2017 - Spend less, live more

chanie

Back from our holiday. We spent just over our allocated budget, but we didnt do well on the currency, so it was our own fault. Shopping was rubbish, so that saved me spending too much!

A few recent spends
£5 on a lipstick in duty free.

£10 on a promotional voucher in the airport, which we used towards a birthday present for MIL.

£25 saved on clothing in the Next sale.

£10 saved on cinema tickets to watch a film that DS really wanted to see. He also has two other films he wants to see......

chanie

£20 saved in a toy for DDs birthday. The toy was on offer in Argos, but the only store that had it in stock was 15 miles away. Whilst I was there, I picked up some stocking fillers for the children from The Works and Wilko.

I also went on a bike ride today. I havent been on a bike in years, so I took mine for a quick ride around a local park and really enjoyed it. My bike needs a service - my mum had a accident on it and the breaks need fixing, so I really want to take it to get looked at, so I can start riding it more.

chanie

£30 saved on theatre tickets to see Wicked! I came across an offer, so I got a couple of tickets for me and OH.

£30 saved on tickets to see Disney on Ice. DD is at that age where she still loves Disney Princesses, so we think she will enjoy it.

On a more positive note, I have managed to clear my overdraft. I had some accrued annual leave which my last job paid out in lieu and I received quite a bit of money this month. I am going to remove my overdraft with the bank. I never asked for it, they just gave it to me and kept increasing it. It will be nice to finally clear it.

sugarbaby125

Chanie you should get your bike repaired as soon as possible so that you can take more bike rides which I am sure can only be of benefit to you

Some great savings. Enjoy Wicked with your OH and Disney on Ice with your children

Not having an overdraft gives you so much freedom and releases you from the stress of debt, now your money can work for you instead of your bank

chanie

£53 saved on some tickets for Southend Adventure island. Its DDs birthday soon, so we will go as a birthday treat. The tickets were practically half price, so it!!!8217;s a very good deal.

chanie

£12 saved on some undies and PJ's from the Sainsburys 25% off clothing.

chanie

£32 saved on some make up in TK Maxx by Lipstick Queen.

This weekend will be spent decorating some rooms in the house. I made a start tonight and its looking good. Hopefully, we will make good progress this weekend.

chanie

The decorating work is progressing nicely and it actually feels like the end is in sight. The building work is done, but we need some trades folk to complete some jobs. Once that’s done, we can order the flooring (havent chosen it yet).

Although its MSE to DIY, it means we have had to fit decorating around our other commitments and so the decorating can end up taking a few months. The dining room and hallway are the last rooms to need doing, so hopefully, we can have a bit of a rest afterwards.

chanie

we have some tradespeople coming over in the next few days to do some minor jobs and the decorating is nearly done. The dining room furniture is due to be delivered next week too, so the only outstanding task is ordering the flooring. We have had a busy few weeks and havent had the chance to look to even look, so we will do that next week.

chanie

frugal failings

These are occasions when money is wasted, for example, buying something that then gets reduced in the sale or breaking an item before you have had the chance to use it. Here is mine today:

We took the children to Hamlets today as we have been promising to take them for a while now. OH decided to treat them to something from Hamleys as part of the experience. Luckily, they both chose items that were under £15. DD chose LOL dolls, which are little dolls wrapped in plastic and they are encased in plastic baubles. When DD opened it, at home, we realised that we had bought the wrong thing, so instead of getting her the doll, we bought a puzzle. DD was devastated so I had to rush out and buy her one before the shops shut. So that was £13 wasted.

In our defence, the packaging on the LOL merchandise isnt clear. It’s marketed as being a surprise, so it can be difficult to find out what you are buying. Even though we can afford £13, I am still annoyed with the waste.