I am spending so much money...

Irishmummyof2

One dd back to school and one going to nursery from Monday, but i am still spending so much money on crap.
I go to tescos just to get out of the house say for bread and end up spending at least £10. I hate being in the house now on my own, recently passed my driving test so have itchy feet, and love to be out driving.
I would love to go back to work but can't find anything from just 9-noon, school days, dh says i need to get a hobby and stay out of tescos but it's soo hard.

lex

Hello!

Could you enrol on an adult education course for a term of mornings once a week? Not saving much money, but a better use of money than £10 in Tesco each day? And maybe it could lead to a flexible job in the future depending what course you chose?

lex

liney

Gardening, library, Gym during school hours is cheap as it's non peak time..

Bogof_Babe

Why not enquire about part time jobs at Tesco? I think most supermarkets are pretty flexible about hours, which is why they appeal to people with family responsibilities. You would probably get a staff discount too, and first pick of the reduced goods!

Spendless

I echo looking for adult education classes. I did one last year whilst dd was in nursery 9-11.30. Other adults to talk to, as said better use of money, and can qualify you for something when you have both children in f-time school. Don't have to worry about school hols either cos the college is off when school is.

Another thing you could consider is voluntary work. A lot of mums volunteer in the school for a few hours.

squashy

I can sympathise as money also seems to burn a hole in my pocket, I pop out for milk and I end up with a magazine, a fruit salad, a lip balm and a cheesecake that was going begging in the reduced section!

There is a good link from the home page here- the Demotivator tool. Type in what meanless things you spend money on and it tells you how much you are wasting in a year! Hopefully enough to put you off some things...

Pinklepurr

How about volunteering at your child's school, with a long term plan of becoming a Teaching Assistant? Many schools like to employ those who have gone in regularly to help. You've probably missed the boat for this term but you may find there are jobs available for next January. Get involved with a local Brownie pack or playgroup to get experience or do some voluntary work with a local organisation. It all looks good on your CV and if you haven't worked for a while it shows initiative and you can build on your skills. Home study or distance learning is a good idea too. You could spend your tesco vouchers with the National Extension College and do a GCSE or A level (or two)!

hardpressed

Could you just take enough money to get bread or whatever you're going for then you can't spend any more. Getting a voluntary job is a good idea, gets you out of the house.

nickj_2

how about doing house cleaning or similar

Millie's_Mum

If you just need bread go to the bakers or the corner shop not to tesco's there is too much temptation in a place like that.

Tesco spend more money than your house is worth making sure that everyone who comes through the door spends more than they mean't to, do not let them do it to you.

Do you have local shops you can use?

I love my local shops, we now know the shopkeepers in most of our local shops and my DD loves to go and have a chat, also the greengrocer lets her play at weighing on the scales and doing the till, you can feel that you are part of a community and not have the temptation of Mr T's, plus even without temptation spends it can work out cheaper

inkie

How about some voluntary work - that way you can pick your hours to work around the kids. Do you 'need' to earn money - if so, how about for eg an ironing service/dog walking which you can be flexible with?