Second time lucky... debt free diary.

charlies_tribe

1st of the month and hoping to get back on track. Today has been NSD 1. Quiet a bit of Gammon left in the fridge.
Not so money saving with the washing, 5 loads done today and most of it has gone in the dryer. I was coming up to bed ages ago but realised I hadn't washed my work jacket so had to wait to hang it up. It's supposed to be nice the next 2 days so will hopefully get some line dried.
Right better get some sleep.

missymoo81

Morning! I'm a gammon lover here too! Just noticed you'd paid off your loan, great going!! I was like that with the washing yesterday! Fingers crossed for a better day really need to get stuff dried! Have a good day!

charlies_tribe

Evening all. Been a busy few days again. Just made a £70 CC payment and checked the accounts. I've been sorting through the little ones drawers and need to get them a few bits for the holiday but @sda 2 for £9 deal doesn't look too bad and think i'll be able to sort the younger 2 quiet cheaply
My sister had her baby yesterday so want to go and get her a little something, they've actually gone on holiday this afternoon so got a week to get something.
I put elec/gas meter readings in at the beginning of the month and they've dropped our DD slightly. I'm going to leave it in the account as I think we might need it by the end of the winter, I've had the heating on a few times already.

Cherryfudge

Congrats to your sister! They had a busy couple of days didn't they!

Re meats to go with the jacket potatoes: I like gammon too, and try to save a bit to put with leftover chicken in a pie. However, as you say, meat's expensive, so maybe people here could come up with cheaper alternatives? That's unless you like meat every day. Cheese or beans are the obvious alternatives to me (or cheesy beans ) but I'm sure there are plenty of others.

Hope your DH is getting some rest now. Colds can be horrible especially if you can't rest.

charlies_tribe

They definitely have Cherryfudge. She had her at 12 yesterday, she had some scans as she has cysts on her lungs but everything looked ok and got home about 10 last night. I knew they should have been going away today (her other 2 came early so she was hoping this one would too) I rang when I finished work to see how they were and to go and visit and they were already well on their way. Gutted I haven't seen her yet but hope they have a lovely time away.

We usually have cheese and beans with the jackets, it's things with the other potatoes that seem to cost a lot, the Gammon was Sunday roast. Ive fetched pork steaks for tomorrow bit we've still had to have 2 packs and DH can't leave any extra that's left, it all has to be eaten. Cheaper recipes/meals are definitely welcome.

We did make our own tikka pasties the other day as DS loves them at the minute, they came out really well. I had so.e tikka left and some bits of pastry so just wrapped a chunk in a bit of pastry, cooked and put in fridge, boys have loved my 'tikka bites' in their lunch boxes.

DH is still struggling but seems to be easing off a bit, kiddies have had sniffles, hopefully that's all.

Cherryfudge

Tikka bites sound delicious - perfect for winter lunches.

I know there are amazing threads of recipes on this forum somewhere but the only non-meat thing I can think of now (apart from the beans and cheese) is leek & potato soup. Oh, and that golden oldie, corned beef hash.

It seems to be the season of sniffles and lack of sleep. Roll on spring! Meanwhile, plenty of vitamins, plenty of fluids and sleep if and when it can be fitted in.

charlies_tribe

Thank you. Will have a look for some food threads tomorrow.
Ohh.. corned beef hash! The eldest asked for it the other day and I completely forgot. Something to go on the list this week.
Now laid in bed comparing Lego prices when I really should be going to sleep. It's what the girls want for Christmas. Same price at Mr t and toys r us but get 10% staff discount at one and a free storage chest at the other... decisions! (I'm determined to get sorted this year and not be running round last minute).

charlies_tribe

Evening.
Not much to report today. Spent the day in my Pj's catching up on washing.

I have managed to spend £150 from the Christmas account though, but that's the younger 2 main present sorted, probably just some pencils/books and a set of clothes for them now.

DD2 is still up and feeling sick again, she is coughing and a slight wheeze (after me saying on another thread yesterday how well they were doing) so may be the cold DH has had and not just because it's school tomorrow.

Pork chops for dinner and DH will have the left overs warmed up when he gets in tomorrow. Had yum yums for pudding, veey sugary and filling, definitely a once a minth treat, not every week treat.

Right better go to bed as got carried away with washing all the bedding today, I forgot to do the girls uniforms! In the washer now so will get up early to put them in the dryer (They might have enough upstairs but don't want to wake DD3).

charlies_tribe

Morning. Been a bit of a spendy one today. Nieces birthday so cards and £10 there, other nieces on Friday, need to get cards for that.

Done some shopping and cant believe how much I spent, only got pull ups and lunch box bits (fruit, bread, cheese) and some bottles of juice and it came to over £40.

DS has requested pasta bake for tea so at least it's cheap and quick.

Off to work soon so shouldn't be any more spending today.

charlies_tribe

Evening all. Think we will be writing this month off and starting fresh in November. I've had to send off for DD passport, we were struggling with her Id and as she had a passport as a baby it was the best option to update it. We did d's1 at the same time so he doesn't have the same problem next year so £150 gone there. Plus photos and postage costs.
I've been picking up odd bits of winter clothing and replacing some of ds2 t-shirts as he eats them and they looked awful.
DH has ordered a trailer, I think we could have managed the holiday without it but he said everything won't fit in the car, the older ones and DH all have wetsuits/boards/fishing stuff, we've always gone with family before that have had a bit extra room to take some of our things. So the savings have gone.

Positives I suppose are it's all come from savings! No cards.We get 2 child benefit payments this month so one will go straight back into savings.

Been trying to shop in store but it's lethal! Need to go back to on line so I'm not filling the trolley with nice things and no food (I've done it regularly this week!). Was getting fed up of the same meals and thought it would be good to browse but it wasn't very money saving.