeling guilty and are still chucking money at the debt. My occasional meals out tend to come courtesy of groupon or with money off vouchers.
When you say you wish your husband would be stricter, is the debt a joint one or just yours? Are you in the debt busting together?

I have to agree, I've learnt the best way to budget is to expect to want to spend some money on nice things (like takeaways, coffees etc) but make sure that the amount is limited and budgeted leaving plenty of room for debt repayments.

Most people don't do well going cold turkey. Easing up on yourself and allowing one budgeted takeaway a month can really help keep you on track.

I have a restaurant category on my budget list. BF and I will often go out for meal and cinema once a month and we love it We just make sure to get the best vouchers we can and keep it in our budget sheet.

autumn2012_2

greensalad wrote: »

I have to agree, I've learnt the best way to budget is to expect to want to spend some money on nice things (like takeaways, coffees etc) but make sure that the amount is limited and budgeted leaving plenty of room for debt repayments.

Most people don't do well going cold turkey. Easing up on yourself and allowing one budgeted takeaway a month can really help keep you on track.

I have a restaurant category on my budget list. BF and I will often go out for meal and cinema once a month and we love it We just make sure to get the best vouchers we can and keep it in our budget sheet.

Thanks guys - I think I will budget for a treat once a month. Even if its just a day out somewhere or a takeaway night. :-)

Bobarella

Autumn - I do think your situation sounds really hard. I have worked weekends for the previous 2 and a half years up to recently. It is a drain on you, and can make you feel a bit excluded from society. So do take that into account as well. The fact you are doing the hours you are with kids as young as yours, I take my hat off to you.
Your obviously a hard worker, and you will get out from under this, you just have to believe you can, & keep plugging away systematically at it. As the others say, treats are important too, but affordable ones that dont ruin all your hard work.

Good luck with your xmas savings!

Bob