2017 - Spend less, live more

pennywisepoundstupid

All sounding good with you, hope you have a great holiday.

Take care.x.

chanie

Thanks penny

MSE stuff:

I was planning on buying DS some underwear today and I found some Tesco clubcard vouchers at home, so I saved 40% on the cost.

A client I work with has a 'big' birthday soon and I want to buy them a little present. Budget was up to £10, but I found the perfect gift which was reduced to £2. Although I love a bargain, I do try and buy gifts that people will enjoy, otherwise it's a waste of money. The gift was what I was looking for and a great price.

chanie

Popped to Home Bargains today and picked up a swimming jacket for DD today for £7. I only remembered a couple of days ago that she needed a new one, but it was too late to order one online, as we go away in a couple of days. Argos was selling them for £20, so a great saving there.

pennywisepoundstupid

That's a big saving well done, i'm popping to our local one today to buy snacks for the kids to take camping, I always spend a fortune when I go as there are so many bargains.

chanie

Today I am finishing up stuff before we go away. This includes finishing the packing and cleaning the house.

I was naughty today in that I had a big splurge in Sainsburys today, with their 25% off. I bought some boots, a school coat for DD, school tights for DD, underwear for OH and a dressing gown for DD.

Better get back to it.

sugarbaby125

Hi Chanie,

I hope you and your family have a great time on your holiday. You may have had a bit of a splurge in Sainsburys but you did save 25% off, so you also saved money.

pennywisepoundstupid

Have a great holiday.x

chanie

We are back from our holiday and we had a lovely time. On the way home OH and I were talking about what worked well and not so well and I wanted to write it down before I forgot.

- the exchange rate was practically £1/€1 so our money didn't go far. Next time, I will monitor exchange rates to get the best possible deal.

- We were self catering (our preferred option) and bought lots of food from home for breakfast and lunch, mainly for the children. This saved lots, as the supermarkets were more expensive.

- We also brought lilos and water toys from previous holidays. I know people leave them, but we've had ours for a few years now, so it's worth it.

- I stock pile toiletries to take when they are on offer for our holiday.

- there were a few last minute expenses I hadn't budgeted for (needed a new suitcase). I've written a list of items that I've repacked in the suitcase (e.g. unopened sunscreen) and a list of items I will need to buy again, so I can spread the cost and hunt for bargains.

- We enjoy spoiling the children on holiday, but they didn't appreciate it and opted for lots of expensive sweets and cheap toys, which got broken. Next time, we'll bring sweets from home and let them buy 1 quality item rather than junk.

- I have a basic holiday wardrobe of items I only wear on holiday and this means I don't need to add much to my suitcase and keeps costs down.

chanie

Some recent MSE stuff:

- went to order some Autumn clothes for DD and they've now been reduced, so that's a couple of ££ saved.

- baked some bread rolls this morning, which have been frozen.

- prepared and froze some carrots, so they don't go off.

Also had some bigger purchases:

- £100 on school uniform. This was stuff with the logo on, so didn't have much choice.

- £60 in Costco (membership was due so I couldn't put off renewing as I have to order DDs birthday cake).

- DDs birthday party is in a couple of weeks. The hall has been paid for, but I need to sort out her presents, plus party expenses.

- then it's my birthday soon......

chanie

We bought DDs presents, which she was happy with. For her birthday, we went to an English Heritage site, as we have membership, so it didn't cost us anything. We took a picnic to save on costs.

I bought some Xmas presents too - a couple of main gifts, plus stocking fillers. I buy throughout the year, but I've been struggling this year with a lack of inspiration, so I haven't done as much as I wanted to. I'm also making some Blackberry vodka for Xmas, but only a small bottle, as its my first attempt.

The children go back to school next week and I'm relieved, as we can get back to normality and structure. Plus, I get my Fridays back to myself!