2017 - Spend less, live more

chanie

Bobarella wrote: »

That's good! I think we will be around £250 this month. I 'think' but am not certain, that it's due to buying the biggest size economically still. It's well worth checking the cost per 100g thing I find. This has meant things lasted longer. For me used to shopping very hand to mouth it has felt alien at times to spend more but the theory seems to hold.

Sometimes shops display sizes in either metric or imperial, just to confuse us all. We do our main shop in Lidl which has limited choices. OH popped into Poundland and noticed that the condiments he buys is cheaper and you get a bigger size.

chanie

Our fridge has broken so we had to buy a new one. Our milk kept going off and it took us a while to realise that the fridge wasn't getting cold. Google suggested turning it off for 48 hours in case the internal parts had frozen, but there was no guarantee it would work. This would mean we'd be without a fridge for a week and we couldn't do that with two children, so we bought a new one. Luckily, the one we liked was on offer and we got next day delivery, so it's been delivered today. Thank goodness. MIL said she'd put some money towards it, so is worked quite cheaply. It has really impressed on me the importance of saving, so that's something I really want to do.

We had to throw out nearly £20 worth of food, which included 8 eggs, 6 yoghurt, , 3 pasties, 1/2 block of cheese, 2.5 packs of butter. The food may have been okay, but we didn't want to chance it with the children.

Easter is approaching and I'm going to make up little Easter 'bags' for our DCs cousins (mine and OHs nieces and nephews). I've got cellophane bags and I'm going to put in a selection of Easter chocolates and sweets.

chanie

Not much to update from me.

I bought a couple of t shirts for DS in the Gap sale for £3 each (lovely thick cotton), plus a top for me for £6.

Have been stockpiling for DS birthday, through buying a few bits and pieces in with the weekly food shop. I'm going go start doing the same for the summer holiday.

Apparently, the Sainsburys 25% off clothing starts on Tuesday and I have a few bits earmarked.

chanie

Sainsburys 25% off clothing starts today and I've been sensible with my purchases. I've ordered a couple of pairs of trousers for work and some school uniform for DD.

I forgot to mention that I won the sweepstakes at work for the Grand National. I wasn't going go enter, as I didn't have any change at the time. I only won £20, but I'm going to put it aside for now.

chanie

happy Easter weekend

We had a nice day out today. I have English Heritage membership through work and its worth £100 (added to signiture), so it's a good bargain if used. We took a packed lunch, so only spent £10 on treats.

chanie

update

Don't feel like I've updated in quite a while and I really need to focus more on what I want to achieve - which is clearing my overdraft. Today, I walked away from a 'bargain'. I'd seen some shoes last year for £50 and they were in TK Maxx for £25. I really wanted them, but I walked away, which is unlike me.

Some frugal purchases:
Deodorant -on offer, saving £2
Moisturiser for OH - saved £4
Shoes for work - saving £7

All of the items are needs not wants. With toiletries, I normally stock up when they are on offer, so that they can see me though until they are on offer again.

I went on my bread making course. I haven't attempted to make any bread yet, but I may try some rolls tomorrow which I can freeze.

chanie

Just thought I'd check in. I hope everyone is well.

Bobarella

Sorry I had missed your post about the fridge. What a pain to lose food like that.

chanie

I've realised that I haven't posted in ages. Things are ticking along okay, although I haven't really made a dent on the overdraft, so a rethink of plans is needed.

August is going to be a write off. This is the first year that I've had them both off (DD was in nursery last year) and it 'feels' more expensive, even though we don't have nursery fees anymore. We have our holiday soon and even though it's been paid for, I have a few items to buy. I also have the children's school uniform to buy, although I've made a start. Plus its DDs birthday soon, including her birthday party.

I'm off to write a to do list - I find writing it all down keeps me stress free.

chanie

Trying to be MSE:

Through work, I get English Heritage membership and have visited a few sites this year, with a few more planned. We take a packed lunch so only have to pay for petrol and an ice cream for the children.

I've been buying the children's school uniform for a couple of weeks now. DS got the aldi school trousers. I also stocked up on school dresses, underwear and socks from Sainsburys 25% off. PE bags were from Amazon. We only need a few more things which I'll get when I get paid.

We go on holiday soon and I've pushed the boat out with onsite airport parking. It wasn't that much more expensive than getting a taxi.

Blackberries - me and DD picked some, which I've frozen. I'm going to try making BlackBerry vodka when I get back from holiday.

Holiday - we are currently eating down all food in the house before we go away. It's been difficult having the children at home as we've run out of bread and milk and so top up shops end up costing a lot!!! Our holiday is self catering so I'm going to pack lots of crisps, biscuits, cereal, etc, for the children. They don't normally eat much on holiday, so I like to take things they will eat. Plus the supermarkets can be expensive.