ThelittleladyandI

Singlemumwithplans

So as you can see I have filled out forms to see if I'm entitled to any help and I've sorted the council tax to get a single person reduction. So I feel I'm being positive with my time :j

I'm aiming for 3 or no no spend days each week. I shop in aldi and am aiming to keep food costs as low as possible. I do have nappies etc to get too. I'm really keen on dd having a healthy diet with lots of fruit and veg and so far I'm managing that well I think. She's so little that I don't need to spend a huge amount on entertaining her. Tend to play in the garden, go to the beach/park, friends houses to play with other children.

Unfortunately I did find out that we are in arrears with our council tax and so have an outstanding bill there. It's 651.97 but I have agreed to pay half. This needs to be a priority as well as the sainsburys cc.

They have agreed to put a hold on council tax for 21 days so I have that long to find the money for that.

Here's to tomorrow being as productive

Chandelier.

It sounds as if you have a plan. Hopefully now you have the forms completed you'll get a clearer idea if you're entitled to any help.

I'll subscribe to your diary, another single parent here.

X

louby40

You sound like you're making a start with the budgeting. Well done!

Singlemumwithplans

Tuesday to do list - only 5 things because it's a work day :j

1. Cancel hair appointment. (Doesn't really need doing and will save a few quid)
2. Pay a bit off sainsburys cc (I'm trying to do a small payment each day)
3. Walk doggy
4. Wash and dry bedding
5. General clean and tidy of the house

Let's see how I do with this lot! I decided to leave the blackberries as is rather than making a pie. Little lady loves them and I didn't have the other ingredients and I don't want to have to go to the shop. So that's some free snacks for her :j

I have a friend coming over tonight for dinner but have all the food in for a Thai curry yummy! Hoping for another no spend day today. I am very much trying to resist buying the little lady a puzzle I've seen on Amazon. She is my weakness. I got a bit organised and have bought her lots of Christmas presents already, trying to spread the cost a little. It doesn't look like Christmas will be as expensive as usual as its just us and as long as we spend some nice time together I'm happy! I just want to make sure we make some memories but I'm planning on Christmas baking, carols and seeing family too! But I do keep buying bits and putting them away! I have an account which has money saved for Christmas since the beginning of the year. It should be at £1365 by December. So I'm planning to go cheaper this year and buy as I go, not touching that money. Then it can be a good start to my emergency fund!

I've put a few more bits on eBay but no takers as yet.....possibly time to think of a car boot sale! Cleaning out is so cathartic!

I also contacted a lifestyle photographer to see how much it would cost to take some photos of my dd and I in the countryside or at the beach. It would be nice to have that. Perhaps a little Christmas gift to myself. We'll see how much it is.......

Well that's what's going on with me, still feeling positive!

Singlemumwithplans

Achieved all of my list :T

House is all clean and tidy and just waiting for my friend to arrive whilst little lady naps!

I am desperate for a few new pieces of furniture so planning to write out a budget for next month and see if I can start a little savings pot for those too.....eventually!

I'm still working on writing out my list of outgoings. It's a work in prioress.

My dad just popped in with a bottle of prosseco and some cheese (he knew I had a friend coming round) I was trying to keep things cheap so hadn't got any wine or anything in like I would usually. Love dad :beer:

Well that's all from me for today x

Honeysucklelou2

Well done on all the NSDs. Enjoy the precious moments with your little one. I'm a single parent and my youngest is almost 2, He is a joy and has kept me going through the times of heartache.

Singlemumwithplans

Wednesday to do list

1. Take dd to music and dance workshop
2. Give dad is birthday card
3. Wrap up birthday present for niece
4. Walk doggy
5. Make cc payment

The dinner I made last night was delicious and had a lovely evening with my friend. Didn't spend anything yesterday but I wanted to take the little lady to her class today as she loves it! £3 well spent! I do also need to buy a few bits to make sure I've got breakfasts, lunches and dinners for us both until the end of the week. Not a full shop just a top up!

I have another friend coming over this evening and she's bringing dinner! I had wanted to sort out a file of all bills etc. but can't really because of the friend coming. Still plenty of time for that!

That's all for now

Singlemumwithplans

Today's to do list has been achieved! :j

A good day, I only spent 7.09 on some milk, bread and fruit in aldi and 3.00 on entry to the little lady's dance and music workshop. So total on £10.09. Pretty pleased with that since I didn't spend anything on Monday or Tuesday. A good start to the week. I have been making a payment to the cc everyday. Just of a few quid. I'm thinking of it that usually I would fritter that money away on a coffee or treats. So it's much better going to the cc. Keeping a spending diary helps so much with trying not to buy stuff as you know you are going to have to write it down.

Am aiming to not buy any more food until Sunday/Monday. Also need to look into economy 7 electricity as I think I have this but I don't know the times for cheaper electricity. It would be good to put the washing on for example when the electricity is cheaper. So I will put phoning them on my to do list for tomorrow.

I still have half a tank of petrol as haven't been far these last few weeks:rotfl: so no cost there. It's looking like a cheap week with food and petrol being the things that I HAVE to buy.

Am so looking forward to pay day so as to organise money to different areas!

Scott_Weiland_2

Re gas and electric have a look at a company called Iresa they are the cheapest on the market.

Singlemumwithplans

Thursday to do list

1. Phone electricity company about cheapest time
2. Phone insurance company to find out about renewal
3. write list of finance jobs for ex to do
4. Pull out sofas and side tables and clean!
5. Write a list of outgoings, days, amounts and which accounts

All achieved :j I do just need to check a couple of amounts!

Today has been quiet, a made a small payment to the cc and am waiting to get paid tomorrow to move money around. It has been another no spend day today which I'm pleased about although it has been a bit boring!

I did find out the cheaper time to use the electricity so will aim to do my washing then. And my car insurance is up for renewal at the end of the month so there might be some money to be saved there. My list of outgoings was okay. Large but not horrific! It doesn't include debt repayments so that's another list that needs to be made.

I did have a lovely evening yesterday and dd and I had the leftovers of the food my friend brought round for lunch so very money saving! I'm about to pop one of my batch cooked meals in the microwave for myself as dd had my last portion of shepherds pie with sweet potatoe mash. Perhaps over the weekend I'll make another and a lasagne?! I do find that doing that means dd and I always have healthy homemade meals that don't cost too much to make. Plus I get lazy in the evening.

I'm on my own for the weekend so might be a few spends there, we will see. It will be really odd to not have the little lady around but I'm doing my best to think of it as a lay in! I do have plenty of food in but it's nothing very exciting so I might be tempted to get some junk, tasty stuff as dd isn't here. I will try my best to resist! Tomorrow might be a bit spendy eek!

Photographer came back to me with a price of £125 reduced for £175 as its just the two of us. It is a lot... So still thinking about that one. Any thoughts?

That's all for now