NST: September: the Turtles go Wombling

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

Been at work for most of today. Very nearly spent in the corner shop for a packet sauce to go with tonight's dinner - but I didn't! So it's been a SFD. Cooked a delicious steak this evening and made my own peppercorn sauce from scratch with store cupboard ingredients (didn't think I could do it without cream) and it was delicious!

DSs tablet has broken and won't charge. We can't find the receipt so the store won't repair it. At least we know what to get him for Christmas now! DH thinks I am being mean making him wait til Xmas for a new one, but I think it's important that children learn that things don't automatically get replaced as soon as they break. Plus I can't afford it right now!

The_Only_Girl

Hi all, just came back from DH's niece's bday party - free supper yay! And lots of take home food that will be lunches for the next few days. Very MSE or what? I didn't have to buy a present as I had a nice dress which I bought ages on sale - I think paid only £2 /£3 for it, normally £25. Yes it's a YS too :money: Aside from the free food it was nice to reconnect with family and friends.

As predicted I struggled to stay awake during my early shift today after having done 3 night shifts in a row and only one day off. Even after a nice long hot bath and freshly changed bed linens I didn't nod off til 4 am this morning and had to get up at 6am. With only two hours sleep I felt like sleep walking at work all day. No amount of caffeine could sort me out. Just as well I was only in til 3pm.

After work I dashed off to my local asd@ to catch some YS goodies but i was too late. I managed to get a few croissants for 5p and W@rbs toasties for 5p and some non sale items . Total came up to £12. Not as good as my usual haul but will try again later. Maybe I should have listened to the still small voice that told me to try Morris which I ignored in favour of the more familiar schedule in asd@, only it didn't work. Unfortunately I still have to go @ldi tomorrow due to another shopping list OH handed me when I got home. On the plus side, I wombled 2 receipts both of which yielded 52p price guaranteed vouchers for the 2. And I will upload them on CoS and Clicksnap. I can also claim 25p cash back on the fresh milk on shopitise.

I'm going to bed soon to try and catch up on my lost sleep. I wish you all a good night. See you all tomorrow.

nannygladys

Hi everyone,
Lovely pleasant day here, had dds and families for dinner this afternoon (roast of course, well veggie roast anyway) followed by crumble and it has all gone so it must have been OK!!
Nice and quiet tonight, so after letting my canine lodger out for a last toilet stop I think I will go to bed.

5/15 sfd

Nannyg

stewby

Good evening... spend-free day number 4 here.
:j

Almost had a disaster as had run out of bread. However, we had bought an extra one to put in the freezer which OH found.
This is a bit of a turning point as OH has always been against freezing bread, rolls, etc but he now seems happier about it and has suggested we do the same again.
I guess it just takes time to get non-MSE person into saving money.


This is going to sound really stupid but the fact that there is a light at the end of the tunnel has completely changed our relationship. In the past year, I have been easily frustrated with my OH because we couldn't afford to do anything.
It is very difficult to watch our friends on facebook and people from work going on holiday and having a blast whilst we just seem to be doing the same old thing.
However... now that we have been very open and honest with our finances and can see where we are heading, the atmosphere in the house has been so much better.


There is a lot of great TV on at the moment which means we aren't too fussed about going out and really enjoy staying in. Our current week includes: SAS: Ultimate Hell; Educating Cardiff; Great British Bake Off; Don't Tell The Bride; The Catch and Strictly Come Dancing (Come on Anton and Ainsley).
Also starting this week is First Dates (absolutely love this show) and Dave Gorman (have loved this guy for years. He is absolutely brilliant).
A bit of a random comment but someone mentioned staying in for Strictly and I thought I would agree.


Think I forgot to mention that we did the 4m4zon deal yesterday. £40 out of the Xmas fund as we will use the 4m4zon voucher to buy presents.
Tempted to buy my nephew a scooter. Do you think that is a suitable present for an energetic 4 year old?? It has 3 wheels (two at the front, one at the back) and is designed for children.
:undecided

Microwave has died but going to try and do without it for a while. Maybe get a new one for Xmas. Not long to go...
:eek:

We had a roast chicken for tea tonight and had some leftovers (it was one of this tin foil chicken joints) which we have used to make a soup. Don't know how it will taste as we have added curly kale and normal kale to it along with the chicken, some potatoes and carrot.
:huh:

Just in case I don't manage to get time to post tomorrow, I am back on to night shifts for the next three nights (mon, tues, wed) so please excuse my absence again.
Hugs to everyone. Good luck with your SFDs.

The_Only_Girl

stewby wrote: »

Good evening... spend-free day number 4 here.
:j

Almost had a disaster as had run out of bread. However, we had bought an extra one to put in the freezer which OH found.
This is a bit of a turning point as OH has always been against freezing bread, rolls, etc but he now seems happier about it and has suggested we do the same again.
I guess it just takes time to get non-MSE person into saving money.


This is going to sound really stupid but the fact that there is a light at the end of the tunnel has completely changed our relationship. In the past year, I have been easily frustrated with my OH because we couldn't afford to do anything.
It is very difficult to watch our friends on facebook and people from work going on holiday and having a blast whilst we just seem to be doing the same old thing.
However... now that we have been very open and honest with our finances and can see where we are heading, the atmosphere in the house has been so much better.


There is a lot of great TV on at the moment which means we aren't too fussed about going out and really enjoy staying in. Our current week includes: SAS: Ultimate Hell; Educating Cardiff; Great British Bake Off; Don't Tell The Bride; The Catch and Strictly Come Dancing (Come on Anton and Ainsley).
Also starting this week is First Dates (absolutely love this show) and Dave Gorman (have loved this guy for years. He is absolutely brilliant).
A bit of a random comment but someone mentioned staying in for Strictly and I thought I would agree.


Think I forgot to mention that we did the 4m4zon deal yesterday. £40 out of the Xmas fund as we will use the 4m4zon voucher to buy presents.
Tempted to buy my nephew a scooter. Do you think that is a suitable present for an energetic 4 year old?? It has 3 wheels (two at the front, one at the back) and is designed for children.
:undecided

Microwave has died but going to try and do without it for a while. Maybe get a new one for Xmas. Not long to go...
:eek:

We had a roast chicken for tea tonight and had some leftovers (it was one of this tin foil chicken joints) which we have used to make a soup. Don't know how it will taste as we have added curly kale and normal kale to it along with the chicken, some potatoes and carrot.
:huh:

Just in case I don't manage to get time to post tomorrow, I am back on to night shifts for the next three nights (mon, tues, wed) so please excuse my absence again.
Hugs to everyone. Good luck with your SFDs.

Hi great news about your OH getting converted to MSE ways and the best of all - the much improved atmosphere in your home. For me that ranks higher than a better bank account, but both are related and beneficial to each other. So pleased for you and OH. Prior to my YS haulage it was also beyond my DH's comprehension that bread could be frozen. Now he loves it too.

Great minds think alike. I am a self confessed die hard fan of Don't Tell The Bride, Great British Bake off (as well as Allotment challenge and sewing Bee), Dinner Date, Come Dine With Me and Four In a Bed. I am quite happy not to go any party as long as I can watch the said programmes. Also anything to do with Money Management eg Right On The Money (Dominic Littlewood), Britain's Spending Secrets (Anne Robinson) and Eat Well for Less (Greg Wallace).

I hope your nights will be smooth. Just finished 3 in a row followed by an early then a week of lates :mad: good night.

Bobarella

Morning Gang
Apple - I agree re grooming your budget periodically. For me a big one is that as of this month I will be able to put down my DD to First Utility from £105 to around £50 after a year of being penalised due to a mistake they made on a rebate. I will immediately be putting that towards increased debt repayments. I also know when the council tax break comes up Feb& March which is a wonderful saving of £280 in total so that will be allocated towards whatever is most important then. Maybe first mortgage overpayment if the debt is gone?

Had a great result yesterday. Wombled 2 reciepts that both had claimable items on them via shoptize. So TOG your husband is definately on the right track grabbing up handfuls where he can

Rushing a bit today but just wanted to say hello.

Bob

dolly84

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Haven't managed a NSD today - needed potatoes and bread so a teeny spend...
But I have done a couple of worthwhile things. Batch cooked.
1. YS roast chicken breasts stir fried with peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, green beans and baby corn. Sauce made with chilli flakes, soy sauce and honey.
2. Onion, pepper, tomato and halloumi kebabs.
3. Sausage rolls made with YS sausage meat (15p)
4. Pulled pork in the slow cooker to make into sandwiches tonight and for a roast dinner tomorrow night.
I also rang BT, who are my 'everything' provider to see if there were any offers available to me as an existing customer, and I managed to save £28.50 a month. :j
Have also paid the emergency CC off, less than a month after I got it - and now am starting to replenish my real EF.

You did well getting anything out of BT, I was with them for a couple of years and they wouldn't budge an inch. I left as a matter of principal in the end.

WelshKitty85 wrote: »

Hi everyone!

Been at work for most of today. Very nearly spent in the corner shop for a packet sauce to go with tonight's dinner - but I didn't! So it's been a SFD. Cooked a delicious steak this evening and made my own peppercorn sauce from scratch with store cupboard ingredients (didn't think I could do it without cream) and it was delicious!

DSs tablet has broken and won't charge. We can't find the receipt so the store won't repair it. At least we know what to get him for Christmas now! DH thinks I am being mean making him wait til Xmas for a new one, but I think it's important that children learn that things don't automatically get replaced as soon as they break. Plus I can't afford it right now!

It isn't mean for your DS to wait until Christmas, imo it is real life.

The_Only_Girl wrote: »

Hi all, just came back from DH's niece's bday party - free supper yay! And lots of take home food that will be lunches for the next few days. Very MSE or what? I didn't have to buy a present as I had a nice dress which I bought ages on sale - I think paid only £2 /£3 for it, normally £25. Yes it's a YS too :money: Aside from the free food it was nice to reconnect with family and friends.

As predicted I struggled to stay awake during my early shift today after having done 3 night shifts in a row and only one day off. Even after a nice long hot bath and freshly changed bed linens I didn't nod off til 4 am this morning and had to get up at 6am. With only two hours sleep I felt like sleep walking at work all day. No amount of caffeine could sort me out. Just as well I was only in til 3pm.

After work I dashed off to my local asd@ to catch some YS goodies but i was too late. I managed to get a few croissants for 5p and W@rbs toasties for 5p and some non sale items . Total came up to £12. Not as good as my usual haul but will try again later. Maybe I should have listened to the still small voice that told me to try Morris which I ignored in favour of the more familiar schedule in asd@, only it didn't work. Unfortunately I still have to go @ldi tomorrow due to another shopping list OH handed me when I got home. On the plus side, I wombled 2 receipts both of which yielded 52p price guaranteed vouchers for the 2. And I will upload them on CoS and Clicksnap. I can also claim 25p cash back on the fresh milk on shopitise.

I'm going to bed soon to try and catch up on my lost sleep. I wish you all a good night. See you all tomorrow.

I do not know how you cope with your shifts. I take my hat off to you.

dolly84

Stewby - good news about you and your DH starting to sing from the same hymn sheet. I think a scooter for a 4 year old is perfect, he will love it and the type you have described are easier for the little ones to balance on.

Regarding TV, I can take it or leave it on the whole although I do love movies, particularly horror. DH on the other hand is addicted to TV, he has it on all the time and will flick through channel after channel to find something to watch whereas I will only turn it on if there is something I want to watch.

We went to the dog show yesterday and got our dog microchipped for free, it was the council that were doing it (I thought it was the Dogs Trust and I would have made a donation) so no money exchanged hands at all. It was a lovely day and there were about 10 million dogs going crazy:rotfl:, we couldn't stay for the shows as we had to be somewhere else.

We called at the co-op for bread in the afternoon (just after 2pm) and ended up with a basket full of YS stuff. We got one of those spit roasted chickens down from £5.50 to £1.39 so we had that for tea with salad and will have the pork steaks we were going to have tonight instead. We got 4 muffins for 19p, a couple of pasties for DH's lunchbox for 20p each, 3 packs of 4 beef burgers down from £3 (or 2 for £5) to 79p per pack and some other bits too. Also got the £5 meal deal again, we ended up spending £11.41 from our grocery budget but we got a lot of stuff.

I have withdrawn £10 from the bank this morning to pay for DD's scout camp at the weekend, she is going Friday evening until Sunday afternoon and this includes all meals. I had budgeted £50 for camps this month but I think this will be the only one so as soon as I am sure the other £40 will be moved elsewhere.

Today I am going to walk to Mum and Dad's with the dog, home for lunch then work until the school run.

Have a lovely day guys.

The_Only_Girl

dolly84 wrote: »

You did well getting anything out of BT, I was with them for a couple of years and they wouldn't budge an inch. I left as a matter of principal in the end.



It isn't mean for your DS to wait until Christmas, imo it is real life.



I do not know how you cope with your shifts. I take my hat off to you.

Dolly and stewby I agree with you both on waiting for Christmas. It is not mean at all. If anything, it will teach the children delayed gratification and discipline (Somebody on one of the forums here has this on their sig "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most." and I read somewhere "For the moment discipline feels painful rather than pleasant but LATER it yields a peaceful reward." . It also makes them appreciate more what they have and hence take care of them.

Re shifts, when we were still paying off our debts, I used to use the reduction of our outstanding balance as my motivation for putting up with our horrible shifts. The extra money I received for those shifts helped pay the debt. I used to sing "I owe, I owe so off to work I go. :rotfl: Now that we've crossed that hurdle, it's giving us a boost with saving up for the emergency fund and our next (way long overdue) project - house renovation. I put in an application for a 9-5 job in the hope of a more balanced healthy lifestyle but I am still waiting to hear if I am shortlisted. Fingers crossed.

dolly84 wrote: »

We called at the co-op for bread in the afternoon (just after 2pm) and ended up with a basket full of YS stuff. We got one of those spit roasted chickens down from £5.50 to £1.39 so we had that for tea with salad and will have the pork steaks we were going to have tonight instead. We got 4 muffins for 19p, a couple of pasties for DH's lunchbox for 20p each, 3 packs of 4 beef burgers down from £3 (or 2 for £5) to 79p per pack and some other bits too. Also got the £5 meal deal again, we ended up spending £11.41 from our grocery budget but we got a lot of stuff

Have a lovely day guys.

Wow :T:T:T on your YS goodies! It really stretches the mileage of the pennies and the pounds.
Good luck on your next YS shopping. Mine yesterday was not as good as my usual.

Bobarella wrote: »

Morning Gang
Apple - I agree re grooming your budget periodically. For me a big one is that as of this month I will be able to put down my DD to First Utility from £105 to around £50 after a year of being penalised due to a mistake they made on a rebate. I will immediately be putting that towards increased debt repayments. I also know when the council tax break comes up Feb& March which is a wonderful saving of £280 in total so that will be allocated towards whatever is most important then. Maybe first mortgage overpayment if the debt is gone?

Had a great result yesterday. Wombled 2 reciepts that both had claimable items on them via shoptize. So TOG your husband is definately on the right track grabbing up handfuls where he can

Rushing a bit today but just wanted to say hello.

Bob

Good morning Bob. I hope your day at the shop will be a good one. Congratulations on your energy bill reduction from 1st Utility. We are still waiting for our refund of £289 from them. They promised a week from 2nd of September so if they haven't put the money back in our account by Wednesday I will be bending my DH's ears to ring them up.

Well I'm off to do the weekly shop (didn't have enough time yesterday after work).

The_Only_Girl

:dance::dance: An email just came through - inviting me for an interview for the 9-5 job on the 15th of September. Nervous and excited!