Sashybo - Back Again

sashybo

Just thinking about my goals for 2023, the main ones are:

Stick to our budget properly
Getting rid of the overdraft
Reduce debt as much as possible 
Get outside more with the kids
Start exercising again
Meal planning more consistently 
Saving for things we want instead of using credit all the time

I’ve been on the DFW board for years now with a flickering lightbulb, going round in circles. This year I want to actually sort out our behaviour so that we can finally get rid of the debt.

redofromstart

Happy new year to you @sashybo

get outside more with the children sounds like one of those things you will never regret. Both of mine sulked and protested but now in late teens see walking for pleasure as something you do.

jokono

We just came back from a walk I had to drag the children to. They're always in a good mood by the time we get back, but I am really hoping we get to a point where we can start the walks in a good mood. They're 6 and 11 and very against walks. 🙄

I hope you reach all your goals this year Sashy, and manage to get DH's lightbulb flickering more. I tackled my debts and my DH's lightbulb just started getting on and off now that he sees my progress.

CRANKY40

Tell Mr Sashybo that if you save anything from the food budget you will use it for his birthday treat. That may concentrate his mind a little? 

beanielou

CRANKY40 said:

Tell Mr Sashybo that if you save anything from the food budget you will use it for his birthday treat. That may concentrate his mind a little? 

Good idea!

DancingInTheRain

Fab idea Cranky! 

Bluegreen143

@sashybo this is the second year I’m attempting the 1,000 hour outdoors challenge - you can scale the target to suit as the 1,000 hours in a year is based on a homeschooling family with an at home mum, they recommend starting with 500 hours for full time workers or if your kids are at school, for example. 

I stopped tracking in July last year but had logged 350 hours I think. My aim is for 650 hours this year - aiming for an hour a day in winter but ramping up to 3hr a day average in summer. 

Definitely found doing it for half the year last year made me very aware of missed opportunities and we added a couple of good routines to our every day lives - we now go to the park pretty much every day after school for example. And walk the school run at least a couple of mornings a week. My kids love this (they go on bikes/balance bikes and cheer if I say we are walking, but it means being organised to leave earlier which is tricky!!). 

We are also trying as a family to only ever offer indoor outings (museums, softplay) if it’s rainy and if it’s decent weather the default is we are only going to go outdoors so there’s no point the kids moaning(!)… my mum got me a national trust membership for Christmas which I’m hoping will help with fun weekend adventures! 

As my youngest is getting older, it definitely gets easier than it was with a baby, my eldest is definitely naturally very outdoorsy and she’s not as much, but she’s getting better as she gets older for sure.

sashybo

Thanks all, the kids enjoy being outside really, it’s more me & DH that aren’t into it. 😂

I do see the benefit of it & we usually all feel better for it but standing in the park watching the kids run about trying to injure themselves is my idea of hell. I like walking a bit better but DD can’t go too far yet as only little legs. DH always insists on walking too far for her then I have to carry her back which is back breaking. 😱

I enjoy gardening but the kids won’t just play, they will constantly be asking me for stuff or fighting so I can’t relax or concentrate. See all my great reasons for avoiding the outdoors with kids? 😂

I know I just need to suck it up, it’s for the best in the long run.

@CRANKY40 that’s a genius idea & would definitely help motivate DH.

Bluegreen the outdoors challenge sounds like a good idea, it would be very challenging for me. 😩 Both kids are exhausted wrecks after school & nursery as still getting used to it, especially DD.

Walking to school would be easier as it’s downhill most of the way & I’ll be more likely to do it when the weather is a bit nicer/brighter. DS usually cries if I say we’re walking to school 🤣 he is NOT a morning person (takes after both of his parents) & DD is just tantrum city most mornings. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Bluegreen143

Ah @sashybo!!! I get you. I am now an expert at making outings fun for me AND the kids after much trial and error 😂

1. We mainly go to a playpark where tons of nursery kids go so I chat to the other mums while the kids play

2. I take knitting with me to the park all the time so I can sit on a bench and knit while they play

3. I take (my own) books with me (appreciate your DD may need more of a constant eye on her as she is a bit younger than my DD). But as they get older this is a very viable solution

4. I take notebooks and do my shopping list, meal plan, budget, to do lists etc while they play so I don’t need to do these later at home 

5. For some reason I’m rarely ever in a playpark with my DH (at weekend when we are together we more do foresty walks) but if you have yours with you it’s a good opportunity for a chat and catch up too

6. Taking the hot beverage of your choice, finding a comfy seat, sitting back and listening to birds, looking at trees etc (if it’s a nice leafy playpark, obviously some are better than others)

For gardening, would recommend a trampoline and a swing set you can swap the swings on if you haven’t already, those two get the most play of everything we have and entertain them for ages. 

My DS loves helping with garden projects and at 7 is genuinely helpful and better at basic DIY than me 😂, he would stand for hours holding tools and screws for DH bless him and just watching him. We encourage DD too but she’s really not quite as into it (yet?).

enthusiasticsaver

sashybo said:

We’re getting an online shop delivered from Mr A on Wednesday as we found a £1 delivery slot. Spent roughly £64, DH immediately said well that’s £36 to spend on top up shopping (as we’re trying to spend £100 p/w). He always sees a limit as a target. 🤦🏻‍♀️ At least he’s trying I suppose.

Why not suggest you save the difference into a holiday fund?