Getting back on the MFW Wagon

Needhelpsaving

Good Morning.

We're currently on easter break here and OH is off for the first week of the holidays :j

On the money front, we have spent £62.99 since my last post, this was on a balloon for DD2's first birthday and £60 for two tradesman to come in and complete the two jobs we needed done.

Tomorrow will be the most spendy day of the half term, as DD1 and I are going to meet family for an out of town day trip, so with train fares (off peak) and lunch it will add up, but I will pack snacks etc to try to keep some semblance of money saving.

This week we will be eating from the cupboards and I will go shopping on Thursday for both the week ahead and DD's joint birthday party at the weekend.

Needhelpsaving

:o This week has been very spendy :o (and we still have more spends to go out, so next week will have to be uber frugal).

Monday
At home, no spends.

Tuesday
£60 spent on a day trip with DD1 to another city. This covered off peak train fares and a meal out. I took a packed lunch and snacks with us to try to reduce costs, but as we were out for a full 12 hours, we had a hot meal with family at a local restaurant.

Yesterday
OH bought me a new cardigan as he recalled me saying I needed one to go over some of my summer dresses.

Today
I need to do the weekly shop to cover us for next week and DD's joint party at the weekend.

Tomorrow
We're meeting family for a cinema trip to see Dumbo.

:o The first week of the half term has been quite spendy, so next week will be free activities only (plus we'll need a quiet week after this week being so busy).

In complete contrast, I made a £2.69 over-payment to the mortgage yesterday, as I was rounding down the accounts ready for the new pay month :rotfl:

Needhelpsaving

:wave: Hi.

It's month end in our house, as payday is due this week. We have sat and looked at the budget versus our spends for the month, and we're over :mad: Lack of planning and over indulgence were the culprits.

We've covered the overspends with savings and are committed to getting back on track. I laughed when I read my diary title - because this month, we aren't back on the wagon, the wheels have fallen off it!

This week OH is back at work, we have two library trips planned (free) and the other two days will be spent at home doing crafts, playing in the garden etc (again free).

I will do the food shopping tomorrow as the library is by the local Aldi, so it saves me making an extra trip. Meals planned, list made and a budget of £45 maximum set.

Money wins today
I have got the 200 Boots points from the MSE weekly email tip, I have uploaded receipts to ReceiptHog :money:

julicorn

Hey, it's never too late to get back on the wagon! This month has been absolutely shocking with us in terms of spending (some planned, but we're also already way over our grocery AND eating out budget for no reason whatsoever?), so I feel you.
Also got the 200 points from that email! It's the little things

earthgirl

We had a spendier half term than normal too. Life happens! Hope the party was good!

Needhelpsaving

Thanks for dropping in Julicorn and EG x stay and have a brew

DD's birthdays were both lovely, we did a joint party, which worked out quite well I think. I made them both a birthday cake DD1 chose Moana (I used the figurines she already had as decoration :money: - washed first, of course ) and DD2 had a panda. They cost about the same as store bought cakes, but I wanted to make them as part of us making memories (and fed about 40 people!).

The party was more special by the fact that we came together as a family at a time when a family member has had some bad health news. It will be a long journey for them health wise, but we are all staying positive

We went to the library activity today, which wasn't actually free when we got there, it was £1 for DD1. It wasn't an issue though as a) it benefits the local community by the library service being good and b) there's no where else that would offer a magic show and children's disco for just £1. Both DD's loved it, although writing that there was a disco in a library just feels wrong some how :rotfl:

We did the food shop as planned, but ended up spending £66.82, budget has been adjusted and next time I will only take DD2 with me, as she can't keep asking for things Loads to eat though, so we'll have plenty to keep us going into next week.

Tomorrow will be spent at home crafting and playing in the garden (weather permitting).

Needhelpsaving

Positive money actions today

1. NSD today :j we did a trip to the park (on foot), and now both girls are playing. All meals for the day are planned and prepared at home.

2.Entered 20 competitions.

3. Found three new resources on goal setting/working towards money goals, all were free.

4. Registered interest in 5 product trials.

Needhelpsaving

Another NSD today. Another Library trip planned tomorrow, planned spend of £1 for the activity entry.

Today has been fairly quiet, spent at home playing with DD2 while DD1 was on a day trip with nanny.

Needhelpsaving

£2 spent today, as we needed washing up liquid and some craft card for DD1 school project. The washing up liquid was 2 for £1 and I needed some before my next planned grocery shop.

As I had some change in my purse, I moved £2 from the grocery money in my bank account and made a small OP to the mortgage.

Today's library activity was free :money: both girls had a great time.

Positive money actions today

1. Sent £2 to mortgage.

2. Applied for some market research and have had a call to say I've been accepted. This will be done next week.

3. Registered for 2 Judes Ice cream vouchers, I will check the local co-op to see if I can combine them with the CheckoutSmart offer to get some cheap dessert. Both offers combined = £2.50 off per tub.

4. Yesterday, I found a cinema gift card that I thought I had lost, so I have booked two tickets to see a film at the weekend - the film was on offer at £1.50 per ticket DD1 and either OH or myself will go with her. Effectively a free activity :money:

5. Up to date with surveys, but will check again this evening once the girls are in bed.

greent

We've had an outrageously spendy April too! (And May ahs some biggies in for us as well - ouch!)

Glad you're having an enjoyable Easter break - the girls' bday cakes sound lovely
xx