£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

Treadingonplaymobil

Sea_Shell wrote: »

What I've noticed amongst friends with pre-teen and teenage DC's is that they really start to become un-interested in "Family" activities as they get older.

They no longer want to eat together, play together, go out and do activities, together, and want to just be off doing their own thing (which almost always involves extra ££'s)

I think so far you seem to have given the kids an idyllic childhood, with lots of activities and family time...but that will start to ebb away over the next few years, and you need to let them "find themselves". Your instinct may be to try to "hold it all together" but its easier said than done.

No problem with any of that (I LOVE downtime away from my children and savour it when I am not having family time with them as I spend so much of the rest of the time with them), but not at 6 and 3!

Sea_Shell

But before you can say it, they'll be 16 & 13, in what seems like the blink of an eye. Enjoy it whilst it lasts.

Treadingonplaymobil

Sea_Shell wrote: »

But before you can say it, they'll be 16 & 13, in what seems like the blink of an eye. Enjoy it whilst it lasts.

Nah, I'm going to have a riot when they're that age - I'm going to stand outside their bedrooms at 5am and yell 'is it time to get uuuuuuuup yet?' And 'Are you asleeeeeeep?' :rotfl:

Suffolk_lass

Sea_Shell wrote: »

What I've noticed amongst friends with pre-teen and teenage DC's is that they really start to become un-interested in "Family" activities as they get older.

They no longer want to eat together, play together, go out and do activities, together, and want to just be off doing their own thing (which almost always involves extra ££'s)

I think so far you seem to have given the kids an idyllic childhood, with lots of activities and family time...but that will start to ebb away over the next few years, and you need to let them "find themselves". Your instinct may be to try to "hold it all together" but its easier said than done.

I agree this happens at high-school but TOPM's oldest is not ten yet!

Suffolk_lass

May I suggest that rather than planning a definite meal plan you look at what meat or fish is on offer - I used to write "meat and veg" on my list and then look at what was on offer and include at least one brightly coloured vegetable. On the other hand, that does also explain why my freezer is too full...

arsenalbarnie

Re the meals, I have four boys and a girl all now adults. They used to love a roast chicken dinner. They still do, I find the Aldi free range ones fairly reasonable. You can then use the carcass for chicken soup. We used to have a roast on a Weds night rather than a Sunday, as weekends were a bit busy. Do they like a roast dinner? I agree with Suffolk Lass and see what is on offer. I used to base my week around Mon, meat free, Tues pasta, Weds roast, Thurs homemade chips, egg, beans type thing, Fri fakeaway or fish etc, then go from there. Still do it now! Usually a quiche chucked in somewhere! If I was skint my veg pasta sauce would do two nights, once with spaghetti, then next night in with pasta shapes and cheese on top for pasta bake. It's two onions, garlic, two carrots, two courgettes, tin of chopped toms. Saute chopped veg then add toms and bit of water. When cooked blend til smooth and the carrots make it go creamy. They still love that now.

arsenalbarnie

Oh just remembered quite often the night before shopping was a bits and bobs night. Sandwiches, cut up carrots etc, plate of fruit cut up, jelly and a few baked cakes, they loved it! I could sometimes stretch the shopping to 8 days doing that.

Treadingonplaymobil

Looking for meat and fish on offer/being less specific is a great plan, but would still require an increase in current budget - we currently just don't buy it (this week's beef stew was the first meat or fish in probably three weeks, and even then it was probably tinned fish). One to think about.

Another potential booking today, which will be another little chunk towards the birthday pot if it happens. And that's abut as exciting as it gets from me.

Did some batch cooking so I can focus on work tomorrow. Cracked out the pasta making attachment for my kenwood chef and made some fresh pasta, just for the fun of it. Also made some mini cheddars for packed lunches, flapjacks, bread rolls and veggie burgers.

Three things to do today
1. Get house ready for clients.
2. Menu plan for next week.
3. Plan work for tomorrow - SO much to catch up on after snow and illness. Not much success on this one, hopefully will get more done tomorrow.

Debt repayment:
- £18.38/31 March rounding down pot.
- £1,608.78/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.

ellen_vannin

Just agreeing with prev. posters - using what's on offer saves loads,
e.g. - today fresh chickens in Tesco £2.50 and lasts for a lunch as well as dinner.

I like your idea to stop OH buying snacks etc with the diesel . Men can be less organised, so perhaps supply a healthy snack box for his car filled with nuts etc.?

Also using loyalty cards always pays , saved £10 today on £70 worth of shopping in Tesco, although it did involve stocking up on long shelf life items. Buying in bulk when an offer is on def. pays if you have the storage space.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 56: Day 7

Hurrah, feel positively human today, thank goodness. Just about to go and get my yoga out of the way so I can spend some mother's day time with the DC when they wake up.

Yesterday's potential booking paid last night and I put all the profit towards the DCs' presents and parties. I think I actually have enough to cover everything in a pinch, although I'd like a little more in reserve just in case.

Lots and lots of work to catch up on today, but I'm going to just concentrate on my three most urgent things first, and worry about the rest once they are done.

Three things to do today
1. Pack orders for smaller business.
2. Finish contracted work for client A.
3. Finish contracted work for client B.

Debt repayment:
- £18.55/31 March rounding down pot.
- £1,608.78/£5,000 2018 debt repayment goal.